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kona0915 · 11-26-2015, 07:11 AM

Wondering what a decent voltage tester for batteries is. Currently flying an MCPx BL, going to get a 230S this coming spring. Guess I've been a bad boy for a year and a half as I've never owned a tester to check what my batteries are coming in at after flight, so time to correct that. Not sure what to look for in a tester.

Gyropilot · 11-26-2015, 08:57 AM

This YouTube video made by Ron Lund might be useful to you...

lipo voltage checker monitor alarm the good the bad the best (12 min 11 sec)

Geena · 11-26-2015, 10:51 AM

I use the Hyperion EOS Century.

jbobb1 · 11-26-2015, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Geena

I use the Hyperion EOS Century.

Same here. Works perfect!

Smoggie · 11-26-2015, 05:17 PM

I just use the dirt cheap checker/alarms that you get off ebay. They work fine and you can even use them as an in flight low voltage alarm.. I've got a few and they all work perfectly and have done for years, but as they could come from different sources quality might vary. The ones i have look like the Venom but without the case.

Sure they are not precision instruments for measuring down to a hundredth of a volt accuracy but if all you need is a guide to indicate state of charge they are more than accurate enough.

kona0915 · 11-26-2015, 07:31 PM

Awesome info in that video, thanks for that. Looking at the hyperion and the venom (JR is nice but more that I need I think). Does Hyperion actually have a website. I"ve been searching and coming up blank. Searching for the Sentry the V2 is discontinued, can hardly find the V3 so thinking there might be a newer version??

kirby_ · 11-26-2015, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy_Old_Man

Sure they are not precision instruments for measuring down to a hundredth of a volt accuracy but if all you need is a guide to indicate state of charge they are more than accurate enough.

Without comparing to a known good instrument I wouldn't trust these for more than a "is this pack charged or not?" confirmation.

I got two as a package deal along with some charging leads. So probably same manufacturer and same batch as each other. Comparing the two my Powelab charger, one is pretty consistently from .05 to .1V low on cells 4 and 6. It's been like that since I got it. Other is barely off on several cells so about .1-.2V off for total pack voltage compared to the charger.

The first one sits in a bin. The second one I keep with my TX and use it only for a "is this pack charged?" check before it goes in the heli. I hear a rumor a celllog 8m will be in my stocking for Chrismas though!

kona0915 · 11-27-2015, 07:13 AM

In that video I saw the guy use his Icharger for voltage as well. I have a 106B, wonder if I can use that to check?

Smoggie · 11-27-2015, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kirby_

Without comparing to a known good instrument I wouldn't trust these for more than a "is this pack charged or not?" confirmation.

Compared to an iCharger 4010 Duo and a multimeter, they are no more then a few hundredths of a volt per cell off.
Like I said, they aren't precision instruments, but for the purpose they are used for they are more than good enough IMHO. Of course some may not be as good as the ones I have, maybe i got lucky, but at the price you can afford a few 'rejects' (not that I've had a rejects yet).

Maybe I'm tight but I just wont pay $50 for a checker when I can get one for $1.50 that does the same job well enough for the purpose I want it for. I'd rather save the money and spend it on my actual helis.

kirby_ · 11-27-2015, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy_Old_Man

Maybe I'm tight but I just wont pay $50 for a checker when I can get one for $1.50 that does the same job well enough for the purpose I want it for. I'd rather save the money and spend it on my actual helis.

Totally agree, I use one of my two cheapos for a "make sure I didn't just put an empty battery in the heli" check. I was just providing an example of how far off my version of these was in order to encourage people to check theirs against a known good thing. If I want really accurate, I'll use my charger. For me, the Celllog is right at the "better perf, not too much more money".

kona0915 · 11-27-2015, 02:38 PM

So I emailed progessive RC about using my Icharger, since that's where I bought the charger from. Here's their respons

"Yes, this can certainly be done with your iCharger. From the start screen, press and hold Stop, then press the right arrow to show individual cell voltages. You can also press the left arrow to perform a IR test from this screen."

NCcraig · 12-02-2015, 01:29 PM

I have one of these that I have had for a few years. I use all the time and it works well,
http://www.buddyrc.com/3-in-1-batter...ischarger.html.

I also have one of these showing up in the mail today just for kicks,
http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...oducts_id=2598

11-26-2015, 07:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
kona0915 Registered Users Join Date: Aug 2011	Voltage checker, which ones are you guys using Wondering what a decent voltage tester for batteries is. Currently flying an MCPx BL, going to get a 230S this coming spring. Guess I've been a bad boy for a year and a half as I've never owned a tester to check what my batteries are coming in at after flight, so time to correct that. Not sure what to look for in a tester.

11-26-2015, 10:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
Geena Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Sebring, Florida	I use the Hyperion EOS Century. Attached Thumbnails __________________ Miniature Aircraft, KBDD International, Bavarian Demon, Pulse Battery, Xpert RC USA, Kontronik USA, HeliDirect, Citizen00082.

11-26-2015, 05:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
Smoggie Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Aberdeen, UK	I just use the dirt cheap checker/alarms that you get off ebay. They work fine and you can even use them as an in flight low voltage alarm.. I've got a few and they all work perfectly and have done for years, but as they could come from different sources quality might vary. The ones i have look like the Venom but without the case. Sure they are not precision instruments for measuring down to a hundredth of a volt accuracy but if all you need is a guide to indicate state of charge they are more than accurate enough. __________________ Gob 700 BT 'T' \| SoXos Strike 7.1 \| Henseleit TDR, TDF, TDSF & TDR2 \| OMP M1&M2 \| UK stockist for OMPHobby M1/M2 ScotiaRC.co.uk

12-02-2015, 01:29 PM	#12 (permalink)
NCcraig Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2011	I have one of these that I have had for a few years. I use all the time and it works well, http://www.buddyrc.com/3-in-1-batter...ischarger.html. I also have one of these showing up in the mail today just for kicks, http://www.readymaderc.com/store/ind...oducts_id=2598 __________________ Team Newb pilot All my helis and quads were lost in a tragic boating accident.

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11-26-2015, 07:31 PM	#6 (permalink)
kona0915 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2011	Awesome info in that video, thanks for that. Looking at the hyperion and the venom (JR is nice but more that I need I think). Does Hyperion actually have a website. I"ve been searching and coming up blank. Searching for the Sentry the V2 is discontinued, can hardly find the V3 so thinking there might be a newer version??

11-27-2015, 07:13 AM	#8 (permalink)
kona0915 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2011	In that video I saw the guy use his Icharger for voltage as well. I have a 106B, wonder if I can use that to check?

11-27-2015, 02:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
kona0915 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Aug 2011	So I emailed progessive RC about using my Icharger, since that's where I bought the charger from. Here's their respons "Yes, this can certainly be done with your iCharger. From the start screen, press and hold Stop, then press the right arrow to show individual cell voltages. You can also press the left arrow to perform a IR test from this screen."

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