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Electric Stunt => Gettin all AMP'ed up! => Topic started by: Rick_Huff on October 28, 2013, 12:15:37 PM
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I just received a new Hyperion CX 4s 2500mAh battery and when I try to charge it with my TP-610C charger I get error #1: "Voltage error or wrong polarity". I've checked and rechecked the dean's plug and its correct. I measured the voltage of the battery with an AOK voltmeter and get "4cell 15.4 volts, 3.84, 3.83, 3.86, 3.82". I tried unplugging the deans connector from the charger, so only the balancer was connected and I still get "error #1".
Any ideas?
Thanks,
Rick
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Try unplugging the balancing plug and use only the deans plug (non balancing mode of charging). If that works then the balancing plug is wired incorrectly or perhaps you somehow have plugged in the balancing plug incorrectly (backwards maybe?). Are you sure that you are using the 4 cell socket on the balance board and not the 5 or 6 cell?
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John,
I tried that and it still gives me the same error message. I measured the voltage on the deans plug attached to the battery and the red wire is definitely positive and the black wire negative. I'm really at a loss here. It doesn't seem to make sense. ( I tried another hyperion battery with the charger and it works just fine).
Rick
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If you are using a Hyperion balance board, make sure you are in the right slot on the board!!! slots 2,3,and 4 are the same but the wiring configuration changes. If you are using an XH board slot 4 is the same for Hyperion's as it is for most other brands. Then your problem might be with your charger. TP chargers are known to sometimes unexplainably get that error. If you contact TP they may back it up even if out of warranty. They have a great reputation for backing their products.
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William,
I didn't think of that, but I did put the battery on my plane and tried running the motor. The esc (phoenix 50) did its initial beeps, then started the "cell counting" beeps and didn't finish. I tried the start button on the fm9 timer, but it wouldn't run. That sounds like one cell is bad, but the voltmeter doesn't agree. Do I need to put a "load" on the cells when I measure their voltage? If so, what size resistor?
Rick
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Are your other batteries Hyperion? What brands if not?(not that it should matter) You shouldn't have to apply a load. You could try reordering the Deans connector but I doubt that too.
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I have some hyperion, some Arrowind and an Eco power. I didn't say, but this battery is from Hyperion's "crash replacement" policy. I assumed it was new, but... I'll contact the vendor, All e RC, and see what they can do.
Thanks,
Rick
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I finally figured it out: I had overheated the dean's connector when I soldered it to the battery. The contacts had softened the plug, and moved around a bit. I moved them back and let it cool. It all seemed fine, but now I find that if I push the male deans plug all the way into the female socket, it breaks the contact, hence the error message. A new (and properly soldered) dean's plug should take care of it.
Thanks again for your help,
Rick
(and yes, I do feel stupid)
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I finally figured it out: I had overheated the dean's connector when I soldered it to the battery. The contacts had softened the plug, and moved around a bit. I moved them back and let it cool. It all seemed fine, but now I find that if I push the male deans plug all the way into the female socket, it breaks the contact, hence the error message. A new (and properly soldered) dean's plug should take care of it.
Thanks again for your help,
Rick
(and yes, I do feel stupid)
It helps to have a mating plug in place when you solder a connector. You should feel very smart. You tracked down a very tricky problem! I use Powerpole Connector because you solder the contact outside of the shell. Powerpole connectors do have some disadvantages such as the possibility of plugging them in backwards. However if you lock the black and red shell together the problem goes away.
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John,
That's GREAT tip. I'll be doing that from now on.
Rick
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Just make sure the exposed ends of the male plug are covered so they can't accidentally short.
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What John and jfv say about Deans plugs applies to any assembled plug when you are soldering them on the wires. I have gone to XT60 plugs because I like the way they plug and unplug and, if you do a neat solder job, you can slip the shrink wrap tube INTO the plastic body of the plug before shrinking. I got a bunch of XT60 plugs from Ebay for a song compared to Deans plugs. I still have to be careful soldering and I always have a male female plugged together when I solder wires onto them.
Again, what jfv says about care when attaching to the battery leads is essential and I put a piece of shrink tube over the exposed male terminals just to be safe!!
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Thanks John,
I looked into the XT60 plugs and I like them. I ordered some and will try them out.
Rick
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I have tried the XT60. You absolutely have to have the pairs mated to solder. The shell will melt at the drop of a hat.
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I have tried the XT60. You absolutely have to have the pairs mated to solder. The shell will melt at the drop of a hat.
Agreed John!! You have to be VERY careful soldering the XT60 plugs (be sure to tin both wire end and terminal before soldering them together)!!!