Alternative firmware for various LiPo chargers. Supported Hardware

Note: Not fully implemented yet. Only use if needed.

Feedback is welcome: cheali-charger Google Group

• Li-ion, LiPo, LiHV, LiFe:
  • Charging (terminates at 10% of Ic, adjustable)
  • Fast charging (terminates at 20% of Ic)
  • Charging + balancing
  • Discharging
  • Balancing
  • Storage
  • Storage + balancing
• NiCd and NiMH:
  • Charging (-dV/dT method)
  • Discharging
  • Cycling
• NiZn:
  • Charging
  • Fast charging
  • Charging + balancing
  • Discharging
  • Balancing
• Pb (not well tested):
  • Charging
  • Discharging
• Other:
  • Internal resistance display
    • Single cell resistance
    • Whole battery resistance
    • Battery leads resistance
  • Internal/external temperature monitoring
  • Overcharge/discharge monitoring
  • Input voltage monitoring
  • Memory for 30 batteries
  • LogView support

• Calibrate charger before use.
• Use an external temperature probe (if you like your house ;) )
• ALWAYS Connect power supply first, then battery.
• ALWAYS Disconnect battery before disconnecting power supply.

WARNING: You can get two chargers with the same name but different CPUs even if you buy from the same seller.
Only chargers with a ATmega32 or M0517LBN CPU are supported.

ATmega32 CPU:

• G.T. POWER A6-10 200W
• IMAX B6 Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells
• AC/DC Dual Power B6AC 80W RC Balance Charger/Discharger
• Turnigy A-6-10 200W Balance charger & discharger
• Turnigy Accucel-6 50W 5A Balancer/Charger w/ Accessories
• Turnigy Accucel-8 150W 7A Balancer/Charger
• Turnigy MEGA 400Wx2 Battery Charger/Discharger (800W)
• Thunder T610 Balance Charger/Discharger
• Redox Beta 50W 5A charger (at least later model with yellow soldermask)
• ... many more

Nuvoton NuMicro M0517LBN CPU:

• IMAX B6 Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells

Unsupported due to old or uncommon CPU See #106

• Turnigy Accucel-6 80W Balancer/Charger
• IMAX B6 Mini 1-6 60W Balancer/Charger
• IMAX B6 V2 Balancer/Charger
• ... others, do your research or ask on the forum

1. Flash your charger and reset to default settings ("options" -> "reset default").
2. Then calibrate it, now your charger is ready to use.

• Select a battery slot (1., 2., ...)
• Go to "Edit Battery":
• Change battery type "Bat:"
• Set battery voltage (number of cells) "V:"
• Set battery capacity "Ch:"
• Set charge current "Ic:"
• Set discharge current "Id:"
• Set time limit "Tlim:" (can be unlimited)
• Press "create name"

• Select battery.
• Choose program: "Charge", "Discharge", etc.
• You should see an "Info" screen. (If you hear beeps, check your battery connections)
• Hold "Start" for 2s to begin.
• Use "inc"/"dec" to navigate screens.
• Press "Stop" to exit.

1. Information about settings
2. Charging NiMH and NiCd batteries

Important: Do NOT connect a fully charged LiPo battery to both the main leads and the balance port. If you don't have a battery with a balance connector, use a regular one (~4V). Connect it to the main leads and the first two pins of the balance port pins (pin "0" to Bat-, pin "1" to Bat+).

Steps:

1. Voltage Calibration:

   • Go to: "options" -> "calibrate" -> "voltage".
   • Measure the voltage on all cells and the power supply voltage (Vin) using a voltmeter.
   • Set the voltage for Vin, Vb1, Vb2, ..., Vb6.
     • Only Vb1 is mandatory. The battery main leads and balance port must be connected.
     • Change at least one value (this will copy V1-6 voltage to Vbat).

2. Charge Current Calibration:

   • Connect your ammeter in series with the battery, using the 10A(20A) input.
   • Disconnect the balance port.
   • Go to: "I charge".
     • For "50mA" (or "100mA" on some versions):
       • Press the "start" button (current flow should be visible on the ammeter).
       • Use the "Inc" and "Dec" buttons until the ammeter shows 50mA (or 100mA on some versions).
       • Press the "start" button to save the setting.
     • For "1000mA":
       • Press the "start" button.
       • Use the "Inc" and "Dec" buttons until the ammeter shows 1000mA.
       • Press the "start" button to save the setting.
       • WARNING: The battery will be charged with high current!

3. Discharge Current Calibration:

   • Go to: "I discharge".
   • Repeat the same steps as in the charge current calibration.
   • WARNING: The battery will be discharged with high current!

4. Temperature Probe Calibration (if needed):

   • Go to: "temp extern" (or "temp intern").
   • Set two calibration points.

Done.

If you encounter any problems with calibration, go to "options" -> "reset default" and try again.

1. After flashing, I see "options" and some strange characters (e.g., squares) on the second line. What should I do?

   • Reset the charger to default settings: Go to "options" -> "reset default" and press the "start" button.

2. I get "calib. error". See this guide.

3. Occasionally, when the power is turned on, an "eeprom error: 2 yes" (or any other number) pops up. See issue #291.

4. After flashing, the charger doesn't work (display shows squares):

   • Download the *.hex file again using the "RAW" button on GitHub.
   • Check the SHA-1 sum of the file and compare it with the *.sha1:
     • Linux: $ sha1sum cheali-charger*.hex
     • Windows: Install Microsoft File Checksum Integrity Verifier
       • In cmd.exe: fciv.exe -sha1 -add cheali-charger-*.hex

5. [Atmega32 CPU] If the SHA-1 sum is correct and the charger still doesn't work (display shows squares):

   • Reset Atmega32 fuses using avrdude:
     • Windows: avrdude.exe -patmega32 -cusbasp -Uhfuse:w:0xc5:m -Ulfuse:w:0x3f:m
     • Linux: avrdude -patmega32 -cusbasp -Uhfuse:w:0xc5:m -Ulfuse:w:0x3f:m

• Flashing
• Calibration - Expert (IMAX B6)
• Building from Source
• Troubleshooting
• User Guides and Documentation

• Iggnus fork, branch: v0.99, v0.33+
• sasam M0517 flash tools
• Cheali Charger v1.00 Manual / User Guide (draft 002) by PascalRZ
• Cheali Charger V0.33m - User Guide: English, Hungarian
• balancer modification, Hungarian: pdf, website
• Gyuiri's schematics: turnigy 2X400, turnigy 2x200, turnigy 8150
• Imax B6 Schematic from: rcgroups
• Panasonic ni-mh-handbook-2014, Duracell Ni-MH_Rechargeable_Batteries_2007
• batteryuniversity.com
• Atmel AVR463: Charging Nickel-Metal Hydride Batteries with ATAVRBC100
• Atmel AVR121: Enhancing ADC resolution by oversampling
• Programming of different charge methods with the BaSyTec Battery Test System
• Pulse Charging NiMh Batteries Candle Power Forums
• 9 stages Charge algorithm

If you have any questions or suggestions please write to us at: cheali-chargerATgooglegroups.com
or visit: http://groups.google.com/group/cheali-charger
The mailing list is open for all.

Have fun!