iCharger 308DUO Power Supply Choices
#31
Try charging those three 6s packs of yours at 15 amps each at the same time and see how well your 12v supply holds up.
It's all about how much power you need. For most of my charging needs, a 15.8 volt 7 amp supply works brilliantly but there are lots of people with much higher power needs out there.
It's all about how much power you need. For most of my charging needs, a 15.8 volt 7 amp supply works brilliantly but there are lots of people with much higher power needs out there.
#32
#33
We I guess that sence I had owned almost ever charger that icharger makes and charge my boat battery which are 6 cell and charge them both at the same time on a 12 .6 volt server power supply at 8 amps per pack and have been doing it for well over a year now and never had one problem I must need 24 volts. Now if Yost70 could explain to me the the reason for 24 volt system I would gladly past that on to the number of customers we have that run 24 volts and one guy comes in cussing the charger and has had 5 chargers I would like to get him in touch with you guys I am sure he could learn a great bit of info from this page. I will sure have him to post up and explain just how it works lmao. I have told him before if the charger would not work at 12 6 then why does it say from 10 to 30 on some directions I guess that 10 will not work either and how could you possibly charge 4 or 5 packs on the same plug at 3.7 volt per cell that would be impossible I guess but it's happening ever day . This guy has sent 5 back so far and still cussing the charger he would fit in well here.
Who is, "we" - I'd really like to know. What shop or place do you work for?
#34
ort Charger
ICHARGER 308 DUO 1300W 30A 8S DUAL PORT CHARGER
iCharger 308 Duo 1300W 30A 8S Dual Port Charger
SKU: JNS-308Duo
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Product DescriptionProduct TagsProduct's Review
*** This charger MUST be used with a stable power supply, it is not recommended to be used with an automobile as a power source, or using multiple server power supplies in series as a power source ***
This dual port charger with a color LCD screen allows charging different batteries up to 30A, or up to 50A in synchronous mode.
iCharger 308 Duo is a little brother of the popular and extremely powerful iCharger 4010 Duo. Instead of charging 10S batteries up to 40A, iCharger 308 Duo can handle up 8 cell LiPo packs up to 30A. These two chargers share the same operation interface and extra functions, such as battery internal resistance measurement, servo test, and pulse test. The charge and discharge data can be stored in a micro SD card that can be read with Logview on a PC. Eventhough with a high output power ability of 1300W, 30A, and dual ports, iCharger 308B retains f iCharger's reputation in making compact and powerful charge stations.
Why select iCharge
Read that in full and see if you can figure What the mfg suggest lol
ICHARGER 308 DUO 1300W 30A 8S DUAL PORT CHARGER
iCharger 308 Duo 1300W 30A 8S Dual Port Charger
SKU: JNS-308Duo
10 Review(s)*|*Add Your Review
Sign up to get notified when this product is back in stock
You will earn 269 Gold Points for buying this product
Availability:*Out of stock
$269.95
Add to WishlistAdd to Compare
Zoom
Click the above image to enlarge
*
Product DescriptionProduct TagsProduct's Review
*** This charger MUST be used with a stable power supply, it is not recommended to be used with an automobile as a power source, or using multiple server power supplies in series as a power source ***
This dual port charger with a color LCD screen allows charging different batteries up to 30A, or up to 50A in synchronous mode.
iCharger 308 Duo is a little brother of the popular and extremely powerful iCharger 4010 Duo. Instead of charging 10S batteries up to 40A, iCharger 308 Duo can handle up 8 cell LiPo packs up to 30A. These two chargers share the same operation interface and extra functions, such as battery internal resistance measurement, servo test, and pulse test. The charge and discharge data can be stored in a micro SD card that can be read with Logview on a PC. Eventhough with a high output power ability of 1300W, 30A, and dual ports, iCharger 308B retains f iCharger's reputation in making compact and powerful charge stations.
Why select iCharge
Read that in full and see if you can figure What the mfg suggest lol
#35
Tech Champion
There are 24V single case industrial supplies similar to server units that show up from time to time, perhaps an all around better option. Or buy a new proper supply, although more expensive.
#36
I wonder if the issue is due to how the charger is powered up? I seem to remember some discussion of turning the supply on then connecting the charger, vs. plugging the charger in then powering up the supplies.
There are 24V single case industrial supplies similar to server units that show up from time to time, perhaps an all around better option. Or buy a new proper supply, although more expensive.
There are 24V single case industrial supplies similar to server units that show up from time to time, perhaps an all around better option. Or buy a new proper supply, although more expensive.
Last edited by stevecox1957; 12-26-2014 at 10:08 PM.
#37
Tech Champion
I don't know Dave but all the problems we have seen where related to the 24 volt server power supplies so we just tell customers now to try and stay with a 12 volt power source you can hook it to anything but why spend that kind of money and tare it up . Then in almost all cases that comes back it's the charger fault. I am just trying to explain how most problems come about . You can do anything with this charger on 12 volts that it will do on 24 so why hurt it you know what I mean.
#38
R/C Tech Elite Member
iTrader: (40)
I don't know Dave but all the problems we have seen where related to the 24 volt server power supplies so we just tell customers now to try and stay with a 12 volt power source you can hook it to anything but why spend that kind of money and tare it up . Then in almost all cases that comes back it's the charger fault. I am just trying to explain how most problems come about . You can do anything with this charger on 12 volts that it will do on 24 so why hurt it you know what I mean.
Most of the Icharger failures I've read about on Rcgroups are coming from guys who use two user-converted server supplies in series. One server supply fails and as I recall the sudden change in voltage is something the charger can't handle. So it is usually the supply that causes the issue.
#41
Tech Champion
When using both channels the total input current limit is spec'd at 60A, perhaps 306W or so maximum on each channel if used equally. Both cases assume a sufficient amperage 12V power supply of course.
While on the subject, it's interesting that the Duo manuals don't appear to provide as clear guidance as offered on the previous iChargers. At least most (all?) of the single channel model manuals include a graph and an equation to help estimate power capability with various power supply voltages.
#42
Tech Master
iTrader: (17)
Depends on whether one or two channels are being used. Right after the 800W per channel maximum rating it mentions @input>23.5V. Works out to an efficiency of about 85% taking the single channel input current rating of 40A into account, which seems reasonable. I would expect a limit of somewhere around 408W with a 12V input on a single channel, with some error in the estimate as efficiency is generally not constant at all conditions.
When using both channels the total input current limit is spec'd at 60A, perhaps 306W or so maximum on each channel if used equally. Both cases assume a sufficient amperage 12V power supply of course.
While on the subject, it's interesting that the Duo manuals don't appear to provide as clear guidance as offered on the previous iChargers. At least most (all?) of the single channel model manuals include a graph and an equation to help estimate power capability with various power supply voltages.
When using both channels the total input current limit is spec'd at 60A, perhaps 306W or so maximum on each channel if used equally. Both cases assume a sufficient amperage 12V power supply of course.
While on the subject, it's interesting that the Duo manuals don't appear to provide as clear guidance as offered on the previous iChargers. At least most (all?) of the single channel model manuals include a graph and an equation to help estimate power capability with various power supply voltages.
But at least ANYBODY can buy a 24V 75A computer server PSU all ready to go for under $150.
$300 on the iCharger, 1/2 of that for the PSU.
Sounds about right.
#43
Tech Master
iTrader: (240)
Depends on whether one or two channels are being used. Right after the 800W per channel maximum rating it mentions @input>23.5V. Works out to an efficiency of about 85% taking the single channel input current rating of 40A into account, which seems reasonable. I would expect a limit of somewhere around 408W with a 12V input on a single channel, with some error in the estimate as efficiency is generally not constant at all conditions.
When using both channels the total input current limit is spec'd at 60A, perhaps 306W or so maximum on each channel if used equally. Both cases assume a sufficient amperage 12V power supply of course.
While on the subject, it's interesting that the Duo manuals don't appear to provide as clear guidance as offered on the previous iChargers. At least most (all?) of the single channel model manuals include a graph and an equation to help estimate power capability with various power supply voltages.
When using both channels the total input current limit is spec'd at 60A, perhaps 306W or so maximum on each channel if used equally. Both cases assume a sufficient amperage 12V power supply of course.
While on the subject, it's interesting that the Duo manuals don't appear to provide as clear guidance as offered on the previous iChargers. At least most (all?) of the single channel model manuals include a graph and an equation to help estimate power capability with various power supply voltages.
#44
Tech Champion
Thats the thing I'm seeing more and more....all these big #'s for watts and amps shown for the charger but in the small print, you find out you can't get those specs unless you get a 24V PSU.
But at least ANYBODY can buy a 24V 75A computer server PSU all ready to go for under $150.
$300 on the iCharger, 1/2 of that for the PSU.
Sounds about right.
But at least ANYBODY can buy a 24V 75A computer server PSU all ready to go for under $150.
$300 on the iCharger, 1/2 of that for the PSU.
Sounds about right.
Personally I remain a little leary of the server supplies in series, despite many using them successfully. I experimented with a pair some awhile back, but never felt comfortable bypassing standard grounding practice. Now based on Steve's comments I did a little searching, it seems he is correct that at least some are having issues with iChargers. Didn't you recently mention having issues with a pair of 306Bs, was that on 24V servers?
If I do upgrade I think I'll go PowerLab like I believe you did.
#45
Tech Champion
I'm curious to test this tomorrow. I have a 308duo & a 12v ps. In your calculations, I shouldn't see any more than 27a when I start charging my 4s pack since it's sitting at 15.2v when it goes on the charger. As the voltage of the packs increases the amps should decrease to stay at the 408w limit. If I put 2 packs on then I shouldn't see anything above 20a.