can anyone recommend me a good lipo balance charger? I am charging everything through 640 mah's to 2100 mah's...I don't know if it makes a difference. Also, what is the max charging rate for these batteries? Is it still 1C or higher? Thanks.

I have both the Triton and the ICE. I mostly use the ICE, it is easier to program, and does the LiPo's as well as NiCd and NiMH packs.

CGr.

Edit: I forgot.. .1C or lower for normal safe re-charge. ( .1C is = to 1/10th of the total battery capacity, which is conservative, but is probably the safest charge rate). For instance.. 2100 mah is 2.1Amps or 2100 miliamps. Charge it at 210 miliamps will take 10 hours.)

You can fast charge it at 1C (field charge) or, in the above case is 2.1 Amps or 2100 miliamps, and that's just fine. If you have the time (overnight for instance), then the .1C is the better way to go. But 1C will work.

Always ALWAYS charge LiPo packs outside and use a LiPo sack or some sort of fire protective enclosure. Do NOT charge in your home or car.

CGr.

1C or lower

I'll 3rd the 1 C or lower.

Plus, Do Not leave a charging lipo
unattended !! I'm using a T P 610
and it charges my lipos,nicads,nMhi
and my 12volt lead/acid.

Bob

I had the thunder power tp610c and it is a good charger with a built in balancer and does all the battery you want it too. Its easy to program and the price is not too bad, around $130. I had a screen problem with it and sent it back in, and upgraded to the tp 1010 with a external balancer. The tp1010 and balancer is a bit more money but i wanted the extra features that go with the 1010.

While I agree completely, why in the world does Parkzone only sell their planes with a lighter plug in charger!!!!!!

I have two Turnigy chargers with a balancer built in. They were about $45 -$50 each with shipping.

[link=http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028]Turnigy Accucel-6[/link]

And no warning about their use. some day that just might come back and bite them.

Flyboy: I didn't know that. Good information to pass on, for sure.

Have you seen the video of a lipo charging fire that burned up some poor guy's new van?

At one of our club meetings, one member did a little talk about the Lipo Sack. Several of us bought them and glad for it. The member had a video of a demo of the Lipo Sack and it definitely 'saved the day'.

I was at a indoor fly YMCA and one of the lipo's caught on firewhat a mess. It was kinda funny (in a way) with him trying to stamp out the fire. Did some damage to the floor, almost cost us the use of the facility.

I have the same charger and have had no fault with it. I charge 3cell 2200mAh, and 6cell 5000mAh with it, only fault is it runs of 12V not house supply.. 1C is the max I would use.

Cheers

Most high-end chargers run off of 12-15V, and you have to buy a switching DC power supply separately. I prefer this to having the AC/DC power supply built into the charger, since that just adds extra weight if you want to take the charger to the field and run it off of your car battery. If you get one good 10-20A supply you can run several chargers off of a single supply.