What Charger Should I Buy?

What Charger Should I Buy?
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What Charger Should I Buy? - 1/18/2007 6:37:05 AM

scottym

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From: Red Bank, NJ, USA
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I have an e-flite cp/pro with two 800mah E-flite batteries (3S). I also have two walkera #22 helicopters and two NiMh batteries and a 7Ah Pb battery I use for field charging. I'm looking for a general purpose charger that will charge all three chemistry types, but I'm also interested in a computerized charger with a computer interface that can monitor/charge my LiPos on a per cell basis using the mutliwire battery connector.

I'm also very new to this and I'm overwhelmed by what I've looked at so far and would be grateful for advice.

If I buy a LiPo charger with individual cell capabilities does this mean I have to purchase my batteries from the same source? I'd prefer not to be married to a particular battery vendor. If it's necessary to stick to one battery vendor I only have two eflite LliPos so it wouldn't be a disaster.

Also I would prefer an A/C powered charger and integrated balancing to keep the amount of equipment and cost to a minimum.

Is there anything out there that fits my requirements? I've looked at the Triton2 and Cellpro but I'm uncomfortale making a purchase without soliciting advice from this forum.

Thank you in advance, Scott M.

Post #: 1

RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 1/18/2007 1:00:35 PM

RC Accessory

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From: Tampa, FL, USA
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The Brand new e-Station BC-6. Only balancing charger with built in power supply for AC use as well as DC use. Should be available next month.

www.rcaccessory.com

RC Accessory, Inc.
Auth US Bantam Importer

(in reply to scottym)

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 1/18/2007 1:04:43 PM

powerlines

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From: Hawkinsville, GA, USA
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I like the Triton chargers. You could get the Triton JR. or the big one. I have the Triton 2 and Love it.. I just need about 4 more so I can charge and charge and charge!!

LATER

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 1/18/2007 8:16:19 PM

scottym

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From: Red Bank, NJ, USA
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Does the Triton2 have a balance on charge feature or computer interface?

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 1/18/2007 8:33:57 PM

scottym

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From: Red Bank, NJ, USA
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Also important to mention that I'm an electronics and computer geek. I definitely want computer access to the charger (serial/USB)

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/5/2007 6:57:54 PM

JoshGordon

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From: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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I do not believe that there are any chargers on the market that Charge and Balance, both LiPo and NiMh batteries.

< Message edited by RCKen -- 2/14/2007 2:25:02 AM >

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/5/2007 7:04:10 PM

RC Accessory

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I believe the e-Station line of BC-xx chargers even on Nimh or Nicad mode will display the cell voltages through the balance port but it is for monitoring only. There is no reason to balance charge a Nicad or Nimh. The older e-Station 701 had that capability (no balancer) and I think the current line still does. I would have to put a tap on a Nimh pack to test.

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/5/2007 7:11:24 PM

scottym

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quote:

ORIGINAL: JoshGordon

I do not believe that there are any chargers on the market that Charge and Balance, both LiPo and NiMh batteries.
--
--
Joshua Gordon
Common Sense RC
www.CommonSenseRC.com
Toll Free 866-405-8811

I ended up buying the FMA Cellpro for my Lipo and the Hobbico Elite(model?) for my NiMH needs. I like both units fine-so far. Both have limited current delivery capability (2-3A) which is perfect for my eclectic collection of mini-heli batteries. The FMA charger has optional adapters that work for all my batteries and a 1.4C charge rate. The battery manufacturers clearly state the upper current limit should be 1C/h, but I'm convinced and putting my trust, for the moment, in FMA. It would better if I could find an all in one unit with a built in power supply that doesn't suck lemons.

Thanks for your reply,
Scott

(in reply to JoshGordon)

Post #: 8

RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/8/2007 8:49:24 PM

Rocketman612

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quote:

ORIGINAL: RC Accessory

The Brand new e-Station BC-6. Only balancing charger with built in power supply for AC use as well as DC use. Should be available next month.

www.rcaccessory.com

RC Accessory, Inc.
Auth US Bantam Importer

Going to Perry next month with $$$$$ and will be stopping by your booth. Will you have these on display and for sale??

Pete

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/8/2007 10:55:45 PM

RC Accessory

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quote:

Going to Perry next month with $$$$$ and will be stopping by your booth. Will you have these on display and for sale??

Pete

Yes, we'll be in Perry with all the Bantam e-Station chargers on display and powered up.

Evan Chapkis
RC Accessory, Inc.

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Post #: 10

RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/17/2007 10:03:14 AM

hookedonheli

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From: Brick, NJ, USA
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Got an email from RC Accessory with the tracking info for the BC-6 I ordered Wednsday. Says it will be delivered today (FedEx)! I can't wait, I feel like a kid on Christmas morning! Hope it comes early so I can charge my packs and spend the day at the gym. :-)
Any idea when the USB PC software will be available?

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/17/2007 10:40:53 AM

RC Accessory

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Hopefully I will have the software for the BC-6 in about 2 weeks.

RC Accessory, Inc
Auth US Bantam Importer

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/17/2007 12:08:06 PM

aeajr

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I have the CellPro and a Triton and am very happy with both.

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RE: What Charger Should I Buy? - 2/17/2007 2:26:27 PM

IamDisaster

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From: Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA
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quote:

ORIGINAL: scottym

I ended up buying the FMA Cellpro for my Lipo and the Hobbico Elite(model?) for my NiMH needs. I like both units fine-so far. Both have limited current delivery capability (2-3A) which is perfect for my eclectic collection of mini-heli batteries. The FMA charger has optional adapters that work for all my batteries and a 1.4C charge rate. The battery manufacturers clearly state the upper current limit should be 1C/h, but I'm convinced and putting my trust, for the moment, in FMA. It would better if I could find an all in one unit with a built in power supply that doesn't suck lemons.

Thanks for your reply,
Scott

The Cellpro is a great charger...simple and effective. You can switch to a slower charge rate by holding down the enter button. It will go through auto and several different charge rates. It wasn't clear to me whether the charger would automatically choose the correct smaller charge rate for smaller batteries so I didn't risk leaving it on auto. I left it on 1 amp which is safe for all my micro batteries.

P.S. I wouldn't want a single charger unless it had separate ports for NiCd and LiPoly. Every battery accident/fire I've read about has been caused by someone hooking a LiPoly up to a universal charger set for NiCd.

(in reply to scottym)