Charging 2 packs, in parallel or series???

[aussiemick]

I have a schulze charger capable of charging an 11S Lipo @ 5amps.
I would like to charge 2 batteries at a time and am wondering if I should set up to charge the two packs (they are 4S TP2100 PL) as 8S1P at 2amps or 4S2P at 4 amps. I have 2 Blinky balancers that shouldnt allow over voltage in one pack or the other. I have connectors made up to cover both scenarios.

Or am I asking for trouble??


Mick

[kgfly]

Mick,

You have to consider the max discharge capacity of the Blinky balancers vs the charge current. If the packs are not discharged together and hence significantly out of balance (between the packs) then the balancer will be working overtime to try to hold back the high pack.

If the packs are discharged together as 6s1p or 3s2p then I would suggest charging in the same configuration. If the packs are discharged independently then I would be careful about trying to charge them together. It can be done but it might cook your balancer, cook a battery or simply take much longer than charging them one after the other.

[aussiemick]

I am discharing them in my HDX500 as 4S2P. When i charge them independently they come in within +-10Mah (the balancers must take a few Mah themselves too).
Mick

[kgfly]

I used to run 2 x 3s 2200 = 3s2p 4400 on my EP8. I charged them in parallel most times and balance charged them independently every so often and it worked well for me.

IIRC the Blink is not charge-through, it just hangs off the balance plug. If that is right then I think you should be OK to charge as 4s2p with the Blinky balancers connected.

[aussiemick]

Yes the blinky balancers hang off the balance taps.

I was sure I was on the right track but its nice to check, thanks

Mick