Cellpro 10s voltage mismatch

[Schmidtsp]

My new power supply supplies 14.89V (measured) to my Cellpro 10s. At startup the Cellpro indicates it is getting >16V. However, after pushing the mode button the Cellpro behaves normally and fully charges all Lipos. Is this a programming variance or should I be concerned?

Thanks

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by Schmidtsp

My new power supply supplies 14.89V (measured) to my Cellpro 10s. At startup the Cellpro indicates it is getting >16V. However, after pushing the mode button the Cellpro behaves normally and fully charges all Lipos. Is this a programming variance or should I be concerned?

Thanks

Hi:

It could be that the 10s is picking up some noise from your power supply. Worst case there could be a defective component in the charger, but I kind of doubt this if it seems to work normally other than not measuring the input voltage properly. It's probably not worth sending back in for service. If I were you, I'd just keep using it and keep an eye on it. If symptoms get worse, you might choose to send it in for service. The fact that it might measure the input voltage too high has little to do with what is happening at the output. Input voltage and output voltage mearsurements are completely separate uC processes.

I would not worry too much about this if I were you.

Tim Marks

[hayofstacks]

I would try to get your power supply up to 16v's.

One thing I leanered about cars is that it is much easier to regulate a slight over voltage then it is to go undervoltage. Several years ago before smart phones and mini computers, I was dead set on building up a "carputer". The major hurdle for voltage regulation was that a car can drop down to 8v's when cranking the starter, causing a "brown out". Putting a capacitor helped, but would wear out quickly. They ended up fixing the power supply's by building them to operate from 6-24v's. It helpped a lot, but guys running near the maximum power output ended up burning out the psu while cranking. People that regulated to 14 or even 16v's didn't have an issue.

Basically, undervoltage causes a higher amprage on your input and can over tax the electronics, while still seeming to be in the safe range. If your charger is designed to operate from 12-16v's, you would be better off to run the higher end of the range then the lower.

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by hayofstacks

I would try to get your power supply up to 16v's.

One thing I leanered about cars is that it is much easier to regulate a slight over voltage then it is to go undervoltage. Several years ago before smart phones and mini computers, I was dead set on building up a "carputer". The major hurdle for voltage regulation was that a car can drop down to 8v's when cranking the starter, causing a "brown out". Putting a capacitor helped, but would wear out quickly. They ended up fixing the power supply's by building them to operate from 6-24v's. It helpped a lot, but guys running near the maximum power output ended up burning out the psu while cranking. People that regulated to 14 or even 16v's didn't have an issue.

Basically, undervoltage causes a higher amprage on your input and can over tax the electronics, while still seeming to be in the safe range. If your charger is designed to operate from 12-16v's, you would be better off to run the higher end of the range then the lower.

Hi:

Yea, this is not an issue of regulation. This is an issue of voltage measurement not being 100% accurate. Increasing the power supply voltage from 14.89v to 16v will not do anything to help this issue. It's also not a great idea to run the CP10S at the absolute maximum input voltage. Some power supplies have noise which could push the voltage above the max and damage the charger.

Tim Marks

[Schmidtsp]

Thanks for the reply, Tim. I appreciate your timely response. I have two CP10s's and each works flawlessly.

On another note, I have a CP4s (older) that thinks it's cold even at 80 degrees. I get a cold charge/balance routine even when neither the battery nor the CP4 is cold. I've even tried to charge on a heating pad to see what's up. Any thoughts?

Thanks again,

Steve

[Tim Marks]

Originally Posted by Schmidtsp

Thanks for the reply, Tim. I appreciate your timely response. I have two CP10s's and each works flawlessly.

On another note, I have a CP4s (older) that thinks it's cold even at 80 degrees. I get a cold charge/balance routine even when neither the battery nor the CP4 is cold. I've even tried to charge on a heating pad to see what's up. Any thoughts?

Thanks again,

Steve

Sounds like a thermistor is defective on the PCB assy.

You could call Howard Matos (301) 829-5533 or email howard@fmadirect.com if you're interested in getting that one repaired.

Tim Marks