There have been many report of problems with the new popular LiPo charger SC-608(150W) and SC-620 (500W), I Strongly recommend to update to the latest version to get these bugs fixed and avoid damaging your unit during usage. (for bugs that have been fixed please see last part of this post)
If you are still wondering if you should buy it, Here is my review of the SC620.
Link to the SC-620 charger product page.
What you need to update firmware
This SCLinker is basically a 4-pin 3.5mm jack with a FTDI adapter. 3 of the 4 pins are used on the plug: TX, RX and GND, this how it works:
If you don't want to spend extra money, you can DIY this linker. For some stupid reasons they used 3.5mm jack rather than micro USB port. But no worries it's not hard to make. You will need:
Remove the stem and expose the solder joints.
Solder the female header pin servo leads on them. Test each cable, make sure they link to the corresponding contacts on the plug, and not shorting each other.
Label TX and RX and make it pretty
And now you can connect the DIY 3.5mm jack to your FTDI USB adapter. RX to TX, TX to RX, GND goes to ground.
Firmware Download
Now get the latest firmware at the very bottom of this page: http://www.isdt.co/scLinker.html
Firmware Update
Now we have everything ready!
Before we start, check your current firmware version, and make note of it. Power off the charger after you have done it.
Unzip the file you just downloaded, and there is a EXE file name "SCU.exe", open that.
The firmware update program should pop up, because it's in Chinese and my computer couldn't read it, but that's not important.
Now connect your FTDI programmer to the computer, make sure the COM port appears before you move to next step. If no COM appearing, you might need to download the latest FTDI firmware.
Now connect the 3.5mm jack into the charger's LNK port, and power on the charger (make sure you connect the FTDI adapter to your computer, before powering on the charger this is important. I power on the charger with a 4S LiPo battery)
Now you can press "Update Firmware" on firmware program on your computer and it should just update it.
And on your charger it should show you this screen:
Check firmware version again to verify.
You can also change the name of the charger using the firmware program (name is displayed on top of the screen), 8 characters max.
Firmware history and bug fixes
Here is the list of bugs that have been fixed
If you are still wondering if you should buy it, Here is my review of the SC620.
Link to the SC-620 charger product page.
What you need to update firmware
- 1x SCLinker (made specifically for this charger), or you can DIY it if you want (detail below)
This SCLinker is basically a 4-pin 3.5mm jack with a FTDI adapter. 3 of the 4 pins are used on the plug: TX, RX and GND, this how it works:
If you don't want to spend extra money, you can DIY this linker. For some stupid reasons they used 3.5mm jack rather than micro USB port. But no worries it's not hard to make. You will need:
- 1x 4-pole 3.5mm jack
- 1x FTDI programmer (adaptor)
- 2x female jumper wires (cut them in half and you have 4)
Remove the stem and expose the solder joints.
Solder the female header pin servo leads on them. Test each cable, make sure they link to the corresponding contacts on the plug, and not shorting each other.
Label TX and RX and make it pretty
And now you can connect the DIY 3.5mm jack to your FTDI USB adapter. RX to TX, TX to RX, GND goes to ground.
Firmware Download
Now get the latest firmware at the very bottom of this page: http://www.isdt.co/scLinker.html
Firmware Update
Now we have everything ready!
Before we start, check your current firmware version, and make note of it. Power off the charger after you have done it.
Unzip the file you just downloaded, and there is a EXE file name "SCU.exe", open that.
The firmware update program should pop up, because it's in Chinese and my computer couldn't read it, but that's not important.
Now connect your FTDI programmer to the computer, make sure the COM port appears before you move to next step. If no COM appearing, you might need to download the latest FTDI firmware.
Now connect the 3.5mm jack into the charger's LNK port, and power on the charger (make sure you connect the FTDI adapter to your computer, before powering on the charger this is important. I power on the charger with a 4S LiPo battery)
Now you can press "Update Firmware" on firmware program on your computer and it should just update it.
And on your charger it should show you this screen:
Check firmware version again to verify.
You can also change the name of the charger using the firmware program (name is displayed on top of the screen), 8 characters max.
Firmware history and bug fixes
Here is the list of bugs that have been fixed
Code:
SC-620 V2.0.3.56
update content:
1 , modified in some cases , charging interface can not be stopped by a menu bug.
2, the amendment of individual system bug, enhanced system security.
3 start up faster - One thing I like about 2.0.3.76, is the charger no longer goes through the self test every time you power it up. You can run the self test called "Self-testing" at he bottom of the System Setting menu if you want to.
4 fixed self-reboot problem
V2.0.3.51
1 , adjust up self-test project .
2 , System Setup menu manually increase the self-test.
V2.0.2.73
1. Adjust NiMH / Cd battery charge and discharge processes and parameters.
2. Added Traditional Chinese support.
3 , adjust the POST parameters.
4 , increase the firmware sharing.
V2.0.2.11
1 , lithium fast charge process parameters to fine-tune .
2 , to enhance PC and notebook class power compatibility.
3 , adjust the charging is completed tone.