Turnigy Accucel-8150 (aka Accucel-8 150W) PC program

[Stephen Wallace]

For a while now I have been using a RC-6S hobby charger from a UK distributor, Overlander - basically the same as a iMax B6. It's served me well enough, but I started wishing for a slightly wider feature range, and so purchased a Turnigy Accucel-8.

I had done some reading regarding this charger before purchase, downloaded the manual and so forth, but on receipt, didn't get quite what I had bargained for.

In the manual, and on some sites that I guess are based on outdated info, it says that the charger comes with seven cables (which breaks down as an adapter cable that plugs in to the charger, five terminal cables that plug in to that, with the various charging plugs on the end, and a temperature sensor), and a computer kit including a USB cable and software on a CD.

It now appears that more recently, the cable kit has been reduced to the adapter cable and just two terminal cables, with no temperature sensor included. Fortunately, it looks like the cables and sensor for my BC-6S should fit the Accucel-8. I also received no computer kit.

The Mini USB-B cable isn't an issue, as I have plenty of those from other items of kit, but I wondered if anyone knew if the PC software were available to download from somewhere? I have searched the forums, and in one thread someone suggested that the Bantam eStation software worked with the Turnigy Accucel chargers, but I already have eStation installed on my desktop, and it isn't linking with the charger.

Any info anyone has regarding the Accucel software would be greatly appreciated.

 

[malow]

i have a turnigy accucell-6, came "naked" in this department.

then as some users did in forums, i did a USB cable with a serial>usb converter, did also a temp proble with LM35 IC, and to monitor the data on PC, most people recommend LogView, its free and works well, besides some bugs, and complicated configuration.

http://www.logview.info/

EDIT: sample of the plotting:

a very old ni-mh battery, showing the (very small) negative-delta voltage at the end

 

[Justin Case]

Try LogView using the Bantam BC8 setting.

 

[moderator007]

I have Accucel-8150. I really like the charger. Its been capable of what i needed it for. I have had it over more than a year without problems.
Logview does work with this charger. As justin case suggested use settings for bc8.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

That seems like a consensus!

Thanks for the quick replies guys - I'll give that one a go.

 

[LumenHound]

There are some 8150's out there that don't even have the USB port installed. These ones just have a black decal covering the hole for the mini port.

 

[moderator007]

LumenHound, this maybe off topic but do you have any info on where the 8150 is coming from with just the black decal. I do occasionally buy chargers for other people. I would like to stay away from this non functioning usb port. Or where they the older versions.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

Apologies for being needy guys, but still no go. Heeeeelllllpppp! :(

I've downloaded the silabs cp210x driver (pretty sure that is what is required), I've re-downloaded Bantam eStation, and no communication between my PC and charger. I've tried logviewer as suggested, with the BC8 setting, and no go there. I also tried "Charger_Monitor" as was suggested on another forum, and no communication there either.

With regards to the mention above about some versions of the Accucel-8 not even having the Mini USB-B port, have there been any reported instances of there being versions of the charger that have the port, but the port isn't connected, or the charger's firmware doesn't support PC connectivity? I ask, as irrespective of actually functioning with one software application or another, the PC isn't even registering that I have attached new hardware, so I wonder if the charger is communicating with the PC at all.

With regards to logview specifically, I was originally being offered a longer list of COM ports than I have been subsequently, and even after uninstalling it and then reinstalling it, I still cannot get back to the original list, as if somewhere on my PC, it's still remembering the old settings. I've switched to the unmarked list of COM ports, but then you have a huge long list of ports, and heaven alone knows which is the right one! Again, the fact that none of the COM ports I have tried have given me a connection makes me wonder if there is any communication at all.

Could anyone write me a quick step by step guide as to how they go about installing the driver and software, connecting the Accucel-8 charger to a PC, and setting up logview, to get it to run successfully? Just need to make sure that I've not overlooked a step..... or am doing something dumb!

 

[My2Cents]

I believe you need to have the device connected to have silab usb to com port emulator driver to run and that's when you see the virtual com ports.

You can check if you're at least getting raw data stream. I usually use Hyperterminal (most terminal emulator will do) to connect to port. If connected to the right one you will see data stream being displayed - may or may not be human readable as I'm not familiar with your charger.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

So, connect the charger, then install the driver, then run the software (while crossing fingers.....)?

 

[moderator007]

It could be having problems with the version of windows you are running. I know when i installed it over a year ago, i had no problems. I installed it on xp.
I was reading comments on hobby king and read post stating that some of the newer versions did not have the usb cable or temp probe. Some new versions did not have the usb port. Seems this is a function that they maybe eliminating.
How long have you had this charger Stephen Wallace if you dont mind me asking.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

Only a couple of weeks.

 

[LumenHound]

LumenHound, this maybe off topic but do you have any info on where the 8150 is coming from with just the black decal. I do occasionally buy chargers for other people. I would like to stay away from this non functioning usb port. Or where they the older versions.

moderator007, PM sent.

They were brand spankin' new versions.

 

[KiwiMark]

There are some 8150's out there that don't even have the USB port installed. These ones just have a black decal covering the hole for the mini port.

My 8150 is an older one that came with a thermal probe & working USB, but I have read comments on HobbyKing's site about the new ones having no thermal probe and no functioning USB port. I guess these items were not the main selling points, not needed by many buyers and making the price too expensive compared to some other cheaper brands. This is a bit of a pity, but it's often the way things go - a big fight to be cheaper.

My advice to people looking at buying a hobby charger now:
If you want a basic charger at a cheap price get a Turnigy 6 or 8150.
If you want a charger with a working USB port for data output and a thermal probe and better quality and better features then look at the iCharger brand. Sure, they are dearer, but they are worth more so you have to expect that. Paying more for better quality can save you money and is often well worth doing (applies to most things).

 

[AnoyingOrange]

Does it works with Windows Seven, or only with XP?

 

[samgab]

Does it works with Windows Seven, or only with XP?

I'm running LogView on a Win7 machine (laptop). Works fine. It's freeware, so you can download the latest version and have a play. Google "Logview".