iCharger

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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 06 Apr 2022, 18:05

None really it just complicates things.
what is the benefit of having a DUO vs a Single - i know DUO you can charge two at a time - or combine for extra charging


But its really only a 30A charger. So you add the two sides together?
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 06 Apr 2022, 20:34

expresso wrote:any idea if they added the PC software ?

what is the benefit of having a DUO vs a Single - i know DUO you can charge two at a time - or combine for extra charging

but most of us i think will only use a single charge i think -

why not get a single vs the DUO -

if discharging is slow like most - just use a load dump if you need a faster discharge


Unfortunately the junsi console software is the same as the data explorer software the link in the manual for the dx8 duo goes to data explorer. The new dx8 duo is the duo version of the x8 that's already out. But with new knobs.

You can combine the iCharger dx8 duo channels in synchronous mode for 50amps charging an 4amps balancing.

When I get a backup charger I will probably get another iCharger 4010duo instead of the new dx8 duo
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 06 Apr 2022, 20:40

which model icharger is good for single charging not duo ?

not sure if duo is worth it price wise - depends how much the difference is i guess -

on the Icharger - you cant use the PL 8 safely bananas to charger right ?

has to be bare bananas ?

if snaker can come up with something to make it work as the PL 8 software - that would be excellent
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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 06 Apr 2022, 20:50

He wont it will just be a monitor like the one he did for the pl8. No settings, or control in that way.
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 06 Apr 2022, 20:55

ok but maybe it can be cleaned up at bit

making it easier to view as is -


to me it seems complicated the graph - but maybe over time with using it - it may not be as complicated to read it as it looks


i was scared of the PL 8 one - and that was easy once you knew it - used it a bit

i am sure same applies with the ichargers

why cant they just do it - copy the PL 8 -
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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 06 Apr 2022, 20:59

Because it takes shit loads of time and skills. And the manufacturers are selln chargers to hobby people that are mostly as dumb as a brick. They are like most people only interested in a result. Simple press and go. No clue what they are doing! So complicated pc control doesent sell more chargers. Maybe 5% use the software. The rest press go and pray.

But once you use it that way its the ONLY way! And addictive.
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 06 Apr 2022, 21:04

The reason I would get the duo version an run it in synchronous mode instead of a single channel iCharger is because with the duo you can charge at 40amps in synchronous mode without maxing out the charger for long periods. But at 40amp it would max the single channel ichargers out possibly damaging it when charging for long periods because they are for charging short periods of time
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 06 Apr 2022, 21:09

ah i see - makes sense not to stress it to its max output then

i havnt charged that fast in years - but still dont want to be limited on those times that i do a faster charge -

so i guess the duo it will be

with the duo - if one channel went dead - maybe can get away with using the other channel ? sort of having two chargers instead of one ?
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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 06 Apr 2022, 21:13

Except that you can already have 2 chargers! I got 4.
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 06 Apr 2022, 21:20

i was talking about the icharger duo

if someone gets one - its like having 2 chargers -

if one side breaks - maybe the other one can still work ?

i have PL 8 spares - if the one i am using lasts years - and the rest do also- i should be fine

but i also have my friend who uses a PL 8 - if something goes with hers - then one of my spares will have to be used

you know how things happen right - when it rain it pours -

i rather get a little used to a new charger while i can with no stress - just in case - she dosnt use the pl 8 with a PC - i got one preset only - the rest or hidden - make it easier for her to just hit the button a few times and done -

last time i charged her chair in my place - the graphs were fine - - every now and then i like to take a look now maybe 4 or 6 months- just to see -
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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 06 Apr 2022, 21:24

i was talking about the icharger duo

Yes I know.

if someone gets one - its like having 2 chargers -

Except that they are dependent on some common components and they are welded together.

if one side breaks - maybe the other one can still work ?

Maybe, depends what fails.

last time i charged her chair in my place - the graphs were fine - - every now and then i like to take a look now maybe 4 or 6 months- just to see -

Useful these pl8 graphs and pc control isnt it!
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 06 Apr 2022, 21:30

yes there are useful - i dont charge without it -

but we have to move forward if we had no choice - icharger it has to be

it has the data also graph - just not as simple and clean layout to understand it much

maybe in time - adjusting settings etc, can clear it up -

bottom line - you have to use an icharger and learn it - to understand the data it shows -
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Re: iCharger

Postby snaker » 07 Apr 2022, 01:40

Does icharger have an official site where we could find some docs? I mean technical docs of how to communicate to an icharger through its usb port.
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 07 Apr 2022, 03:12

http://www.hillrc.com/

i think thats the website but its not working good for me

i been watching some youtube videos - but they are not helpful really
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 07 Apr 2022, 03:35

https://www.mttec.de/download/Junsi/

you can down load some stuff here - Junsi software - but to see it needs to be connected to the device -

fishingjunky can use it - try it out

theres also another one also

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5sHqmgoN2A

you can save the data on SD card - what ever that shows who knows - its not active to watch but can see the data after its done i guess - make adjustments based on the data
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 07 Apr 2022, 14:31

It may be difficult finding specific documents on the iCharger hardware. This may be difficult because junsi is a Chinese company with limited documents available and I'm not sure how helpful junsi the company will be to us. With the pl8 it was U.S based an seems like they were more willing to be helpful. I doubt we get that level of help from junsi. But I'm just speculating.
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Re: iCharger

Postby snaker » 08 Apr 2022, 03:01

I found docs of icharger's communication. It uses the modbus protocol.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pqzjRU ... sp=sharing
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 09 Apr 2022, 13:35

snaker wrote:I found docs of icharger's communication. It uses the modbus protocol.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pqzjRU ... sp=sharing


Nice :thumbup:
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 12 Apr 2022, 13:15

ive been playing around with the icharger software more. Here is a log file i think. And screen shot of the graph, i have it showing only cell voltages

log file
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1bJnrNy ... sp=sharing
Attachments
Capture graph.PNG
data 3.PNG
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 12 Apr 2022, 13:20

icharger graph, finished charging an balancing.
Attachments
graph 4.PNG
image_2022-04-12_081955055.png
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Re: iCharger

Postby fishinjunky » 12 Apr 2022, 13:47

also you can configure everything an start/stop charging with the software but you have to set the termination current to 1% manually in the charger because the pc software only goes down to 10%.
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 12 Apr 2022, 15:20

nice - very nice - and everyone is so worried about the icharger - thats great - Icharger is the the ONE to get going forward - :thumbup:
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Re: iCharger

Postby steves1977uk » 12 Apr 2022, 16:09

Not worried, it's just very limited in what it allows you to setup/change expresso. I would prefer a CCS clone that has WAYYYY more functionality and doesn't rely on Java being installed.

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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 12 Apr 2022, 16:19

sounds worried to me :lol:

any computer expert is not worried about java and new things

its change that no one likes - we are used to one thing one way and now it has to change - at some point - if you have enough PL 8 for a lifetime

no worries then - if not - we are lucky that the Icharger is and can work out just fine - nothing is the same -

it does what it needs to do - thats all that matters in the end -

first it as no software - not good - now there is software and we find another reason - the real reason is people most dont like change - we are all that way to some degree

bottom line is - icharger can be just fine - and like it or not - thats the best charger now - once your PL 8 dies - you have no other choice like it or not

maybe i sell some of mines :lol: cheers
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Re: iCharger

Postby steves1977uk » 12 Apr 2022, 16:32

A true pc tech will tell you to avoid Java if possible. Reason? It's a magnet for viruses just like Flash was. But hey ho, it's your PC expresso. Just don't come complaining you have a Java virus, because I'll just say "I told ya so!" :P

It would be ok if you used Java and DataExplorer on an offline PC not connected to the internet, that'd be fine. :thumbup:

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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 12 Apr 2022, 17:16

you worry too much - live your life - your an expert on computer - i am sure you do backups right - can restore in a few mins if needed

bottom line - dosnt matter if no more PL 8 you have to choose a BMS or icharger - dont use the software then - you dont need java to use icharger

turns out to be a sunny day - i am out - :wave: time to ride
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Re: iCharger

Postby steves1977uk » 12 Apr 2022, 20:06

I have a pre-configured image, so it takes a few mins to restore. :thumbup: The reason I need a charger like the PL8 which is fully configurable via CCS is because I can't physically operate the iCharger with my toes. So I hope there will be a fully PC controlled charger like the PL8 in the future.

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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 12 Apr 2022, 20:22

I also have a properly configured image from my PC that is deployed to both my desktop PCs and 3 different laptops. Whichever coputer I am using at the time gets the updates, extra configuration, or more up to date work folders, or newest website/forum backups gets deployed to all the other computers too. And any new ones. Then just use the snappy driver installer to have the latest drivers for each dfferent lot of hardware.
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Re: iCharger

Postby expresso » 12 Apr 2022, 23:07

steves1977uk wrote:I have a pre-configured image, so it takes a few mins to restore. :thumbup: The reason I need a charger like the PL8 which is fully configurable via CCS is because I can't physically operate the iCharger with my toes. So I hope there will be a fully PC controlled charger like the PL8 in the future.

Steve



thats another story if you cant use an Icharger for other reasons - but not because of java or what ever - the icharger you can use PC with it but needs some adjusting on the unit also first i believe - have to configure it etc,

i am sure you can figure something out if that were the case - but you have a PL 8 and some spares - if so - you be fine for many many years - so far i never had one fail - just ONCE when brand new - i used it like twice before flames came out the rear - was replaced no cost to me of course

but other than that one time - none of them gave me issues - by then who knows what will be around to use - but i wouldnt hold my breath for a copy of the PL 8 - the best closet is the Icharger -
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Re: iCharger

Postby Burgerman » 13 Apr 2022, 00:48

icharger graph, finished charging an balancing.


Not yet it hasnt. CV was not long enough. Cell 8 needs more time to rise to the 3.6v point. https://www.wheelchairdriver.com/board/ ... &mode=view unless this has not ended?

You must be able to configure it to not end charge until all cells are within a couple of mV of 3.600V.
The fact that one cell charged to 3.6V before the rest and then dropped says that its connection is slightly higher resistance somewhere on its power cable than the rest. Or that it was more full already. Or that it is higher impedance. So tell it to charge again. Its only slight but it needs a little more time.
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