Ernie Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Hello, from sunny France. I've just bought a new Li-on battery for my Spektrum DX8 tranny. But, how do I charge it? My super all singing/dancing charger seems to be good for all other types, but no Li-on. ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Are you certain Ernie? All multi type chargers I’ve experienced could accommodate them. What model is it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Are you sure its a Lithium Ion, most tranny batteries seem to be lithium Iron (LiFePo4, lithium iron phosphate), they sound the same but have different charge voltages You're probably right but its worth a quick check 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 (edited) What is the nominal voltage of the pack? If you can charge it to 4.2V/cell, then it's safe to use the standard lipo programme. If its an LiFePo4, lithium iron phosphate pack (as@Phil Green notes) then you'll need to use the appropriate programme as they are only charged to 3.6-3.7V/cell. Simplest answer - please post links to the your charger and the battery pack in question then we can answer with more confidence. Edited September 28, 2023 by MattyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 PS - Want a laugh? Check out how much Spektrum charge for a 2S 4000 Lipo pack these days...! https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/80400/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Just now, MattyB said: PS - Want a laugh? Check out how much Spektrum charge for a 2S 4000 Lipo pack these days...! https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/80400/ "Other brands are available" as the BBC would say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 1 minute ago, Shaun Walsh said: "Other brands are available" as the BBC would say. Well aware of that, I was just pointing out that Spektrum's version of inflation seems to be more extreme than most of the other manufacturers of RC gear. It is unfortunate for those who bought into this ecosystem when it was far more affordable, as now they are pretty much operating at Jeti/Core levels of pricing, except the quality of the TXs is not the same. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted September 28, 2023 Author Share Posted September 28, 2023 Hi Martin and Phil, and thanks. The charger is a RC plus power 80. I've got the wee book, with its tiny chinoiserie instructions, but no mention of Lithium Ion. The battery has Spektrum Lithium Ion 7.4V transmittor battery pack written on it... ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 This one? - Says it does LiIo… Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 5 minutes ago, Ernie said: Hi Martin and Phil, and thanks. The charger is a RC plus power 80. I've got the wee book, with its tiny chinoiserie instructions, but no mention of Lithium Ion. The battery has Spektrum Lithium Ion 7.4V transmittor battery pack written on it... ernie According to the manual it should charge Lipo, Life and LiIon battery types. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Just now, Ernie said: Hi Martin and Phil, and thanks. The charger is a RC plus power 80. I've got the wee book, with its tiny chinoiserie instructions, but no mention of Lithium Ion. The battery has Spektrum Lithium Ion 7.4V transmitter battery pack written on it... ernie What is the model number of the pack? The one I linked above is a lipo ewith a nominal voltage of 7.4V; that model number is SPMB4000LPTX. You can see it printed in the pic: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 (edited) I missed the voltage quoted above. Makes me wonder whether your pack is genuine Ernie - not a mistake I’d expect Spektrum to make… …although they seem to have problems multiplying 3.3 x 2 according to this! Edited September 28, 2023 by Martin Harris - Moderator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 1 minute ago, Martin Harris - Moderator said: I missed the voltage quoted above. Makes me wonder whether your pack is genuine Ernie - not a mistake I’d expect Spektrum to make… If you can post a picture Ernie it might help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin Harris - Moderator Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 The bit that didn’t copy… I assume this is info generated by Spektrum - all in all, confusing and a little worrying! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 (edited) I wish they wouldnt label nominal voltages as you've no control over that. Post the charge voltage, thats what matters to us and to the fire services 🙂 Ernie, what does the pack voltage measure now, before you use it? If its sitting anything above 3.6v then its Lithium Ion, charge as per a 2S Li-Ion if you can or LiPo if not. If its below 3.6v then we dont know, could be LiFePo4 or a discharged Li-ion... Edited September 28, 2023 by Phil Green 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 (edited) 12 minutes ago, Shaun Walsh said: According to the manual it should charge Lipo, Life and LiIon battery types. Yep, it's all there in the manual, seems pretty clear to me... Choose the nominal cell voltage for your pack from "User set program" (in green below), then go back and initiate the charge via "Program select LiXX Batt" (in purple): http://manuals.promodels.be/Plus Power 80 manual_ENG.pdf Edited September 28, 2023 by MattyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Looks like the very common SkyRC software Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted September 28, 2023 Author Share Posted September 28, 2023 Hi again The battery is the one shown in Martins car pic. And, I wasn't sure about LIXX, sounds a bit naughty. If LIXX is ok, I'll go for it, and have the pompiers (our firemen) ready ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Green Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 (edited) what voltage does it read before you charge it Ernie? Edited September 28, 2023 by Phil Green 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattyB Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 (edited) 8 minutes ago, Ernie said: Hi again The battery is the one shown in Martins car pic. And, I wasn't sure about LIXX, sounds a bit naughty. If LIXX is ok, I'll go for it, and have the pompiers (our firemen) ready ernie Read the instructions first Ernie. They aren't the easiest to understand, but as far as I can tell you do need to configure the lithium batt type first from "User set program". Don't start charging without conducting this step, or you could overcharge the pack. And definitely check the starting voltage before you begin, as that will be a good indicator of the cell chemistry (I am guessing it is going to be 3.6-3.7V/cell, but lets see). Edited September 28, 2023 by MattyB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shaun Walsh Posted September 28, 2023 Share Posted September 28, 2023 Don't change user set program. The firmware in 4 button chargers seems pretty standard so try this. Turn on charger Will probably display " Program select Lithium Battery". If another battery type is shown press Stop/Type button to cycle to Lithium or LiXX Press Enter button, display will change to show an Li battery type and function (charge, discharge, storage etc.) Using Dec or Inc buttons cycle through the charge options until "Charge" is displayed. Press Enter button Battery type on display should flash, use Inc or Dec buttons to select LiIon Press Enter button Lithium battery type should now stop flashing and the current should flash. Using the Inc or Dec buttons select 2.0 A (or other required charging current) Press Enter button Number of cells should now flash. Using Inc or Dec buttons select 2s. Press Enter button. Connect battery Press and hold enter button to start charging. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie Posted September 29, 2023 Author Share Posted September 29, 2023 OK guys, I'm onto it. And thanks for all the help ernie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter Jenkins Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 21 hours ago, MattyB said: PS - Want a laugh? Check out how much Spektrum charge for a 2S 4000 Lipo pack these days...! https://wheelspinmodels.co.uk/i/80400/ Had the same issue with replacing the LiFe packs in my JR XG 11. £80! I felt I had to buy one and then took the old one apart (cut the heat shrink around the 2 cells) and found that there was a 2S LiFe charger on a PCB included! The input from the Tx charger is just a power input hence the need for a LiFe charger. Why they couldn't have included one fitted into the Tx is beyond me. I see that you can buy these LiFe charge boards (and LiPo for that matter) for around £15. So, my replacement pack, which has a much higher capacity than the standard 1600 mAh, was assembled around the charger and a suitably sized piece of heat shrink gave me a replacement pack at the cost of 2 LiFe cells with 3,200 mAh capacity. Is Spektrum playing the same game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Lewis 3 Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 You think that's a rip off then take a look at the cost of a genuine Futaba replacement! Why anyone pays these vastly inflated prices for what is after all only a battery is beyond my comprehension. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Bullit Posted September 29, 2023 Share Posted September 29, 2023 Does it not charge in the radio set to lipo ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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