RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners  
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RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 8/29/2004 7:00:03 PM   
oldtyme


 

Posts: 326
Joined: 9/16/2003
From: Bend, OR, USA
Status: offline 		OK........I have several questions.....maybe I'm just dense or maybe my age is showing but I'm really a battery ignorant person..........not bad after flying RC for 20+ years............RIGHT?

I just bought a Hobbico Elite battery charger after giving my son my Ace Digipace.

What is the difference between the mah rating when it discharges and charges?

Why, when I set the trickle, does the battery charger just say END and then there is
no evidence of trickle charge.

I started using the chart supplied with the charger but looked at a couple of the batteries
I have (NiCd) and the charge rate was about 1/3 C as opposed to the chart suggestion of
1C. Also, when I look at the Hydrimax NiMh battery sleeves, they suggest something
like .15 amp charge for 16-20 hours rather than the 1C suggestion of 1.6 amps for a 1650mah
battery.

Please help me to understand this. I think this is an excellent charger, I just need to know
what the heck I'm doing.

Thanks to all that can help,
Andy

(in reply to ptgarcia)
       Post #: 151

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 8/29/2004 9:24:38 PM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Andy,
You asked a lot of questions so I will try to answer what I know one at a time.
The difference between the charge and discharge MAH rating is that the Charge is what the charger put into the pack before it went into trickle mode. Discharge is what the charger took out before going into cut off.

When the charger goes to end, look at the voltage that it takes to make the charger trickle at the setting that you put in. That shows that it is doing something. If you set the trickle at 200ma the first time and then 10ma the second time, you will see a difference in the voltage on the pack to force the amount of trickle current.

Remember this is a dual function charger. It will slow charge and quick charge. It has to be able to do all of what you stated and more. If in doubt, get the temp probe which will tunr off the charger to prevent battery damage.
quote:

ORIGINAL: rcandy

OK........I have several questions.....maybe I'm just dense or maybe my age is showing but I'm really a battery ignorant person..........not bad after flying RC for 20+ years............RIGHT?

I just bought a Hobbico Elite battery charger after giving my son my Ace Digipace.

What is the difference between the mah rating when it discharges and charges?

Why, when I set the trickle, does the battery charger just say END and then there is
no evidence of trickle charge.

I started using the chart supplied with the charger but looked at a couple of the batteries
I have (NiCd) and the charge rate was about 1/3 C as opposed to the chart suggestion of
1C. Also, when I look at the Hydrimax NiMh battery sleeves, they suggest something
like .15 amp charge for 16-20 hours rather than the 1C suggestion of 1.6 amps for a 1650mah
battery.

Please help me to understand this. I think this is an excellent charger, I just need to know
what the heck I'm doing.

Thanks to all that can help,
Andy


_____________________________

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(in reply to oldtyme)
       Post #: 152

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 8/30/2004 2:01:43 AM   
Ick



Posts: 107
Joined: 2/10/2003
From: Sterling, CO, USA
Status: offline 		A question about the two different channels: The book says one thing, some of the postings say another. On my charger, if I change the memory on channel 2 to 1200 ma, then channel 1 will change as well. If I change channel 1 to 300 ma, then channel 2 will change as well. It looks like I can't charge channel 1 on a different ma than channel two. Is this the same on any or all of yours?

(in reply to Geistware)
       Post #: 153

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 8/30/2004 3:07:37 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		You can select a different channel once you have started using the initial channel. You are right, if you don't start the charge/cycle function, it will change.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Ick

A question about the two different channels: The book says one thing, some of the postings say another. On my charger, if I change the memory on channel 2 to 1200 ma, then channel 1 will change as well. If I change channel 1 to 300 ma, then channel 2 will change as well. It looks like I can't charge channel 1 on a different ma than channel two. Is this the same on any or all of yours?


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(in reply to Ick)
       Post #: 154

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 4:20:16 AM   
WilsonFlyer


 

Posts: 522
Joined: 8/11/2003
From: Wilson, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I'm glad all you guys are so happy with your Elites. I just got mine and I'm VERY disappointed that I cannot charge above 2 amps with it. I fly giant scale gas with big packs and was looking forward to having a slow/at-home charger and a FAST field charger that will charge TWO packs FAST with one charger.

Very disappointed. I would have been better off to have added another Triton to my stash and I could have done that 6 months ago while I waited for this POS.

Just wanted to let you know there are two sides to every story. I'm sure this is a fine slow/average charger but if you're looking a fast charger for big packs, this ain't it IMO. Triton is still the king of the mountain. I wish they'd come out with a dual output with an AC option; then I could run over this Elite (baa-ha-ha-ha what and oxymoron) with my truck! LOL

IF it ever happens and someone builds the PERFECT RC charger, they will know wealth beyond the bounds of EVEREST. Mark my words.

< Message edited by WilsonFlyer -- 9/11/2004 4:24:53 AM >

(in reply to Geistware)
       Post #: 155

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 5:33:39 AM   
JoeAirPort



Posts: 7159
Joined: 8/11/2003
From: Milwaukee, WI, USA
Status: online 		I guess I just have to ask you how in the world you bought the thing without knowing its limitations? That's not the charger's fault.

quote:

ORIGINAL: WilsonFlyer

I'm glad all you guys are so happy with your Elites. I just got mine and I'm VERY disappointed that I cannot charge above 2 amps with it. I fly giant scale gas with big packs and was looking forward to having a slow/at-home charger and a FAST field charger that will charge TWO packs FAST with one charger.

Very disappointed. I would have been better off to have added another Triton to my stash and I could have done that 6 months ago while I waited for this POS.

Just wanted to let you know there are two sides to every story. I'm sure this is a fine slow/average charger but if you're looking a fast charger for big packs, this ain't it IMO. Triton is still the king of the mountain. I wish they'd come out with a dual output with an AC option; then I could run over this Elite (baa-ha-ha-ha what and oxymoron) with my truck! LOL

IF it ever happens and someone builds the PERFECT RC charger, they will know wealth beyond the bounds of EVEREST. Mark my words.

(in reply to WilsonFlyer)
       Post #: 156

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 10:09:19 AM   
dshepard


 

Posts: 84
Joined: 12/30/2003
From: Concord, NC, USA
Status: offline 		Before I bought my Elite I read up on it. I already knew about the 2 amp max output, why didn't you?

(in reply to WilsonFlyer)
       Post #: 157

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 11:12:39 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		What packs do you have that a 2 amp charge is too low?
If you are flying a couple of 4000maH packs then it is charging at 1/2C Just don't run your packs all the way down. Even if your load is 1 amp per pack you are still going to get 2 hous of flight time for every 1 hour of charge time.

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(in reply to dshepard)
       Post #: 158

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 12:07:49 PM   
WilsonFlyer


 

Posts: 522
Joined: 8/11/2003
From: Wilson, NC, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: dshepard

Before I bought my Elite I read up on it. I already knew about the 2 amp max output, why didn't you?


Are you always a jerk or do you just play one on TV?

(in reply to dshepard)
       Post #: 159

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 12:16:57 PM   
WilsonFlyer


 

Posts: 522
Joined: 8/11/2003
From: Wilson, NC, USA
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: Geistware

What packs do you have that a 2 amp charge is too low?
If you are flying a couple of 4000maH packs then it is charging at 1/2C Just don't run your packs all the way down. Even if your load is 1 amp per pack you are still going to get 2 hous of flight time for every 1 hour of charge time.


I guess you make a good point, Geist. It just astounds me that any modern charger would have such a limitation. Heck, I have an old Digipace 3 that will charge almost this high (granted, not Li's though). LOL

I guess this charger's market was aimed at where the old Accucycle (and +) was aimed and that's at the overnight/at-home market. I assumed (and made an honest mistake) that this charger was aimed squarely to take on the Triton directly. The marketing propaganda certainly reads that way IMO.

It's a nice little charger and I'll probably take it to the field since I have it now. I'm still disappointed with the limitation.

Maybe I should have known, I'll grant you guys that; but given the size of modern packs and the promotion of this product, my assumption (albeit that's what it was) should have been a safe one IMO.

If it would do 4-5 amps it could have been the king of the world. I guess calling it a POS was an exagerration. LOL It's not. It's a nice little charger but that's all it is. It's just not the next Triton. I guess that's the point I was really trying to make and I can say that because I own both and both have their own good qualities but in the field, Triton will remain king, especially in the big-bird arena IMO.

If you fly .40-1.2 glow, this charger probably looks like the Second Coming. Our market's too small, Geistware. Big-birds just aren't enough of a market to build in the extra feature set our market demands and at least from one vendor's perspective, this charger proves it.

< Message edited by WilsonFlyer -- 9/11/2004 12:22:40 PM >

(in reply to Geistware)
       Post #: 160

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/11/2004 5:56:39 PM   
David_Moen



Posts: 1405
Joined: 10/5/2002
From: Salmon ArmBritish Columbia, CANADA
Status: offline 		I don't think they would "take-on" the Trition as they are sold by the same company....

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David Moen
www.mvvs-canada.com

(in reply to WilsonFlyer)
       Post #: 161

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/14/2004 1:45:22 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Wilson,
Here is how I sum it up.
My set-up pulls an average of 1.8amps.
With this said, on a long day, I fly 6 to 8 flights of 10 minutes duration.
If you count total on time as 15 minutes then 8 flights is 2 hours.
Since I fly two packs, each pack draws .9 amps for 2 hours.
I can recharge my packs in one hour when I get back home/hotel or before starting the next day.
Just my preference!

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http://www.rcaircraft.net/
Information on the building and flying of Radio Control Aircraft.
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(in reply to David_Moen)
       Post #: 162

RE: Attn: Hobbico Elite Owners - 9/17/2004 3:11:55 PM   
rajul



Posts: 6291
Joined: 6/18/2002
From: Missouri City, TX, USA
Status: offline 		How reliable is the Elite's peak detection for NiMH and NiCd in fast and slow charging modes ?

< Message edited by rajul -- 9/18/2004 12:41:11 AM >

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(in reply to Geistware)
       Post #: 163