Recently started racing 1/12 scale on carpet, with 1S batteries - I have been charging using my I-Charger and normal 2S charge cable, but I have been told 1S batteries would charge faster using a 1S cable.

True?

It looks like the balance lead just goes to the positive plug on the battery - if so, can I just add a female plug to the + plug and plug in the balance lead when I charge 1S?

Thanks

I don't think it'll charge faster since there is no balance phase of the charge cycle. The only benefit of connecting balance leads is to be able to measure the IR of the cells.

If you want IR readings with a 2s cable TQ wire makes an adaptor.

As stated above it shouldn't make a difference while charging. But for an IR check, yes, you can just connect the sensor lead to the positive side on the battery. DRC sells a 1s/2s switch and its pretty cheap.

Thank you all - I have been reluctant to "just try it". Didn't know there were commercial solutions out there already.

Thanks again!

When charging at 20+ amps, my 406DUO most definitely charges faster with the balance lead connected. Without a balance lead, the current tapers off very early in the charge cycle compared to with a balance lead connected.

Post a photo of your 1S lipo, so I wont mix up the lipo, and MAH.

That is what I thought I saw as well - will find out tomorrow when I am back at the track with my modified charge cable.

Actually that does make sense. The balance port also senses the actual voltage of the battery and not just what the charger is putting out. In other words, there is a voltage drop across the charging lead from the charger to the battery. Without the balance port the charger uses the voltage learned on the charge leads, which will be higher during a charge than the actual battery. Because of that it will get to constant voltage mode faster. As the current goes down there will be less and less voltage drop so the battery still charges up fine, but takes longer.

I had to make this to “balance” discharge on my iCharger




just took out the 3rd wire and moved the 3rd pin to the middle hole. Not sure if it actually balances but passes the discharge balance check

I can assure you, it doesn't balance anything on 1S. Connecting even 1S batteries to the balancing ports does have other uses though on iChargers.