Help please Accucell 6

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

Just got an Accucell 6 and I need help with a couple of things. I am having problems with balance charging 4 18650s, as soon as I connect the balance leads… It throws the batterycheck over voltage warning, even though the cell count is set correctly, as the warning stops everything no chance of even checking settings. If I disconnect the balance leads but leave the charging leads connected I can reset the warning.

Is there something I am doing wrong or is there a fault. It will charge correctly using the normal charge program

Secondly the cooling fan, is it supposed to be on all the time or is it thermally switched? TIA

2

As for the balance leads, they’re probably incorrectly connected.

The fan is variable speed, and sometimes will not start for a while when charging. For 18650 cells, it’s much easier (and quicker) to parallel charge than use the balance leads - I only use balance charging for my RC Lipos.

3

I assume you installed the balance leads correctly….

Read Accucell 6’s manual. Usually it has a thermal switch.

4

I would recheck the the wiring and connections.

For your reference: (although you have 4 cells, not 3)

If you could take a picture of your setup, that would help as well.

5

I think I have connected the leads correctly. Got a lead from a local hobby shop and just cut off the board end plug and soldered longer leads.

Pos charge lead to pos, neg charge lead to bat neg, red outer balance to pos charge connect bat poss. black bal lead to neg charge lead bat. nearest bal lead to black bal lead to 1-2 then next bal lead to 2-3 and next bal lead to 3-4. Wrong?

Thanks for the info about the fan,

6

Sounds OK - can you post a diagram? Still a waste of time and effort, balance charging 18650s in my opinion :bigsmile:

7

Thanks for the diagram… yup that is how I have it connected.

8

Exactly as in the diagram ryansoh3 posted plus of course the extra bal lead for the extra cell.

I will post a pic if still needed as ryansoh3 said but its 5am here and the mayhem caused by the dogs with me up and about would not make me very popular :frowning: so I am afraid will be later on

Bit of an experiment with the balance charging, (mind you would like to know if the unit is faulty) these are unprotected cells that will be heavily used. was told that balance charging was the thing to do with them. Have only ever used ‘normal’ chargers before.

9

No worries, time for some sleep I reckon! The diagram is correct, but I would still bet my socks on a wiring error - it might be obvious after a few Z’s.

Cheers

10

I did this with a custom lipo pack, no problems at all. On my Accucel6, I marked the balance sockets positive and negative sides. When looking into the sockets, positive is on the left, negative is on the right.
I agree with the others; for loose 18650 cells, it’s easier to parallel charge IF they are already at a fairly similar charge state (I’d say no more than 0.1V or so). Connecting a dead cell to a charged cell is bad for both cells.

11

Try it sometime, if you’ve got the appropriate measuring equipment. I guarantee you will be surprised at how little current flows between 18650 cells which are as much as 0.4V apart, when they are connected together in a battery holder.

12

Insomnia caused by over thinking :frowning:

In many ways I hope it is a wiring fault. I will take another crack at it later on, thanks for your input.

I will check the connector leads I bought to make sure they are that way round, thanks

13

You haven’t seen my battery holder. :wink:
You are correct, in a crappy holder, there will be no high currents between cells. Also, there will be a very long time needed to fully charge them.

14

No, I haven’t - but I still say, try it, you may be surprised!

15

Well had another go but only two cells to make things simpler, exactly the same result (diff set of bal leads)

Have I got it wrong?

16

This may not be the problem, but you need to use the 3-pin socket (top-left); that is the 2-cell balance socket.
Did you try putting the center tap on the pin right next to the red wire?
Edit: Can you measure the voltage of each cell as well?

17

I bought a pack of these leads marked 2s to 5s all the same male socket I did ask at the shop and he said that was ok, he also used these leads to charge his cell packs (2 and 3 and 5 cells)

I did try the wire next to the red to center with my other set of leads no difference, take the sensor wire off the center same result, take the red sensor wire off but leave center one on same result.

battery voltage was 4.0v each cell

18

Did you say it will not charge them anymore either? Earlier you mentioned you can get it to charge without the balancer connected.
I think the problem is with the connection to the 5S socket. That plug is looking for 18-21V on the red pin. The 2S socket is only looking for 7-8V.
Try it again on the 2S plug. If a 2S pack will not work on the 2S plug, then your charger may be broken.

19

try it in LiPo mode not LiIo

20

No still charges ok even did a pb to test.

Haven’t got a suitable plug for the 2s socket to hand, as I said all the leads for 2s to 5s had the same male plug the differences were in the other plug you can see the one I used had the 3pins for 2s. I will have a rummage through my spares box to see if I can find one for either the 2s or 4s socket on the charger.

Was thinking that the unit was faulty would be just my luck 3 items bought 2 faulty :frowning:

I’ll go have a rummage for a plug and will let you know if any differences, thanks for the suggestions.