What's Inside: lipo chargers

[SEThatered]

I love this series! Your explanations couldn't be more simple. Thank you!

[SEThatered]

Hi Bruce.

Is undercharging Li-Po bad for the battery?

[RCModelReviews]

@SEThatered No, not at all -- in fact it is easier on the battery. To get maximum life out of a lithium battery you'd try to keep it around the 3.8V per cell which means not fully charging and only discharging to slightly below that voltage. However, most of us want the maximum possible flight-times so we usually fully charge them each time they're going to be used.

[rent2ownnz]

Whats inside is great!!!!! us kiwis love to "RIP" Things apart.... can you give us a run down on how to calibrate one of the cheap multi pass $5 buck chargers?

[rubenhakopian]

Thank you for another great review! Just one question. I've got Turnigy 420 charger and want to improve its accuracy. How do i know in which direction to adjust the voltage and at which point to becomes calibrated?

[judoisoww]

very interesting and much appreciated

[TheRevJVegas]

Very informative. Thank you for taking the time to do the video; I enjoyed it.

[BMK1957]

This was good value thanks but would like to know how to calibrate them also,so a video would be nice.watch all your videos as well as your xjet ones. Thanks again

[FuttFel]

I'd like to know how to calibrate the Turnigy 420. I have one of those and an Accucell 8. I use the Accucell for the larger packs and to charge quickly, the 420 is nice and portable so I keep that in my bag-o-stuff.

[Cardnim]

Another great video, and a really good idea for a series.

Cant wait for the next.

You mention about the tolerances of the 4 button chargers. I use one (an Ansmann Racing) and would like to know how to fine tune the charger so that it is charging each cell to exactly 4.2v? Cheers chum! :)

[malcauskas7]

This is the same Hextronik HX8080 Schema.

[Mark1Spitfire]

I want to see what's inside your head Bruce, lol

[ciprianwiner]

I really want more of "What's Inside". I wanna see a servo opened and explained. Thanks :)

[chuco425]

I want to see whats inside a pricey transmitter & a cheap one

[RCModelReviews]

@chuco425 Check out part 2 of the JR XG8 review then -- posted to this channel this week.

[dhkitson1]

Greatly informative video. I have the Accucell 6 which does do a great job , but as you pointed out the out of balance batteries can sometimes take forever to balance. I would consider picking up one of the 420 chargers for the 4 cell " out of balance " packs.

Thanks

[noelywire]

I'd love to see some escs looked at / reviewed. Like the plush escs and trust ect.

[Don9aleh]

I wanna see whats inside a turbine jet!

[somethinextra]

Great vid Bruce,Thanks...

[TheSaltysack]

wow how come i never seen your chanel man i like it

[dooce100]

german please help thanks rich in the uk YES THE UK an i not known you mention us in the uk an please can you tell us the price of things in £ AS EVERY THING IS IN $ PLEASE I SPEAK FROM MOST OR ALL IN THE UK I HOPE

[dooce100]

yes ples show us how i have about 10 of the basic chargers that came with rtr models an not one puts the right charge in in a lipo but one of the dose charge right an balance is fine but it take a year an some to do lol as am a little new to lipos an chargers iv just bought a 450 align trex witch came with a PRO-PEAK PRODIGY 2 BY RIPMAX do know it well not sure if it suppose to plug in to a balancer or straight to lipo looked on you tube but no help an less your

[BenGovett]

Was about to throw out a 2/3 cell basic charger just like the last one you showed. Glad I watched this, will now keep it for balance charging 3 cell batteries when I work up to a 450 size heli. Will have to check the voltages on the individual cells it charges up, but you gave me some hope for a little more re-use and recycling of bits I've bought while I'm learning. Thanks!

[hot4plasma]

I love the video! I am very interested in what's inside everything in RC. Great video. I have my doubts about even a so called good charger, because you're entirely right... they are basically the same with different stickers. When you get more revenue coming in, it would be great to compare a really good charger's guts to a cheap one. You know your way around electronics, and that's impressive. Thanks!

[RCmodelVideos]

Hi there, to calibrate the charger with the big screen you have to press and hold decrease and start button, power up the charger and wait, calibration screen will come up, connect the battery and your meter and with the charger, with increase decrease buttons adjust your charger's value according to your meter readings (assuming you meter is calibrated ;) press start/enter to save and your done :) This works on my Bantam charger it should on this one too, I think :)

[livvidd]

Whats inside looks like a great way to learn more about r/c electronics. I would love to see more of these type of vids Bruce.

[hammer883333]

great video, would love to see how to calibrate these chargers

[HiFlyer371]

Enjoyed the Whats inside Lipo video! Would also be interested in a how to calibrate video. Thanks for all your work!

[hyper080]

hey what should the inputs max amps be?

[TheMV70]

Idea: what's inside the complete Quanum Telemetry set and the Pitch gauge of Rc Logger.

[TheMV70]

Really nice. And you're funny too. :-). Like it.

[ridgewalkerflys]

Great video (and channel)!

Learned a few things about the different types of chargers i not known before.

The What's Inside idea is a good one,will be looking forward to future videos.

Thank you for the great videos!

[bobcat1000000]

Hi Bruce I found your video to be intersting I now more about chargers thank keep up the good work .

[bazzarevhead]

Hi Bruce, I've been following your reviews for about a year now(plus going through all the videos and reviews older than that) and honestly, every single one that you've put together has been useful and welcome to many of us, newbies and old farts too!! Keep up the great work, you're a refreshing one-of-a-kind, also those videos on your flying strip giving your mates a wind up...just priceless!!! All the best for 2012, especially good health for yourself and your missus. Baz in Sydney.

[The1fuzzydog]

@13Anko: two 2s packs in series would have two separate balance leads

[1204mick]

Great vid! Good to have this sort of info when you hit problems or batts won't charge properly.

[96sunvalley]

Great information. I would also like to see how to calibrate the four button chargers. Thank you.

[peterbootsma]

Great, thanks!

[Critt3er]

Great video! I would like to see how to calibrate the 4 button chargers. Thanks for all the great info!!!

[13Anko]

Why does the 420 has 2 2 cell ports...??? pretty useless if you ask me.....

[virdun]

Bruce Excellent very informative !!!!!!!!!!!

[elkm]

Hello Bruce, very nice video! I`m looking for a charger to buy and I really don`t know if it`s worth to spend a lot or just buy a chinese one.

I was going to buy one from DEALEXTREME, the site has several models from U$10 to 60. What do you think about it?

[CaldorSD]

Keep them coming.

[bassman1972]

Very good idea.

I would like to see a video of how to change one of the cheapest charger in a very reasonable Through The change of resistance, as he speaks on video.

I hope to get lucky and find that this would be a good idea.

thank you

Portugal

[Fugitive0Z]

Gotta love the tools - a HackSaw and a Hammer.

I'm sure there would be an OXY cutter laying around there somewhere too.

[KozmykJ]

"What's Inside" - A great idea. Keep 'em coming.

[thenerdyouknowabout]

Continued....... Could you try recievers and or escs?? Thanks

[thenerdyouknowabout]

Nice, hope you continue with tis series of vids, could you try recievers andorra

[erg0centric]

"I've already undone the screws because I think ahead" - nice

I've calibrated hundreds of items in my career and didn't think to calibrate my chargers, thanks for the tips.

[covercalls88]

Loved your video. Great work. I do use the cheap little chargers and would like to know how to calibrate them. I had access to quite a few of the chargers as most guys would buy a better charger and throw them away. I actually made special set of connectors that allowed me to charge 4 and 6 cell packs using two of those cheap chargers.

[750lrussi]

Bruce, I liked the video and a series of these videos would be great.

I would like to see a video about whats inside Barry's head!

[startazz]

Yeah keep them coming mate as it's interesting but i'd like more how too video's better though ;-)

[Bing80]

Yes! I'd like to know all the things you mention in the end :)

[MrHanzeeman]

Bruce: These videos are excellent! I like it when you explain each part of the circuit, since it helps us learn troubleshooting skills, when something goes wrong.

Thanks again

[quixfz]

the turnigy 420 is actually a quite special charger... it has 4 isolated dc-dc converters, which allows it to charge each cell separately. this also allows full charging and balancing very way-out-of-balance packs, like a cell at 3V and one at 4V, this would take ages on a normal charger.

a "normal" charger, like the imax or accucel, charges the whole pack & then discharges the cells to equal voltage (balancing). which is slightly more taxing for the pack and takes long for out-of-balance packs.

[pushinold]

I only take apart these things once they stop working.

[lomcevak99]

Good informative video, please keep them coming. How about a chat on an Accucel 6?

[Xairflyer]

a video on calibrating 4 button chargers would be good Bruce

[KWAKAPILOT]

What's Inside - is a great idea Bruce - keep ém comin'.

What's inside a jet turbine motor would be a good one to do. Maybe servos too.

[aidan284]

can you please do whats inside key chain cameras

[jrmurd]

Great video and new series.

[freebiker04]

Cool video Bruce, I think lots of people out there would be interested in how to recalibrate their 4 button chargers!!! Mine are ok but there is room for improvement :)

Thanks

Ken

[antsp1]

Great video! I would like to see how to calibrate the small box 2-3 cell chargers!

[majch]

This will be a great series! I'd love to see the inside of a battery with your commentary on how they work.

[wolfes1126]

Nice Video,great Theme.

Just a little INfo:

The 4 Button Chargers like a B-6 and the 1 from Ikarus have a hidden Service Menu that you can  rset and calibrate t he Charger.

Unfortunately i forgot how that works again , a Buddy of mine had told me ones but since i had forgotton.

[wolfes1126]

Actually i just asked him again:

Press  DEC and Start while hooking up Power to the Charger to get into the Service Menu.

[Jetdriver007]

Nice video Bruce! Love to see more things ripped open.

[Fou3Fan]

Very good video series!

[mgrande11]

I use a cheap 4 button charger and an astro blinky for balancing and it is very accurate.

[searchin666fox]

Good video, I like seeing inside products. Keep them coming.

[jl49lo]

I am so impressed with your rc reviews, tips,ideas etc. You have saved me so much potential grief as a beginner to this hobby.  Thank you

[LatvianRC]

Nice vid

[md8phoenix]

Excellent Video. Very informative. Enjoyed it very much.

[hads1111]

Hi Bruce, will you be flying tomorrow during the day? Im in Taupo so might come up. Cheers

[RCModelReviews]

@hads1111 Should be at the field by mid-day or so -- ring/SMS me to make sure. Phone number is on the club website.

[sbglobal]

Awesome vid Bruce, thanks for taking your time to show us :)

Question though, which charger and power supply combo is the best value on the martet at the moment Bruce?

I plan to charge batteries mainly for rc tanks and reciever pack :)

Cheers

Steve

[jahatton]

Good one Bruce!

[jeffie8696]

Funny, I have all three of those chargers. I like them all. Glad to know I can adjust them if I need to. Thanks Bruce.

[resurrectd]

whats inside your brain Bruce?

[xlr82v2]

Excellent!!! Keep it up!!!

[tankshermanator]

Hi Bruce, Whats inside is a fantastic concept. Definitely keep it up Sir :o)

[theRCexperiment]

Great vid! I have a Turnigy Accucell 6, a few months ago I kept getting a "connection break" error... it would not go away no matter what, figured the charger was done for, about to trash it and all of a sudden it worked again. However, every now and then it gets into a funk and says the "connection break" error. Any ideas? Fixes? Anyone else get this same problem? Much thanks!

[amtpdb1]

Hi:

You showed the turnigy 5011 charger. I could not find it on hk's site. Do you have a number for it? I was looking at the 4 battery chargers thinking about buying one of them. What charger would you buy for your personal use now considering all the available chargers out there now?

Thanks for the videos.

I still am waiting for your tig welder video.

Don

[aidan284]

carry on doing these vids. Excellent!!

[vetteracerz]

Great video love the new what's inside series!

[MFizzle777]

Thanks for that, very useful knowledge indeed :-)

[martijnvangene]

Bruce, thank you for explaining how these chargers work! Very informative, how about explaining the ESC's, BEC's and the likes in the same way?

[metasim]

PS: I think the segment should be called "Watts Inside" ;-)

[metasim]

Bruce, another awesome review. I appreciate how you give a quick tour of the circuit board subsystems. Would you consider doing a review of the watt meters, as well as how to accurately measure cell voltage? Thanks!!

[g0arl]

Good explanation Bruce, informative and interesting

Thanks

[jayc004]

Yes please!!

I have 2 IMAX charges, and one is pretty good, and the other is not so good. Anyway to check that would be great.

Like the idea of the series. Would be great if it was for some purpose. So like replacing an arial wire on an RX, or changing the Mode on a TX.

Then we would have an idea of what we are looking at.

[bitterpiglet]

Very useful vid. Tuning vids would be a great idea. Keep up the good work!

[mugen4Lfe]

Great vid! Just need to show how to calibrate.

[TheZeusplace]

god tips. thanks 

[epparkflyer]

Thanks for the 'What's Inside' video. Excellent. Thanks again.

[Amwaj01]

Great video Bruce, really informative !!

Woud really like to see how to balance the terminal values for the IMAX B6 as this is what I use.

Keep up the good work, and as always, looking forward to your next video.

Have you ever considered doing a build video for some of the Chinese gliders like the FlyFly DG-1000 ??

[biddygerm]

Hi there, Bruce could you show how to calibrate this 420 charger via the pots you pointed out ?

Thanks

[EdmundGerber]

I want to see inside an Aurora 9 radio.

Will Hitec allow that? :P

[jsoloughlin]

Excellent, thank you for such a simply presented video, nothing too high tech and enough to explain the workings of a charger. I have an iMAx Quatro B6 and would love you to review this. One of the charging ports is not working as the display is flashing all over the place. I link this to trying to revive a previously damaged LiPo which had gone below minimum voltage.That happened by using a non balancing charger sold to me by Sussex Models when I knew little about LiPo's. John.

[TheRealKodaman]

What's inside is brilliant . Keep them coming.

[RCMACSPEED]

wanna see inside a DX6i

[RCMACSPEED]

I'd like to see how you calibrate the accucel

[jbx907]

thank you bruce

[bear3103]

I found your video very interesting and informative bruce...JOB WELL DONE

[noelywire]

Given the 420 and accucell 6 are virtually the same price which one would you chose?

[FuttFel]

@noelywire Go for the Accucell, as far as I know it has far faaar more features. Like being able to charge LiFe batteries, discharge, charge up to storage voltage etc.

[hoopztube]

Interesting video Bruce. Whats Inside is a great idea. How about what inside ESC's ans BECs?

[bibiricat]

pls make a video how to calibrate the small 3s charger pls

[bibiricat]

pls make a video how to calibrate the small 3s charger pls

[sparksflying100]

Nice Bruce.

I did not realise there was so much variance!

So a video of testing and adjusting would be very interesting, please.

[KardanAutos]

Awesome vid. Thank you. And if I recall right, you have already made video how to calibrate voltage on 4 but charger...

[spyda2002]

great video BTW :)



[spyda2002]

why does all my charges charge to 4.15 ?

[slaikie]

Great Review Bruce, very informative.

[DaveMoi]

looking forward on seeing how to tune these chargers :)

[UtRadioGuy]

I want to see ya cut open a big lipo cell. And this video was interesting.

[coaxialgyro]

great reveiw, so all we need to know is what resistor components have to much of a fluctuation of resistance tolerance ,plus or minus 10% and swap them for +/- 2% ?quality components.

next you'll be selling the hot-up resistor kits for us !!?..

:¬)

[DoktorSativa]

Great review Bruce! Thanks for doing this type of 'show.' Keep it up. Any ETA on when the DIY video for the FPV backpack will be done?

[rayegunn1986]

I relay love when you get down to the details and workings of the systems, helping us understand what we a paying for. Anything more that you can show about how things are working and instructions on fixing and calibrating is more than welcome.

[bothefirst]

Brilliant idea ! I thoroughly enjoyed that.

[frogflyer79]

Great idea , please do a video on re-calibration

[redline022]

excellent idea. do more :-)

[soldier53flyer1]

I for one would like to know how to set up my charger to be right, if you have the time. as all ways Thank You, for your time. have a great day!!!

[Boot2yourHead]

when you charge at 1c per cell and it says full, reduce the charger to 1/2 c and it will peak charge because the charger sometimes gives a false full. i do this with all my battery's just in case it's wrong. not all chargers do this but it doesn't hurt. just my way of making sure it's peaked.

[Boot2yourHead]

whats inside Great idea. you need a sledge hammer too for the not so great items.

[BNConnection]

Wow, can't wait to see what's inside my radio and receivers, esc, and the ftp stuff we are going to build.

[crenn6977]

Definitely interesting to see, would love to see how to calibrate the 4 button models, I have a cheapy one (Hobby King Branded) that does have trim pots, but if there is a digital mode, I would be interested in seeing. Would enjoy seeing more of these "What's Inside".

[Farmhand2k]

Good info. Thanks.

[tlgrimmy]

Thanks for all of the great videos. Definitely enjoyed this video. Would love to see one on a multi-port charger. I'm thinking of purchasing a lipo charger that can charge 2 to 4 lipos at once, but want to know a little more about the pros vs. cons.

[yittymitty11]

one question--what is that 3pin conector for on the left hand side of the 4 botton charger?? is it some type of calibration tool plugin ( 4:08 )

[easycretor]

It is a god to see inside. Thanks Keep it going.

I learned something.

[videokfm]

great video.Please do the 4 button and cheap 2/3S charger calibrations.

[photobart1]

Good series. Open up a lipo battery.

[MinfangDuan]

whats inside a turbine engine

[201wrestler]

Do the four button calibration please! Thanks for the great video, really opened my eyes on my chargers!

[doughpat]

Super! Thanks very much. Keep them coming. Maybe some even more basic explanations (i.e. how does the 'daughter board' work? what does "re-flow" soldering even mean?)

[Gumby1974]

What's inside, love it!

[SuperJockhead]

What's Inside is a great segment to have,love to see more, Keep it coming.

[UrbanDrones]

this is a good one!

[johneyrico]

id love to know wats inside a lipo

so i know how banged up the outside can get befor real damage is caused

[kidovate]

@johneyrico It's three cells (three batteries) assuming you have a 3 cell battery. Google it.

[poppopscarvinshop]

An OutStanding Idea Bruce! For This Old Dog (Me) To Learn Something New Is A Miracle!

Thank You!

[amtpdb1]

Great video- I would be very interested in watching you tweak the different chargers.

Thanks

[Wamfox]

*use*



[Wamfox]

what charger do you do

[OCMAMY]

If it ain't broke, use a bigger hammer!

[brentr52]

Excellent stuff. I like it because anything I attempt to fix or modify or investigate is doomed to death, usually with flame and multi-colored smoke.

[bubu8947]

Great series!! Keep em coming enjoy the technical aspects that was the cherry on top!! Good to know makes diagnosing/describing a problem easier for the user. Greatly enjoyed the video thankyou.

[ConradPino]

Thanks Bruce. I'm newbie, love this series; more please.

[tomascontrerasjr]

i thought 3.7 was ideal per cell

[1stMrSceptical]

Thanx again Bruce most enlightening

[Juary70]

No doubt that this is a good theme. Looking forward on a video on how to tweak a 4 button charger as you said. Thanks again Bruce.

[jgruppe27]

On a 4 button charger how do you clean the buttons as mine aren't as crisp as they used to BE?!

[plaurence11]

I learned something. Buy high quality chargers! How about taking apart a FMA-Revolectrix such as the Cellpro powerlab 6 or 8. Possibly the best chargers on the market

[cloudsplitter24]

These are great Bruce! I'm really glad you're doing this full time now, your videos are a tremendous resource for my flying group, and I hope it's a tremendous success. One suggestion I had for a series would be to post a comparison of different batteries from a discharger performence etc. I have seen anecdotal reviews on batteries showing perforance under load, etc. Also, relative performance of ESCs would be appreciated. Thanks!

[lookingHK]

great insight

[da959]

Cool stuff! I didn't realize how much chargers could vary in charging from cell to cell.And,I really like looking inside to see just what's in there.This series is a must for everyone...Keep on posting this kindof stuff Bruce! I know I'll be watching to learn more..

[octane81]

Accucel review please :)

[underbird]

learned something new thanks!

[FlyingMerf]

Interesting. Please show how to calibrate a Turnigy 420.

[marhar2]

This is great stuff... it almost makes me hope for rainy NZ days so you'll have more time for indoor stuff! :-)

[pokies100]

Whats inside is a good name and reminds me of the site call "can it blend" You are a top teacher and will be the start of a university in new zealand in tokoroa. well well done. Rod

[marhar2]

Cheapie Charger calibration, please!

[waige]

Thanks! I been looking for this kind of RC electronics educational clips on YouTube. Really interesting and inspirational. Thanks again!

[BMK1957]

Anther great review Bruce great to see you are full time now as i hunger for your videos.

[RoboTekno]

Pretty cool review. I never really thought much of chargers until I saw this.

I've owned a Hobbypartz Thunder AC6 for over a year and so far, I love it. Although, the charger did come with a USB port to view charge statistics on your personal computer, but I can't seem to get the charger's software to work. If you could shed any light on how to operate a generic charger's optional software, I'd appreciate it :) I'm sure others will too.

[michaelsmead]

Like your videos. Loooking forward to the brushless motor and esc one.

[alkal78]

Very helpfull. Thanks!

[RTatBstoke]

Interesting idea for a video, (^: 

[motoman1997]

Great video, Thanks Bruce.

Also if you know of 4 button chargers that can be calibrated without too much trouble please let us know.

[CptEagle87]

Very interesting, perhaps you can show us how an ESC and brushless motor works, I've always wondered and I bet its really simple. Maybe show some scope action?

[jaghatarmittjobb2]

what's inside: women!