Help with Astro 109

[Racer38]

I have a new Astro 109 Charger with a V Balancer and a 6S1P FP 4900 pack.

What should the Amp setting be on the charger, I keep getting a time out on the charge????

Thanks

Craig

[WayneBrown]

I stated charging my new pack at 3.8A and worked my way up.

[Steve Rogers]

Hello Craig. You must have the older version of the 109 that times out in 1 hr. You can contact Astro & get the upgrade (1.7 I think) that will extend the time so this wont happen. Another thing you might incounter with 109 & Vbalancer is getting an Overcurrent fault near the end of the charge. I got this on my set up & after lots of watching this is what i found. Since the Astro dosent use the normal constant current / constant voltage method but a pulse method with the full charge current when the pack reaches the peak voltage (25.2 I think for 6S) and the charger is in its 3rd cycle of the charge it will pulse the voltage over the 25.2 & the Vbalancer will disconnect the charge due to the over voltage. The chargers compacitors release the energy with no where to go giving the overvoltage fault. I found that when this happend my packs were way undercharged. I over came this 2 ways, by NOT charging through the balancer but pluging in the balance leads & starting the Link and the balancer portion would stay on till the charge was done or charging through the balancer in the last cycle of the charge I would reduce the current down to around 1/4 of 1C & the charge would finish as it should.
Keep me informed if you dont mind. I had 2 Astros & 2 Vbalancers & got the same from both & was wondering if it was just my stuff. Eventually got away from the Astros.

[Racer38]

I'll let ya know how I make out, I usually dont go for the full 1C, slower is better from what I have been told, and I have plenty of time to watch batteries charge.

Just charged a 4900 at 3.8 and it did fine, I charged it when I received it then did a discharge and charged it again. Pack never even got warm and is reading full charge on the balancer.

Thanks for the info, I'll keep an eye on it and see what happens after a few cycles.

Craig