Ac/Dc or Dc with power supply???
03-09-2011, 07:59 AM
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Ac/Dc or Dc with power supply???
Looking to get a new charger for charging Lipo's... Which is the best way to go??? And anyone have any recommendations on brands??? Looking to charge up to 4 at a time...
03-09-2011, 09:02 AM
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RE: Ac/Dc or Dc with power supply???
Despite their voltage or current ratings, most of the AC/DC chargers out there are limited to around 50w output. This is fine if you are charging smaller/lower capacity packs, but if you need to charge larger packs (voltage and/or capacity) or multiple packs, the 50w limit will likely keep you from charging at 1C.
All the larger chargers (150w-500w) require a high current 12v supply. The even larger 600w-1000w+ chargers require a 24v power supply.
It all depends on exactly what you are charging. But since you want to charge up to 4 packs at a time, you're gonna want something with higher power output I think. Currently, the higher power chargers are either single or dual output. Not many 4 channel chargers out there that also have high power output.
03-09-2011, 09:05 AM
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RE: Ac/Dc or Dc with power supply???
A charger with a DC input is always the best choice. Ac input types are a poor investment in the long run and more often than not, are more limited in their capabilities, just buy a good power supply that has more capacity than you need and it will be usable with any future charger you may buy. With AC input chargers you pay a premium for a power supply that will go in the recycling when the charger croaks.
Pete
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03-09-2011, 09:15 AM
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RE: Ac/Dc or Dc with power supply???
Not many four port chargers around but Hitec just came out with one recentlty. It is called the Hitec X4. Buy a separate power supply. They are great to have around if you buy any one port chargers in the future. Most guys in the hobby end up with three or four chargers. If you really don't need a four port charger get two Multi 4's from FMA. The Pyramid mentioned below will run two Multi 4's.
A motorcycle battery is the cheapest power source. The Pyramid PS 14KX is about $45.00 and a Jetstream JTPS28 is around $83.95.
The Pyramid has no cooling fan the Jetstream does. I have used my Pyramid for 10 years with no problems. It doesn't get hot unless you are charging big batteries on your charger or running two chargers at one time. Hope this helps.
A motorcycle battery is the cheapest power source. The Pyramid PS 14KX is about $45.00 and a Jetstream JTPS28 is around $83.95.
The Pyramid has no cooling fan the Jetstream does. I have used my Pyramid for 10 years with no problems. It doesn't get hot unless you are charging big batteries on your charger or running two chargers at one time. Hope this helps.
