Parallel Charging 6 LiPo Batteries Using iCharger 206B

[rrooss85]

It is not safty charge different tipe of battery at the same time! they must be same brand same capacity! different iternal resistence may cause wrong current drain. Charging like this will cause 60/70% less lifespan and in some case enlargements and permanent damage!!!!

[WNCmotard]

I just received my 350w / 206b combo from you guys with both 6x connectors, and it's so much nicer than what I had, and offers many more features. I also got it coast to coast in three days, you guys rock!

[ibleed1]

@450hp202turbo you again, pfff.

[nsxrrUT]

Are you serious or this is only joke ??

[antihero138chris]

thank you for the great video. I have a small question. when charging in parallel with 3s packs whats the limiting factor for how many packs I can charge at the same time? is it the chargers amp output or the number of cells it can support. in my case its 10amps and 6s? when you charge six packs can you actually see all 18 cells voltage when charging with the icharger. thanks

[write2dgray]

@antihero138chris There is no theoretical limit to the number of packs you can charge at once in parallel, it is more of a practical limit based on the space required/number of connections as well as the time needed/power available from your charging set-up.

You could for example use a tiny charger to charge (100) 5Ah packs, but it would take days.

[mamatalu]

@write2dgray I don't think you're entirely correct. It will be function of your power supply total power output. The more batteries you connect, while keeping the same voltage, the current will go down. Remember Power = Voltage x Current (P=VI). That's the practical limit.

[macksongjh]

Hi there, i have a question. I just purchased a Banana 4mm to 6 x XT60. I look through the net and i found that all uses balance too. I do not have the JST plugs for the balancing. Can I still charge my battery without them? I'm running 6 S3 2200mah battery. At what rate should i charge them. My charger is a G.T Power A6-D. Maximum charge current is 5.0A

Cheers

[write2dgray]

@macksongjh Most all multi-cell lipos have balance leads these days and it is always recommended to balance charge them. If you in fact have a much older pack without balance leads you should limit charge rate to 1C max. which is 2.2A on a 2.2Ah pack.

[macksongjh]

@write2dgray Thanks for your reply write2dgray. It means that i can just charge my battery without using the balance JST-XH connectors just that i can only do it at the lower current? If i set my charging to 1C (2.2A), If i were to charge 3 or 6 battery pack which means 2.2A times 3 = (6.6A), Do i set the charge to maximum current at (5A)?

[xxgg]

So when you plug them in parallel,,,

Charger will detect that it is 3S LiPo...

But how many cells should the charger detect as ?

still 3cell? or 18cell in case of this video ?

[write2dgray]

@xxgg When connecting packs in series the voltage increases, but the capacity stays the same.

When connecting packs in parallel the voltage stays the same (still 3S), but the capacity is cumulative.

So in the video the charger will see a 3S pack of a larger capacity.

[pirape]

@xxgg its like if you are charging a 3s 60000mah battery :)

[logitechg25666]

I have a Turnigy Accucel - 8 charger and I want to charge and balance 4 x 3S lipos 5000mah THIS WAY. Is that gonna work???

[Kole208]

hay im probilly buying a rc car that comes with a lipo battery its 4s but all the chargers i see have like these weird cables on them like there ment for a car batter not a rc so im confused and i want one that plugs into a wall and ideas what i should look at getting?

[write2dgray]

@Kole208 All chargers require DC input to operate, just like your computer or TV. This requires an AC to DC power supply to convert, and you will find that some low power chargers integrate this small power supply.  For larger/more powerful chargers an AC/DC power supply is required.

[mrldc2u2]

Can somebody tell if progressiveRC is a safe place to buy? Im overseas and I really want a few of their products! Thanks for anyhelp

[suhbliem]

@mrldc2u2 yes, I know plenty of people with their parallel adapters and they work fine

[write2dgray]

@mrldc2u2 We've been in business 4 years and have an impeccable reputation, search around a little on different forums and please let us know if you have any questions or if there is anything we can help with.

[coopzindahouse]

sorry i dont have any lipo batteries at the minute cos im ordering a 1/8 truck, thanks for advice, very good and detailed.

[coopzindahouse]

could you tell me what the recommended time for a 2s lipo 11.1 battery is on this charger.

[write2dgray]

@coopzindahouse Charge time depends on the max. C charge rate of the pack, the capacity of the pack or packs being charged, and then the max. power available from the charger/power supply. Unfortunately, you haven't given me any of the stats necessary to calculate this for your pack. Essentially, you can charge at 20A on a 2S lipo with this set-up if your lipo can handle it - check manufacturer's ratings before charging at a rate higher than 1C.

[1521joe]

hi

were did you get that lead from?

[write2dgray]

@1521joe A wide variety of parallel charging leads are available at progressiverc

[1521joe]

@write2dgray

thanks bro.

[olagut]

I`ve ordered a 206b and a set of paralell cables, + 2 sets of paralell cables (one for 2s and one for 3s).

As i run 5s total with one 3s and one 2s in series in my rc car, is it possible to charge this at the same time, in any way? ;) (balanced)

[write2dgray]

@olagut Sure it is, but it's a bit complicated and easy to mess up, it involves series and parallel charging simultaneously. This works great, but one mistake and it will be sparks - mostly for this reason I would not encourage charging in this configuration.

[djculver34]

So can all lipo packs be charged at a 2C rate? 

[write2dgray]

@djculver34 Most modern lipos (made in last year) are rated to 3C charge rates or more, check with your manufacturer. Older lipos were limited to 1C charge rates due to their much higher internal resistance.

[Jeralddoerr]

So what happens if you try to charge like this with one fully charged pack and one discharged pack?

[write2dgray]

@Jeralddoerr First I guess it goes without saying that you shouldn't charge a fully charged pack. One of the main rules in parallel charging is to avoid connecting packs that are significantly different in charge state. When done it subjects the lower voltage pack to a potentially high charge rate. All testing by many independent sources have shown the charge rates and periods to not be dangerous/explosive, but it could potentially damage connectors or reduce pack cycle life.

[vinay2070]

what abt charging batteries of different C charge ratings? Like mixing the 90c nanotechs with ordinary 20C battery?

[write2dgray]

@vinay2070 You should limit the C rate of charge to the lowest of the packs being charged. For example, if charging a 5C rated pack and a 3C rated pack, the combined charge rate should be limited to 3C.

[sahand293]

Thanks for you'r video ,I wana ask you something: can I try this with my Graupner Ultramat 14 plus too?

[write2dgray]

@sahand293 Sure, parallel charging works with any charger, although I'd only recommend doing it with a high quality charger with an integrated balancer which will allow the charger to control the overall charge rate if cell balancing becomes necessary.

[dandork20]

Watching this video just gave me a hard on

[write2dgray]

@dandork20 Right on. Glad you enjoyed :).

[mrktplayer]

@write2dgray LMAO

[TheExcentrik]

How about 6x4S 5000mah?

[write2dgray]

@TheExcentrik Sure, 6 x 4S 5000mAh is no problem at all (or 5S, 6S, whatever :)) as long as the packs you are charging are all the same "S."

[spiceyvideo]

I know plety about lipo batteries and how they are parallel charged, but the one thing I don't understand is parallel balancing? How does the balancing function throughout the parallel of more than one cell?

[write2dgray]

@spiceyvideo Parallel balancing is simply the concept of parallel charging single cells together extended to multiple cell packs. By connecting the balance taps in parallel each cell equalizes together such that all cell #1s (on each pack in parallel) will have the same voltage, and all cell #2s will be equal, and so on.

[stephenjray1988]

@write2dgray great video i just checked out progressive Rc and that place is awesome everything i have been looking for awesome site thanks.

[write2dgray]

@stephenjray1988 Great Stephen - glad I could help!

[ballcatsackmaster]

Great video! Thanks for sharing!

[write2dgray]

@ballcatsackmaster You're very welcome!

[HMRoyalMachine]

can this be done with any lipo charger?

[write2dgray]

@HMRoyalMachine Absolutely, the concept of parallel charging and these parallel cables will work with any balancing lipo charger, although the real benefit comes when using higher wattage chargers like the iChargers that can output from 250 to 1000W.

[HMRoyalMachine]

@write2dgray cool, i have the triton2 eq charger and it takes forever to charge each lipo...this was is so cool. guess i'll be ordering some wires off ProgressiveRC,

is power supply a issue? my charger has a power cable that i plug straight into the wall...will anything else be required charging this way?

[HMRoyalMachine]

@HMRoyalMachine trition2 eq has a "Lightweight built-in switching AC power supply" will that be enough? thanks

[write2dgray]

@HMRoyalMachine Sure this will work, but with the Triton 2 you will be limited to 100W max. power output on AC (120W using a more capable power supply or Pb source).

This means it can only output a max. of ~4A on a 6S pack, limiting it's usefulness for parallel charging as it still may take a looong time to charge multiple packs in parallel at this relatively low charge rate.  Nothing else would be required in this set-up.

[HMRoyalMachine]

@write2dgray i'll be charging 2S lipo so for example if i charge 4 2S 5000mah will i set the charge to 2000? or just 5000? and do i still set it to 7.4v? thanks very much

[HMRoyalMachine]

@HMRoyalMachine lol 2000

[write2dgray]

@HMRoyalMachine When combining packs in parallel, the capacity is added together and the voltage remains the same (as a side note, when combining packs in series, the voltage is added together and the capacity remains the same).

So, if you combine 4 x 2S 5Ah packs, the resultant pack is still a 2S, but 20Ah capacity (4x5Ah=20Ah). You would set the charger to 2S and the charg rate at 20A for a 1C charge on this set-up.

I hope this helps clear things up :)!

[neavissa]

Hi there,

I was wondering to what mah settings you have to set the charger?! I always hear that you can charge different mah size batteries, but what do I set the charger to?

thanks,

G

[write2dgray]

@neavissa Hi G! When charging in parallel, the capacity is cumulative, so...add them up.

If you are charging two 2200mAh packs, it is as if you are charging one 4400mAh battery (4.4Ah). To charge this configuration at 1C you would set the charger to 4.4A. 2C would equal 8.8A (2x4.4A).

To set Two 3000s and a three 2000s would be 3000+3000+2000+2000=10,000mAh (or 10Ah). To charge this configuration at 1C you would set the charger to 10A.

Let me know if you need any more help.

[neavissa]

@write2dgray Makes totally sense! don't know why I didn't think of that myself! LOL. Thanks for the fast reply!

G

[domho7]

Bought the cables from progressiverc and did some parallel charging.

[jeriko777]

do you own progressive rc or a customer? just wondering?

[write2dgray]

@jeriko777 I am the owner of ProgressiveRC. Please let me know if you ever need any help. - David Gray

[jeriko777]

@write2dgray ohh cool!!!! yeah i have a question... on the Parallel ThunderPower Balance Adapter? is all the male and female plugs all thunderpower plugs or just the female plugs? im asking because i want to buy an icharger 208b and get the thunderpower balancer board... but will the Parallel ThunderPower Balance Adapter work on that board or does it hook up straight to jst-xh.... thanks

[write2dgray]

@jeriko777 On the parallel cables all plugs are the same type of connectors, with 6 female and 1 male.

So, the best method is as you have described when using ThunderPower. The parallel cable will plug into a ThunderPower balance board, which will in turn plug into the iCharger.

[jeriko777]

ohh wait... sorry your right...its 300w ...i thought it was the 208b not 206b

[write2dgray]

@jeriko777 You got it - the 206B is 300W max, the 208B is the 350W version.

[jeriko777]

and isnt the iCharger 208B 350w charger?? not 300w?

[jeriko777]

where can i buy a parallel balance wires... i just need like a y adapter to charge 2 lipos?????????????/ help

[write2dgray]

@jeriko777 Both the Y-option you've described (for charging two at a time in parallel) and the 6x harness shown here are available on my site at ProgressiveRC.

[write2dgray]

@TOOLY12 When charging in parallel, capacity does not matter. The LiPo or LiFe packs only need to be the same cell count and approximate state of charge (+/- ~.3V/cell). When charged in this way all packs are balanced as well or better than if charged individually. For a more detailed explanation, feel free to email me through ProgressiveRC and I can send some links/diagrams that make it a little easier to understand.

Cheers,

David

[AKA0987]

could i run the charger off a 20 amp 12 volt rail on a computer PSU?

[write2dgray]

@AKA0987 Sure, although don't expect to get the full power output on the 206B. You will be limited to a max. of 240W in (12Vx20A), so expect a max. of around 216W out assuming 90% efficiency and full power rating on the power supply.

[AKA0987]

@write2dgray thanks!

[SpecialForces832]

Can I plug this into my wall and charge my airsoft gun lipo battery small 11.1 v ??

[write2dgray]

@SpecialForces832 Absolutely - the iChargers work great for Airsoft 3S packs. Look on ProgressiveRC.

[asecretasianman]

write2dgray, what is the unit you have between the power supply and the charger?

[write2dgray]

@asecretasianman It is a is a power strip, you plug it in to your power supply and if provides female banana connections for multiple chargers. We are having some high power versions made to accommodate our chargers. They should be available in 2-3 weeks and will allow you to power up to 6 chargers with fused, switched connections and LED indicator lights.

[write2dgray]

@write2dgray A new higher power version of the power strips (called the Multi-Distributor) is now available at ProgressiveRC under the tools and accessories section.

[redhotpearl1]

Do you still recommend the icharger? What power supply would you recommend? Somthing that can run off A/C. Thanks I would appreciate it.

[write2dgray]

@redhotpearl1 Absolutely, the iChargers are terrific and offer unbeatable power for the $.

Unfortunately, no high power chargers run on AC. All require DC input and to integrate an AC/DC power supply would double cost, size, and failure rate of the combined unit, while reducing future versatility. I'd look at the P350 and 206B, they make a great and compact combo capable of a full 300W output.

[MaxSachs]

Well this is unexpected, every piece of literature I've ever read on lipos said to NEVER try to parallel charge them the way you are doing right now. Nothing has blown up on you yet I'm guessing? I would hope so because I've got a 20S2P pack that could really simplify matters if I could charge them like that.

[write2dgray]

@MaxSachs: No explosions here. Parallel charging LiPo and LiFe cells is perfectly safe as long as the packs being charged in parallel have the same cell count and are at approximately the same state of charge.

[MaxSachs]

@write2dgray

What if I solder a bunch of cells in series to make up the difference in cell count?

Example: a 10 cell pack consists of 2 x 4S + 1 x 2S, I want to parallel charge them with another pack that is 2 x 5S.

Now the total cell count between them in series is 10 cells but one pack technically as more separate cells to be soldered, will it still work?

[writetodgray]

This would be charging in parallel and series. The parallel connections are okay, but combining packs in series in this manner for charging is not recommended unless they are always discharged in the same configuration.

[MaxSachs]

I tried parallel charging my lipos and it worked great, but it refused to balance charge them in parallel mode.....kept giving me a voltage error. What's up?

[writetodgray]

There must be something wrong with how they are connected. If they are correctly connected in parallel, then you should be able to "see" each cell voltage with a DMM or on the charger display. It sounds like what you are doing may be fairly complicated and might require a picture to help troubleshoot, so it may be best to take this one off youtube comments for assistance, so try emailing through my website (ProgressiveRC) or sending me a message here.

Cheers,

David

[centuian]

how would you connect the balencing cable for a maxamp lipo 3 s? its a little shorter connector

[write2dgray]

@centuian: That's why the balance leads are on flexible, parallel extensions. This allows you to easily connect to varying lengths of balance wire from the battery.