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Author Topic: Keenstone C1-XR Charger  (Read 1041 times)

Offline Ken Culbertson

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Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« on: October 28, 2019, 06:29:41 PM »
I have been using a Keenstone C1-XR Charger for the last year without any issues.  Bit slow but reliable.  Last week, out of the blue, it started charging everything (4,5,& 6s) to 90% instead of 99% like usual.  I thought it was the batteries getting old.  The 1st ones had around 50 cycles on them but it did it on my new set with only 5 cycles and my 5s set.  I don't know much about the settings so is there something I may have done to change the cell voltage from the std 4.2?

Ken
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Offline Fred Underwood

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #1 on: October 28, 2019, 07:01:59 PM »
I've not seen that one specifically, but looked up the manual.  Hopefully, the "battery end voltage" (page 21) has been accidentally set low, or in another place, the language looked like battery terminal voltage (page 5).

Some chargers will automatically undercharge if cold as the battery capacity goes down.  I'm not sure on that one.

Of course it could be an actual charger failure, but hopefully, just a setting.

added

The setting that I was referring to above would be a voltage per cell, such as cutoff or end at 4.1v/cello instead of 4.2, so would affect all pack and series of cells.
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Offline Fred Underwood

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2019, 07:13:55 PM »
Similar could happen if the charger was switched to LiIon and then used for LiPo.  LiIon cutoff is 4.1.  I don't know if that charger would detect the different Li chemistry.
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Offline Ken Culbertson

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2019, 11:22:43 PM »
Quote from: Fred Underwood on October 28, 2019, 07:01:59 PM
I've not seen that one specifically, but looked up the manual.  Hopefully, the "battery end voltage" (page 21) has been accidentally set low, or in another place, the language looked like battery terminal voltage (page 5).

Some chargers will automatically undercharge if cold as the battery capacity goes down.  I'm not sure on that one.

Of course it could be an actual charger failure, but hopefully, just a setting.

added

The setting that I was referring to above would be a voltage per cell, such as cutoff or end at 4.1v/cello instead of 4.2, so would affect all pack and series of cells.
That sheds some light.  It was cold when I first had the problem.  Last round it was around 70.
My problem is that I can't find the settings and the manual is written in English by someone that probably doesn't speak it.  It has been a good charger, I hate to replace it but I also don't cherish my motor going out in the Cloverleaf either :o!
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Offline Ken Culbertson

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2019, 11:34:54 PM »
Quote from: Motorman on October 28, 2019, 09:00:50 PM
Are you balance charging with the balance plug installed? Are the cells charged evenly at 90% or is one low?  Definitely go back through your settings and check battery type and terminal voltage.

Settings are a head ache and those manuals have a secret code all their own. I made a cheat sheet that tells what buttons to push, how many times for which function lol.


Motorman 8)
Balance Charging and yes, one cell is typically 1-3% lower.  On my newer batteries (4s 3000) it is 93,93,93,90 and it is not always cell 4....however, there has always been one slightly lower at 98%. On the older batteries (4s 2800) it is 93,91,90,90 or some combination.  It is like it has timed out before it has finished balancing.  Those chargers have a reputation for overheating but mine has never gotten hot.  Another clue is that it I put the battery back on balance charge after it says it is done it will not take any more amps but if I put it on simple charge it will take some but not very much before it says it is full.

Ken
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Offline Fred Underwood

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #5 on: October 29, 2019, 11:51:19 AM »
Yep, the manual is poorly written.  The diagrams show functions available, but not exactly how to get there.  Can you scroll to the user settings under program select (page 12 in the online manual) and confirm the battery end voltage?  And confirm that you didn't end up in the LiIon program?

Cold to lipo/lipo chargers is more like under 50-55°.  My charger will not fully charge if it detects colder, but I don't see that noted in your manual.

Are you reading the percentages mentioned from the charger or from an external meter? Is the charger telling you that they are different percentages and different voltages per cell?



As per your bottom line "If it is not broke, don't fix it." it just may be broke :-)
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Offline Ken Culbertson

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #6 on: October 29, 2019, 01:12:05 PM »
Quote from: Fred Underwood on October 29, 2019, 11:51:19 AM
Yep, the manual is poorly written.  The diagrams show functions available, but not exactly how to get there.  Can you scroll to the user settings under program select (page 12 in the online manual) and confirm the battery end voltage?  And confirm that you didn't end up in the LiIon program?

Cold to lipo/lipo chargers is more like under 50-55°. (Could be the problem, I have been charging at night and the temps have been in the upper 40's to lower 50's)  My charger will not fully charge if it detects colder, but I don't see that noted in your manual.

Are you reading the percentages mentioned from the charger or from an external meter? (Both) Is the charger telling you that they are different percentages and different voltages per cell? (Normal is all 4 at 99% but sometimes 3 are 99% and one is 98%  Has always done that.)

As per your bottom line "If it is not broke, don't fix it." it just may be broke :-)
I am going to check the settings again and make sure I am not in LiIon.  I have gotten in a hurry before and changed the type and it always warned me when I started the charge.  Maybe LiIon doesn't do that and Lipo is right next to it in the selections.

Thanks for the heads up on the charging temperature.  I will probably move that operation into my home office for the winter months.  In fact I will do that tonight and see if one will charge fully.

Ken
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Offline Ken Culbertson

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #7 on: October 30, 2019, 06:07:01 PM »
Quote from: Fred Underwood on October 29, 2019, 11:51:19 AM
And confirm that you didn't end up in the LiIon program?
Is there a thread where we can admit to being stupid?  It was it was in LIon mode.  Thank you for putting me on to it.

Ken
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Offline Fred Underwood

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Re: Keenstone C1-XR Charger
« Reply #8 on: October 30, 2019, 06:53:39 PM »
Quote from: Ken Culbertson on October 30, 2019, 06:07:01 PM
Is there a thread where we can admit to being stupid? 

Ha, no need for that thread, too many of us would be there.  Guess how I guessed the problem :-)
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Fred
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