Unsure how to setup Imax B6 charger

[Barrymore]

I have a number of queries regarding the manual and charging NiMH batteries.
I set two AA size batteries in a suitable holder, connected it and tried to program the charger.

1. The default current was set at 0.1 amp. Based on info in the manual, I calculated that it would take 24 hours to charge.
As I had already started charging I left it charging at this rate, but after two hours the charger started beeping and "time" was flashing on the screen.
I have now increased the current to 0.5 amps and calculated that it will take seven more hours.
I've just discovered that "FULL" was flashing i.e. after only 40 mins. I switched off and noted that each battery gave a reading of 1.37V.
My question is, what is the maximum safe amps to charge AA batteries?

2. Bottom right of the screen has five digits like 000958, now the manual shows this to be both battery charge and charged capacity. If it's the voltage that has been charged to date, then where is the decimal point?

3. The manual shows the discharge voltage cut off level which seems to be very high. I'm sure most "flat" batteries are already below this reading, so I cannot see when discharging would ever be used.

Any advise would be appreciated.

[Turner]

There is a setting in the menus that limits total charging time. You need to adjust that so the charger doesn't cut off before the charge is complete.

I use BC-700 La Crosse for all my AA and AAA charging. The highest rate it has is .7 amps.

Here is a great thread on NiMH charging:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/...NiMH-Batteries

[flydiver]

First thing you ought to do is see if your IMAX is a 'fake' or real.
http://www.skyrc.com/antifake/indexen.php

If fake, give it up, it likely won't charge NiMh very well at all.

In the first charge attempt you likely [Timed out]. You can change that, see the manual.
In the 2nd attempt you likely actually got them full with a 'peak termination'.
I would not charge consumer grade AA more than 1A. 0.5-1.0 is fine.

Then, You need to understand a LOT more about charging those battery types. It it harder to charge NiXX properly than Lipo, just not as nasty if you mess up.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) — The Basics
Learn About Batteries – Contents

[Turner]

That's interesting. Obviously chargers made before Nov 2008 would not have these identification aids. I have a SkyCharger B6AC purchased in 2009 and it has none of this. I am curious now if this is made by Sky RC or if it is a clone. Works perfectly though.

[flydiver]

ALL the 4-button chargers that look similar to this are clones of the Bantam.
Then we have copies of the clones.
Then we have 'fakes' of the copies of the clones.....
It gets ugly. Unfortunate for the unsuspecting consumer.

Charging voltage, chargED voltage, and mA put back in are not very useful for NiXX charging because of the way NiXX charging works (over voltage and overfill).
The best way to check a NiXX battery is to charge it at 1/10C until it gets warm, THEN immediately discharge at 1/5C to 1v/cell. NOW you can see the probably capacity.
Read the links I sent. You'll be glad you did.

The BC-700 La Crosse listed above (there are similar competitors) are better tools for the job for AA consumer cells.

Note - how do you know it works perfectly? Some of these clones when checked with accurate meters after charging have been found to not be so accurate. The early IMAX was infamous for this. Not trying to pan your charger but this particular unit has a history of problems and now issues with people getting crap fakes. Best to be safe with lipos...
IMAX B6 -- Read this before you buy..
Upgrading your Imax B6 balance charger?

[Turner]

Originally Posted by flydiver

...how do you know it works perfectly? Some of these clones when checked with accurate meters after charging have been found to not be so accurate....

I have so checked and high end meters always confirm what the charger says.

I am always amazed at the amount of trouble reported for the somewhat highly regarded iChargers. My SkyCharger always balances to within 0.02 volts and usually 0.01 or less.

Thanks for the links. I had not seen the CamLight site before.

[solentlife]

I appreciate your concerns Flydiver and in an ideal world - there would be no clones or copies ... but we all live in a corrupt arena.

My iMax B6 is a clone ... works well .... charges EVERYTHING I throw at it ... NiXX, LiPo, Lead Acid, .... as I say - everything I throw at it.

As to accuracy ... I own a Petrochem lab with more test gear than most ever know about ... seems my humble clone passes all the checks for displayed results with acceptable tolerance.

Friends I fly with have B5's ... B6's ... Accucel 6's ... all clones ... all performing their duties day in day out ...

Flydiver .. you don't happen to be in the Charger Biz do you ? You seem so intent on so many threads to bang this OEM sticker thing to everyone ...

Let me tell a little story ... two VERY famous world leading Mobile Phone brands .... both produced in China. Same factorys knock out clone versions .... one in particular - one of the bosses actually told me himself that the clone was EXACT same components as original .. ONLY the software was witheld from factory so original would be protected.

Terrible world isn't it ....

Nigel

[flydiver]

Originally Posted by Turner

I have so checked and high end meters always confirm what the charger says.

I am always amazed at the amount of trouble reported for the somewhat highly regarded iChargers. My SkyCharger always balances to within 0.02 volts and usually 0.01 or less.

Thanks for the links. I had not seen the CamLight site before.

Glad yours is OK. Then you just have to learn to apply it to NiXX, not the easiest task in reality. Lipo is easier, lots easier.

I agree, the iChargers seem to be well regarded but do have issues. Maybe the expectations are higher?

I've got the Accucell-6. The charging works fine, all the wires and connectors (plus the lousy cooling fan) are pretty low end.

[flydiver]

No, not in the charger business, just a user. Have you seen me promote any charging product? (Well, maybe the Cellpro 4S, a great charger, but you can't get them anymore)
I have an AC-6 and it's fine, but I don't have any illusions about it's shortcomings (again, see above). For the cost it's a decent charger and I use it a lot, oddly more for NiXX chemistry than lipo.

We're just on opposite ends of some continuum I suppose about the B6. You have one and it's seems fine and defend it because yours is OK. I see a LOT of questions about them, more than most of the 4-button clones. Any charger can have problems. As the OP pointed out, the iCharger has a fairly high problem rate for a more expensive and well regarded charger.

Particular to the IMAX B6 - it has a VERY checkered history. Follow the above links yourself. It is now being recently bombarded by 'fakes' that seem to have a high failure rate.
It would appear the true B6 has been improved and is over the balancing issues it once had.

[Turner]

Originally Posted by flydiver

...Then you just have to learn to apply it to NiXX, not the easiest task in reality...

I really have no interest in using it for my NiMH batteries. I really like the simplicity of the BC-700 for those. Another good charger for AA and AAA cells is the is the MH-C9000. I would get this over the BC-700 if I had to buy again. It has charge rates up to 2.0 amps and discharge rates up to 1.0 amp.

[solentlife]

Originally Posted by flydiver

.........
I've got the Accucell-6. The charging works fine, all the wires and connectors (plus the lousy cooling fan) are pretty low end.

Forgive me for saying this - but you are the one who repeatedly goes on about clones and OEM B6 .... the Accucel 6 is a recased clone B6 !! The internals are exact same as my clone B6 from ebay ... fact - pal I fly with has the Accucel 6 and we compared ...

Wow !!



Nigel

[solentlife]

Originally Posted by Turner

I really have no interest in using it for my NiMH batteries. I really like the simplicity of the BC-700 for those. Another good charger for AA and AAA cells is the is the MH-C9000. I would get this over the BC-700 if I had to buy again. It has charge rates up to 2.0 amps and discharge rates up to 1.0 amp.

i have various ways to solve my NiMH charging ......

Prolux Peak Detect charger for 4.8 / 9.6 packs ... Rx + Tx - magic, plug and leave it to do its stuff.

Futaba M Series 50mA chargers (2) for trickle charging Rx / Tx packs -[ I have them dual plugged on Tx side so they can do Futaba or JR.

JR 50mA Tx / Rx charger OEM ... but this rarely gets used as it has USA style flat two pin ...

Supermarket domestic charger that takes D, C, AAA, AA and 9V cells .. typical flat box affair with check light on one connection. This I use for general single cell stuff.

Couple of plug in wall chargers that cells are plugged direct into - suipplied with cameras etc. - one can take 4 x AAA or 4 x AA ....

And to round it of - the B6 charger that can charge just about anything I chuck at it ... power packs from cordles drills, screwdrivers, NiXX, LiPo, even my Lawn Tractor Lead acid ... as well as Tx / Rx packs .....

Nigel

[Turner]

Originally Posted by flydiver

First thing you ought to do is see if your IMAX is a 'fake' or real.
http://www.skyrc.com/antifake/indexen.php...

I've been in communication with Sky RC about my SkyCharger. They seemed reluctant to say that it is one of theirs but the final message from them said "We used to supply chargers to this company" referring to HobbyPartz.

[solentlife]

Originally Posted by Turner

I've been in communication with Sky RC about my SkyCharger. They seemed reluctant to say that it is one of theirs but the final message from them said "We used to supply chargers to this company" referring to HobbyPartz.

Save your time and effort ....... most whether copy or not work. You don't see that many posts about failed copy chargers ....... but you see this "check whether fake or real" come up again and again ... despite there are only a few failure posts over years.

I don't know anyone I fly with or met who has an original B6 ... and I am yet to hear any failures from any of them.

Nigel

[ron_van_sommeren]

More video reviews by Bruce
www.youtube.com/user/RCModelReviews/videos?view=0
his site
www.rcmodelreviews.com


4-button charger, loading & saving data
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=KNmR621TevY
Switching charger to other batty type
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=eX_Tuv6WOf8
What't inside a 4-button charger
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=nUN2wvVS5IM

LiPo storage
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=XBIWZKRHEag


All about LiPo's
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ZJHlJYDJohc
LiPo charging, 4-button charger
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kvr-25yGeVk

DIY: using a PC power supply
www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=ityrHaBLepg

[Turner]

Originally Posted by solentlife

Save your time and effort ....... most whether copy or not work. You don't see that many posts about failed copy chargers ....... but you see this "check whether fake or real" come up again and again ... despite there are only a few failure posts over years.

I don't know anyone I fly with or met who has an original B6 ... and I am yet to hear any failures from any of them.

Nigel

The time and effort was minimal and is done. I'm happy with my SkyCharger and can recommend it to anyone needing a relatively inexpensive charger that runs off either AC or DC.

[solentlife]

Originally Posted by Turner

The time and effort was minimal and is done. I'm happy with my SkyCharger and can recommend it to anyone needing a relatively inexpensive charger that runs off either AC or DC.

Great ... proves my point really ... I'm happy with my copy ... my mates are happy with their copies and Accucel ( a copy of B6 in reality ) ... you're happy ... many who are not posting on here are happy ...



Nigel