Li-po chargers

matelot · Extreme 3D Joined: 09 Jan 2012 Posts: 106 Location: France

I'm looking at the Hobby King site, but would appreciate any input on current (excuse pun) recommendations for a charger/balancer/whatever. Or indeed anything in particular to avoid.

A little future-proofing would help for if/when I move up the model scale, e.g. my T-34 uses a 2S lipo, but would a charger capable of accepting two packs at once, or which can charge up to, say, 6S, be advantageous?

Any thoughts would be much appreciated before I order the wrong one...

Cheers
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solentlife · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 11:02 pm Post subject:

Simple answer to this .....

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/__7028__Turnigy_Accucel_6_50W_6A_Balancer_Charger_w_accessories.html

or any of the B6 range .... which the above is a packaging job of .....

I have the Imax B6 of ebay - cost me about $35 ... and I have nothing but good to say about it ... I have no idea if it's a copy or the real B6 ............ to be honest who cares - it works.

It immediately told me I had problem with my 3S 1800mAh pack when 1 cell gave out ...

B6 rules for me ... Yes I would like a higher powered charger - but I take this to the field ... with a portable emergency battery starter - I can charge any pack up to 6S ..... My 3S packs - I can charge up during flights of spare packs etc.

There are much better chargers out there of course ...........
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+ fixed wing stuff ...
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solentlife · Posted: Wed Jan 11, 2012 11:05 pm Post subject:

I forgot ......... no matter what charger you get .... it's worth getting a Wattmeter ....... this will check packs for balance ... will connect between pack and ESC to give watts / amps draw for a motor setup ... check pack after flight to see how much used etc.

Magic piece of kit ...
_________________
If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer.

pjdog · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 12:43 am Post subject:

I love my Thunder AC6 charger. I've not found anything better. I got mine from XHELI here in the USA.

solentlife may have given you a good one for European folks.

jack

tombo242 · Posted: Thu Jan 12, 2012 1:10 am Post subject:

I use this lead with my B6 charger to charge 2 x 3cell batteries at the same time. Charger thinks it has a 6 cell and charges accordingly. No probs at all and only $1.92 USD + shipping!

Tom.
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josheppaul · Hopping Maniac Joined: 04 May 2012 Posts: 25 Location: uk

If you are looking for LI-Po battery chargers, so there are many chargers available like TP610C 1-6Cell LiPo charger w/balancer, 1-5 cell LiPo charger with balancer, LiPo EZ charger and multi charger LN-5014. As my point of view LiPo EZ charger is much better and it's net price is just $44.99.

matelot · Extreme 3D Joined: 09 Jan 2012 Posts: 106 Location: France

Just for info, I settled on the iCharger 206B. Good reviews and seems to be able to satisfy my needs for the foreseeable future.
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solentlife · Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 5:13 am Post subject:

I also bought the dual battery charge adaptor as another posted above ... so 2 x 3S can be changed at same time.

Only concern with it - my charger gets very warm so amps have to be kept down ....
_________________
If you don't crash - you ain't flying !
Fast learning to be 450 Heli Repair specialist !
Have : 2ch Bumblebee,
Co-Ax Syma S006 Alloy Shark
2x Clone 450 SE V2
+ fixed wing stuff ...
Returning to RC after 20 odd yrs away .. Ex Display flyer.

matelot · Extreme 3D Joined: 09 Jan 2012 Posts: 106 Location: France

I bought a balance board to go with it - interesting kit. Hooked in SERIES, it'll do 3 x 2S, 3 x 3S, 2 x 4S, 2 x 5S, and 1 x 6S.

Of course, I connected in parallel - big spark, and a pin melted.

Interestingly, going up the board to the charger connecter, the three right-hand pins are in parallel. So now I could charge in PARALLEL 5 x 2S, 4 x 3S, 3 x 4S, 2 x 5S, and 1 x 6S.

Versatile. But I'll make up a few flying leads - likely to be much better.
_________________
Never squat with your spurs on.