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Fast field charger.... - 3/6/2003 7:35:02 PM   
Fastsky



Posts: 2851
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		What is the current top rated Fast Field charger that will do both the TX. and receiver the the same time? I know the Sirius Pro has had good ratings in the past. Ace seems to have a clone of it thats about 1/2 the price of the Sirius Pro. Has anyone tried the ACE unit? Thankx for your feedback!

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Fast field charger.... - 3/6/2003 8:28:26 PM   
George E.



Posts: 1064
Joined: 3/27/2002
From: Medford, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		I have used the Hobbico Field Charger (the $50 one) for ALL my charging for over a year now. Never had a problem. Some people don't like Hobbico but all I can say is it works GREAT!!!

It's the ONLY charger I use.

I don't have any experience with the newer MKII unit, my unit is the older and discontinued one.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/7/2003 3:26:26 AM   
Ed


 

Posts: 1796
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Bemis, , USA
Status: offline 		I use both of the chargers that you mention, the Ace Super Smart, and the Sirius Pro, and find them identical in performance.

> Jim

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Fast field charger.... - 3/8/2003 11:28:07 PM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		I have the old and newer model of the Hobbico field charger. By far, then newer one is not only better but can charge everything under 9.6 volts!

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Hobbico charger... - 3/10/2003 7:19:48 PM   
Fastsky



Posts: 2851
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		Geistware, Does the charger handle charging the Tx. packs ok? I think the charger may be a good additian to my field box.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/10/2003 7:53:27 PM   
splais


 

Posts: 2746
Joined: 12/12/2001
From: Yuma, AZ, USA
Status: offline 		I have the Hobbico MarkII Fast Field charger and use it almost exclusively for my charging now instead of the wall chargers. I have done weeks of reading trying to decide on what to get for a Battery Maintenance system. That is a different issue. for charging simplicity, features and price, the Mark II can't be beat. It has two separate channels. that means you can do two Rx or Two Tx or one of each or any combination you can think of. I have the plug-ins for Tx, RX, Glo Starter, Standard 9v cells and some funny ended european end for the ignition switch on my gasser. I do normal charging at the minimum setting that is around 150-200 Mah. The MarkII will go to trickle automatically when done and tell you if there is something wrong when charging. I clip mine to a 12v Lawn & Garden battery, but it will also attach to a standard field box panel. You do have to get the plug-in connectors separate.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/11/2003 5:32:57 AM   
sigflyer



Posts: 96
Joined: 2/21/2002
From: Benson, NC, USA
Status: offline 		I also use the Hobbico MKII for all my fast charging needs. I have yet to find any basic fast charging function it will not perform. I know there are more expensive and complicated chargers out there...but for the basics,,,the Hobbico Mark II can't be beat at $49....Johnny

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Charger info... - 3/11/2003 6:53:57 PM   
Fastsky



Posts: 2851
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		Thanx for the info guys. It looks like I better order 1 for my field box.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/12/2003 7:27:38 AM   
kadet


 

Posts: 132
Joined: 12/5/2002
From: South Central, KY, USA
Status: offline 		I use the new Charge+, from Hughes RC, it's more expensive but works great. The sirius and the ace are virtually identical.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/12/2003 11:45:17 PM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		The new hobbico is two independent chargers in one case. It will do two NiCad or NiMH packs from 1 to 8 cells and LiMH packs 1 or 2 cells. Variable charge and trickle currents. It is a great unit!

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Fast field charger.... - 3/13/2003 12:27:47 AM   
George E.



Posts: 1064
Joined: 3/27/2002
From: Medford, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Does the new version charge a transmitter without bypassing the diode. The older version does.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/13/2003 7:18:19 AM   
Ed


 

Posts: 1796
Joined: 12/5/2001
From: Bemis, , USA
Status: offline 		The better pulse type chargers, do need to have the Tx diode jumpered. It's just the nature of the beast, and there is no avoiding it. Go to the Sirius website, and they will discribe how, it's no big deal.

And treat yourself to the higher quality Sirius Pro while you are at it. Batteries are not the area to skimp in.

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Pulse charging....... - 3/13/2003 6:56:34 PM   
Fastsky



Posts: 2851
Joined: 12/10/2001
From: Calgary, AB, CANADA
Status: offline 		I have read the report from a battery manufacturer that tested the pulse charging system and their conclusion was that while the method didn't hurt the battery pack, it didn't prolong the life of the battery. My own experience with multiple battery packs tells me their are 2 things that will kill a battery pack. The first is to over charge it. If overcharged at c/10 rate then not too much happens as the the excess charge will be turned into heat. At this low rate the battery pack will just get warm. If you overcharge at a high rate, battery damage can be extensive very quickly. The other thing is to let the battery pack get too depleted before recharging. This can possiby result in cell reversal which can kill your plane. The Hobbico MK2 unit sounds like a good addition to the field box and for the diffeence in price I can buy enough fuel for the whole flying season.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/13/2003 8:10:52 PM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		Yes, the new version does charge through the diode.
It is a great piece of equipment.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/13/2003 8:43:24 PM   
George E.



Posts: 1064
Joined: 3/27/2002
From: Medford, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Thanks Geistware

I like the older unit so much I may have to get the new one too.

I used the older one as my ONLY charger for a whole season and my batteries still have the same life as new, and I fly a couple of times a week. I realize it is not a delta peak charger, it can't be if its working though a diode. What ever it's doing it's doing well.

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Fast field charger.... - 3/13/2003 10:47:08 PM   
Whirley Bird



Posts: 2181
Joined: 1/4/2003
From: Bordentown, NJ, USA
Status: offline 		[QUOTE]Originally posted by GeeBeeJim
The better pulse type chargers, do need to have the Tx diode jumpered. [/QUOTE]
I thought it was against FCC regs to tamper with ANYTHING inside the TX box??
While on the battery topic it it OK to use an external 12 volt battery for the TX?
I have a nice small Jel Cell pack here rated at 12V@2.2 amps.
With that and the 2.0 amp pack I built up I can fly all day and not worry about battery power

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Fast field charger.... - 3/14/2003 1:38:14 AM   
Geistware



Posts: 12946
Joined: 4/9/2002
From: Locust Grove, GA, USA
Status: offline 		One of the things I like about the new charger is that you can set the charge current. If I have one of my 1800maH packs partially discharged, 1 flight, I can set it to charge at 750maH which will charge it in about 10 minutes and put it in low current trickle (I forget the value). If I have not charged it and arrive at the field, I can set it to charge at 2amps and get a full charge fairly quickly (30 minutes on average)

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Information on the building and flying of Radio Control Aircraft.
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