Test this with a cell meter as shown or a multimeter set to the 0-20 Volts DC range, (all
measurements from here on out will be done using this range and setting unless otherwise
stated) measured across the Deans T connector. The stock battery is a 2 cell (2s) 7.4 Volt
with an alleged 3200mAh capacity, though in practice it is usually nearer 2800mAh or less.
A functioning and fully charged battery is around 8.4V, 4.2V per cell (each cell should have
near identical voltages). If it is dramatically low, like 5V total across the T connector then it
is a good indication that the battery may be dead and needs replaced, though it may be
recoverable with a good quality balance charger. A cell meter as shown above offers the
information in a simpler way, just connect it to the balance charging port and it shows the
voltage of each cell and the total of all cells. Another possibility is…..
The charger
Could have failed and is only charging one cell or not at all. Measure the output of the
balance ports on the charger while it is switched on. Be careful not to short out the contacts
with the meters probes while doing this.
The voltage on a correctly functioning
stock charger (with no load) is
measured as 4.8Volts across each cell.
Pin 3 is ground (or – terminal, furthest
right). Pin 2 is cell 1, pin 1 is cell 2. So if
you put the negative probe of the
multimeter on the negative pin of the
charger and the positive probe of the
meter on pin 2, you get a reading of
4.8V. Now move the positive probe to
pin 1 and this gives you a
cumulative
value of 9.6V, 4.8V per cell, if you move
the negative probe to pin 2 this shows
you the value for cell 2, which again
should be 4.8V.
If you do not get quite near these values, the charger is probably broken and will need
replaced.
