Pack charger

[Wayne's World]

I'm looking to purchase a pack charger. Came across this old discussion...

A RC/hobby balance charger is gets my vote. Its what I use for EV batteries and complete pack testing.

Depending on the model/brand there are feature like regenerative discharge and external discharge which can greatly improve the discharge rates for capacity testing. iCharger is known to do this well, I like their units for this type of work and they have various models in different price ranges that can all pretty much do the same thing. Im sure others can too, but I dont have first hand experience.

Balance chargers work well regardless if you are testing a single cell or a complete module as it is balance aware.

I've been scanning the forum for recommendations for large pack chargers/testers. I came across the iChargerDuo range and liked them, but the specs and manuals do not mention Li-ion anywhere so I assumed that they don't. Can you confirm?


I'm considering an X8 if the Duos are not suitable. Compactness is not a requirement. Anything else I should consider?

 

[daromer]

I run duo. They rock nd you get 2 channels and Up to 70a max current.
Duo is the top Line of the icharger and they do lithium all Day. I have used mine for like 7 years now

X series is their smaller series and work IF you are ok with that

 

[Wayne's World]

I'm assuming the 4010 is the pick. Is it overkill. Does it have features above the others I'll not likely use for 18650 recovery and maintenance?

 

[daromer]

For normal work the duo is Overkill and several Opus testers are better. Icharger is great of you need that current and going to run large packs. 4010 can do 70a at most.... You need PSU that can deliver that to

 

[Wayne's World]

I'm wanting to be ready for when I want to make packs, test and balance them, revive individual cells in a pack without dismantling - such as tool batteies. I'm also wanting to have a controlled method of reviving 0v cells. I know - I'm going to get flamed for that, but I just wanna give it a go.

I found a supplier in Brisbane doing a special on the 4010 at $499. Its only $10 more (after conversion rate) than the best OS price I can find, plus freight. I've sent an email. Waiting for response.

 

[jonyjoe505]

With tool packs you do have to take them apart, the bms will prevent you from trying to charge it/revive it. From my experience of trying to use those packs, there were alot of dead cells in each pack. No way I would try to force a charge on them.

for reviving "0" volt cells the one that always works for me is the "foxnovo 4s" . It will easily revive cells in the 1 volt range, and even some in the "0" range that nothing else will revive. But cells in the "0" range are usually no good once revived, they self drain or are very low capacity. You have to insert the cell into the slot then remove it sometimes several times until it jumpstarts and starts charging.

Its not my favorite charger since it doesnt do 1 amp capacity testing but I keep it around just to revive low voltage cells that other chargers won't do. One thing I hated about the foxnovo is the audio alarm, I opened it up and disconnected the speaker.

I been testing making packs for 4 years li-ion, lifepo4, there is no one charger that does it all. I use the opus to capacity test, foxnovo to revive, yr1030 for IR testing, the isdt q6 pro balance charger to charge a pack, any pack with a bms I just charge with a buck converter and monitor the balancing with a lipo alarm.

 

[Wayne's World]

With tool packs you do have to take them apart, the bms will prevent you from trying to charge it/revive it. From my experience of trying to use those packs, there were alot of dead cells in each pack. No way I would try to force a charge on them.

for reviving "0" volt cells the one that always works for me is the "foxnovo 4s" . It will easily revive cells in the 1 volt range, and even some in the "0" range that nothing else will revive. But cells in the "0" range are usually no good once revived, they self drain or are very low capacity. You have to insert the cell into the slot then remove it sometimes several times until it jumpstarts and starts charging.

Its not my favorite charger since it doesnt do 1 amp capacity testing but I keep it around just to revive low voltage cells that other chargers won't do. One thing I hated about the foxnovo is the audio alarm, I opened it up and disconnected the speaker.

I been testing making packs for 4 years li-ion, lifepo4, there is no one charger that does it all. I use the opus to capacity test, foxnovo to revive, yr1030 for IR testing, the isdt q6 pro balance charger to charge a pack, any pack with a bms I just charge with a buck converter and monitor the balancing with a lipo alarm.

I should clarify - when I say revive a tool pack - I mean out of the case, and attaching leads to each cell group. Obviously can't do this with a slot charger.

I have a Nitecore D4 and a Lii-500. Got a few more 500 on the way and a 500s for 0v recovery.

So the 4010 might be well more than I need right now, but I expect It'll be very useful when it comes to large packs. I'm certainly going to look at getting an IR tester to.