Swallow charger?
 

Hey

Im new to the hobby. I completed my trainer and had my first flight with my instructor present. I bought a second hand flight box that the salesman said was complete with the execption of the power panel which he said was optional. On collecting it I assumed as told it was complete (meaning all that was necessary to use the swallow charger was supplied) Hearing all the benifits of the quick charge and safer option (ie ensuring that batteries are properly charged and not over charged before flying etc)

On later inspection upon arriving home I could not figure out how the charger worked and thought that there must be a cable missing from my newly aquired device. I called the Lhs and the same salesman said I should come in as it was too difficult to explain on the phone (where is the logic I was there that morning??) On arriving back at the LHs I found out that I need either a car battery charger to charge the battery in the flight box or alternativly I need an ac/dc converter with power regulator which connects the device to the wall power.

My question finally is what is the cheapest option to overcome my problem as I have already more than broken the bank.

Thanks

Asher

RE: Swallow charger?
 

What is a swallow charger?

RE: Swallow charger?
 

My search came up with this: http://www.batterieswholesale.com/ba...ry_charger.htm :D

RE: Swallow charger?
 

My first bit of advice: Find an experienced flyer local to you who can show you the ropes, explain how all fo this stuff works, etc. You will have a much easier and more enjoyable time if you learn some basic facts about the electrical bits that help these airplanes fly. Another RC flyer is going to be a FAR, FAR BETTER resource than the salesdroid at the local hobby shop.

As for your field box charger issue, you can power the thing from your car battery. A pair of large alligator clamps (open the hood, attach to the car battery) or a cigarette lighter plug should do the trick. If you want to do your charging indoors, you can pick up a 12V DC (nominal, most are actually 13.8V) power supply from Radio Shack or any ham radio dealer such as Ham Radio Outlet or AES. A small 5 to 10 Amp supply should be fine. A car battery charger will probably work just as well, and they're cheap too. But the cheapest route by far is just hooking it to your car battery long enough to charge your flight box.

RE: Swallow charger?
 

Don't use a "car battery charger". They don't have enough regulation to keep the Swallow functioning properly.
If you want to plug into AC you need a 12 to 13.8 volt regulated power supply with enough current capacity for
the batteries you are trying to charge. If you don't understand what I'm talking about seek help from someone
that understands. Doing the wrong thing when it comes to batteries can be dangerous. Have fun, but do it safely.

Bruce

RE: Swallow charger?
 

Thank you to all of you for your help. I have found out more info from a local at the club. He recommended a ac/dc converter with regulator which sells for about R459 (+-$70)

Asher

RE: Swallow charger?
 

Boet, as dbotkin said the cheapest option is to charge the battery off your car, for a total cost of $0. I have 3 different digital chargers. A triton, a super nova 250 and a swallow. The swallow is the cheapest and IMO by far the best value for money. I personally use a 15 amp power supply to run all three chargers at once. Not cheap but for me convientent. My suggestion is to use your car battery and later if you have the money buy a regulated 13.8V supply. 5 amps would be HEAPS for this one charger.

RE: Swallow charger?
 

Boet,

I hope you didn't buy the expensive converter yet. I charge my batteries from my 12V field box battery. To charge the field box battery, I simply exchange it with my gate motor battery. I have an automatic gate opener and the batteries are the same. Any house alarm battery will also work. With you living in Gangsters Paradise, I am sure you have either an alarm or a gate motor or both.

The alarm/gate motor battery is always on trickle charge wile connected to mains so you have a fully charged battery at your disposal.