Charging 2 matched packs in series?

[neavissa123]

hi everybody,

i have an emaxx and run it with cheap batteries. i am looking forward to get some nice matched packs from ballistic or promatchracing. i am also planning to get a good charger. my question:

does it make sense to charge the packs in series since they run in series in the emaxx?

[glassdoctor]

Can you? Yes. Should you? Maybe. How's that? (:

I don't see any problem with it, and I have done it with my good matched packs that I run in my maxx. But I would recommend that you discharge and tray the packs to equalize the cells every few cycles at least.

Really, it's better for the cells to be charged/discharged in smaller packs. Obviously 6 cells together are less likely to have cells "unbalance" than say, 12 or 16 cells together. But I think it's not a big deal, especially if both packs have similar numbers.

I haven't had any problems with it.

Check the specs carefully on the chargers... most don't do 12 cells in series. Some of the ones that can have to drop the charge current to do it.

I have an 16X4 and a 112C that do 12 cells. The 16X4 can only pull about 2.8 amps or so with 12 cells. So it works, but takes longer. I normally chage my packs at 5-6 amps.

[jdgee]

Hello,
glassdoctor wrote : Can you? Yes. Should you? Maybe. How's that? (:

good answer ! Couldn't have said it better... :D

neavissa wrote: does it make sense to charge the packs in series since they run in series in the emaxx?

True, your emaxx runs w/the packs connected in series. This fact alone doesn't mean that the preferred, or ideal method for charging would also be in series. The 2 (charge & discharge), are seperate issues.
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Good luck with the new batteries, jdgee

[starluckrc]

You need to get the batteries as a matched set of 12, 14, 16......cells. Check out www.hypercells.com for a guy tailoring to this market. I use a Schulze isl6-330d for 5.5 amp charge capacity. GP cells are best charged at 3 amps though for longevity.

[guver]

hi everybody,

i have an emaxx and run it with cheap batteries. i am looking forward to get some nice matched packs from ballistic or promatchracing. i am also planning to get a good charger. my question:

does it make sense to charge the packs in series since they run in series in the emaxx?
Another thing to consider is that the batts arn't exactly equally discharged if you use a evx without rx battery. I typically use up 100 - 300 more mah on the batt that runs the servos. If you do a lot of straight runniong or use a rx batt, then not to worry if your 2 packs are matched.