Chargers Multi cell LiPo charging

[bigone5500]

Something that came to mind while posting on a battery charger got me to thinking that I have been wrong about how LiPo batteries charge. I have been thinking that they charge through the main wires and the balance connector is for monitoring the cells' charge level.

Is that right or do they charge through the balance connector? If that's the case, what's the main connector's function in being connected to the charger?

 

[Smoggie]

For most decent quality/higher power chargers you are right. They charge through the main power plug and the balance plug is used only for monitoring cell voltage and for draining down any cell that's getting too high during the balancing phase.

Very basic and/or low power chargers sometimes charge through the balance port but this is limiting on how fast you can charge because the balance connectors are only good for a few amps.