4010 Duo question
 

On the display, while charging, how come the amps displayed in the main section is different than the amp rate I set the charge to be? I notice this happens even more when Im using both channels to charge at the same time. If im only charging 1 channel then the amps in the main part of the display are close to the amp rate I set the charge to but sometimes its still lower. Its quite irritating to say the least. I have a huge power supply with a powerhouse charger and its not even charging at the 1-2c amp rates I set!!? I haven't changed anything drastic in the settings. Its pretty much factory settings. Is there something I can change or increase in the settings behind the scenes to always charge at what I set it to? Could it be the condition of the batteries affecting charge rate? Im shocked that this charger is undercharging the low amp rates 1-2c I set it to. Any ideas?

You are limited to the power that is available, for example if the charger is rated for 1000W but your supply can only provide 750W then you will only get around 600W of output due to inefficiencies which are variables due to heat, wire length, connector quality etc...

Too many variables to give hard set numbers, but it's best to use a supply that's over rated by at least 25% to ensure you get max possible potential from your charger.


When you say 1C, how many amps are configured? How many cells?

If the battery has aged, then you want to take some IR readings, more info here with my thoughts on IR:
https://www.rcgroups.com/forums/show...0#post43510433

If your IR is not matched then you may be suffering with severe balance current limitations

No, the power supply will shut down if you ask more of it than it is rated, no way it will limit the current.
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The charger itself can handle a certain amount of current on the input, probably around 30~35A and will limit it when you want to go over it.
Lets say the limit is 30A then when using a 12v power supply the power limit is 360w, because there are losses the charging power can be around 300~320w

Pictures are worth a 1000 words.

yes, as the battery charges, the charge rate decreases until the battery is "full".

now, if you are saying that it is off from the get go. it might be a calibration needs to be done to bring inline which requires a GOOD multimeter (they ask for 4.5 digits).

Also a higher internal resistance will impact charge rates depending on how much of a resistance increase there has been.

Let us know some more info about the setup:
1. What is the power source for the charger? What is it rated to deliver in both volts and amps (or watts)?
2. What are the two batteries you are trying to charge? Chemistry and cell count?
3. What is the charge rate you are requesting of the charger for each battery?

Keep in mind as the batteries near full charge, the charger changes from CC to CV and the output current begins to drop. This mode is displayed on the main charging screen. Is this maybe what you are witnessing?

haha was waiting for that one, when my foot feels better I'll post one.
but in the meantime...

1. What is the power source for the charger? What is it rated to deliver in both volts and amps (or watts)? DC either 36 or 48v power supply. It's definitely overpowered. I think its on the peak end of high output supply's for these chargers. Ill post a pic soon.
2. What are the two batteries you are trying to charge? Chemistry and cell count? super hot shot 2 5000mah ignitor, receiver lipo pack 7.2v 2600mah, 4s lihv 5200. it doesn't matter any of these charged in combination at the same time, either both channels or one of the channels doesn't charge at the amp rate I set for it whether its 1c, 2c or 3c..5c. Its like its compensating having both channels charging.
3. What is the charge rate you are requesting of the charger for each battery? like I said, 1c, 2c, 3c mostly. can be 2.6a and 5.2a, or 5a and 12a simultaneous. In this case it wouldnt charge 12a. maybe it would hit 8a or 7a, then maybe hit 10.5a for a few seconds then drop down to 7 or 8a. Then it would slowly decline from there until it hit .7a balancing at the end. Also another thing bugging me is it never hits the 1.2 balance current at the end. Its always slow around .7a. Thats the main reason I got this charger! for fast balance current, and it acts like a $100 ac/dc charger with slow balance rate. how come i never see the 1.2a balance current? Even with my new reedy zappers they are always under 1a balance current. That is not the advantage this charger boasts... its really annoying

Keep in mind as the batteries near full charge, the charger changes from CC to CV and the output current begins to drop. This mode is displayed on the main charging screen. Is this maybe what you are witnessing? Yes I think you got it, one of my channels though is always lower through the whole charge from the getco. not just near the end. beyond that, it drops so much under 1a at the end which this charger is rated at 1.2a balance current. why arent i ever getting full balance current?

the charge rate should usually stay full amp rate until the end, not progressively drop

That is not true. LiPo batteries charge in a constant current/constant voltage charge. Once the iCharger gets to the max voltage + IR drop it starts dropping the current and maintaining the voltage until you hit your end charge current percentage. So it progressively drops the current until it is fully charged. Now, you can change the "Chg End Current" to be a higher percentage, but you will lose the high part of the discharge curve.

So is it safe to say that the charge amp rate should stay what I set it to uitl about 80% then starts dropping to eventual end balance current? Ive seen this inconsistently change. when the rate starts to drop.

The charger will tell you if it's in CC or CV mode. In CC mode it should stay what you set it to. It's based off voltage, not a "charge %". If the cells are unbalanced or the charge rate is too high or the cells have high IR that can affect the reported voltage and trigger CV mode earlier.