BC-8 question

[tppjr]

Anyone running the Bantam BC-8 with the optional computer interface software? I just got my charger last night and it seems to be real nice and I love the computer interface but it runs my CPU at 100% which pretty much locks me out from doing anything else while charging. Even navigating through the program itself takes forever.

Any ideas? It is not the computer, it is a AMD 64 with 1G memory.

I am going to give RC Accessories a call today just wanted to check here too.

Thanks for any ideas,

Thomas

[mercury0000]

I've got the same problem. It slows my computer right down, and I've got a screaming fast comp. It's so slow that I can't get any information from the charger. I"m not sure what to try next.

[tppjr]

Are you running Intel or AMD??

Thomas

[tppjr]

I've got the same problem. It slows my computer right down, and I've got a screaming fast comp. It's so slow that I can't get any information from the charger. I"m not sure what to try next.

You never answered what processor you were running?

Thomas

[RC Accessory]

I have been in discussions with Bantam regarding this issue. There have not been many reports back to me regarding the software issues which makes this harder to diagnose.

Bantam software guy thinks the problem regarding when a CPU is pegged at 100% is due to the USB Driver. The USB driver is installed automatically during the install.

Go to control panel and device drivers and delete the USB driver completely. Bantam recommends manually installing the USB driver for the charger which the drievrs should be on the cd in one of the folders. I don't have access to my system at the moment to give detailed directions on how to do this.

I do know that if you install any device via USB and the device driver fails, you must uninstall to remove it before you install again. I had this happen to me when I installed my Zebra thermal postage printer.

[tppjr]

Evan,

I uninstalled the driver tonight. With it still removed I started the program and it still runs the CPU at 100%. I could not figure out how to install the driver manually so I deleted the program and reinstalled. Same issue. I ran the program after the install but before the driver insall and again 100% CPU useage. Installed the driver, no change.

Any other ideas?

Thomas

[HeliAtom]

Am having the same problem and more. After the first install and a bit of fiddling, I managed to get it to log a discharge and a charge. The next day, I powered my computer back up and tried to do another discharge log which it did for about 5 minutes before it froze up for good. Got fed up and uninstalled the whole interface s/w. Will try again when I am in a good mood.

Another problem with the BC8 is that it won't discharge LiPo batteries at more than 1.3 amps even though the max current setting is preset higher. Have not used it to charge other types of batteries but it is good at balance charging LiPo batteries, no problems there

[HPSOV2]

Yep, I've had the 100% CPU issue since I got my 902 6 months ago.
Running AMD here.

[HPSOV2]

Another problem with the BC8 is that it won't discharge LiPo batteries at more than 1.3 amps even though the max current setting is preset higher. Have not used it to charge other types of batteries but it is good at balance charging LiPo batteries, no problems there

BC8 can handle 30W discharge, that works out to be 1.3A at about 23volts... so I'll guess it was a 6S pack you were discharging?

[RC Accessory]

I have talked to Bantam numerous times about some of the software issues that people have had.

The BC-8 and 902 include the software, plus it is optional on the BC-6. The number of 902 and BC-8 charges sold in the past year through me is in the hundreds, plus seperate sales of the software for the BC-8.

Reported issues have been a few. This means the issue is localized to the PC, something else running that is making the software act this way or that the software is not used that often. I honestly do not know.

I have 3 desktops at home and 2 laptops between myself, my wife and 2 kids. I have installed the software on all of them and none have an issue. Different brands, processors, video, sound, ect. Some are Intel, 1 is AMD processor.

My background is 20 years in sales for large software companies. Reproducing software bugs or issues is 90% of the battle. I personally have not been able to reproduce the issue on any of my machines. I just don't have any advice to give.

[HeliAtom]

HPSOV2 - your calculation is spot on - 6S it is!!

RC Accessory - Apart from the s/w issue, I think the BC8 is an excellent product, it is doing what I bought it to do, ie., to charge my LiPos. Reading your post my initial impression was that you also installed the software on your wife and 2 kids!! Reading it the second time, I decieded I needed a heart starter....

[RC Accessory]

lol....