Multipurpose 4s Balance Port Question

StonedLlama

Spinny Side Up
Hey all,

I have a quick questions about powering multiple things from a single balance port connector on my 4s quad setup. I am trying to keep everything localized to a single battery pack and currently run my X8R receiver, 600mw Tx, speed controllers and camera from my main connector on my 4s LiPos. My upcoming dilemma is that I have ordered the following voltage sensor and LC power filter for my setup, and both require power from the 4s balance connector:
http://www.getfpv.com/frsky-flvss-lipo-voltage-sensor-with-smartport.html
http://www.getfpv.com/filtered-balance-lead-power-supply.html

I want to read all the cell voltages, but I also want the good clean balance power to run my LC filter from, so my question is this: Can I simply make a little 1-in 2-out balance adapter, so I can run both of these from the proper 4s connectors?
I can only seem to find the parallel JST-XH 4s connectors with the 2-in 1-out configuration. I basically need this in reverse:
attachment.php

I have found the following for sale, and it appears I could make the splitter I need from these parts but I would prefer to buy one pre-made:
http://www.amazon.com/NEEWER®-JST-X...UTF8&qid=1407860636&sr=8-1&keywords=JST-XH+4s

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
 

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PeteDee

Mr take no prisoners!
I am not a fan of using balance port port power for onboard power, much better to use a separate regulator directly connected to your flight pack to supply power for whatever you need. Most of my craft now use TBS Core Pro units to supply 5V and 12V to vTx, camera, etc, also has the added attraction of providing telemetry info in a very neat compact package.

Pete
 

StonedLlama

Spinny Side Up
I am not a fan of using balance port port power for onboard power, much better to use a separate regulator directly connected to your flight pack to supply power for whatever you need. Most of my craft now use TBS Core Pro units to supply 5V and 12V to vTx, camera, etc, also has the added attraction of providing telemetry info in a very neat compact package.

Pete

That is a good recommendation, however, both of the devices I have listed require balance port connections. My questions ins't whether I should use balance connectors, it is how to use two of them without modifying all my batteries?

That being said, I could find a way to convert the LC filter for the Video Tx to a standard power connector, instead of a balance port, thus eliminating my need for the additional balance connector. However, I will definitely need to connect the balance plug to the voltage sensor, as it reports telemetry on all internal cells of my main flight pack, not just the total voltage.
 

PeteDee

Mr take no prisoners!
And why do you need to report all the voltages, personally when I am flying just the total voltage is plenty to take in and know what my pack is doing, just because you can does not mean you should.

Pete
 

StonedLlama

Spinny Side Up
I don't need to, but it would be nice since my voltage sensor and my Taranis can both report all cell voltages to me on screens. This would be useful to monitor the health of my LiPo's and ensure they are receiving a balanced charge and discharge. Otherwise, it is not needed. My main reason for using the balance plug is that the LC filter I ordered only has balance ports in, so it would be more trouble to make an adapter for that than it would be to just run it from a Y on my balance port in the first place.

Back to my original question, although I may have answered it myself. Does anyone know of a place I can order a Female to 2x Male JST-XH 4S splitter? This would be the opposite of the parallel plug I pictured above. I found a spare 4s male connector from a dead LiPo I may just utilize with a clever splice.

Thanks
 

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