Difference between Opus BT-C3400 & BT-C3100 v2.1?

[teacher]

Sorry, I may be a bit behind. I am on my phone now…… :person_facepalming:

It is a slow go to say the least……

[RobertB]

I charge 4 cells at a time @ 1A often, and never had that reset happen. My power supply is plugged into a Tripp lite Isobar with line filters though. Wonder if that has anything to do with it.

Version 2.2, KYT power supply

[chops728]

@gauss163

His 2.5 also works because its 2.5 inner hole is bigger than the 2.1 mating inner pin, so it will fit, but may be a bit loose (some have springs that make them work for 2.5 or 2.1 pins).

As for the quality, who knows. It’s probably no worse than the KYT that you currently have. And since it has a lot of headroom (60W vs 36W) it won’t be stressed much.

from my calculations using all my fingers and most of my toes—roughly a shade more than a 64th bigger

[chops728]

@gauss163

@chops728

I’ve had this 3400 for almost 2yrs—I always charge/test at 1a—— 4 at a time—-I’m talking 100s of cells from pulls to new —never had the issue you’ll are having

Does yours have the KYT or APD power supply (see pics above), and what version do you have? (shown briefly at power-on)

Opus 3400/2.1 APD power supply

[wolfdog1226]

OK,The latest!

I decided to do another Charge/Test to see if it would replicate the failure from earlier today. For those not familiar, that test is CHARGE/DISCHARGE and CHARGE to get capacity results. Earlier today it failed several times when it was transitioning from the discharge phase to the charge phase. Basically reset[turned off/on again] and defaults to 500mAh instead of the 1000mah I used for the test[4 x 18650]

So,before my hike I checked the batteries and AFTER the charge[first phase] was complete,it did NOT transition to the discharge phase! I am positive I had the setting for CHARGE/TEST. The read out had charge instead of charge/test!!I have no clue as to why?!

How does that happen? Is that related to the Power supply that seems to be the consensus of the first mishap?

My amateur guess is in addition or possibly just by itself, there is an electrical component failing internally?

I do know this. I do not have the patience that a lot of you guys have.

Opus #1- I returned it because I felt it did not charge high enough[4.15v] and the discharge tests were too high!! Let it also be known that I did return the Power supply first because it got way too hot,the charger followed in a few days. That was the first indication of a power supply problem!

Opus #2[the one I have now] charges 0.03v higher and much more accurate capacity tests.
Unfortunately it has the issues that have been discussed today.I am disappointed because I was happy w/ end voltage and capacity results.

Opus #3- I can return Opus #2 and get #3. Almost certain that is what I am going to do. If that one starts to have the same issues I can use the 12v/5a power supply that I just ordered!

I am NOT convinced that the power supply is the only thing wrong with my charger.

The only way I would delay getting Opus #3 is if Jon Caserta[owner Liionwholesale] would agree to let me keep this another 10 days or so until the power supply comes and I have several days to do tests. I think he would do that.

In any event,if there is an Opus Three and it fails or this one fails after new power supply,I am finished w/ Mr. Opus and Mr. Efest LUC V4 will come out of storage and be with my 2 X FENIX-ARE and KP-L2 in my flashlight laboratory!

,those are my amateur, gut feeling thoughts mixed in w/ facts!

[wolfdog1226]

ok,this time I was there when it transitioned from FULL Discharge to begin charging stage.

Two minutes after discharge was complete and Charging began, it did the same thing as before. It shut off/reset and came back on default charging of 500mAh :person_facepalming:

EDIT: Right before it happened[just like last time] you could hear the fan weaken like it and the unit was losing power, then it shut off/reset and came back on.

[chops728]

Have you tried it with 3 cells—that way you’d know if the charger is still working or not

[wolfdog1226]

@chops728

Have you tried it with 3 cells—that way you’d know if the charger is still working or not

It charged 4 cells yesterday when I was doing the Repeat Charge/Test. It just did not start or complete the discharge test.

I will try 3 cells anyway and post results in an hour or Two. I am just going to tail stand my K40vn until its ~ 3.80v and then charge them!

[teacher]

OK, I could find no suitable power supply locally yesterday; so that’s out.

My laptop supply has the right plug it seems, but it is 19v/2,37a. That would be to much voltage wouldn’t it? ( 19 V )

I really don’t want to fry the thing.

[wolfdog1226]

Some questions/concerns assuming Jon will let me keep my Opus and test it with a new power supply AND Return it for a new one if it fails!

What will the quality be for a Power supply that was shipped for $6.99?!

Will it meet the advertised specs of 12V/5A or will it fall into the category of so many falsified capacities/specs. of numerous Chinese batteries?*Fire, ect.

No way for me to know until I get it because I have no equipment to test it!

This is just a guess! It is sold for $6.99,probably cost $1 to make, ebay guy buys it for $2 and pays $2 or$3 to ship to me and gets a $2 or $3 profit!!! :laughing:

[teacher]

@gauss163

@teacher

My laptop supply has the right plug it seems, but it is 19v/2,37a. That would be to much voltage wouldn’t it? ( 19 V ). I really don’t want to fry the thing.

19V is out of the 8-16V range stated by Opus engineer Henry Xu. Most likely it would cause damage.

Thanks gauss, that is kinda what I figured……

[teacher]

@wolfdog1226

What will the quality be for a Power supply that was shipped for $6.99?!

Will it meet the advertised specs of 12V/5A or will it fall into the category of so many falsified capacities/specs. of numerous Chinese batteries?*Fire, ect.

Well, look at it this way, unless it blows up, burns up, or shocks you…. it can’t be any worse than the one you have now and you not notice it.

[wolfdog1226]

@chops728

Have you tried it with 3 cells–that way you’d know if the charger is still working or not

Successfully charged 3 X NCR 18650 @ 1AMP.

DMM Measured: In @ 3.80v, Out @ 4.17v

[teacher]

@ wolfdog
Did you just Charge… or did you do Charge - Discharge - Charge?

[Speed4goal]

See even though I brought this issue to light. I’ve never had it happen on a charge discharge test. Only a regular charge. And usually when cells are complelty done for not only half completed. And not everytime just occasionally.

To me its not heat related. I literally have a window ac unit maybe 2.5feet from it blowing directly on it. Shares the same plug with the unit. There’s no way within 3-4 mins it could overheat with 60degree air blowing across it. A good bit of the time the fan won’t even come on. Or cycles briefly with 6000btu air-conditioning blowing right on it

Edit
I’ve done hundreds of charge discharge test 4 at a time at 1amp. Just did 68 last weekend not a issue. (3day weekend for me) ran non stop literally
What made me notice it me and the wife have 3 tomo v8 powerbanls. They charge uber slow. So we change out the batteries. The batteries are at 3-3.2 volts when being charged. And I’ve seen the problem only at the most power draw of a charge cycle. Once the batteries get 3.7-3.8 the power loading shouldn’t be as hard

[wolfdog1226]

@teacher

@ wolfdog
Did you just Charge… or did you do Charge - Discharge - Charge?

I just charged them per “Chops” suggestion to see if the charger worked.

He probably asked me because the “Failures” happen when transitioning from Discharge to charge.

That is when the battery is ~ 2.80V and “May” need the most energy to get the charge started? Hence, the thought process that it probably needs more powerful Power Supply.

[teacher]

@HKJ

@wolfdog1226

I asked HKJ earlier today if 12v/3a is enough for 4 batteries @ 1amp?: Easily, 12V 3A is 36 watt, 4 batteries with each 4.2V charged at 1A is 16.8 watt, there is a lot of spare power for display and heat.

What I did not say was that it requires that the charger know how to handle the power. The first versions of the C3100 charger was very bad on that, in later versions it was improved, but not perfect. This means that a sensitive power supply may give the charger problems.

But you have the problem during discharge and that do not make any sense, the charger is not supposed to be loading the power supply when doing discharges.

@HKJ

@wolfdog1226

The discharge process was over and it was transitioning to charge. that is when it kept turning off and defaulting to 500mAh.

That means you power supply is rather sensitive, try a more powerful one. The opus charger do have some nasty spikes in its power draw, a large capacitor in the power supply will handle it (or a slow over current limiter). The problem is not the average current draw, but the peak current draw, the power supply supplied for my test had no problems with the “fixed” version of the Opus, but a power supply with very fast over current protection will have a problem.

A guess would be that Opus has change supplier of power supply, without checking if it can handle the requirements of the charger.

@HKJ

@wolfdog1226

Jon from Liionwholesale’s guess is that it is overheating and/or may have a failing/bad thermal sensor?

I doubt it, in my opinion the most likely cause is the power supply. The Opus will draw more than 3A in peak current, in my test I measured 6A for nearly 0.02 second. Then 0A for 0.03 seconds, bringing the average below 3A

All this “detective work” is kinda fun.
Our chargers have the exact same issues. I am gonna hitch my cart to our power supply being the problem theory (inadequate supply for occasional demand in certain instances) … (Thanks HKJ…. . )
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

[wolfdog1226]

^

I ordered my Power supplies[Two]! ,and I hope it is the solution because I like my capacity test results and a 0.03v additional charge compared to my original Opus!

[teacher]

I hope it is too……… :+1:

[wolfdog1226]

If the Power supply I ordered is as efficient and impressive as the Ebay dealer and USPS, I will be very happy!

I ordered it Friday night. It is coming from Oregon and I live in Pennsylvania[Subs. of Philly]. It is “OUT FOR DELIVERY”!

The USPS gets ripped a lot…I have done my share. I will give them credit for this. They may NOT deliver on Sundays but the packages are still moving!

I am going to do several “Charge/Tests which is where it failed. That was minute or Two into The charge phase AFTER discharge was complete.

I will report back possibly tonight and hopefully w/ all good news!