Field Chargers..
#1
Thread Starter
Senior Member
My Feedback: (4)
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Madison, AL
Hey everyone,
I am wantintg to get a field charger. I want to spend under 50 bucks but if needed will go to 60, and i also would like to be able to plug in 2 batteries at a time. This will be for reciever and transmitter packs, but mainly reciever. I like the hobbico DC peak. Any opinions? Also, suggest some more for me.
-chad
I am wantintg to get a field charger. I want to spend under 50 bucks but if needed will go to 60, and i also would like to be able to plug in 2 batteries at a time. This will be for reciever and transmitter packs, but mainly reciever. I like the hobbico DC peak. Any opinions? Also, suggest some more for me.
-chad
#3
Senior Member
My Feedback: (15)
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Clermont,
FL
ORIGINAL: Pilot Chad
Hey everyone,
I am wantintg to get a field charger. I want to spend under 50 bucks but if needed will go to 60, and i also would like to be able to plug in 2 batteries at a time. This will be for reciever and transmitter packs, but mainly reciever. I like the hobbico DC peak. Any opinions? Also, suggest some more for me.
-chad
Hey everyone,
I am wantintg to get a field charger. I want to spend under 50 bucks but if needed will go to 60, and i also would like to be able to plug in 2 batteries at a time. This will be for reciever and transmitter packs, but mainly reciever. I like the hobbico DC peak. Any opinions? Also, suggest some more for me.
-chad
http://www.slopeflyer.com/artman/pub..._charger.shtml
#9
RCU Forum Manager/Admin
My Feedback: (9)
Chad,
That's an ok charger, but it is very limited. Here are the tech notes from Tower Hobbies
As it says, it's only for NiCad packs and won't charge NiMH's or LiPo batteries. That might not matter to you right now, but before too long you're going to want to start getting better battery performance and better batteries and this charger won't charge them
[link]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCTZ5&P=[/link]
This might be a better choice for you. It's a little more expensive but the extra would be well worth it in the long run.
This unit can charge all 3 types of batteries.
I'm not trying to say that you can't get the first unit. But I've seen a lot of people in your situation where they buy something like that to save a few bucks, and then regret it when it can't do what they want it to down the road. Then it end up costing more when the have to buy another one to do what the first one can't. With the way you're going in this hobby you're going to want better batteries so you can fly longer. It's not going to take you very long to outgrow the standard NiCad packs that come with your radios.
Hope this helps
Ken
That's an ok charger, but it is very limited. Here are the tech notes from Tower Hobbies
This is a DC Quick Peak Charger for charging 4.8V Rx and 9.6V Tx Nicad Packs
to maximum capacity--charges typical 500-600mAh packs in 40-50 minutes.
This CANNOT charge NiMH batteries
as it is not a ZERO DELTA peak charger, which is required for NiMH cells
to maximum capacity--charges typical 500-600mAh packs in 40-50 minutes.
This CANNOT charge NiMH batteries
as it is not a ZERO DELTA peak charger, which is required for NiMH cells
[link]http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCTZ5&P=[/link]
This might be a better choice for you. It's a little more expensive but the extra would be well worth it in the long run.
This is the Hobbico 12 Volt DC Quick Field Charger MkII.
Two ports with completely independent circuitry allow for one pack to be
powered up by itself, or two at once.
Recharges, NiCds, NiMH packs, even Lithium-ion batteries on either side.
Two ports with completely independent circuitry allow for one pack to be
powered up by itself, or two at once.
Recharges, NiCds, NiMH packs, even Lithium-ion batteries on either side.
I'm not trying to say that you can't get the first unit. But I've seen a lot of people in your situation where they buy something like that to save a few bucks, and then regret it when it can't do what they want it to down the road. Then it end up costing more when the have to buy another one to do what the first one can't. With the way you're going in this hobby you're going to want better batteries so you can fly longer. It's not going to take you very long to outgrow the standard NiCad packs that come with your radios.
Hope this helps
Ken
#11
Senior Member
My Feedback: (15)
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,085
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
From: Clermont,
FL
RCKen is correct and the 2nd tower charger is much better than the first tower charger, except you can't charge a glow driver on either which is important to me, but the double vision can't do Li-polys. So it is a trade off. I have a Triton also which is an awesome product that I use for my Li-poly's, Li-ion, NiCd, NiMH and Lead acid batteries. You will more than like have more than one charger eventually as most pilots do, so I would still say have something that would be able to charge a glow driver eventually. I like to be self sufficient and have most things at the field myself that I need as far as charging.
Good luck Chad with the decision.
Good luck Chad with the decision.
#13

My Feedback: (32)
Personally this is the one I use. It does all types of batts plus has a ten batt memory. It has peak charge, discharge and cycle options and is fully configurable. It does take a little getting used to but it is sweet. Oh yea it will do both 12V and 120V. You do have to purchase the charging cables seperately.
The only problem for me with it is that I like it so much that I want to use it on all my planes but I can only to 1 gas powered plane at a time of 2 glow powered planes. Now if it could only to 5 batts at a time. [X(][X(]
It is expensive but works well
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEYD4&P=ML
The one Ken suggested is the baby brother to the one I list and every bit as good.
The only problem for me with it is that I like it so much that I want to use it on all my planes but I can only to 1 gas powered plane at a time of 2 glow powered planes. Now if it could only to 5 batts at a time. [X(][X(]
It is expensive but works well
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEYD4&P=ML
The one Ken suggested is the baby brother to the one I list and every bit as good.




