Beth Ashby Moderator Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 We've got a new poll up - How often do you hook your charger to PC monitoring software when replenishing batteries? So, how often do you? Edited By Beth Ashby - Moderator on 07/08/2015 10:55:54 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Hilder Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Never, my chargers don't have this facility. Although I do log the charged mAh into the batteries using an iPhone app (LiPo Watch). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dylan Reynolds LaserCraft Services Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I have the Hitec H4 which is supposed to have a pc interface cable available I remember David Ashby mentioning on spotlight when he was talking about the firmware upgrade for it, but I can't even get a product code for it from Perkins, can't find one anywhere. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuban8 Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Don't see the need for anything so sophisticated. Easy to check capacity /weak cells etc with far simpler gear and keep records in a note book. KISS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Essjay Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Hi Beth, I don't have that facility on my charger either. Maybe you could add "not an option on my charger" to the choices? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Ashby Moderator Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 I like that Essjay... I've just added it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Hopkin Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Too late Beth! I would have selected "not available" if it had been there, but I choose "Never"!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Wright Stuff Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Well, didn't even know such a facility existed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bob Cotsford Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Don't see the need, there are more than enough cables floating around when the three chargers are running without adding more leads to the PC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Tee Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Can't say that I knew of such software existed. My B6 charger has the facility to monitor the charge going in/out, is this the same as the forementioned software?, maybe a bit more basic! John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisB Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Didn't even know I could. Use wall chargers for std RX packs and small 12v LCD screen chargers for Lipos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bert baker Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Is it a trick question, Havent got a clue what you are on about, I have got three Imax B6, if it helps Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ken anderson. Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 must admit its got me stumped...i'm in the same boat as bert and chrisb.......... young beth has got one over us... ken anderson...ne...1...... one over dept. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Fairgrieve Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Posted by bert baker on 07/08/2015 18:34:46: Is it a trick question, Havent got a clue what you are on about, I have got three Imax B6, if it helps Then tick the not available on my charger option. I also use 3 Imax B6 chargers. Kev Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Carr Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I have once or twice hooked the charger up to the PC out of curiosity but I'm a bit uncertain if it worth the effort to be honest. Just seems a bit of a hassle so I just let the charger do its job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Privett Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I think it might be an option on my charger, via an optional-extra interface that I don't have... I do log all my battery charges and discharges (flights!) using RC Log on my phone. I must admit though I make very little use of the data it accumulates (oops, no pun intended!) about my batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff S Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I emptied the piggy bank at Cosford a couple of weks ago and treated myself to an iCharger 308 duo which has a facilty to connect to my PC but I'm not sure just what extra and useful data it can provide. It was hard enough to master using it properly anyway but I'll probably have a play when I have an idle moment. It might be interesting for those who do use the PC logging facility to expalin what they get out of it. I suspect I'd need to be a lot disciplined than I am ie not very. Geoff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beth Ashby Moderator Posted August 7, 2015 Author Share Posted August 7, 2015 Here's the honesty... I don't know either! I've learnt so much in the last few months but batteries & chargers still baffle me! This is definitely a question for BEB, Pete, Chris, Steve or David (sorry guys...!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete B Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Just by way of explanation, some chargers have a USB socket which can link the charger to a PC. With supplied software, It may show a graph of voltage, current, capacity and it also shows the individual voltage of each cell in the pack. The USB socket may also have a temperature sensor available as an alternative function. Like a few of the guys above, I tried it out once and didn't find it worth the trouble, so now I just rely on the charger to do its job - plus a pinch of commonsense, too Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Former Member Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 [This posting has been removed] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Hartley Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 My charger has both the USB ability to connect to the PC and a temp monitor. To be honest I have never used them as it seems a lot of messing about to get a data set that I am not sure what I could do about the results even if I wanted to. I rely on the charger to do its thing and check the volts in each cell both during charging at completion. I also double check with a standalone tester/wattmeter unit. Seems to work for me at the moment and a couple of years in on electric. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Manuel Posted August 7, 2015 Share Posted August 7, 2015 My charger doesn't have a USB port. Even if it did, I doubt that ever bother connecting it to my PC. What's the point? I charge my batteries up and they power my planes - job done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_B Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I don't own a PC, only an iPad so it's not an option for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cliff Bastow Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 I don't have facility to do this, but doubt I would anyway. Seems just another example of data for data's sake to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.. Posted August 8, 2015 Share Posted August 8, 2015 My charger doesn't have the facility for this and even if it did I wouldn't bother. I don,t analyse the exhaust omissions from my IC engines either . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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