PL8 ordered!

[Burgerman]

https://www.fedex.com/fedextrack/?trknb ... 6993920~FX
Tracking for the new PL8 and balance board that I bought from ShirleyHK.
You can never have enough PL8s! No more sloboat.

I suggest you order a couple!

[fishinjunky]

I really should be ordering a few pl8. And just keep my iCharger as another backup.
But I'm budgeting at the moment until i save enough to feel comfortable spending again. Probably not until after winter

Bm do you think the value of the pl8 will increase over the next couple years sence their so high quality and not made anymore an as they become harder to find used will prices go up?

[Burgerman]

I have no idea. But people will move on and use something current. I have a liking for them and their software and BT ability and already have many packs for hobby and chairs with a need and wired ready! So now I have 5. Never had one fail yet and at least 2 used daily. So probably overkill. But I always use the software. So chargers without that ability are a no go for me.

[shirley_hkg]

All electronic gadget depreciate fast , so don't even think of gain in value.

Nevertheless, I did see bids higher than $400 a set on ebay.


https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/board/ ... start=1620

[Burgerman]

The tracking has gone screwy. And says I should ask you! ?

https://www.fedex.com/fedextrack/?trknb ... 6993920~FX

Any clues?

[shirley_hkg]

I sent it in China. It enroute to Hong Kong International Airport , and then fly to UK. It's moving.

Takes 10 days or so.

[c500user]

I ordered a PL8 from Shirley last week and it arrived in yesterday (Australia). I already have one, but thought a spare might be handy :-)
I have unpacked it and it looks to be brand new. I also ordered the USB converter and one of the parallel boards. No idea if I will ever use the latter, but it is nicely stored in my cupboard, together with the other parts for the PL8.
Thanks Shirley for the prompt service!

[Burgerman]

What you will need is a BALANCE CABLE or 3, as they are hard to find. And an FUIM3 or equivelent to update firmware or to use the essential PC software.

But you likely have both those already. This was meant for others. And the software and driver. Which is here: https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/doomed/PL8.rar
Then you will need a few of my internally modified presets to use and adjust to suit your own batteries.

As for the balance boards, those allow you to convert from the hard to find balance connector/leads on the PL8 to the common XH ones as used on most batteries and aftermarket cables. And to charge/balance the common hobby packs. One or more at a time. I use those all the time.

[c500user]

Thanks. I also bought the FUIM3 equivalent Shirley has (good to have a spare in case my original one dies) and should have the balance cables in my box of spares. I downloaded your zip file recently with the most recent software, so should be all good to go.

[Burgerman]

This rar file 2 posts up, (download winrar if you cant open it) has a few .reg files in there that allow further more advanced developer settings. And the latest software complete wih the newest firmware built in. It also has a bunch of modified presets that you should use as a starting point rather than the default ones as they have hidden changes that make them give less errors, wider limits, and so on.

[expresso]

which balance board would i need for the PL 8 in case needed to use with XH connectors in the future ?

do you have a link to one that i can search and purchase -

do they come with XT90 connectors also on them or just balance wiring etc,

thanks

[Burgerman]

Theres hundreds of balance boards. Some do just balance, some also do power as well. Cant tell from the photos. The boards that shirley has are all a bit different.

All of his are 8S so can be used from 2S up to 8S. All also have XT 60s I think? All my hobby stuff and powerchair stuff use XT 60 connectors. XT 90 are overkill heavier and not needed.

Some boards have up to 4 different type of connectors for balance too. Many are 5S to 10S. But make sure that you get a board that does XH balance, and XT60 or whatever you prefer for power. And a PL8 compatible cable too!

THIS board for e.g does 2s to 6S it cannot do 7S or 8S.
And it is balance only. No power connections. But it can do XH as well as some other type of 2 to 6S connector that I cannot determine from the fuzzy picture...

Many different ones.

[expresso]

https://www.ebay.com/itm/225670603098?_ ... %3A4429486


something like this is fine then - just plug in the red and black bananas thats it -

for my use - would it be worth to have one around - i mean how would this come in handy - i get it for RC many little packs at once etc,

[Burgerman]

Except that neither of those ribbon connecting cables appear to have the right connector for the PL8.

[expresso]

your right - those are XH kind not PL 8 balance cables - its just the board they are selling i guess

i have a few PL 8 balance cables still some 3 feet some 12 inches - but i still need to make or rather want to make a spare charge cable for the chair end - which i dont seem to have spares in case - i have a few for the charger end

so basically any balance board will do -just need the balance cables for the PL 8 end ?

i have to check i recall having one like the one in your pic above - from Cellbro - i recalling seeing it here - have to check now

[shirley_hkg]

I do have 2 which are XT-90 connectors.

Free to offer. Just pay the postage.

[shirley_hkg]

…would it be worth to have one around - ,

It's ONLY useful, when charging more than one pack simultaneously, OR you have battery packs which are NOT 8S.

[Burgerman]

My new pl8 arrived all ship shape and perfect. Thanks shirley!

[expresso]

…would it be worth to have one around - ,

It's ONLY useful, when charging more than one pack simultaneously, OR you have battery packs which are NOT 8S.

Hi - i may be interested in those boards - i text you later - since my connectors are all XT90 -

[shirley_hkg]

I received several enquiries on the availability of JST balance leads. They are running out.

I may be able to get someone to make a lot as small as 50.
I'm planning to order them 1 metre long (with 20awg wires thickest it can gets.)

Can you point me to the specs of the JST CONNECTOR ?

By the way, please let me know if you are interested to have one or two for spare, and whether you want the XH /XE connector at the other end too.

[Burgerman]

I will have 4 if you get some made. The other end can have 9 pin or 10 pin XH idealy (or nothing at all!) or the same as PL8.

[Burgerman]

I will have 4 or 5 if you get some made. The other end can have 9 pin or 10 pin XH idealy (or nothing at all!) or the same as PL8.

[biscuit]

Can you point me to the specs of the JST CONNECTOR ?

"JST
Series" "Pin-to-Pin Pitch"
VH [5] 3.96 mm (0.156 in)
RE [6] 2.54 mm (0.100 in)
EH [8] 2.50 mm (0.098 in)
XA [9] 2.50 mm (0.098 in)
XH [10] 2.50 mm (0.098 in)
PA [11] 2.00 mm (0.079 in)
PH [12] 2.00 mm (0.079 in)
ZH [16] 1.50 mm (0.059 in)
GH [19] 1.25 mm (0.049 in)
SH [21] 1.00 mm (0.039 in)

My note from years ago, from either Wikipedia or jst website, I forget which.

IIRC the pl8 itself has a JST-PA connector.

[shirley_hkg]

The other end can have 9 pin or 10 pin XH idealy

Adding an XH /XE 2.54 to the other end is OK.

I am interested to know what's that extra pin for (10 pins).

I'm planning to order them 1 metre long (with 22AWG silicone wires thickest it can gets.)

[Burgerman]

Its unused. Most hobby stuff uses 10 pin connectors on things like balance boards. With 9 connected. Look at some of your own balance boards and count!

9 pin connectors are unusual. They are OK though as they will still fit into the 10 pin boards/connectors regardless.

Or like these:
https://www.buddyrc.com/products/balanc ... eq=uniform

Or even https://www.buddyrc.com/products/balanc ... eq=uniform

[wheelchairer]

Can I put a request in part 3 please.

[Burgerman]

part 3?

[wheelchairer]

I may be able to get someone to make a lot as small as 50.
I'm planning to order them 1 metre long (with 20awg wires thickest it can gets.)

I have a balanced cable direct from the pack on my wheelchair that goes straight into the PL 8. I wanted a short balance cable extension cable, so the heavy-handed care workers don't break the PL 8. I wanted it short, 6 to 12 inches rather than 36 inches long, so it doesn't add too much land to the balance cable.
I would like to put an order in for 3 cables.

[Burgerman]

Dont think he is planning an order of short extention cables.

[fy8d6jhegv]

Where is everyone acquiring the PL8? Who is ShirleyHK, a person or a website?