Electric question

[NCFR "Lucky"]

I am pretty mechanically inclined, but when it comes to electricity, I know my limitations. Hopefully, someone can answer a question for me.

Does the length of the charge cord have an affect on peak detection and/or charging for Lithium-ion packs?

I have a Chevy extended cargo van that I haul my planes in. I also charge them in the van just as I did when I had a trailer. The only difference is that the ceiling of the van is much shorter than the trailer. It is much harder for an old fat guy like me to get around in there with two 40%s and a 50cc. Sooner or later, I am going to step or fall on something.

What I am considering is running a charge lead which would hang from the ceiling. When I put the planes in, I would connect the leads and leave them that way. The leads would run up to the ceiling, across the van, and come back down to a box beside the door. Now I can plug my charger into the leads by the door and not have to climb all over everything. The longest lead would be roughly 15'. Most of the wire would be 18 guage, but the connectors are on 22 guage wire.

I am not charging Li-po batteries for foamies or electric planes. The batteries are receiver and ignition batteries for giant scale gas planes. I posted in this forum because I figured the electric fans would probably be able to answer my qeustion.

Thanks in advance.

Keith

[sun.flyer]

Keith,

No, not an issue at all.

Tim

BTW - It was great to see you and your son at the Toledo Show. I look forward to seeing you and your son fly this year during the IMAC season.

[NCFR "Lucky"]

Thanks - good seeing you too Tim.

[Spaz]

you can calculate the voltage drop, for example with 15' of 18awg at one amp you will have a .09v drop, double that with 2 amps.. and so on
calculator here
http://www.stealth316.com/2-wire-resistance.htm

[22Kart22]

I actually believe there is an issue with charge lead lengths. I'm a big electric guy and have experimented alot with electrics, so I think I can share some info on this subject. Although the length of the wire won't effect the charging of the battery significantly enough to feel, that charge lead wire acts like a resistor its entire length. Copper is not a perfect conductor, so generally speaking, the less you have the better! And as many of us know, the higher the voltage, the smaller the gauge wire you can use since it doesn't have as much resistance, but with our low-voltage applications, getting some good <18 awg wire is the best bet. Doesn't effect it much at all, but just sharing some insight.

[bodywerks]

you are right about that, and some chargers are affected by really long charge leads. I'd try this setup outside the van and the plane to make sure you don't have any false-peaking issues. The problem I see is that with the voltage drop of the long wire the charger will think the voltage of the battery is lower than it really is and will try to charge it more than it really needs.