Can I use the Balance connector to power stuff?

Sdílet
Vložit
  • čas přidán 8. 05. 2022
  • Thank you for taking the time to watch the video. You can find me on social media at / painless360
    / painless360
    www.thingiverse.com/painless360
    R/C is one of my hobbies and I do this for fun. I don't do this to replace a day job so if you have found the content useful then and want to support the time I spend helping others and creating content then please consider liking the video and subscribing. It helps a lot!
    If this video helped you and you want to support the channel you can use these links:
    / painless360
    paypal.me/painless360.
    Remember that reviews are subjective. Don't rely on one persons opinion - watch reviews and make your own mind up. Where-ever you can support your local R.C resellers and shops, they need your support more than ever.
    If you liked this you can see more R/C related videos on the channel - / painless360 , use the playlists to find entire series on topics you might find interesting.
    Be aware that any comments that are rude, disrespectful or use bullying or threatening language will be deleted. Pedantry isn't encouraged either. This channel is all about helping others and passing on advice and ideas so please comment in that spirit. Comments that don't adhere to these simple rules will be deleted.
    Thanks again for watching, support each other and the hobby as we have enough external drama without making more for ourselves.
    LIKE and SUBSCRIBE and above all - Happy Flying!
    #balance #power #voltage

Komentáře • 78

  • @martianmcfly
    @martianmcfly Před 2 lety +1

    This is the most informative video I've watched recently! It kind of answers the question too if you splice the whole balance lead off by accident and which order to put the wires in the new plug. Tap + 4.2v, 8.4v, 12.6v etc etc.

  • @dglo6123
    @dglo6123 Před 3 měsíci

    Excellent video! Told me what I was looking for, concisely and precisely!

  • @furrybunnyfeet
    @furrybunnyfeet Před 2 lety

    you learn something new everyday! thanks Lee, I've always assumed they were all single cell voltage

  • @FlopsyThursby
    @FlopsyThursby Před 2 lety

    Great video as usual! I too am just in the process of setting up my M2 for FPV as a smaller alternative to my TRex 450 FPV setup. Looking forward to your videos on your M2 FPV setup!

  • @AsgardStudios
    @AsgardStudios Před rokem

    Cheers Mate! I learn so much from your videos. Thanks for the great content.

  • @dalerbsr.5061
    @dalerbsr.5061 Před 2 lety

    Thanks, this was some unexpected but needed information... Have an awesome week...

  • @kl2633
    @kl2633 Před 7 měsíci

    Exactly what I was looking for. Thanks

  • @MickRatanapanyo
    @MickRatanapanyo Před 2 lety

    Very useful thank you Lee!

  • @licensetodrive9930
    @licensetodrive9930 Před 2 lety +1

    I made a charging cable to balance charge 2S packs through their balance connector, 2S socket to 2S plug & XT60, works well, but I don't charge higher than 1A to avoid issues with high amps going through small wires & connections.
    I also put an MT30 socket in my Jumper T16 (see my thingiplace upload 4759865) and made an appropriate charging cable so I can properly balance charge the cells in the radio without taking them out, same 1A or less charge rate.

  • @kenhaupt1865
    @kenhaupt1865 Před 2 lety +2

    I still have a bunch of those balance input/jst power output modules from fatshark that used to come with their vtx's back when I first got in to the hobby. They still work for quick jobs and I'm glad I saved them!

  • @julianhumphrey4843
    @julianhumphrey4843 Před 2 lety

    good video i have been tapping the balance lead for fpv and led lights for a good while

  • @beefybeef1326
    @beefybeef1326 Před 2 lety

    Very useful. Thanks

  • @rawfpv
    @rawfpv Před 10 měsíci

    👍 just confirmed with a volt meter ... good to go ... !!! Thanks Lee ...!!!

  • @matthewallen3375
    @matthewallen3375 Před 2 lety

    Good Simple Video Lee.

  • @JoshFisk
    @JoshFisk Před 2 lety

    I use the outer leads into a bec that then either charges my gopro or instago2 with a custom charging mount. Super useful to have an extra lead already on the battery for low current stuff.

  • @kszyh_
    @kszyh_ Před 2 lety +1

    I have always wondered how to make a male plug (the one from the battery) for the balance myself. Those pins are surprisingly small to clamp with anything on a silicone cable.

  • @theflyingsandalrc
    @theflyingsandalrc Před 2 lety +2

    It's convenient on 3S for powering LEDs

  • @jamesemery1
    @jamesemery1 Před 2 lety

    good info for newbies

  • @dash8465
    @dash8465 Před 2 lety +1

    You can pull at least 2 amps from the 22 awg balance wires.
    Beware of voltage sag in high amp draw aircraft. Example.. powering a vtx from a FC’s regulated 9v pad thats supplied by overall vbat versus powering the vtx off of a pair of cells at the tap. Under high amp draw all cells are powering the FC’s regulator and in the worst case vbat will still exceed 9v, but under the same load the voltage drop for two cells at the balance tap would be far below 9v and may reset your vtx - a big problem if you somehow shutdown a dji au mid-flight.
    Point is.. if your aircraft is a fairly low amp cruiser you can pull power from wherever you want, but if its high amp its best to always use all cells if your item will handle it, or use a regulator powered by full vbat.

  • @paulr3556
    @paulr3556 Před 2 lety

    Lol, sold my old EV800D's yesterday and they came stock with balance lead alternative power cable.
    Still does the job.
    P.s. Zorro remote also has balance lead external power plug. Ok when not super Amp draw I guess. That's the limitation???

  • @derrogers
    @derrogers Před 2 lety +2

    when tapping into one of the cells for lower voltages, you risk unbalancing your battery. better get the full voltage and lower it with a DC to DC converter...

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety +2

      Indeed, as mentioned in the video. Happy flying!

  • @graywoulf
    @graywoulf Před rokem

    This is a very informative video! I really appreciate learning how to properly tap into a lipo's balance connector for powering my "Peanut" cam with the Matek BEC as you taught me about in that video. I am glad that I listened to your suggestion to watch this video too. Thank you very much for this valuable information. 👍👍 BTW, what is that putty you are using to hold things with? It looks like plumber's putty. I need some of that.

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před rokem

      It is called Blu-Tac here. I believe that it is called something else in the USA. It is the sticky putty that you use to hold up paper and posters.. Happy flying!

  • @smackfpv
    @smackfpv Před 2 lety

    This is a good one Lee. I do this frequently using the balance lead to power video systems in FPV race wings. It works well and besides a little longer charge time, have had zero battery issues. I did order a selection of pre wired JST connectors from Amazon and use them for connecting to the battery JST and for when I build LiIon batteries.

  • @MCsCreations
    @MCsCreations Před 2 lety

    Excellent, Lee! Thanks! 😃
    A little cable like this and a small DC converter could be really useful! Including for things like naked cameras!
    Anyway, stay safe there with your family! 🖖😊

  • @johnk8825
    @johnk8825 Před 2 lety

    Lee nice video BUT I have some CNHL 4S batteries that the balance lead has ONE RED wire and four black wires. Guess it just depends on what wire they have in stock.

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      The outer wires (black and red) are the key.. Happy flying

  • @Retset
    @Retset Před 2 lety +2

    I must admit, I have a dumb (no FC) FPV wing where I take current for the camera and VTX from 1 or 2 cells of a 4S (can't remember which) for camera and VTX. Yes, it does unbalance the pack by the end of the flight but the only real downside is a longer time for the charger to balance it all up to 3.85v/cell before storing the battery. There's no room for a FC or second battery and I really don't want to add a UBEC to a wing that's already twice it's designed AUW ... All that said, very good advice Lee.

  • @tabdycollins
    @tabdycollins Před 2 lety

    Watching this has given me an idea. I could connect the +&- from the balance plug direct to the volts sensor on a Spektrum RX to get the Telemetry voltage. A useful temporary arrangement if one hasn't got around to soldering the wires into the main power wires. A quick fix one can move from aircraft to aircraft or have in one's box of odds and ends! The other day I wired up in haste, connected 6s battery - major explosion. I'd wired + to - ! Luckily the wires melted and the RX was undamaged. Pride was hurt and I must be more careful!!😡

  • @ptaylor5014
    @ptaylor5014 Před 2 lety

    Can you run 2 separate things from one battery at the same time? for example connect it to and ESC for main power and also connect the JST to a low power FPV camera?

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      Exactly. That's how I use it here.. Happy flying

  • @WaynePryce
    @WaynePryce Před rokem

    Can I connect one of those tiny circuits tv to the balanced plug directly without a step down? It needs 3_7 volts to work

  • @lalatubby4836
    @lalatubby4836 Před 2 lety

    thanks for that , i was thinking to use that to power the runcam THUMB ..so i can use it on multiple drones with ease .

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      That would work great. Remember that the thumb needs 5V so you'd need something in between to lower the voltage. i.e. www.mateksys.com/?portfolio=mbec6s

    • @fubarphill
      @fubarphill Před 2 lety

      I am literally building a cable for that purpose. As Lee says, make sure to use a BEC to step down to 5V.

    • @kennyinuk5420
      @kennyinuk5420 Před 2 lety

      @@fubarphill i have tested and verified the 2 outer most terminals ( the outer 1 being RED) gives me the voltage of the 1s . made the small 2 pins connector from a SH male end plug and its been working great on all my 2s and 3s lipos .

  • @VeryHumanExperience
    @VeryHumanExperience Před 4 měsíci

    So I’ve got one of these WPL 1/16 rig. They only have one pin, a 4 pin JST XH, it charges and powers the rig. If I wanted to add another cell into these batteries, 2s to a 3s. I should just have to splice a single cell into the circuit and I won’t have to fix the plug? I’ve seen several videos on making a 3s it’s just everyone has a proper power plug along with the "balance lead"

  • @cwatson42785
    @cwatson42785 Před rokem

    Hey buddy do you think I could power a small little skyrc gnss GPS? My micro usb charging port broke on the inside. Some guys use a servo lead and go into the receiver but I thought if could go into the balance plug would be more convenient. But would there be a way i could solder a couple pins on a positive and negative wire so i would be able to just stick the pins in the balance on multiple different packs? Like say a 3s, 4s or 6s? Because if i did it normally like this i would only be able to connect it to one specific balance plug. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před rokem

      Possibly but remember that most things like GPS units like 5V only so you will need to lower the voltage to that level for the GPS.. See my video on powering 5v action cameras from the balance tap for how I do it here..

    • @cwatson42785
      @cwatson42785 Před rokem

      ​@@Painless360 Hey that would be great. Do you have the title of the video and I'll watch? I'm going to search your channel now but just in case. Thanks for your help! That would be great and more convenient than going into the receiver or esc fan

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před rokem

      Powering your 5v Action Camera from a LIPO Battery

    • @cwatson42785
      @cwatson42785 Před rokem

      @Painless360 I found it that night, I'm sorry I forgot to delete or edit my comment but I appreciate all your help. Thankfully I was just able to buy a 1s lipo charger so now I can just open up the skyrc gnss after the charging port broke. Thanks again bud

  • @wes8486
    @wes8486 Před 11 měsíci

    Huh..this is interesting.
    Do you think it would be viable and safe to charge the battery using only the balance leads, on a charger not made for that?. Maybe extending the balance leads, and splicing the first and last wire to connect them to the battery main input on the charger. (Of course, charging at a low amperage). It makes sense in my head but sounds risky.
    I have this idea because id like to charge my lipo without unplugging the main power lead every time, so i could just use the balance leads to charge while its still plugged in.

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 11 měsíci

      Current capacity for the balance tap isn't huge so not ideal for trying to push large charging currents through... Happy flying

  • @ryanjones6837
    @ryanjones6837 Před rokem

    Do you think i can run a vtx and camera off the balance plug

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před rokem +1

      Yes, if you are not pulling a lot of current. I used to make little FPV backpacks back in the day, powered by it and easy to move between models... Happy flying

  • @aviatoFPV
    @aviatoFPV Před 2 lety

    I've used it to power led strips in my flying wings in the past

  • @knockout35189
    @knockout35189 Před rokem

    can a charge 2s with the balance port and without power lead?

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před rokem

      It depends on the charger. Pushing too much current via these really small pins can cause damage to them over time so always try and charge using the main connection if there is one..

  • @maxun1
    @maxun1 Před 2 lety

    I use the balance port when I can not find in my mess a volatage regulator for small power stuff. LOL Never a issue, when I charge the battery the chargers balance the battery back.

  • @mihavuk
    @mihavuk Před 2 lety

    Well... Balance current of chargers is app 1 Amp, sometimes 1,5 Amp, sometimes 0,5 Amp. I'm using balance connectors for powering stuff up to 1,5 Amps. Never had a problem.

  • @SkyScotFPV
    @SkyScotFPV Před rokem

    any different if all are red and one is black and vice versa?

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před rokem

      No, it is wired the same... Happy flying

  • @jamieleeaydanmumford8485
    @jamieleeaydanmumford8485 Před 7 měsíci

    So what if you have a dean connection and a balance plug

  • @bedrascal
    @bedrascal Před 2 lety

    could I power an SMO 4k with this method?

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      Maybe, how much current will it pull?

  • @North49RC
    @North49RC Před 2 lety

    I am looking forward to seeing someone add FPV to a heli. Never seen it before and i have asked others about it, but they seem to scared to even try it

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      There is nothing different from adding modern FPV to anything. It's just a little cooler! :D

    • @JIPPERR_1
      @JIPPERR_1 Před 2 lety

      I run FPV on my car, try finding folks to run with... very difficult! So fun though :)

  • @embededfabrication4482
    @embededfabrication4482 Před 2 lety +1

    just buy balance wire extensions and cut the one end off

    • @gxc2000
      @gxc2000 Před 2 lety

      That is exactly what I do. Also you can push the pins out that you don't want.

    • @embededfabrication4482
      @embededfabrication4482 Před rokem

      @@gxc2000 I'm using the matek buck at 8V but I wonder if we should tap at the full battery voltage or one just above 8V, if we tap at a lower voltage won't that discharge the cells unevenly maybe? it would make the buck run cooler with less losses tho

    • @gxc2000
      @gxc2000 Před rokem

      @@embededfabrication4482 I understand exactly what you are thinking. I was thinking exactly the same thing. I wanted 5v from a 3S battery. In the end I decided to go across the full battery. This was because I preferred to discharge the battery evenly and even if I had quite a large drop in voltage the input to the buck would easily be over 5v. If I tapped off at 2S I was nervous the voltage could drop from 7.2v below the required 5v. I guess it depends how many cells your battery has and what your buck converter can cope with - heat etc.

  • @monivibes1
    @monivibes1 Před 10 měsíci

    Hello there,
    at 3:05 ,You mentioned "Always make sure to use the black outside pin as one of the connections- if you dont then bad things will happen " >>> Could you elaborate on the negative implications you're referencing? If I were to connect the blue and yellow pins instead of the yellow and black, wouldn't I just be utilizing one cell over the other? Why would this be a detrimental scenario? Your points aren't entirely clear to me.

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 10 měsíci

      You'd be shorting out cells... best of luck

  • @danielmirea
    @danielmirea Před 2 lety

    But if you do that, and you use just one cell out of two or three, then the battery will discharge unevenly which will cause problems on the long run. At least this is what I know.

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      Indeed, as covered in the video. Hence why I advised to only use the outer pins for full battery voltage.. Happy flying!

  • @tavohc1
    @tavohc1 Před 2 lety

    I would not recommend it as i lost a plane due to connecting the camera and vtx in the balance cable

  • @jas-FPV
    @jas-FPV Před 2 lety

    Your estimate on how much power can be drawn is very low. Why did you choose such a small number? I would be totally fine running 2A through these

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      Your battery, your choice. Those are small pins and any pitting or damage due to larger currents flowing through them will affect the ability to balance charge them accurately. Happy flying!

  • @peteengard9966
    @peteengard9966 Před 2 lety

    Nintey nine percent of my Chinese batteries have a red negative and black positive wires wether 3s or 6s.

    • @Painless360
      @Painless360  Před 2 lety

      Wow, that is against every standard in electronics engineering I've ever seen! Thanks for posting. I've never seen that in 20 years of using batteries..

  • @theflyingsandalrc
    @theflyingsandalrc Před 2 lety

    First comment! ;)