Charging the laymans tri cell on MS Pro?

Bad Company · #1 07-23-2003, 06:05 AM

I did the laymans tri cell mod on my MS Pro, but when I go to charge it, the pcb just gets hot and the battery doesn't charge. I used the same base I use for my Zip. Are the leads reversed or something. The battery leads are the same in the car as the Zip. Anyone have any trouble with this? Also, I tested it after I did the mod by putting the car on the charger and using the controller to see if it will run, but it doesn't. Any suggestions?

#2 07-23-2003, 06:11 AM

are you running the voltage through the pcb then to the motor or directly to the motor? in some cases, too much voltage output will basically fry a pcb.

Bad Company · #3 07-23-2003, 06:13 AM

I am basically using the original charging base wired directly to a 120ac-4.5dc wall adapter, the same method used for the Zips.

#4 07-23-2003, 06:18 AM

well, it might be that 1. your battery output in the controller isnt strong enough to charge so many volts, or 2. the charger in the controller wont force enough power through in charging time.

Bad Company · #5 07-23-2003, 06:31 AM

I'm not using the charger IN the controller. I removed the charging base from the controller, and wired it directly to a 120ac-4.5dc wall adapter, which work fine for my zips. Everything is identical on the MS's, so I don't understand why it doesn't work. What does everyone use to charge their MS Pro tri cells?

#6 07-23-2003, 06:34 AM

i dunno, have you looked at any websites like rcmod.com or bitpimps.lixlink.com or anything like that for tips

Bad Company · #7 07-23-2003, 06:37 AM

No not yet, but I will. I asked the question on here a while back whether the method was the same as the Zip method for the laymans, and the replies were yes. Thanks for your help anyways.

Bad Company · #8 07-23-2003, 12:16 PM

Anyone else have any suggestions? What does everyone else use to charge their tri cells?

dr1zz · #9 07-23-2003, 12:37 PM

laymans tricell sux IMO

what kind of cells (mah) are you using??
how much current is your charger charging at?

if your pcb is hot, and the cells arent, and it doesnt work even when on the charger, i'd say the problem might be contact of the tricell, or the cells themselves.......put a meter to the cells

TypeZer0 · #10 07-23-2003, 05:37 PM

make sure you got the button cells lined up correctly and that they're making contact with each other. if the cells are really dead, then try to charge it with low current like 50 ma or something and trickle charge it up to capacity. i'm working on a simple charger based on the LM317 voltage regulator chip that lets me choose how much current to send to the charging plates. haven't had time cuz of work and laziness. still debating if i shoudl put in a timing device based on a 555 timer but requires a pot to adjust the time. oh yeh, if the cells aren't insulated (if you stripped off the green layer) then tape it so it wont short out with the pcb. if u wanna check the polarity of the charging contacts on the ms pro, open up ur ms pro and a zipzap and see which side the red wire goes to and which side the black wire goes to on the zip then check with the ms pro