Welcome to cheali-charger!

This project is an alternative firmware for the G.T. POWER A6-10 200W or IMAX B6 Lipo charger.

Don't use it if You don't need to!
(not everything is implemented yet).
This is a early version so be very careful.
Use it only if You can not calibrate your
charger with the original firmware.

Any feedback is very welcome!
https://github.com/stawel/cheali-charger

• Li-ion, LiPo and LiFe:
  • charging
  • fast charging
  • charging + balancing at the same time
  • discharging
  • balancing
  • storage
  • storage + balancing
• Ni-Cd and NiMH - not well tested!
  • charging, method: -dV/dT
  • discharging
  • cycling (not implemented yet)
• Pb (not implemented yet)
• Internal resistance display
  • single cell resistance
  • whole battery resistance
  • battery leads resistance
• Internal and external temperature monitoring
• Overcharge and overdischarge monitoring
• Input voltage monitoring
• Memory for 32 batteries
• CALIBATION!

Please CALIBRATE the charger before use!
Always use the external temperature probe!
(if You like your house ;) )

• G.T. POWER A6-10 200W (http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7386__GT_A_6_10_200W_Balance_charger_discharger.html)
• IMAX B6 Charger/Discharger 1-6 Cells:
  • original:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__5548__IMAX_B6_Charger_Discharger_1_6_Cells_GENUINE_.html
  • clone:http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__15379__IMAX_B6_Charger_Discharger_1_6_Cells_COPY_.html
• .... - any suggestions are very welcome

dependencies: cmake, avrdude, avr-libc, gcc-avr

user@~$ sudo apt-get install cmake avrdude avr-libc gcc-avr git

user@~$ git clone https://github.com/stawel/cheali-charger.git
user@~$ cd cheali-charger

user@~/cheali-charger$ ./bootstrap
user@~/cheali-charger$ make

flashing GTPowerA6-10 with USBasp:

user@~/cheali-charger$ cd src/hardware/GTPowerA6-10
edit file: progUSBasp.sh, replace "TTY=/dev/ttyUSB0" to match your configuration.
user@~/cheali-charger/src/hardware/GTPowerA6-10$ ./progUSBasp.sh

flashing imaxB6 with USBasp:

user@~/cheali-charger$ cd src/hardware/imaxB6/
edit file: progUSBasp.sh, replace "TTY=/dev/ttyUSB0" to match your configuration.
user@~/cheali-charger/src/hardware/imaxB6$ ./progUSBasp.sh

Now You should see a "ChealiCharger welcome" screen.

Done.

• Connect a standard AVR ISP 10-pin cable to the board: https://github.com/stawel/cheali-charger/blob/master/docs/GTPowerA6-10/front.jpg
• set "Device" to: atmega32
• use the cheali-charger/hex/cheali-charger-GTPowerA6-10-0.20.hex file as "Flash"

• Connect a AVR ISP to the board, make sure that you have the appropriate connector!
  • IMAX B6 - original: https://github.com/stawel/cheali-charger/blob/master/docs/imaxB6/imaxB6-original-front.jpg
  • IMAX B6 - clone: https://github.com/stawel/cheali-charger/blob/master/docs/imaxB6/imaxB6-clone-front.jpg
• set "Device" to: atmega32
• use the cheali-charger/hex/cheali-charger-imaxB6-0.20.hex file as "Flash"

Connect a NOT fully charged LiPo battery to the main leads and the balance port.

go to: "options"->"calibrate":

• balance port calibration: go to "B1-3", "B4-6"
  • use a voltmeter to measure the voltage of all cells
    and set the values in the appropriate fields.
• output voltage calibration: go to "B1-6 to Vout"
  • press the "start" button for a few seconds
    (this will copy the voltage from the balance port)
• charge current calibration: go to "Icharge"
  connect your ampere meter in series with the battery on the red wire! (+)
  • go to: "50mA"
    press "Inc", "Dec" buttons until the amperemeter shows 50mA
    press "start" button for a few seconds
  • go to: "1000mA"
    press "Inc", "Dec" buttons until the amperemeter shows 1000mA
    press "start" button for a few seconds
    WARNING: the battery will be charged with high current!
• discharge current calibration: go to "Idischarge"
  Repeat the same steps as before
  WARNING: the battery will be discharged with high current!

Done.

If you have any questions or suggestions please write to us at: cheali-chargerATgooglegroups.com
or visit: http://groups.google.com/group/cheali-charger
The mailing list is open for all.

Have fun!