Note about charging Lipos in large series

Reproduced from here: http://www.endless-sphere.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=4432&start=450#p124684

-methods


P.S. FYI for anyone considering using a power supply for charging:


* Every power supply is different. Some dont like the voltage being drawn down
past the set point.
* Must have an accurate DMM
* Must have an accurate inline current meter
* Must have capability to make multiple high power Series Parallel wiring
harnesses
* Must have capability to make complex balancing harnesses
* Must have (hard to find) parts for above
* For best results packs should be charged in true Parallel
* Buy only 1 size of lipo packs, i.e. 5S or 6S. Dont mix and match
* Attach all lipo in parallel, both the power lines in parallel and ALL the
balance lines in parallel
* Hooking all the packs in parallel will somewhat self balance the cells
* Hook one 6S balancer to all the packs, start balancing
* For starters set the power supply to charge all the packs to 4.1V instead of
4.2 for an error margin
* Hook an inline current meter like a WATTS UP to check voltage and watch
current
* Attach the pack and watch the current close, get ready to pull the plug
* Current should go to the max rating
* Voltage will sag to the pack voltage
* Voltage will steadily rise
* When you get to within a volt or two of the set point (HVC) the current will
drop very rapidly
* Once you get it worked out then you can charge to 4.2V/cell
* Check the leakage current of your supply. Mine is 300uA so once it gets to LVC
it stops charging
* If your power supply is cheap it may have mA trickle which could be a problem
if you leave the pack on
* Dont charge overnight. It should only take an hour or two so KEEP AN EYE ON IT

** GANGSTER LEVEL TWO **
* Once you have the hang of it, you can charge in series
* To charge in series you MUST have a way to balance.
* Balancing individual packs will NOT WORK

NOTE: for these methods you need BOTH a power supply for charging in parallel
(or any 6S RC Charger) AND a charger for charging in series.

I would suggest that only "RC People" with Lipo experience try this. Those
people should have a 6S balancing charger already.

Use that to charge the packs in parallel.

** I use the 24 Cell DIY balancing board that Fechter, Gary, and others designed
for my packs and I only have the high voltage (100.8V) charger. I never go to
parallel.