On Mon, Nov 18, 2019 at 12:30 PM, Roger Lapthorn wrote:

Just be aware that certainly LiIon packs can be little bombs and MUST be charged the right way. I speak from professional experience. Treat them wrongly and be prepared for the consequences.?

?

Cheers Roger G3XBM?

Sent from my Huawei phone

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Re: [ft817] Windcamp WLB 817 - recharge with a charger for LIPO
From: John G0GCD <john@...>
To: [email protected]
CC:

Well... I think that this falls into the 'too complicated' bucket.
My solution will be to use a 12vdc to 240vac inverter, driving the supplied wallwart charger.
Job done...

Beauty of that solution is, I can also use a 240vac to 12vdc psu to run the FT817 'off the mains' whilst recharging the battery?!

Thanks again
John G0GCD
?

I insist with the questions just for security reasons
?
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73 by Max IK0TIX

however, alarmism without advice is a bit pointless, don't you think?
--
73 by Max IK0TIX

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On Thu, Nov 21, 2019 at 09:26 AM, g4xcp uk wrote:

Hope this might be of some use I contacted Windcamp a few years back and here below is what they had to say:-

The WLB-817S lithium battery pack has four power cords, two red ones for the positive and two black ones for the negative.It does not lead to the balance detection line, so does not support the balance charge.

?

However, your B6AC balance charger can still charge wlb-817s, but the charging mode needs to be set to unbalanced mode. LIPO for battery type, 3S for voltage and 1.5-2a for charging current are recommended.

Eric Liu

WINDCAMP Workshop.

?

73s

G4XCP

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73 by Max IK0TIX

The? Windcamp WLB 817 battery has a some form of internal BMS
How do I know my, Windcamp WLB 817 about 10 months old and? which was being recharged by the supplied charger died.
The pack was purchased from? Windcamp? direct ,when I sent emails with no response from? Windcamp At that point I decided to see what was going on.
Attached? probes to the thin + - wires no voltage? then decided to open the shrink wrap and found that the pack has 3 flat pack labeled 3000ma cells, one cell was bubbled and all cells are connected to a black chunk that after removal of what looks like some form black hot melt substance? reveled some form of 3 cell? basic "bms".
With the removal of the bad cell the other two cell showed voltage.
This looks very similar to what is in use with the many avalabel Blue heat shrink China batteries,and the chargers are identical since I have them that I use to power my Signalink when I operate in Parks
Well I will not be spending $90 with Windcamp ever again,?
Picked up? (3) 3000mAh? Ni-Mh 9.6 v packs? that even included a new USB up charger I connecterised with Micro Plug"s 2R's, they provide on a average 2900mAh? and my FT-817's are happy. I still have my old 2200 mAh but they are "old" .
If any one is interested i can? provide pictures of the disassembled? Windcamp WLB 817.
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Best Regards.
Steve AB2ET/4

Yes please Steve.? Always interested in what's under the hood??
John G0GCD?

Very interesting report Steve, I'd like to see the pictures, thanks.

All the best,
Filippo - IZ0INX?

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Best Regards.
Steve AB2ET/4

I use the same charging unit that came with Windcamp 8 years ago. Best battery accessory at the time for the FT817ND. Still the best at present time plus the external batteries now available are much lighter.?

Terry,
Actually the latest crop of Ni-Mh 9.6 V 3000 mAh packs are a better bang for the dollar? then the $90 Windcamp WLB 817 , when my 10 month old Windcamp WLB 817 battery failed (one cell bubbled and yes I used the supplied charger) I attached pictures of the bad Windcamp WLB 817 taken apart.
I was forced to return to the? backup "old" 2200 mAh pack that I used for years and started the search and found Mi-Mh 3000 mAh packs at extremely reasonable cost? (3 for $45 including USB chargers) changed the connectors to Micro Plug 2R's to work with the FT-817 and was back in operation.
After putting the packs on my load tester they averaged 2900 mAh? I can use the original battery compartment door? and the best part is that I can charge the batteries via the FT-817 system which is nice, even when the FT-817 is of the 13V PS the battery gets a "trickle" .charge which keeps them top off.
PS this morning a package arrived with a? 9.6V "test" battery that claims 3500 mAh, this will be load tested this weekend.
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Best Regards.
Steve AB2ET/4

On Tue, Nov 26, 2019 at 09:18 PM, Steve Sawicki wrote:

Terry,
....? I can use the original battery compartment door? and the best part is that I can charge the batteries via the FT-817 system which is nice, even when the FT-817 is of the 13V PS the battery gets a "trickle" .charge which keeps them top off.
PS this morning a package arrived with a? 9.6V "test" battery that claims 3500 mAh, this will be load tested this weekend.
--
Best Regards.
Steve AB2ET/4

perfect! the only remaining problem is the extremely long charging time
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73 by Max IK0TIX

Max,
Now that I have normalized my prime FT-817 I find that the charge time is irrelevant? since I use my two? Ft-817's as secondary radios in my shack.
The radios are connected to my shacks isolated 13V power buss thus the? stock "trickle" charge will keep the topped up.and with that in place, the need for a time charge is removed.
The funny part is when I had Windcamp WLB 817 battery? I had to MAKE SURE to switch the battery out when I hooked up to buss power and then when I was planing a outing? charge the battery? with a average 30+ m time? the charger to go green.
PS: Just completed the first load test? on the Ni-Mh 9.6 V 3500 mAh battery, after a full charge? its reading? 3300 mAh? on the first? run,the interesting part is the 3000 mAh packs and even the "old" 2200 mAh packs are in green shirk wrap the? "test" 3500 mAh is in PINK.
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Best Regards.
Steve AB2ET/4

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Hi Steve

Do you have source information on those Ni-Ma batteries. Mine have been out of use and

no longer with me. I would like to find a source with the correct wiring to replace with at

least one. I currently use a replacement alarm system battery for my FT817.

Thanks in advance.

Marty kd8bj

Marty,
Do a search for XCSOURCE 9.6 V batteries, search for the ones that? include? a USB charger.
I do not want to provide direct sourcing since some may get a bit huffy as no "marketing" on the group.hi hi
As far as connectors? you will need to do a bit of solder work, the battery comes with a connector to hobby car toys,I removed that and converted to deans micro plug 2Rs and then to a salvaged? connector from a dead FT-817 battery. makes swapping out so much easier
Easy work and when you do the first all the other batteries will only need 1/2 of the plugs,the whole package fits nicely inside the battery well with plenty of room. ?
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Best Regards.
Steve AB2ET/4