motorXhead

iTrader: (7)

So I bought a new protek 5600 4s last weekend and I guess the balancing circuitry inside it got messed up. It only shows 2 cells on my icharger. Some people says that it's ok to charge it still and that they don't even balance charge their batteries.

I am usually the safest one at the track when it comes to lipo's so I'm not sure of I should try it?

Thoughts?

TIA

Cavi Mike

iTrader: (1)

Anyone that says they don’t balance charge their batteries is either a total moron or is simply trolling you. LiPo batteries cannot “absorb” extra charge like other batteries, they WILL overcharge and the results are disastrous. You need to repair the broken connections inside.

How your charger is even detecting that as a 2S in the first place is also a mystery to me - that must be the lowest quality budget piece of trash charger ever made and you should seriously consider throwing it away.

Sir 51D3WAYS

Seeing that it's a new battery, I'd suggest that you return it for exchange it for another new one....

Cavi Mike

iTrader: (1)

I just re-read your post and noticed you said you have an iCharger - there’s no way it’s detecting a 4S as a 2S. Period. It would immediately alarm out. Show a picture of the battery you have because I’m more inclined to believe you bought a 2S battery.

motorXhead

iTrader: (7)

I know the difference between 2s, 3s, 4s etc I have many cars/batteries. It's something defective in the battery.

Cavi Mike

iTrader: (1)

That’s not gonna charge like that. The charger will alarm out.

Silverbullet555

iTrader: (16)

Reach out to protek. With a proof of purchase, I bet they will take care of it.

gigaplex

iTrader: (2)

If you plug in the main power connectors the charger will throw an error and refuse to charge.

billdelong

iTrader: (33)

Many years ago I had a generic charger that I got from HobbyKing that would let me charge my batteries in regular LiPo mode without the balance harness connected. I discovered that I could drastically reduce my charge times because this bypassed the CCCV cycle. This came in VERY handy to get my packs charged on 10A.

Not sure how or if an iCharger will let you charge without a balance port but I charge my packs at 40A now and that's with the CCCV averaging about 10-15 min to charge between 5 min quals so I don't have a need to charge without balancing nowadays.

In my experience, I never had a single cell go farther than 0.07V when charging without balancing and this didn't seem to effect the longevity of my packs based on my observations, though I wouldn't recommend this technique today, especially if you're using a high rate charger.

gigaplex

iTrader: (2)

The 406 Duo will charge if there's no balance connector. It just won't balance.

the rc guy

so battery has a bms on it.. id say the balance wires are broken at pack. fix or dispose..what main wires voltage?

Roelof

These packs have no BMS. So yes, it is important to connect the main power leads together with the balancer plug. Dit you plug in the balander plug in the right position?

DirkW

iTrader: (1)

Judging by the picture, he plugged the balancer correctly.
I'd still connect the main charging cables as well and see what happens then.

Cromulent

iTrader: (8)

Did you clip the connection on the charger? You shouldn’t be able to plug a 4S lead into the 6/8S balancing port unless you modified it. What happens if you use a balance board?

motorXhead

iTrader: (7)

I had the main charging cables in before and it was the same thing.

Yes I clipped it. Didn't bother with a balance board. Trying to limit messing up anything else. I try one today.

One thing to add, the battery did smell like burnt electronics.