Originally Posted by MaxWatts
Hi,
I've just joined here, as I've been googling for an answer to a problem I'm having.
I bought a Powerlab 8 recently, and have an old Maplin 30V - 2.5A power supply for charging indoors until I figure out a decent power supply to purchase.
I'm probably doing something wrong, but I've read the manual, and searched the 'net for an answer, before wasting anybody's time with stupid questions.
I connected a Turnigy 5000mah 4s to the PL8, with the balance connector only, and went with the factory preset number 1, Accurate Charge. I changed the charge current to 2.0A, bearing in mind the power supply. From what I've read, the balance connector is good for rates up to 3A.
After the PL8 starts, the VU meter on the PSU slowly rises to show 2 amps, then goes back to 500 milliamps, and stays there. It does exactly the same for presets two and three. No matter what I input as a charge rate, it rises, then settles back to 500ma...
Is it me? I'm a beginner in this field, and think I've probably missed something. The PSU is set for max voltage [30v] and max current [2.5A] and is quite capable of supplying it.
What am I doing wrong? Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
Regards,
Max
Yeah
As Mr. Marks points out, your power supply is woefully inadequate to run your PL8 charger. I've got mine charging a 6S4P A123 battery pack at 30 Amps. It's pulling over 50 amps out of a 12 Volt DC supply.
(Here is one way to build a field charger capable of 80 Amps at 13 Volts DC. Harbor Freight Gasoline/Alternator Setup
http://www.wattflyer.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66066,)
A number of different power supplies are available, some brand new, some used. Several club members have purchased these used computer server power supplies, and have had good luck with them.
http://www.feathermerchantrc.com/