Can I charge two packs together (in series)

roee · #1 12-26-2004, 04:07 PM

Hey guys,

Can I charge (with a Triton) a pair of Duratrax 1500mah 6 cell packs, using a Y-connector?
I use an Associated Factory Team starter box, and it comes with a Y-connector to put the two packs in series (needs 12v). Can I charge it while connected like this? Can I do any damage?

Thanks!

kschauwe · #2 12-26-2004, 09:18 PM

Yes, up to 21 cells

eVaDeR85 · #3 12-27-2004, 01:56 AM

Hmm...It sounds to me like it wouldnt hurt anything since it will afterall just look like a 3000mah battery but I dont know if the peak detection will work or not. But im not too familiar with that charger so I cant say really. I would try it anyway and just keep an eye out for pack temperature to make sure it will pick up a peak charge and in case it for some reason doesnt, then you can just take them off the charger when they reach about the same temperature they usually do being charged one at a time.

roee · #4 12-27-2004, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eVaDeR85

Hmm...It sounds to me like it wouldnt hurt anything since it will afterall just look like a 3000mah battery but I dont know if the peak detection will work or not. But im not too familiar with that charger so I cant say really. I would try it anyway and just keep an eye out for pack temperature to make sure it will pick up a peak charge and in case it for some reason doesnt, then you can just take them off the charger when they reach about the same temperature they usually do being charged one at a time.

One correction though - it's in series, not parallel, so it looks to the charger like one 14.4v, 1500mah pack...

eVaDeR85 · #5 12-27-2004, 12:59 PM

Ooops....Sorry my mistake, I didnt see the series thing, I must have overlooked it. I still say it wouldnt hurt anything to be honest. Just as I said make sure you keep an eye on it to make sure it will peak charge them.

ducati777 · #6 12-27-2004, 01:04 PM

My only concern is if the batteries are discharged all the same way. In this case you're using a starterbox, so all the batteries are put through the same load. If you were using those packs as 6 cell packs in a car and wanted to charge after two runs I think you might have issues... In your case, I think you're RTR.

Grant Tokumi · #7 12-28-2004, 08:44 PM

You should be fine. If they are the same type and brand of cell, and you use them together with the same load, then its the same as having a single 12 cell pack. As long as you do keep them together for use and for charging. For discharging you have to discharge 1 pack at a time, so as long as you discharge both of them all the way down, then thats fine.

I have a charger (Astroflight 112D) that can charge up to 40 cells, and I do charge four 10 cell packs (40 cells) at once using an adaptor to hook them all up in series.