SkyRC — IFA 2014 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

Candle Power Flashlight Forum

Help Support CPF:

In relation to temperature output all I'm able to find form the mc3000.xml file in reference to temperature output is

<unit>°C</unit> apparently a default output is in centigrade.

<name>system_temperature</name>
<symbol>Ts</symbol>
<unit>°C</unit>
<active>true</active>
<statistics min="true" max="true" avg="

I went into the properties editor and changed all the temperature units from "C" to "F" and the previous temperature unit (Centigrade) from the mc3000.xml file has been replaced by <unit>°F</unit> (Fahrenheit)

However, now DEX produces an error message upon gathering

" A serial communications to the device showing errors: ArrayIndexOutOfBoundsException - 8Disharge."

I did switch to a discharge and then float mode however the same error is being produced while trying to gather.

I think I'm going to reinstall Dex as something may have been messed up with it's configuration.

Then try again changing the temperature units to "F" Fahrenheit. Previously trying to edit the temp units resulted in some mixed "C" Centigrade and "F" Fahrenheit output.

This time I'll observe more closely and pay attention to any changes made to the mc3000.xlm file.
 
After re-installing Dex Device properties pop up screen chose to use MC3000-set after selecting MC3000 and MC3000-set.

I can switch to MC3000 but for now will use the MC3000-set output configuration.

All the battery and system temperature units were edited and changed to "F" (Fahrenheit) using the device properties editor.

Dex displays a temperature output to be around ~800 deg. F (+/-) for the individual slots and combi modes for both battery and system temperatures.

MC3000-set.xml file shows unit for temp. measurement to be deg. F (Fahrenheit).

<Measurement>
<name>battery_temperature</name>
<symbol>Tb</symbol>
<unit>°F</unit>
<active>true</active>
<statistics min="true" max="true" avg="true"
 
Last edited:
Can anyone estimate how much time it would take a nonexpert (but with a bit of math/programming competence) to set up MC3000 v1.4 windows software, for recording discharge curves to see if they roughly match HKJ/lygte's battery comparator curves?

Or would something like the West Mountain Radio CBA IV be better suited for this?
 
joelbnyc said:
Can anyone estimate how much time it would take a nonexpert (but with a bit of math/programming competence) to set up MC3000 v1.4 windows software, for recording discharge curves to see if they roughly match HKJ/lygte's battery comparator curves?

Or would something like the West Mountain Radio CBA IV be better suited for this?
Click to expand...

Hey,
From what I understand, you need to be good with Excel. MC30000 monitor and/or DEX provide all the nessesary data in order to plot the kind of chart that HKJ has on his site, the question is how to define it.
If it's important to you, I'd sujjest contacting HKJ, and asking him how does he produce his charts and trying to reproduce with MC3000 data. If you need some sample data, many of the thread readers incuding me will be happy to provide you some.
 
viperxp said:
if it's important to you, I'd sujjest contacting HKJ, and asking him how does he produce his charts and trying to reproduce with MC3000 data.
Click to expand...

HKJ does have a couple of pages up about his test setup and methodology.

I’d imagine throwing “test setup site:lygte-info.dk” or something similar at google would dig out those pages. Can’t recall if they’re detailed enough about the actual calculations though, but there isn’t a lot of heavy math.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

Yeah I looked at HKJ's set up, well beyond my budget or capabilities ;) http://lygte-info.dk/info/myLabSetup UK.html

I just want to see if some cells are real or not, so out of curiosity I bought both the Opus and SkyRC chargers to run discharge tests.

I may have to return the Opus due to the power supply/QC issues.

HKJ's test of the SkyRC show some plots made from the software of voltage against time during discharge- useful, but hopefully the SkyRC or that open source Data software can also plot voltage against mAh discharged like in HKJ's comparator curves- I would imagine this must be doable, if only up to 1A as opposed to the much higher capabilities of a CBA.

The 30Q and VTC6 cells are desirable because the voltage stays so high for so long (trying to locate button tops for use in the Olight X7- US dealers are sold out currently)- fakes should have far saggier discharge curves.
 
Last edited:
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

Hey guys, so it's been awhile since i followed this thread and i been looking to get a new charger. So far, this charger still wins when it comes to how flexible it is and might give this charger another chance. So questions.

1.If i was to buy the mc3000, how would i know i am getting the latest one with reinforced posts?

2.What sellers i should look for warranty here in the U.S?

Thanks.
 
Is there a master list of battery charging parameters?

I have been looking over this gigantic thread for a while now and I have garnered quite a bit of information from it. Thanks to everyone for contributing. I recently purchased an MC3000 from a site called Illumn.com. When I received it I found that it was the older model, prior to June of 2016. That didn't make me particularly happy. I emailed the people at Ilumn.com and I must say they were very helpful. I first asked for an RMA which they provided but rather than go through the hassle of returning I asked if they could provide me with an updated case and they have supplied me with one without any problems. It is currently in transit to me and I will be installing it upon arrival. Now to my question. Is there a master list of charging/discharging suggested parameters for the various chemistry's? I've seen a few individual ones scattered about but it would be nice if they were all in one place. If there isn't one currently, if I have the time, I will try to create a table of various chemistry's and possibly the different sizes within each chemistry. Again I would like to say this is a great forum.
 
Re: Is there a master list of battery charging parameters?

rodorr said:
I have been looking over this gigantic thread for a while now and I have garnered quite a bit of information from it. Thanks to everyone for contributing. I recently purchased an MC3000 from a site called Illumn.com. When I received it I found that it was the older model, prior to June of 2016. That didn't make me particularly happy. I emailed the people at Ilumn.com and I must say they were very helpful. I first asked for an RMA which they provided but rather than go through the hassle of returning I asked if they could provide me with an updated case and they have supplied me with one without any problems. It is currently in transit to me and I will be installing it upon arrival. Now to my question. Is there a master list of charging/discharging suggested parameters for the various chemistry's? I've seen a few individual ones scattered about but it would be nice if they were all in one place. If there isn't one currently, if I have the time, I will try to create a table of various chemistry's and possibly the different sizes within each chemistry. Again I would like to say this is a great forum.
Click to expand...

Hi Rodorr,
Well, I am very happy to be a part of this great forum myself.
As for your question, for the list is quite problematic. Let me explain. Different cells have different optimal charging parameters, sometimes suggested by the cells manufacturer, and sometimes found by trial and error by the different users. And there are also different user preferences - one would not care much about the charging time - care more about battery life - meaning that such user would go with minimal possible current (but enough for catching the -dV for ni-mh) and the other would charge with the maximum safe current for the cell, in order to charge as fast as possible. So what I suggest is asking for suggestions for different cells, and you will receive some. And when you compile the master table - add "notes" column that will explain why exactly did you chose the particular setting that you chose.
 
I guess maybe a better approach would be a collection of manufacturers pages for various chemistry's and sizes as a starting point. Maybe a template that contains all of the parameters of the MC3000 and the values filled in for a specific chemistry and size along with the reasoning for the suggested values for charging, discharging, break in, refresh, cycling etc. If anyone has something like this maybe they can post it, in the mean time I'll see what I can work up. Thanks for the reply.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

Can anyone tell me which seller has the updated version?

Thanks.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

So i emailed hkequipment and asked if they have the revised version of the charger. They attached a pic of the screen. Is this the updated version?? If so, i will go ahead and place the order when they have it in stock.
c3ff0dba8c2e2962171b64b8f97a185b.jpg
 
Yes, as long as the company you are buying it from hasn't updated the firmware after they received their stock. As far as I know hkequipment wouldn't do that, so it should be the updated model made after June of 2016.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

MarioJP said:
Is this the updated version??
Click to expand...
Illumn listing says hardware 1.4, and nkon (not us) says hardware 1.5.

I don't think the firmware matters so much, it can be updated.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

joelbnyc said:
Illumn listing says hardware 1.4, and nkon (not us) says hardware 1.5.

I don't think the firmware matters so much, it can be updated.
Click to expand...
Yea me either, but what about the housing. Reinforced pins? I did notice that the display is slightly yellow than the one i originally bought. Mine was blue.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

MarioJP said:
Is this the updated version??
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the HW Version ≥1.3 line on the screen is coded in the firmware v1.13. It has nothing to do with what rev. case you have. If it came loaded with fw v1.13 from the factory then it’s almost guaranteed it’s the newer case because of the time line. The new cases came out June 2016 and the fw v1.13 came out December 2016. Keep in mind that there is the possibility of the dealer upgrading the firmware in an older unit, if they did that the screen shot you showed would be identical. Post #3552 explains the June 2016 hardware changes in great detail.
FYI the two units I bought from dc workshop are the post June 2016 models with the stronger pins.
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

The fact that it is out of stock could mean that more than likely will end up with the updated housing when hke gets new shipments in. I mean June 2016, the older models should be cleared by now right?
 
Re: SkyRC — IFA 2014 / CES 2016 — MC3000 charger-analyzer

MarioJP said:
I mean June 2016, the older models should be cleared by now right?
Click to expand...

You would hope so. Unless they have updated the FW themselves in which case you would not know since as mentioned above, the HW number that is displayed is hard-coded into the FW version - and of course someone who wants to remove the remainder of their old stock would update the FW. But NKON (according to kreisl) has had ONLY the June 2016 version since around July 2016. As suggested, have a look at post 3552.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top