PL 8 - Q and A section - How to Set up - Use etc,

[ex-Gooserider]

The triangular is very nearly flat, it is just tapered towards the outer edges so that if you do a spiral wrap the overlapping edges get the same thickness as the area that isn't overlapped... I'm surprised you aren't familiar with it from your days of overclocking computers, as it was popular with that crowd for wrapping ribbon cables into thin bundles that didn't interfere with cooling airflow as much...

Basically the triangular stuff is good if doing spirals, but for single wraps around a bundle the flat type is better.

Eventually the manufacturers caught on and started selling pre-bundled versions...

The silicone version is essentially the same stuff, but comes in many colors and styles...

I agree it is good stuff, but pricey, so only use where needed....

ex-Gooserider

[Burgerman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/322390413900? ... 8530832801

Not much bigger than your hand.

The Cellpro PL8 can discharge at 100 watts internally. If you add one of these it can discharge ar around 35A or 1kw instead...

Great for removing power to store lithium batteries, or to test any battery for capacity at higher rates and graph it. An MK grp 24 can be discharged at the 5 hour, 3 hour, or 2 hour rate... Even in series with a pair. This is well beyond what most want to do.

You set your supply to battery... Regeneration voltage to around .5 volt higher than your power supply voltage is set to. And add it in parallel to the power supply. Then its good to go.

But while it works fine on mine, your power supply may object to being fed a higher voltage. If you dont know, also add a big 40A diode into your power supply wire to protect it just in case. Your power supply feeds the thing like a heater, and then the regeneration current feeds it and lifts the voltage higher when you discharge instead and the power supply doesent do anything.

[shirley_hkg]

[expresso]

Nice - why do you have so many balance wires ?

[Burgerman]

He is using all the contacts...

[expresso]

yes i can see that - but why ? - i mean with the PL 8 - 9 wires i use -

why so many contacts used - just curious

[Burgerman]

If one wears or makes bad contact theres another route for the electrons... Lower resistance.

[expresso]

He used two wires - two pins for one balance contact on the other end ?

[Burgerman]

Cant tell. But possibly.

[shirley_hkg]

You are right . This is the plug we push and pull everyday by care free helpers . Expected to worn out fast .

The PL8 side will stay untouched , as REVOLEXTRIC recommended .

[shirley_hkg]

Two large pins for charging amp ! Hope the 10awg wire wouldn't melt .

[expresso]

ok your worried the pins may break from being used each day - i worry also when they do it - so far it seems to be holding up well -

what i do now is - i have them use a Pen to stick it in the small gap when its connected and wiggle it a bit - each side - just once and comes apart without force

reason i started to make a few extras - back up cables in case - and i have two chargers now so i want to keep at least 3 ready made cables for the charge end -

this cable come out nice i think but a bit short - i can still use it this way if i have too - but i may think of extending it now - i have a 12inch balance cable i can easily snap together and then cut off the banana ends and extend the power wires also to make it even -

i can add another foot this way - or make it 4 feet - i have a few extra balance cables both 12 inch and 36 inch kind - i can use a 36 inch and cut it down some or just use the 12 inch to make it 3 feet -

[expresso]

Shirley - what kind of case cover did you find to make it fit - all those wires inside -

i know its not easy to make them fit inside -

12 awg - charge at 35A - just warm - i can hold the cable in my hand and feel warm - not hot -

[Burgerman]

All the forum are now soldering/lithium experts!

We have consultants in HK and NY and UK...

[expresso]

Making a Cable like yours - must have taken time - alot of extra wires to connect solder together etc, -

takes me an afternoon to do one cable - i had to remember from last year how i worked the solder again -

i am thinking of getting one of those small vice grips to hold the connector - i like something small - not a real workbench type - could be useful for holding wires also to tin the ends - instead of fingers - gets very hot

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BRC2LC/ ... 4LT4E1P0O3

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B000BRC2LC/ ... 4LT4E1P0O3

https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B00YS401X0/ ... XT9ZJE7GXN

not sure if any of these would help me - the way i have to do it to solder it - but can be useful for other wiring things i guess -

[expresso]

All the forum are now soldering/lithium experts!

We have consultants in HK and NY and UK...

thanks to you and this site - i wish i could say i am an expert - the others here in my area may think i am - little do they know -

[shirley_hkg]

There is a case for each form of connectors

[flagman1776]

expresso, i don't think you'll like the first 2 vises.

I like to use an old clamp to the edge of the table, vise. it's just so darn handy... move it to suit each job. I use pieces of scrap wood in the jaws to inslate the metal parts I solder. It is challenging to hold the wood & tighten the vise. I used to cut out a piece of protective wood... a slot to match the vise guides to keep it in place. Don't have one for this portable yet. i should make a set. The wood is expendable, so remember how to make them. http://www.homedepot.com/p/BESSEY-3-in- ... /205023099 lots of similar on ebay... http://www.ebay.com/sch/items/?_nkw=cla ... rmvSB=true

I've also used scrap lead (flashing) to protect my work... but conducts heat too easily for soldering.

[shirley_hkg]

[Burgerman]

I agree. I have a smaller one and a big bench one. But also a big block of bluetac and its really useful! Soldering ALWAYS needs 3 hands at least. And much LIGHT! And when your eyes are 56 glasses...

[Burgerman]

I agree. I have a smaller one and a big bench one.
But also a big block of bluetac and its really useful! Soldering ALWAYS needs 3 hands at least. And LIGHT! And when your eyes are 56 glasses...

And I AM getting one of these when I see a good one cheap!


https://www.amazon.com/gp/search/ref=as ... SAJPN3NNPK

Dont buy these... All rubbish and frustrating... Poor quality and slip all the time!

[shirley_hkg]

Today is the Chinese New Year of The Rooster .

Share our joy .

Wish all wheelies have a trouble free ride all the year round .

[shirley_hkg]

[Burgerman]

You have a time machine!

Happy new year...

[Burgerman]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Third-Hand-So ... SwzaJX4PEm

Perfect. Too much $$$$$

[shirley_hkg]

Will look for this for cheaper clone here .

[expresso]

There is a case for each form of connectors

nice connector - i like that you dont have to fit all the wires to exit out one opening - balance wires in the middle exit and the power on the side - now i see how you are able to fit all those wires -

Happy New Year Shirley - in my building - we have a lot of Chinese tenants - so we have Two New Year Parties for the building here - they are decorating for the Chinese new year party here -

[expresso]

thanks for all the replies - i like the blue one that BM linked too -

the issue with me is - everyone does there work differently - and most of those items - may work but the way i do it - they may not be too helpful to me - i have to study this a bit - how i do it compared to the items posted and figure out what may be helpful to me or not - most likely it will be a trial and error thing

and i already purchased those cheap ones a year ago when i first started - the ones that dont hold nothing and have no grip - etc, - useless - i guess for 5 dollars - what did i expect -

when i solder the connector - i lay it flat on my desk - i need to lean my hands etc, arms for support on my desk while i solder - then i spin the connector one way to fill the pins with solder - another way to actually add the wiring

i use duck tape to try to hold it in position now - its ok - but dosnt hold it sturdy enough - - clamp on vise grip is cheap - small - may be useful for some things - problem i see is that i have to hold my arms hands up higher off the support to do the work - that may not work for me -

i have to figure out what works best for the way i do it -

What i like to find also - i dont know what its called - i see it in videos - its just a Greenish Board thats used as a work area on the desk or bench - sort of like a large place mat on a table - its greenish - reminds me of a computer board -
i believe its hard - so i can work on it - not worry about covering my desk etc,

does anyone know what its called - so i can get one ?

[expresso]

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0015 ... 00_s00_i00

whow i think i actually found something i was looking for myself

i like to get this to work on - and stop using my kitchen place mats instead

[Burgerman]

Buy a huge block of plasticene.
Or blutack. Both hold the parts, or wires in position for you. Leaving you free to use the solder and iron. There's a great lump of it on my desk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ACT2w93Mc

https://www.whsmith.co.uk/products/bost ... 6000011356

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLsGCdWmqfs

You need a lump as big as a tennis ball if you can afford it. Not cheap! You will use it for making leads, soldering connectors more than any helping hands!