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

[biscuit]

Where can I get a USB interface for the PL8? It's called a FUIM3. It seems to be out of production. I don't really want to get one from Revolectrix Singapore or USA. If they even have them, the shipping is costly.

[woodygb]

https://www.align-trex.co.uk/usb-fumi-c ... fumi3.html

[expresso]

Where can I get a USB interface for the PL8? It's called a FUIM3. It seems to be out of production. I don't really want to get one from Revolectrix Singapore or USA. If they even have them, the shipping is costly.

http://www.usastore.revolectrix.com/Pro ... /FUIM3_135

they have them -costs a bit more though -

[Gnomatic]

It's called a FUIM3. It seems to be out of production.

What makes you say this?

[Burgerman]

Its on the manufacturers sites as normal.

[MichaelB]

Is there a preset available for 32 x Headway 40152S 15ah LiFePO4 Cell ,split into 2 16 cell packs?

[Burgerman]

Total Ah, total output voltage (24V?)

At a guess 60Ah, and 8S (24v?)

I can do one in minutes if thats correct.

[MichaelB]

24v don't know much else as a friend set it up. Currently charges at 20ah and takes about 3 hours which is ok

[Burgerman]

Well you are likely not on the latest firmware which really matters! Be sure its Version 3.33.

And then use this profile because the one you have has all kinds of things that will screw you up.

Be sure windows isnt in dummy mode... Remove .ZIP and load into a preset.

Currently set to charge at a low rate, but if you are in a hurry turn that up!

[MichaelB]

Thanks for that, now got to get my mac running windows 10 to connect to the USB correctly

[MichaelB]

I can't unzip the file, is there an uncompressed version?

[woodygb]

THE FILE IS NOT ZIPPED ...REPEAT.... NOT ZIPPED.

It simply has a .zip ext ADDED as the board will not allow the .PS8 extension to be uploaded....
It is however happy to upload the same file with a .ZIP .... go figure ...thus we use the addition of .zip as a work around to many uploads.

Rename LiFe PO4 60Ah 24V 8S 300thC T.PS8.ZIP

as

LiFe PO4 60Ah 24V 8S 300thC T.PS8

by simply deleting the .ZIP

[Burgerman]

Thanks for that, now got to get my mac running windows 10 to connect to the USB correctly

O god a mac...

[MichaelB]

Thanks, file renamed. Luckily a mac that can run windows on the rare occasions that I have to resort to a clunky, virus prone OS

[Burgerman]

You mean you have to run windows because nothing much is worth writing for a mac. As such you have no choice. My various multimeters require windows, as does my digital servo edditing software, my quadcopter controller, my in screen data config software for the same, all of my various hobby chargers inc hyperion, Cellpro pl8, of which I have 4 of each, my Penny Giles general scooter and powerchair software, my R-net, my Dynamic controllers software, My Roboteq controller, My solar array monitor and configuration software, even my OBD2 reader for my van, and config software. And my auto mower, and many other things. aLL Written for windows. Which has been perfectly safe for decades. Macs are OK for email or facetubegramwall... Useless for anything else pretty much. Even general software for office work is hard to find without buying it. Other than some backward incompatible free open source stuff. But girls like it because they make good shops and telephones.

Virus prone? Never even run an anti virus program real time. No need. Unless you are a fool and invite one in. Just do a check monthly. And in 20 years none ever found. What are you talking about?

[MichaelB]

I'm primarily doing marketing and need graphics/video software, rarely have any use for a PC as almost everything I need in software is available for a mac. In the past a mac was the best choice for printed material but with digital there is no differential. Choice just comes down to what you find easiest to use for whatever you are doing nothing else.At least with my mac I have the option to run windows for the rare times that I need it. I've probably only got 3 or 4 Windows only bits of software I need, kind of limited in what else I can do with no use of my hands.

I run windows in Parallels, every time I do it has another security update, if an OS was safe why do they keep having to do security updates? Macs do get security updates but infrequently.

I'm not sure that there is much difference under the skin, Mac is unix based and I think that windows uses a similar base. Eventually they will almost be the same with only the GUI determining which you prefer. I'm not going to get stressed by one or the other but with a significant investment in mac software will probably stick with that, saying that with so much software subscription based it is easy to swap from one platform to another. Well, apart from having 3 macs networked and being able to work on any of them in the same software.

[MichaelB]

Oh, the reason certain file types won't upload is that they need to be enabled in phpbb control panel.Typically only the defaults like jpg is enabled. I'm assuming that phpbb is similar to vbulletin which I am used to. You might not be able to enable every file type though,it'll depend upon how phpbb sees them.

[Burgerman]

Correct. So we add .zip to fool it. No it cant be enabled.

[steves1977uk]

BM, did you pay any customs when buying the PL8 from Singapore? I've ordered another PL8 plus 2x balance cables and 2x 40A charging cables.

Steve

[Burgerman]

On 1, I did. On 2, I did not. So depends how lucky you are

You needed another fuim3 as well...

[steves1977uk]

Already have another FUIM3 somewhere...

Steve

[shirley_hkg]

[steves1977uk]

Spare PL8 arrived! No customs charges to pay!

Steve

[Burgerman]

You sometimes get the bill later...

[snaker]

I see my PL8 terminates too soon when the cells are not fully balanced yet. Actually the stage of balancing takes only about 25 minutes. Is it possible to extend it to a longer time (e.g 60 minutes)? Or is there any setting in the preset I can try to make cells fully balanced? I attach my current preset underneath.

[Burgerman]

Its configured to terminate only if:

Balance is completed to 4mV spread.
Charge current falls below 180mA.
CV timeout exceeds 8 hours.

So it should not have ended where it has. Post current graph. (Amps).

[Burgerman]

I see what is the issue. Its set to start balance at 3.500V and to charge to 3.500V. So I have set to balance at CV.

[Gnomatic]

I see my PL8 terminates too soon when the cells are not fully balanced yet. Actually the stage of balancing takes only about 25 minutes. Is it possible to extend it to a longer time (e.g 60 minutes)? Or is there any setting in the preset I can try to make cells fully balanced? I attach my current preset underneath.

LiFe150 Volts.JPG

My charge graphs look similar on my pack if set the CV to 3.50v as well. But when set to 3.55v, all the graph lines overlap at CV stage and form one single line. Basically. So I leave my CV stage set to 3.55v, I guess for the 'prettier' graphs.

[Burgerman]

Set to 3.500 CHARGE, and change balance full charge to off. So it balances only at CV. Or it ends charge before the balance starts...

[Gnomatic]

Set to 3.500 CHARGE, and change balance full charge to off. So it balances only at CV. Or it ends charge before the balance starts...

Under the CHARGE tab, I set the Charge Voltage to 3.50v. Under what tab do I find the Balance Full Charge setting? I see Balance Entire Charge under the BALANCE tab.(currently set to Yes) Is that what you are referring to?