Belt tune

Mooch said:

Looking forward to seeing your update!
How did you previously test/calibrate the MC3000? Many slot chargers are off a bit with their capacity testing

Click to expand...

Thanks @Mooch for pinging me back, and sorry for the delay in coming up with my report. Here it is:

JayEmm said:

0) Paired them in 2S configuration and put them into a Rekon35 drone, safely zip-tied to a couple of heavy bricks (so I could push throttle to the max and maximize current draw without having the drone going up to the moon):

In the state they came in (around 4.07-4.09V per cell, as I reported previously), the first pair managed to supply 1809mAh at an average current of 10.9A over a 588 seconds interval, starting at 4.07V and ending at 3.00V per cell, according to the drone's telemetry (I haven't calibrated its current/voltage sensors, but the values seem to be reasonable to me). Another pair started at 3.85V per cell (I did some previous testing with them) and ended at 2.45V per cell and was able to supply 1688mAh over the course of 536 seconds, with an average current drawn of 11.2A. Given the batteries started at an unknown charge state, these are highly caricatural results, will try and obtain more reliable ones after step 1 below is over.

Click to expand...

I repeated those tests with the same batteries after putting them through the 5x D>C cycles on the MC3000 (see below) and here are the results (first frame of the OSD display from the drone when each battery pair reached 5.0V total, ie 2.5V per battery):

Pair #1 (batteries i and ii):


Pair #2 (batteries iii and iv):


So, according to the drone's voltage/current sensors, these batteries (after being fully charged to 4.2V with 60mAh residual current) were able to produce respectively 2562mAh and 2573mAh when drained all the way down to 2.5V at ~10A (current varied by half-an-amp up and down as the drone's FC did its thing, but I was able to keep an average very very close to 10A).

This is a significantly (~10%) less than the over-2750mAh at the same 10A we can interpolate from the 10A discharge graph you posted in this topic's OP.

The good news is that, even after being discharged at ~10A for almost 15 minutes straight, the batteries did not heat up too much: an IR thermometer clocked them at just 38C and the time-honored touch-with-finger test showed them only mildly warm, so it seems they should at least be safe to use.

JayEmm said:

1) On my SkyRC MC3000, I'm right now doing a batch of 5 C>D cycles according to the datasheet (CC charging up to 4.2V and then CV charging until current drops to 60mA, then discharging down to 2.5V, initially at 2A charging and 1A discharging), and so far with the first cycle completed, the batteries have registered capacities of 2.822, 2.824, 2.878 and 2.822 Ah respectively, ditto energies of 10.16, 10.17, 10.35 and 10.16 Wh. These are all below the minimuns of 2900 mAh and 10.4 Wh specified in Molicel's datasheet (and those are at a much higher 3A discharge). Let's see if the situation improves with further cycles.

Click to expand...

The capacities didn't improve much if at all, they remained at around 2800mAh capacity, and this while being discharged at only 1A, while they should be producing at least 3000mAh. So also about ~10% capacity loss, which aligns with was seen with the 10A discharges on the anchored-drone test.

To sum it up, on my advice with these results, my friend opened a dispute on his AE purchase and managed to negotiate a partial refund which brought his cost down to the equivalent of USD 2.24 per battery, which I think is a fair price, and will be using them in their reduced capacity, given that they should at least be safe to use at 10A due to not heating too much.

Mooch said:

How did you previously test/calibrate the MC3000? Many slot chargers are off a bit with their capacity testing.

Click to expand...

I checked that the voltage the MC3000 displayed was the same as the one shown by my UNI-T UT210E DMM, and indeed it was exactly the same. Did not check the current as that would be far more involved (given the UT210 can only measure current using its clamp, measuring it would have meant placing a longer wire somewhere along the discharge path, and as a way to do that was not obvious and I had neither the inclination nor the time for such an endeavor, and given the voltage sensor was right on the money, I decided to just believe the current sensor was also accurate.

Now my friend managed to locally procure a couple of Murata VTC6 batteries that were imported by soneone else from NKON.NL and I'm now trying to help him test them. And I have questions about these batteries too... will be be posting them on the VTC6 thread.
EDIT: the VTC6 threads (both test and retest) are closed for comments, so I opened a new one: Murata VTC6, how to charge? Anyone that can, please help!

Thank again @Mooch for everything!

You just have to go everyday your supposed to, there are days I do not want go but I force myself. Just like when I quit cigarettes 2-4 years after I started vaping, I knew it was time and no looking back however I wanted a real Cig from time to time but stuck with it. For sure have not wanted one in 13-15 years.

Daniel Forsyth said:

I noticed that you already have the Brunhilde RTA in there, the big beautiful dual coil beast! There is also a Brunhilde MTL RTA which is only a single coil plus there's the Brunhilde 103 which can accommodate both dual and single coil builds. All of them have the same SS rods that use capillary action as wicking and they're all brilliant RTAs
I would also like to add the Steampipes Cabeo RDTA and the Kumo RDTA to your list. These ones don't have cables but the wicking does work on capillary action and sucks the juice up, definitely worth checking out!!

Click to expand...

Thank you very much! I will write those up and get them added in the next couple days. Someone on Reddit also mentioned the Kumo. Very very cool - that one and the Cabeo with their layered tubes and straws in particular. Hopefully I can find these on the pre owned market at some point. Find that sort of thing fascinating!

gloopdegurp said:

Hi, Fran, thank you very much

We are doing alright. It looks to be a typical weekend here, which is fine by me.
I've been mucking around with a couple of different RTAs this morning that I haven't had fired up for a bit.
Of those, I currently have the SMOK Big Baby Beast going with the RBA head.

I've mostly been using a pair of Geekvape ZX RTAs as I can get good flavor without a lot of wicking issues with them.

I love Cloudy but he just gives me fits dialing in the wicking.
I'll get him seemingly working fine for a couple of tanks and then he'll suddenly decide to start leaking.
Maybe one of these days I'll get him figured out.

Click to expand...

Good luck with your Cloudy.

FranC said:

Good morning, gloop Hope you and yours are well also. Have a great weekend.

Click to expand...

Hi, Fran, thank you very much

We are doing alright. It looks to be a typical weekend here, which is fine by me.
I've been mucking around with a couple of different RTAs this morning that I haven't had fired up for a bit.
Of those, I currently have the SMOK Big Baby Beast going with the RBA head.

I've mostly been using a pair of Geekvape ZX RTAs as I can get good flavor without a lot of wicking issues with them.

I love Cloudy but he just gives me fits dialing in the wicking.
I'll get him seemingly working fine for a couple of tanks and then he'll suddenly decide to start leaking.
Maybe one of these days I'll get him figured out.

She's not been here a hour and she's trying to steal a toe! Lol

dennism said:

Why are you replacing 72 outlets, are they older two prong outlets or aluminum?
My house has nowhere near 72 outlets.

Click to expand...

We had electrical issues and the recommendation was to change them all at the same time (some were sparking). This house has more than 72 but a few were newer so not replaced.

The hardest part is they don't speak English and I don't speak Spanish so we have a bit of a communication issue.

Zazie said:

What does Em think of her?

Click to expand...

I took my sweet Em to the vet for the last time 5 weeks ago; her heart problems peaked and it was time.

On the bright side today my Daisy moved in permanently.

I agree about aging and the medical field. Now you first have to see your pcp to get a referral to a specialist who then refers you to a surgeon or other doctor/clinic. Each step requires a copay, waiting for an appt and several trips as they all want to do 'their' lab tests/blood work etc. I gave up recently when it was taking months and they would only refer me to a doc in Nashville. I would have to have a ride to/from with surgery and it was all too complicated.

Good late morning to all. Have you any plans?

dennism said:

Why are you replacing 72 outlets, are they older two prong outlets or aluminum?
My house has nowhere near 72 outlets.

Click to expand...

Good morning, dennism

DavidOck said:

Morning, mixers.

Hectic yesterday, starting with a 5 am getup for a doctor appt, then nuts all day.

Should be smoother today. Uh huh...

View attachment 1030084

Click to expand...

Good morning, David.

Letitia said:

One thing I've discovered since Daisy entered our lives is my Legs does not like change! Fluff is at least interested enough to watch and follow her around and Pretty has zero interest either way. My Gracie has moved back into her favorite kitchen cabinet but has nothing to do with Daisy, she's just a tad weird. Only truly happy when she has kittens to care for whether they are hers or not.
Just to keep it vape related I've taken quite shine towards my ascent mods.

Click to expand...

What does Em think of her?