Thunder AC6 charger questions

[kiwi1080]

So I got the AC6 charger in the mail today, looks pretty impresive so far. Anyway, the manual seems to be bad english with no diagrams as per usual chinese made stuff. Just wondering about amperage rates and what some of the read-out stuff means.

Firstly, what rate should I be charging an 11.1v battery at? Is it at about 2.0A? What about 7.4v batteries, should they be less?

Secondly, the 5 digit readout in the bottom right-hand corner on the charging screen that goes up as the battery charges, what is this number? Is it the MAh number that needs to get to whatever number the battery holds? Hope that makes sense!

Any help is appreciated as I don't want to connect things wrong and blow something up!!

One last one, when I connect the battery to the charger, I connect the red and black plugs plus the balancer part as well I assume? I guess this depends on the connector type as to what cord I use also? Any tips from anybody using this charger would be great as the manual readlly isn't that helpful.

Thanks in advance.

[akent]

The general rule of thumb is that you charge these lipos at 1C.

So, if you for instance have an 800ma battery, you would charge it at 800ma and a 2,200ma pack at 2.2 amps.

Some folks charge at higher rates (Mckrackin!), but that is generally not recommended, from what I've read.

Best,
Kent

[akent]

I just received one of those today (thanks Ranben!!)!!

I can't wait to play with it!
Kent

[kiwi1080]

Thanks Kent, that makes more sense than the broken english in the manual!! Do you, or anybody, know what the 5 digit number that goes up on the bottom right (next to the timer) means? It says that it is the charge capacity, but not sure what the total number I should be aiming for is? Thanks.

[ranben]

There is a video on Xheli.com or Nuttcaze.com (on both) that shows how to use it. I havnt watched it, so I dont know how indepth it is.

[kiwi1080]

Played round with it a bit and then watched that video (thanks ranben) and have got it sorted now. A couple things nuttcaze says aren't quite right, but he gets the gist of it in the video and explains it pretty well. Recommend checking out his vid for those who have just got one of these chargers. Also, as he mentions and as I will back up, get the AC6 rather than the T6 if you can as it comes with AC adaptor. If you get the T6 you will have to spend another $13.95 at least getting the AC adaptor.
This charger is pretty sweet as opposed to the stock ones you get with an RTF heli. It was taking me about 5-6 hours to charge an 11.1v 2100Mah battery on the little Esky 0.8A charger I got with the HBFP. I cut that to 50 minutes tonight on the AC6 and the battery was pretty much fully discharged, awesome!! ;D I foresee a lot more flight time now with this charger and I can make the most out of nice calm days. One of the best investments so far. Now back to the Corona I'm drinking...

[akent]

Kiwi, you should set the charger to Balance.
Then you need to plug in the main power plug into the charger as well as the funky white plug.

Then set the charger to balance charge the pack.

Your pack will then last far longer.

This charger is a balance charger.
Kent

[akent]

Apr 22, 2009 17:23:59 GMT -6 kiwi1080 said:

Thanks Kent, that makes more sense than the broken english in the manual!! Do you, or anybody, know what the 5 digit number that goes up on the bottom right (next to the timer) means? It says that it is the charge capacity, but not sure what the total number I should be aiming for is? Thanks.

Sorry I didn't answer this earlier.
That number is how much power you are actually putting back into the battery.
If you put back the full capacity of your battery, then it was really discharged. That's when you might want to back off on the flight times a little.
Kent

[kiwi1080]

Thanks Kent, I have been using the balance charging mode on it to make sure I charge the batteries right. The amount of power I am putting back into the heli is that high so I must be able to do some longer flight times than I am by the looks of it. That new 2200Mah "Blue" lipo battery I got from hobbypartz for $29 works really well. Did a 13 min flight on my 450 and it was still responding like a fresh battery, very nice!

[ranben]

13 Minutes ? WOW!

I would be interested to know what it took to recharge it.
I would think it was really drained if it flew that long.

[akent]

Wow is right about 13 minutes!!!

I set my timer at 7 minutes and if I'm hovering, I use up pretty much a 2200ma battery.
If I'm out forward flying, it doesn't use nearly as much battery, but there is no way I could come close to that time!!

How you do that, Kiwi???
Kent

[deathspin]

has anyone got the software to work with the charger? i messed with it a little, but didn't know if there was certain procedure to install the prog, and when to hook up the usb cable and what not.

do they make longer balance cables for this? cause it seems too short, especially if used with a lipo safe bag to put it all in.

[lowbudget]

nuttcaze video (good) - i glanced through book - put it down - watch video - every he would press a button stop write it down - proceed - simple charge rate - 0.8 = 800mah - 1.2 = 1200 mah - you will have to hit the arrow button to get it to balance screen - it will start out on charge - BEEP/BEEP i am done charging ;D = VIC

[lowbudget]

THE AC6 will charge/balance/drain/storage modes - amps will drop to almost 0.1 when it gets close to shutoff ;D = VIC

[Tony]

Apr 23, 2009 19:18:55 GMT -6 deathspin said:

has anyone got the software to work with the charger? i messed with it a little, but didn't know if there was certain procedure to install the prog, and when to hook up the usb cable and what not.

do they make longer balance cables for this? cause it seems too short, especially if used with a lipo safe bag to put it all in.

Hobbycity has 20cm (8 inch) balance lead extensions but they are out of stock right now. www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=8874&Product_Name=JST-XH_Wire_Extension_3S_(20cm)

I am sure you could find them somewhere else though.