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All Forums >> Radios, Batteries, Clubhouse and more >> Batteries & Chargers >> Battery Cyclers?
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Battery Cyclers? - 1/15/2002 4:46:54 AM   
Nathan



Posts: 4623
Joined: 12/2/2001
From: Holland, MI, USA
Status: offline 		I'm in the market for a battery cycler. I went to the hardware store and bought a standard electric timer per "The Battery Clinics" recommendation. I've set up the standard Tx/Rx chargers to charge my Tx/Rx batteries for one hour out of twenty four. I'm not completely convinced of this method yet... but time will tell.

With that said... I need to think about getting a battery cycler. I know about the different cyclers out there, but am wondering what your favorite one is? I'm not as battery educated as many of you, so I would like a reliable set it and forget it cycler.

What do you use, and why?

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       Post #: 1

Cycler - 1/15/2002 5:51:57 AM   
RC Accessory



Posts: 602
Joined: 12/7/2001
From: Tampa, FL, USA
Status: offline 		If you want just a cycler, then the Sirius Super Test is the way to go. If you want a charger too, then the Super Turbo is the way to go. Check out both their specs at [url]www.rcaccessory.com[/url]

Evan Chapkis

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 2

Battery Cyclers? - 1/16/2002 3:11:11 AM   
Nathan



Posts: 4623
Joined: 12/2/2001
From: Holland, MI, USA
Status: offline 		The Dymond would appear to be pretty good, thanks for the tip.

Anyone using Hobbico's Accu-Cycle or Hanger 9's Sure Cycle? What's the word on these cyclers?

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Battery Cyclers? - 1/17/2002 12:37:32 AM   
Dzlstunter



Posts: 399
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Jacksonville, IL, USA
Status: offline 		OK, let me complicate the issue. Since Christmas, I now have more radios than I can keep track of in my head (that would be any number greater than one). Also, what I don't know about batteries would fill libraries, not just a book. AND one of my battery packs is NiMH. I, too, am looking for a cycler/charger. Any suggestions?

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 4

Battery Cyclers - 1/17/2002 9:01:17 PM   
astropuppy


 

Posts: 187
Joined: 1/11/2002
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I have pretty much decided since I don't know swat about Nicads. I'm going to buy a Super Test and continue to use Red's wall timer method to keep them charged. From what I can figure out, it's the least expensive way for a NiCad idiot like me to keep de plane in the air.

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 5

Charger / Cycler - 1/17/2002 10:33:07 PM   
starzak



Posts: 1702
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: online 		Of course the "Cadillac" is the Litco Alpha 4, but if you can settle for something with just two outputs, (Tx & Rx), the Ace Digipace 3 is still a good unit. It seems to have a slightly better performance record then the Hobbico.

Jim Lynch, Moderator

< Message edited by GeeBeeJim-RCU -- Jan 17 2002 5:39PM >

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 6

Battery Cyclers? - 1/18/2002 9:01:08 PM   
Dzlstunter



Posts: 399
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Jacksonville, IL, USA
Status: offline 		I just visited the Litco site 5 minutes ago and found this notice:

THE BACKLOG LIST HAS AGAIN BECOME UNREALISTICALLY LONG. WE ARE THEREFORE SUSPENDING ACCEPTANCE OF ORDERS AS OF OCTOBER 4, 2001, 9:15 AM EDT.

THE LIST WILL REOPEN AGAIN ON APRIL 11, 2002
AT 9:00 AM EDT AT WHICH TIME YOU CAN PLACE AN ORDER
VIA EMAIL

So I guess the you either "wait for the best" or get another one. At the RC Battery Clinic, Red was recommending the FMA Einstein XL for the $100 range unit, but was that before the appearance of the Sirius Pro? Anyone care to comment on a comparison of these two? Or is is like comparing oranges and apples. I REALLY don't know much about batteries!

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 7

Charger comparison - 1/19/2002 2:21:56 AM   
FIVESQUARE



Posts: 625
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		DZISTUNTER,
Go the thread here in this forum titled: Battery charger UNSURPASSED.
You will have more info than the average man can handle
Good Luck,
5

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When things start going wrong while airborne, its like the whole world is a tuxedo, and you are a pair of brown shoes.

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       Post #: 8

Battery Cyclers? - 1/19/2002 3:01:15 AM   
Dzlstunter



Posts: 399
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Jacksonville, IL, USA
Status: offline 		5: I really did go over and read every post at that location. (Got a little hot for a while, it seems.) As I understood it, a flyer would need to have both a cycler and a field charger to do what you are recommending. Or did I miss something? Don't we need to get a readout of the battery pack's capacity after cycling it--at least once in a while? Feel free to correct me, because I REALLY don't know anything about batteries. Dzl

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 9

Re-cycler - 1/19/2002 3:20:18 AM   
FIVESQUARE



Posts: 625
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		I would get a cycler and use it.
I really would not part with mine...That was hype on my part.
The Sirrus Super tester is nice. It takes your battery down to a decent 1 volt. There are a lot of good cyclers out there...It depends on what you want to spend
I purchased a lable gun to post on each of my batts the last cycle and results.
I have so many planes it is hard to keep a log and keep them all straight.
Good Luck,
5

_____________________________

When things start going wrong while airborne, its like the whole world is a tuxedo, and you are a pair of brown shoes.

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 10

Battery Cyclers? - 1/19/2002 5:01:48 AM   
Dzlstunter



Posts: 399
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: Jacksonville, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Sounds reasonable. Dzl

< Message edited by Dzlstunter -- Jan 20 2002 1:59AM >

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 11

Battery Cyclers? - 1/19/2002 5:06:36 AM   
astropuppy


 

Posts: 187
Joined: 1/11/2002
From: Chicago, IL, USA
Status: offline 		Being a Nicad dumb dumb. From what I have read on the above mentioned thread and other threads. The best thing for a dumb dumb like me to do for my Nicads: keep them charged and cycle them once in awhile to check their capacity. And fast charging can reduce there life.

With this I concluded buying a supertest made the most sense to for me. The way I understand things. A supertest and the chargers supplied with the radio on timers does everything the Einstein does. I'm sure the Einstein does more; But, not for someone like myself who just wants to hit a buttom and forget it.

Also, I've carried a Hobbico Quick Charger in my field box for three years and never used it.

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 12

Chargers/cycling - 1/19/2002 5:13:29 AM   
FIVESQUARE



Posts: 625
Joined: 12/9/2001
From: little rock, AR, USA
Status: offline 		Astropuppy,
You aren't dumb on this matter, you are like me...there is so much info to absorb, it is impossible to get it all and retain it.
I was discussing with dzlstunter, and decided to go do some battery maint. I discovered my super tester missing...I think I left it on my bumper last weekend.
As I will NOT be without my Sirius Pro, and my Super Tester...I ordered one immediately.
Don't go to sirius electronics...waiting list until 11 FEB.
Good Luck,
5

< Message edited by FIVESQUARE -- Jan 19 2002 1:20AM >

_____________________________

When things start going wrong while airborne, its like the whole world is a tuxedo, and you are a pair of brown shoes.

(in reply to Nathan)
       Post #: 13

errrrrrrrrr ......... - 1/19/2002 8:34:00 AM   
starzak



Posts: 1702
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Chacotoma, NM, USA
Status: online 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by Dzlstunter
XL for the $100 range unit, but was that before the appearance of the Sirius Pro? Anyone care to comment on a comparison of these two? Or is is like comparing oranges and apples. I REALLY don't know much about batteries! [/QUOTE]

The Sirius Pro is a 12 volt operated field charger, and does not include a "Cycler". To manage your battery packs properly, you also need a Cycler, or Cycler/Charger combined in one unit. The Hobbico, Litco, and Digipace talked about above, are examples of these combination units.

Jim

(in reply to Nathan)