PowerBox Competition batt problem?

[ab17luk]

Hi,

I have a Powerbox Competition with 2x 3200 2S Kokam packs. I instaled it on a 3m 3D plane with 12x HS-7955 servos.

After I recharge the packs, in number one pack entered 1000mAh and in number two 430mAh. This is the 3rd recharge. First two, were about the same difference: about 2.6 times more mAh for pack one.

In the manual it is writen that after a number of charges, a small difference is ok. But here after each recharge pack one is way to much discharged than two.

Why?
Is there a problem with my powerbox?

Thanks,

[3D Joy]

I had the same problem with my 2 year old champion.
Turned out that one of the regs was faulty inside the powerbox.

Gerhard sent me a new champion for a reatively small fee and problem solved.

[wmat7039]

	Quote: Originally Posted by ab17luk
	Hi, I have a Powerbox Competition with 2x 3200 2S Kokam packs. I instaled it on a 3m 3D plane with 12x HS-7955 servos. After I recharge the packs, in number one pack entered 1000mAh and in number two 430mAh. This is the 3rd recharge. First two, were about the same difference: about 2.6 times more mAh for pack one. In the manual it is writen that after a number of charges, a small difference is ok. But here after each recharge pack one is way to much discharged than two. Why? Is there a problem with my powerbox? Thanks,

Hi Lucian... One of the regulators seem to be off & is drawing more current from one side of the system. The regulators need to be synchronized and can only be done at the factory in Germany.

It will still work, however, you will see more of a "draw-down" on one side until it is fixed. What I did was to switch my battery leads after 4 flights for a while...I have sent in my Champion for fixing..
Wayne

[VooDoo Child]

The first two weeks of using my Champion i had the same problem,one side drew more then the other That all changed this weekend,i was 4 minutes into my first flight on a fresh charge when out of nowhere the plane went limp,i got it to the ground fast and a little hard for my liking.I went right to the plane and the powerbox lights indicated that one batt was dead.The strange part is when i turned off the switch the servos put out a low volume buzz,just enough to make the surfaces a bit hard to move by hand.Needless to say i am confused and an unhappy camper.Any ideas what went wrong here?Sorry if i highjacked the thread.

[Reza]

ab17..,

Wayne is correct! Regulators on SC-12, champion and other lower end are not matched at the factory! Royal series and RRS Champion should come with regulators matched! Wayne's approach is exactly what you need to do.

Reza

[Reza]

What size batteries are they?
Was the other battery ineffective when one went south?

	Quote: Originally Posted by VooDoo Child
	The first two weeks of using my Champion i had the same problem,one side drew more then the other That all changed this weekend,i was 4 minutes into my first flight on a fresh charge when out of nowhere the plane went limp,i got it to the ground fast and a little hard for my liking.I went right to the plane and the powerbox lights indicated that one batt was dead.The strange part is when i turned off the switch the servos put out a low volume buzz,just enough to make the surfaces a bit hard to move by hand.Needless to say i am confused and an unhappy camper.Any ideas what went wrong here?Sorry if i highjacked the thread.

[VooDoo Child]

2 x 2600mah,the second batt got it to the ground but it did not feel strong at all.

[Reza]

I think 2800, I don't think PB has 2600.
Since it's a lipo battery there is a good chance one being discharged more than other has damaged the cell on that battery so that battery is no good anymore (I think).
If you'd be able to charge it back, make sure to see how many ma it gets before it is fully charged!

You may actually have two weak batteries. Try to discharge the other battery under 1.5 amp and see what kind of drop you will get. I would think both batteries are bad. You need to make a connector from multiplex to a voltmeter and monitor PB batteries and not only trust the green light. Easier would be to make an adaptor so you won't have to unplug the multiplex from PB anytime you want to check the batteries.

If your other battery is good and you are 100% sure of it then that side of the PB has problem. I think this is less likely to be the case.

Hope this helps,
Reza

[VooDoo Child]

You are correct...2800.what do you think is causing the servos to buzz with the switches off ??? Thanks for your help Reza.

[Reza]

With switches off, your servos should not see power to buzz! That's strange! Is that buzzing going for sometime or always?

Did you get a chance to check your batteries?

You are welcome, Reza

	Quote: Originally Posted by VooDoo Child
	You are correct...2800.what do you think is causing the servos to buzz with the switches off ??? Thanks for your help Reza.

[VooDoo Child]

The servos starting buzzing after i turned the switch off after the batt showed dead on the lights on the powerbox A friend said the switch was in fail safe.I have not even looked at the plane since just due to the fact that i am a little disgusted at the fact that i almost lost another big doller plane due to big doller parts going bad.I think i might just have to pull all the gear out and ship it and wait.

[Reza]

I think it is your batteries! Check your batteries. Even when the light goes red, it is still drawing from the battery until it is completely dead! Not that is impossible but it highly likely for the batteries to be bad than the PB.

As for fail safe if the switch goes bad then the switch won't work and PB stays on. You can also double check that when you get a chance.red light was red just telling you battery has dropped below 7volt!

I'm glad you didn't lose a plane over this.

[VooDoo Child]

Thank you very much for the help

[ab17luk]

Hi all,

I was away from computers last week...
Thanks everyone for replies. Mean time, I spoked with Mr. Deutsch from Powerbox in Germany and today I sent the device for adjusting/service/or whatever...
Mine is not only new (not used before) but it's the new version and I used it only 5-6 times.

I will keep you in touch after I receive it back.

[VooDoo Child]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Reza
	With switches off, your servos should not see power to buzz! That's strange! Is that buzzing going for sometime or always? Did you get a chance to check your batteries? You are welcome, Reza

I have two brand new powerbox 2800 now.I charged them up and plugged them in and the same thing happened,the right side light went straight to red(dead batt) and the servos started buzzing I ran through every inch of wire and checked for servo bind....heck,i spent 4hrs going through it.Strange part is,when i took the old batts out they where swollen big time....Ouch.