solo battery chargers wanted :

faroutmatt · Dec 6, 2016

anyone know of a source for solo battery chargers, 3dr or third party.

thanks

mattshup · Dec 6, 2016

I just scored one on Bass Pro Shops for $24.97. I can't find it on their website anymore but that would be definitely something worth looking into.

yt lee · Dec 10, 2016

BH photo

faroutmatt · Dec 10, 2016

You mean this : 3DR Charger for Solo Battery SP11A B&H Photo Video

"Discontinued " not for sale.....

yt lee · Dec 10, 2016

If BH ran out, there is one left at amazon https://www.amazon.com/3DR-SP12A-Sm...=1481427277&sr=8-41&keywords=3dr+solo+charger

for that price, you may consider best buy 399 bundle 3DR - 3DR Solo Drone with Gimbal, Rechargeable Battery and Extra Propellers

faroutmatt · Dec 10, 2016

they were like $29 I thought originally, wierd how the drones go down, batteries down, charger goes up like crazy,

yt lee · Dec 10, 2016

that is called supply and demand. I doubt anyone would pay that kind of money for that charger. If you have the old charger, cut out the lead and buy a 30v bench power supply 0-30VDC 0-3A Switch Mode Bench Power Supply with Digital Display (CSI3003SM) | eBay set the voltage at 16.75.. pay attention to which lead is positive.

mikeo · Dec 23, 2016

I'm working on an aftermarket DIY battery charger that will be able to rapid-charge (compared to stock) Solo batteries. I've been able to determine that the amperage cutoff for the internal circuitry is 6A @ 16.8 VDC (100.8 watts). As soon as the rest of the parts arrive from China I'll post a how-to, but it looks like ~$55 for the power supply and then ~$21/battery to simultaneously charge up to 9 batteries. If you want to charge from a car battery then you can skip the $55 power supply. I expect to have this built and tested before 1/1/17, but it all depends on China Post and USPS getting parts to me in time.

finnamatron · Dec 23, 2016

faroutmatt said:
You mean this : 3DR Charger for Solo Battery SP11A B&H Photo Video

"Discontinued " not for sale.....

faroutmatt said:
anyone know of a source for solo battery chargers, 3dr or third party.

thanks

I am parting out my system. I have a charger and two batteries if you be interested.

faroutmatt · Dec 23, 2016

finnamatron said:
I am parting out my system. I have a charger and two batteries if you be interested.

I would lke the charger, let me know how much.
hmm is there a private message on this forum , i don't see it...

CanadianSolo · Dec 23, 2016

mikeo said:
I'm working on an aftermarket DIY battery charger that will be able to rapid-charge (compared to stock) Solo batteries. I've been able to determine that the amperage cutoff for the internal circuitry is 6A @ 16.8 VDC (100.8 watts). As soon as the rest of the parts arrive from China I'll post a how-to, but it looks like ~$55 for the power supply and then ~$21/battery to simultaneously charge up to 9 batteries. If you want to charge from a car battery then you can skip the $55 power supply. I expect to have this built and tested before 1/1/17, but it all depends on China Post and USPS getting parts to me in time.

You realise that this has been covered on this forum LOTS!? and its not continuous 6A btw. The battery only draws Its max amperage when its dead, the closer to fully charged the slower the current. hopefully you bought CC-CV chargers?! You are able to save approx 30min of charge time vs the stock charger!!

which is still good!

Fabsport · Jan 10, 2017

mikeo said:
I'm working on an aftermarket DIY battery charger that will be able to rapid-charge (compared to stock) Solo batteries. I've been able to determine that the amperage cutoff for the internal circuitry is 6A @ 16.8 VDC (100.8 watts). As soon as the rest of the parts arrive from China I'll post a how-to, but it looks like ~$55 for the power supply and then ~$21/battery to simultaneously charge up to 9 batteries. If you want to charge from a car battery then you can skip the $55 power supply. I expect to have this built and tested before 1/1/17, but it all depends on China Post and USPS getting parts to me in time.

Have you gotten to a finished prototype yet? I am VERY interested in seeing how yours turned out. I too would like to build one.

mikeo · Jan 10, 2017

Fabsport said:
Have you gotten to a finished prototype yet? I am VERY interested in seeing how yours turned out. I too would like to build one.

I finally had the parts delivered yesterday, and I did some rough testing last night. It's a busy work week for me so I'm not going to be able to build & document much until at least this weekend.

Here's the voltage regulator I got, and I can confirm that it works to deliver 16.8 VDC @ 6 Amps so the "smart battery" will charge quickly and correctly. I can also confirm that it absolutely need a fan to run at ~100 watt output; the fan is a 30mm fan. (I "stole" one out of a dead network switch)
10A DC-DC 10-32V Step-up to 10-60v Boost Power Supply + LCD volt Ammeter | eBay

As for the input, I'm using a power supply very similar to this:
AC TO DC 12 VOLT 75 AMP 900 WATT POWER SUPPLY LED RC CHARGER LIPO | eBay

Bmwdude · Jan 17, 2017

Also looking for a spare battery charger if anyone has one!

Captain Zepher · Jan 17, 2017

mikeo said:
I'm working on an aftermarket DIY battery charger that will be able to rapid-charge (compared to stock) Solo batteries. I've been able to determine that the amperage cutoff for the internal circuitry is 6A @ 16.8 VDC (100.8 watts). As soon as the rest of the parts arrive from China I'll post a how-to, but it looks like ~$55 for the power supply and then ~$21/battery to simultaneously charge up to 9 batteries. If you want to charge from a car battery then you can skip the $55 power supply. I expect to have this built and tested before 1/1/17, but it all depends on China Post and USPS getting parts to me in time.

mikeo said:
I finally had the parts delivered yesterday, and I did some rough testing last night. It's a busy work week for me so I'm not going to be able to build & document much until at least this weekend.

Here's the voltage regulator I got, and I can confirm that it works to deliver 16.8 VDC @ 6 Amps so the "smart battery" will charge quickly and correctly. I can also confirm that it absolutely need a fan to run at ~100 watt output; the fan is a 30mm fan. (I "stole" one out of a dead network switch)
10A DC-DC 10-32V Step-up to 10-60v Boost Power Supply + LCD volt Ammeter | eBay

As for the input, I'm using a power supply very similar to this:
AC TO DC 12 VOLT 75 AMP 900 WATT POWER SUPPLY LED RC CHARGER LIPO | eBay

can you make a post aboput this with pictures and such?

CanadianSolo · Jan 17, 2017

Captain Zepher said:
can you make a post aboput this with pictures and such?

There are lots of DIY power supplies on this forum. Just search it. Its been done, I as well am working on one. I can even use my Arduino to get the data off the battery. Cell voltages charge current Remaining current charge percentage ect.... Im working on a 4 charger station. My problem im having is I cannot source the power plugs that fit the batteries.

mikeo · Jan 18, 2017

@CanadianSolo Will Arrow not ship to you?
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/46437-1087/molex
These are 2 pole, power only, and you need to supply a housing. I can post a picture of what Arrow sent me if you're interested...

CanadianSolo · Jan 19, 2017

mikeo said:
@CanadianSolo Will Arrow not ship to you?
https://www.arrow.com/en/products/46437-1087/molex
These are 2 pole, power only, and you need to supply a housing. I can post a picture of what Arrow sent me if you're interested...

Oh im sure Arrow will ship. However they have none. Well it shows 1 but its probably none.

mikeo · Jan 19, 2017

Wow, I didn't check inventory when I posted the link. I bought 6 last week and there were 150+ in stock when I placed the order. Somebody just grabbed a few...

CanadianSolo · Jan 19, 2017

mikeo said:
Wow, I didn't check inventory when I posted the link. I bought 6 last week and there were 150+ in stock when I placed the order. Somebody just grabbed a few...

I sent them a quote email. Hopefully they will get back to me with some?!