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Electric Stunt => Gettin all AMP'ed up! => Topic started by: jjorgensen on December 12, 2013, 12:25:55 PM

Title: Charging question
Post by: jjorgensen on December 12, 2013, 12:25:55 PM
If one wanted to charge the battery in the plane without having to remove it each time, can an arming plug also be used as a charging plug, or is it necessary to somehow wire in a charging plug as well?
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Dean Pappas on December 12, 2013, 12:33:55 PM
Hello Jim,
You would need access to the battery's balance connector as well.
I think you'll find that most folks warn against charging the battery inside the airplane, though there are notable exceptions.
The one thing to note: removing the battery from the plane helps assure that the battery cools after flight. You do not want to charge a hot battery.
Short answer ... you still need a big hatch!

Regards,
  Dean P.
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Tim Wescott on December 12, 2013, 12:34:11 PM
An arming plug would not be enough -- you'd need a separate charging plug.

But occasionally LiPo batteries catch on fire when they're charging, after a crash, or just because.  The fire is sudden and vigorous, which would not give you time to get the battery out of the plane before Bad Things happened to it.  If the battery's out of the plane when it catches on fire, it only incinerates itself, not the plane.

So most people keep their batteries separate from their airframes, and consequently have them out of the airframe for charging.
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Fred Cronenwett on December 12, 2013, 03:22:07 PM
I charge in a fire proof safe, where I cut a small slot for the two wires. Then I close and lock the lid. I have two slots, I can charge two batteries at once since I have two chargers.

If the battery has a problem the fire is contained inside the fire proof safe, the toxic gas will escape however

I agree with everyone else, you want to remove the battery from the model, let it cool and charge it away from other items especially your car engine.

Fred
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Robert-Jan on December 13, 2013, 04:05:02 AM
I believe Igor never removes the battery.
And he is a world champion.

Greetings Robert-Jan
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Igor Burger on December 13, 2013, 04:11:03 AM
Exactly, I do not ... and I also do not use balancing charger, but I know for sure that such practice needs absolute knowledge of battery state (permanent care, measuring controlling etc) and it need very good knowledge and experience with lio and electric power train at all, so I certainly cannot recommend it for first steps with electric.
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Frank Imbriaco on December 13, 2013, 05:57:58 AM
My Thunderpower 820 CD charger, by design, won't charge without the balance tap connected.

That aside, Merry Xmas !
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: Dean Pappas on December 13, 2013, 07:46:48 AM
Exactly, I do not ... and I also do not use balancing charger, but I know for sure that such practice needs absolute knowledge of battery state (permanent care, measuring controlling etc) and it need very good knowledge and experience with lio and electric power train at all, so I certainly cannot recommend it for first steps with electric.

Hi Gang,
I did say "notable exceptions".  LL~

Regards,
  Dean
Title: Re: Charging question
Post by: jjorgensen on December 14, 2013, 03:40:38 PM
I appreciate all the advice. I had seen in other posts that Igor charged the battery in the plane and thought it might be alright. It seems like there would be less wear and tear on the connections if you weren't taking it out and replacing it after each flight but I see the safety in charging outside the fuselage.