Welcome to cheali-charger!

This project is an alternative firmware for a variety of lipo chargers,
see hardware.

Don't use it if You don't need to
(not everything is implemented yet).

Any feedback is very welcome!
http://groups.google.com/group/cheali-charger

Features

Li-ion, LiPo, LiPo-4.30V, LiPo-4.35V, LiFe:
- charging
- fast charging
- charging + balancing
- discharging
- balancing
- storage
- storage + balancing
NiCd and NiMH:
- charging, method: -dV/dT
- discharging
- cycling
NiZn:
- charging
- fast charging
- charging + balancing
- discharging
- balancing
Pb: - not well tested!
- charging
- discharging
Internal resistance display
- single cell resistance
- whole battery resistance
- battery leads resistance
Internal and external temperature monitoring
Overcharge and overdischarge monitoring
Input voltage monitoring
Memory for 30 batteries
LogView support
CALIBATION!

WARNING

Please CALIBRATE charger before use!
Use an external temperature probe
(if You like your house ;) )

Hardware

Atmega32 CPU:

G.T. POWER A6-10 200W
IMAX B6 Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells (clone, original)
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)
... many more

Nuvoton NuMicro M0517LBN CPU:

IMAX B6 Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells

Usage:

After flashing your charger the first thing you should do is
reset the charger to default settings (go to: "options"->"reset default" and press the "start" button)
and then calibrate it, now your charger is ready to use.

programming you charger:

select a free battery slot (indicated as 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"

charing/discharging...:

select battery
select program: "charge", "discharge"...
you should see a "info" screen,
(if you hear beeps, check your battery connections)
hold "start" button for 2s to start the program
charger is working now, press "inc", "dec" to see more screens
to exit the program press "stop"

informations about settings
charging NiMH and NiCd batteries

Flashing

Calibration

Connect a NOT fully charged LiPo battery to the main leads
and the balance port, if you don't own a battery with a
balance connector, just connect a regular one (~4V)
to the main leads and the balance port first two pins
(pin "0" <--> Bat-, pin "1" <--> Bat+).

go to: "options"->"calibrate":

voltage calibration: go to "voltage"
- use a voltmeter to measure voltage on all cells and the power supply voltage (Vin)
  and set voltage on Vin, Vb1, Vb2, .., Vb6
  - only Vb1 is mandatory, battery main leads and balance port must be connected
  - you need to change at least one value (this will copy V1-6 voltage to Vbat)
charge current calibration:
- connect your amperemeter in series with the battery, use the 10A(20A) input
- disconnect balance port
- go to "I charge"
  - go to: "50mA" (100mA on some versions)
    press "start" button (current flow should be visible on amperemeter)
    press "Inc", "Dec" buttons until the amperemeter shows 50mA (100mA on some versions)
    press "start" button to save the setting
  - go to: "1000mA"
    press "start" button
    press "Inc", "Dec" buttons until the amperemeter shows 1000mA
    press "start" button to save the setting
    WARNING: the battery will be charged with high current!
discharge current calibration: go to "I discharge"
Repeat the same steps as before
WARNING: the battery will be discharged with high current!
when needed: external (or internal) temperature probe calibration: go to "temp extern" ("temp intern") You have to set two calibration points

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

Calibration - Expert (IMAX B6) - optional

Building from Source

Troubleshooting

After flashing I see "options" and some strange characters in the seccnd line (for example: squares), what should I do?

reset the charger to default settings (go to: "options"->"reset default" and press the "start" button)