New product! Bantam e-Station TWO METER: Watt Meter, Cell Checker and Balancer

[RC Accessory]

Bantam released today the new e-Station TWO-METER. The TWO-METER combines the most used tools into 1 device that every electric flyer must have.

In this one device, the TWO-METER is a 100 Amp Watt Meter, a Voltage & Individual Cell voltage checker, and a 6S balancer.

http://www.rcaccessory.com/ProductImages/Two-Meter.jpg

The TWO-METER is a very sophisticated electronic device that is controlled by a high performance microprocessor and precision resistors. It has three functions; ‘watt-meter’, ‘battery checker’ and self-balancer. Those functions are essential for electric flyers to ensure safe battery operationn and to measure the electric consumption of the power system. And the built-in balancer can equalize the individual voltages instantly.

The TWO-METER can handle all types of Lithium batteries(LiPo, LiIo, LiFe (A123)) consisting of up to 6 series-wired cells, but the battery pack must have a balancing plug for checking voltages.

- Watt-meter program
The Watt-meter circuit can measure the electric current up to 100A. You can verify the electric consumption on your power system.
http://www.bantamtek.com/image/Chargers/watt.gif
- Battery checker
The TWO-METER can show you the voltage and residual capacity of your Lithium battery pack displaying each individual cells voltage.
http://www.bantamtek.com/image/Chargers/battery-check.gif
- Integrated Balancer
The TWO-METER has an integrated balancing circuit which is self-operative without connecting to charger. When you connect the battery pack to the individual port of the TWO-METER the balancing sequence will begin instantly. In this case the individual cell voltages will be equalized to the lowest cell voltage of the battery pack. The TWO-METER can be used in conjunction with any lithium charger as well.
- Battery Connection to TWO-METER
The TWO-METER connects to the lithium battery via the balance connector on the battery. The connection is through the EAC12 series connection boards. Currently, the EAC12 series connection boards supports 2S through 6S for Align/Dualksy, Thunderpower/Flightpower, Polyquest/Hyperion, and Kokam. This covers more than 98% of lipo batteries on the market. For a complete listing of known lipo battery brands and their supported battery taps, click here (http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/Battery%20Tap%20Configuration%20Guide.pdf).

These are expected to be in stock in or around the 6th of May. Street price is $62.00.
http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=362&HS=1

Preorders are now being accepted. PDF Manual is attached.

[RC Accessory]

This is one seriously cool device. :thumbup:

Here is the Battery Checker portion of how this works.

http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/battery-check.jpg

[ualdrivr]

Doesn't the Hyperion EOS 610i Duo provide all those functions? If I have that charger, why would I need the Two Meter, please explain.

thanks

[RC Accessory]

Doesn't the Hyperion EOS 610i Duo provide all those functions? If I have that charger, why would I need the Two Meter, please explain.

thanks

The Hyperion Duo is a balance charger. While you can use the balancer separate to read the cells, it is not a voltage checker and it is not a watt meter.

This unit is also considerably smaller and lighter. The Hyperion Duo charger also needs to be powered to use it. The lipo battery itself supplies the power for the Two-Meter.

Completly different products and uses.

[mjws]

The DUO isn't a wattmeter. It will show cell voltages.

This is a very nice combination of tools that are normally purchased as stand alone units. Often as wattmeter, balancer, and cell voltage checker. Most serious guys aren't plugging packs in and out of their charger at the field all day. But 2 seconds on a wattmeter, dvm, or 'fuel gage' will ensure your pack is where you want it to be.

Mike

[Smiky]

Very nice Evan, I've placed my pre-order.

Mike

[RC Accessory]

Very nice Evan, I've placed my pre-order.

Mike

Thanks! I hope to have them in about 2 weeks.

[RC Accessory]

The Bantam e-Station Two Meters are shipping from the factory this coming Friday. I will have a better estimated arrival date mid next week. However, Bantam did change the price. Street price is now $66.95 instead of the $62.00 price that it was suppose to be. For the people that have already placed their preorders, of course it will be honored. The pricing has been corrected on the web site.

I deeply appologize for the error and any confusion it may have caused.

[RC Accessory]

The Two Meters are expected in on Weds May 7th!

[RC Accessory]

The Two Meters have arrived today, all back orders have been shipped.

I spent a few minutes playing with it today. Very cool balancer. Shows a Fuel Gauge as well as individual cell voltages. If the pack is unbalanced it shows it and the beeps when done. We all have used external balancers with the lights, seeing what is happening on the LCD screen is very cool.

As a balancer, you have to tell the unit what kind of battery you have, such as Lipo. Liion, or Life (A123).

LCD display is very easy to read as well. Auto powers up when the battery is connected. I have to say that I like seeing the screen versus blinking lights. More later.

[Chris_B]

Bit of a LiPo newbie here so be gentle ;) . I have ordered one of the two-meter units as I was after a LiPo balancer to use with an existing Kokam LiPo charger I have, and it looks to offer a lot of features plus actually displaying individual cell voltage.

However, one thing I am not clear on is can it be used to balance the cells in a pack whilst charging them? My other all in one charger/balancer balances the cells during the charge process.

Is this possible with the two-meter, or does it only balance by reducing the cell voltage to the lowest cell voltage in the pack when not connected to the charger? Also is it still possible to charge a 2S pack at 1C if you are using the two-meter connected to your main charger?

Thanks

[RC Accessory]

Bit of a LiPo newbie here so be gentle ;) . I have ordered one of the two-meter units as I was after a LiPo balancer to use with an existing Kokam LiPo charger I have, and it looks to offer a lot of features plus actually displaying individual cell voltage.

However, one thing I am not clear on is can it be used to balance the cells in a pack whilst charging them? My other all in one charger/balancer balances the cells during the charge process.

Is this possible with the two-meter, or does it only balance by reducing the cell voltage to the lowest cell voltage in the pack when not connected to the charger? Also is it still possible to charge a 2S pack at 1C if you are using the two-meter connected to your main charger?

Thanks

Hi Chris. The Two-Meter will work with any lithium charger. You connect your lipo battery to Two Meter through the tap and set the Two-Meter for balance. You also select the type of battery it is, Li-Po, Li-Io, Li-Fe (A123).

You then connect your battery to the charger via the main discharge leads of the battery. The Two-Meter is not connected to the charger. You can use the Two-Meter stand alone or inconjunction with any lithium charger.

[Chris_B]

Thanks Evan - exactly the info I was after :)

[Smiky]

My Two-Meter arrived today and first impression are it's a keeper;). Very simple to use and I love all the features.

A couple of questions for you Evan, the display is a little dim when viewing 2s packs is this normal? The second question is what is the Data Port for?

Thanks, Mike

[RC Accessory]

My Two-Meter arrived today and first impression are it's a keeper;). Very simple to use and I love all the features.

A couple of questions for you Evan, the display is a little dim when viewing 2s packs is this normal? The second question is what is the Data Port for?

Thanks, Mike

If the voltage is low, the LCD will be dim. I was at one of local shops here we saw that on a 3S pack that was nearly dead.

The data port on the left side of the unit probably connects to the USB port for programming upgrades.

[Smiky]

Thanks for the Info Evan.

Mike

[EBCooper]

Concerning a 2S lipo receiver pack what voltage should I stop flying and recharge?

To check a receiver pack do you have to plug the balancer and the + - in?

[RC Accessory]

Here is a review of the Bantam Two-Meter.

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=888230

[summerwind]

thx for posting this Evan.
it's a must have item.......i have sent you an email............as soon as i get the reply i can place my order.

thx
mike

[treaves]

Any integration with Batam's existing chargers? Can these be used - for example - with the 902? Is that what the data port is for?

[RC Accessory]

Any integration with Batam's existing chargers? Can these be used - for example - with the 902? Is that what the data port is for?

Not that I am aware of. The data port I think is used for programming and calibration.

[eegee]

Evan - can you suggest how to use this as a wattmeter on a heli? I'm assuming its too big to strap to the heli (mine is en route to me as we speak so I havent yet seen it in real life), so what is the best way (or suggested way) to use this device as a wattmeter to test the heli under load?

I searched the archives and they mostly talk about using onboard wattmeters and not one like this. The proper use just hasnt occurred to me yet.

Thanks,
Eric

[summerwind]

Evan,
got the TM today......thanks again for the lightening fast shipping. will carry out my bench tests this evening.:smokin:

[RC Accessory]

Evan - can you suggest how to use this as a wattmeter on a heli? I'm assuming its too big to strap to the heli (mine is en route to me as we speak so I havent yet seen it in real life), so what is the best way (or suggested way) to use this device as a wattmeter to test the heli under load?

I searched the archives and they mostly talk about using onboard wattmeters and not one like this. The proper use just hasnt occurred to me yet.

Thanks,
Eric

It would be dangerous. You would need to strap down the heli to ensure it could not move while you brought up the throttle. That is why people with heli's use data loggers.

[eegee]

So then what is the main intent of the use of this watt meter? How is it intended to be used with helicopters? I bought this for its battery checker abilities, but would like to know how the watt meter can be useful to me also.

How are other heli pilots using the watt meter on this?

Thanks.