max charge rate with blinky balancer

[cudaboy_71]

my google-foo is weak this morning. can't find any info.

until my credit card recovers from my Trex 600 build, i'm using my old charger: Astro 109 and a blinky balancer to charge my 4400mah 6s2p packs. currently 1C is fine. But, what is the maximum safe charging rate when using this balancer, or is it more attuned with the pack chemistry (i.e. a FP4900 or TP5000 pack can take it, while brand 'X' would not)?

my fear is that i'd charge faster than the balancer can bleed off any difference, hurting the pack.

thanks for any guidance.

[DebianDog]

I have been charging at 1.5C with my 4900 packs

[cudaboy_71]

roger that :D thanks DD.

[DebianDog]

can't find the thread... but with a 1010C and 210V balancer there are folks charging at 8.25amps :WOW

[cudaboy_71]

there are folks charging at 8.25amps

That's only 1.68C on a 4900 mah pack. you're doing 7.35amps yourself ;)

i was just concerned about using astro stuff, since it's "old" technology. i know the newer TP and Bantam goods have been designed to handle higher charging rates. but there's nothing in the astro dox that says it's only rated to a certain C or amperage. if i'm pumping in 7 amps/hr and the poor little blinky can only bleed off 2A/h...well, you can see the problem with keeping them balanced while charging.

of course i realize many people charge first, then balance. i'm just curious. it's seem to me if you have an out of balance situation and you charge the pack before balancing, you could potentially have an overcharge situation with a cell or two before the balancer can equalize them.

[DebianDog]

Just FYI: The 1010C with 210V connected w/ data cable will not start a "hard charge" till it is done balancing the pack. I over discharged a pack once and it took like 10 minutes before it started.