DN LiPo charger smells bad

[justaFREAK]

Just got the DN-Power LiPo Charger. I started to charge my first LiPo, but phew! When the fan comes on it smells like grease and it is permeating the house! The wife is never going to allow this. Anyone have this problem, is it normal and will it go way eventually?

[HeliDan]

I am not familiar with that device, and a grease smell would not be normal. But! Most electronic devices will outgas while new. Try running it in the garage or outside a few times to see if it clears up.

[Gary JP4]

Mine doesn't do that. Also, the fan rarely comes on. I would take it outside and charge for a while and if it still does it take/send it back.

The DN charger does a good job and peak charges nicely. I just wish it told you how many amps went back into the battery or each cell.

[heliboy1100]

Thanks Gary. My fan comes on immediately upon pushing the on button and of course it stinks. Since I just got it I will send it back. Though I have charged 2 batteries once each and they seem to be fine.

[Jermo]

I'm concerned about the 2A limit on charging current. At 1C my 2250 packs need 2.2A. I was going to post and ask about this charger but you guys pretty much answered it. If I don't know how much went back in how can I get a relative idea of pack condition? Still tempting tho..

[Gary JP4]

Jermo, That 1C charge rate is just a recommendation and it was made before we were balance charging. In that case one cell might have been charging at a higher rate and some at lower amps even though you were controlling the whole set at 1C. The 2.0 amps limitation on a 2100 or 2250mah battery compared to 1C is no big deal. Many charge at 2-3C with good results though and if you wanted to do that this would be a big drawback.

This charger does a good job but you have know way of knowing that. It doesn't tell you how many amps went back into the battery. So, for that reason I wouldn't put it on top of my list of desirable chargers. It does a good job of peak charging and balancing though.

I know these things come with two batteries but for the money you would be better off with the Cellpro 4S. I think it is a much battery charger. And then there is the 2.0 amp limitation.

[Jermo]

Gary does the cellpro do charging per cell? that sounds like a much better way to charge. I'm also looking for something that tells me what I put back in AND allows more than 2A charging for packs larger than 2000mAh at 1C rate.
Jermo

[Gary JP4]

Yes Jermo, it does charge through the balance connector by cell and it does tell you what you put back in. It also has a sh*t load of other features. This thing is "plug and play" or you can get very sophisticated with computer interface, etc. Check it out.

http://www.fmadirect.com/products.htm?cat=45&nid=4

The limitation is it only goes to 3 amps but that is fine for 3 cell 2250 mah packs. I think you will need to buy an adaptor for the TP or anything other then Cellpro. They are listed here too.

http://www.fmadirect.com/products.htm?cat=45&nid=4

I have this one.

http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?item=2125&section=45

[Gary JP4]

Jermo, that charger would be my recommendation unless you want to be able to run off house current or have future capability of charging bigger batteries. You might want to be ready for your Trex 600 or something.

For house current you would probably still be better off price wise with the Cellpro and a power supply but you could consider the Bantam E-station BC-6 which is very nice. http://grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/66740

For bigger batteries the price jumps considerably. In that category I would be looking at the TP 1010 charger and 210 balancer for up to 10 cell and or the E-station BC-8 or 701 for 1 to 8 cell or the E-station 902 for 1 - 12 cell. http://grandrc.com/inc/sdetail/66412

[RC Accessory]

The BC-8 was just written up in the April Model Aviation Magazine in the "Worth A Closer Look" section. Also the BC-8 is scheduled for a review in the Model Aviation Magazine soon as well.

Evan Chapkis

[Gary JP4]

Again in the DN price range the Cellpro is the best by. The BC-8 is a bigger charger and a nice one.