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View Full Version : Chargers??????? What are you guys using?



mtbenjamin77
06-14-2012, 02:05 AM
What chargers are you using? I'm looking to upgrade my charger looking for something with dual ports and 200W each port. Have my eye on this one...Hitec Ultima X2 Dual Port Charger ...http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAYVD&P=7
Anyone using this charger? Anyone have any suggestions on a good dual port 200Wx2 charger?

NativePaul
06-14-2012, 06:37 AM
I have others, but I mainly use this one nowFusion-Emperor-Pro/ (http://www.westlondonmodels.com/product2930/Fusion-L712B-Emperor-Pro/) and love it, it does everything I need up to 7s and will deliver plenty of amps for me, but I wish it would do 8s as one pack too, I have to use both ports to charge a pair of 4s packs now whereas a single 8s pack is the better solution being lighter and with lower resistance and inductance, my now unused hyperion 1210 can only cope with 6s though so no change there, I'm thinking of getting a cellpro powerlab8 for 8s packs but that is a single port charger so does not fit your remit.

Fluid
06-14-2012, 06:52 AM
The most popular charger in my club is the AstroFlight 109, we must have twenty of them. No bells or whistles but it is very simple to use. Simply plug in the pack (up to 9S), turn the knob to the charge rate in amps you want, and walk away. It also discharges. I got mine used, they've work perfectly for years. I also have four Hyperions, but they do no better than the AstroFlight yet are more complicated to use and won't do 9S.

http://www.astroflight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=23&zenid=2ueam1fgqt149go123sej4qi4rs6i6u3



.

detox
06-14-2012, 10:00 AM
I like their little balancer. This balancer is tricky to use with Hyperion balanc plug, so read instructions well. Small balancer leads will need to be swapped around without changing Hyperion connector.
http://www.astroflight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=20

detox
06-14-2012, 01:12 PM
Jay, I just had to order one of these. Do you ever charge two 4s packs in series (8s1p)? How long does it take to charge?

sanyijr
06-14-2012, 01:23 PM
Right now I have a Hyp 720i balance charger, two parallel balance boards and a 47A charger from Feathermerchant....

Can easily charge all my lipos a one time.... with one batch all 2s and one batch of 3s packs. (two port charger) Little pricy, but the time savings has been well worth it.

If my fleet gets any bigger, I will have to go to 24V (two 47A chargers) But not quite yet.

I also have a equinox balancer and a Triton jr running off a home made power supply, but the 5 amps max doesn't get you far. I use it for my lipo sailplane packs....



Sean

Fluid
06-14-2012, 01:48 PM
Do you ever charge two 4s packs in series (8s1p)?
I regularly charge two 3S packs in series, I can charge them at over 8 amps but only charge them at 1C or 6.5 amps. The time it takes depends on the amount of charge left. I charge through the main leads, not the balance taps. I don't think anyone in my club charges through the balance taps - toatally unnecessary with decent packs which remain in balance unles you want to charge at over 1C (which can reduce pack life). I do slip on a balancer at least once a day of running but seldom is it needed.


.

mtbenjamin77
06-19-2012, 12:06 PM
I decided to try out the Hitec X2 Ultima 400W dual port charger. picked it up from ebay like NIP for 125.00 I'll et you guys know what I think of it after some testing time

urbs00007
06-26-2012, 09:14 AM
i use cell-pro charger can charge 2 6s packs at once in 40 minutes with car battery very nice charger.

MIGMaster
06-26-2012, 09:43 AM
I decided to try out the Hitec X2 Ultima 400W dual port charger. picked it up from ebay like NIP for 125.00 I'll et you guys know what I think of it after some testing time

Just wondering if you like the Hitec ? Thanks !

BHChieftain
06-30-2012, 11:38 PM
Hyperion duo charger for me.

Chief

Punisher 67
07-01-2012, 12:45 AM
The most popular charger in my club is the AstroFlight 109, we must have twenty of them. No bells or whistles but it is very simple to use. Simply plug in the pack (up to 9S), turn the knob to the charge rate in amps you want, and walk away. It also discharges. I got mine used, they've work perfectly for years. I also have four Hyperions, but they do no better than the AstroFlight yet are more complicated to use and won't do 9S.

http://www.astroflight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=23&zenid=2ueam1fgqt149go123sej4qi4rs6i6u3



.

I have to second that , I have 4 of them and appreciate there simplicity

LarrysDrifter
07-01-2012, 01:04 AM
I used to use 2 Hyperion 1420's with a 24v power supply when I was an active boater. Ive found that charging 2 packs in parallel takes less time than charging in series. I could charge 4 packs at once since all my batteries were 3s 5000mah. Best chargers I ever had, and still have in case I get back into boating.

Accessable
07-01-2012, 07:48 AM
Absolute 1807 Dual here.
300W/300W.
20A charge / 10A discharge.

Pros:
Various write-able programs for whatever your favourite cells happen to be.
6s 5000mA LiPo pack fully linear discharges in around 60 mins, recharges in about the same time.

Cons:
Instructions are hopeless and written in Chinglish, but a clever man can work it out.
Ditched the supplied cables and made some decent ones including 6mm bullets.
Channel 0 output is actually printed channel 1, channel 1 is actually printed channel 2 on the device!
Internal fuses are a pain to get to lakeside.
Note: Make sure you have your motor running if using your car battery as a power source else it's a long walk home.

Seriously - I've tried pretty much everything to destroy this unit without success so far.

Basstronics
07-01-2012, 08:19 AM
I went with the Turnigy Mega 400W.

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=23590

At the time it was either this or the Turnigy 200W x 2 which didnt have enough juice.

Now this has come out and Im going to get it:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__20613__Turnigy_MEGA_400Wx2_Battery_Charger_Disch arger_800W_.html

Derrick Davis
07-01-2012, 09:29 AM
If interested in dual port charging, check out hobbypartz ultimate 800. I ordered this week and should have it july 5th.
Mr Properchopper mentioned awhile back that he thought this would be a good unit for the price ($149). They were out of stock for 2 months. Looks very similar to HK's dual verison. I have a power supply coming from JRPLANE. I'm anxious to get rolling with my knew gear! ; )

tryinotocrash
07-01-2012, 10:46 AM
I have the Hitech X4 and I have had it for a year now, they have a new one that is ac/dc looks good I wish I had waited for that one. I can charge four batts at one time of almost any flavor of bat, Lipo,Li-Ion,Lead acid,nickle metal, Nicad. Works well for me But the biggest bat I use is a 6s.

Punisher 67
07-08-2012, 01:35 PM
Here is my setup charging full swing , I don't recommend doing this as it will void your warrany but it works for me and the warranty I can give a crap about .

10gauge
07-16-2012, 09:52 PM
I have a Hyperion EOS 1210i charger with LBA10 Balancer. I've bought 2 units and both suffer from the same affliction. I don't know if it's the EOS 0610i or the LBA10 that's poorly designed. It has a very difficult time initializing to LiPo packs; it reads "Open Circuiit..." I have to connect/disconnect, and press the reset button on the balancer about 20 times for the charging cycle to engage. It is a very tedious process, which takes 2 days to go through 10 packs, which is why I haven't taken a boat out in 3 years! Hyperion is complete junk IMO as it is over-programmed with useless menus.

If I were to go with the Astroflight 109d, what would be an excellent cell balancer for 2S-6S?

stadiumyamaha
07-16-2012, 10:21 PM
I dig my hitech x4.

Jeff
07-16-2012, 10:50 PM
The most popular charger in my club is the AstroFlight 109, we must have twenty of them. No bells or whistles but it is very simple to use. Simply plug in the pack (up to 9S), turn the knob to the charge rate in amps you want, and walk away. It also discharges. I got mine used, they've work perfectly for years. I also have four Hyperions, but they do no better than the AstroFlight yet are more complicated to use and won't do 9S.

http://www.astroflight.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1&products_id=23&zenid=2ueam1fgqt149go123sej4qi4rs6i6u3



.

And walk away? And walkaway? And walk away????? Like in a trailer at a big race with new cells? If you are not using a balance charger when charging you have no overcurrant protection and no safety shut down. I think if you are not using a balance charger and not watching the entire charge you are liable for any damages because you are not safe. Why should an organization have insurance coverage for you? How are you monitering your cells? Just guessing?

DPeterson
07-16-2012, 11:39 PM
OMG Jeff - Don't you read the rules that some of these racing associations promote. As long as you DO NOT CHARGE YOUR CELLS IN YOUR BOAT - you are free to slam your lipos into a dangerous lipo sack, hit the start button and walk away. Come on man -pay attention.

OH YAH - I do not represent any organized racing association.

Doug

LuckyDuc
07-16-2012, 11:55 PM
You guys crack me up. :w00t:
Missed ya at the last D4 race.:moon:

properchopper
07-17-2012, 01:05 AM
If interested in dual port charging, check out hobbypartz ultimate 800. I ordered this week and should have it july 5th.
Mr Properchopper mentioned awhile back that he thought this would be a good unit for the price ($149). They were out of stock for 2 months. Looks very similar to HK's dual verison. I have a power supply coming from JRPLANE. I'm anxious to get rolling with my knew gear! ; )

Derrick,

Did you get the charger ? If so, what do you think of it ?

srislash
07-25-2012, 11:32 AM
Just wanted to throw this in the ring,I just purchased a Hitec X2 http://www.hitecrcd.com/products/chargers-setup-equipment/x2.html and used it this AM and man is this an improvement over my GT Power.Now I can't wait to get my new powersupply.

MIGMaster
07-25-2012, 12:48 PM
Pretty good cell balancing I take it ?

srislash
07-25-2012, 01:18 PM
Pretty good cell balancing I take it ?I threw my 4400mah 3s SkyLipo's on a balance charge and it was done in 30 mins from storage.My old GT was having issues getting it done in an hour and a half.

properchopper
07-25-2012, 01:40 PM
Just caught this for $115.70 & free shipping- not bad for 800 watts. Took the plunge and ordered it. Will evaluate & post results.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/26p-ultimate800-charger.html

detox
07-25-2012, 02:44 PM
At the races (two days) I used my Hyperion AC/DC EOSO720i with a 12 volt car battery to charge my 4200 and 5000mah 4s packs. I like to balance every charge.

I also have the Astroflight Lithium charger that I like, but it has no built in balancer. I can charge two 4s 5000mah packs in series (8s 5000mah)

Doug Smock
07-25-2012, 06:09 PM
Here is my setup charging full swing , I don't recommend doing this as it will void your warrany but it works for me and the warranty I can give a crap about .

Nice set up Peter.
Why do you take the packs out of the boat?? I thought you knew that they were never designed to be handled, and that they can be easily damaged by doing so.:olleyes::wink:
Seriously, nice set up!
Smock
PS I balance charge my Hyperion batterys with Hyperion 615 i DUO 3s.

detox
07-25-2012, 10:09 PM
Doug, Thanks for letting me use your 12V Interstate battery at the races.:thumbup1:

Doug Smock
07-25-2012, 10:12 PM
Doug, Thanks for letting me use your 12V Interstate battery at the races.:thumbup1:
No problem sir, it was good to have you there!:thumbup1:
Doug

srislash
07-25-2012, 11:05 PM
And this will be my Power supply http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1563369

It is on it's way.I am going to some HV stuff when it arrives from FC.

properchopper
07-26-2012, 08:10 PM
Well it arrived at my door LESS than 24 hours from the time I ordered it. $115.70 including (free) shipping. Unit looks solid; heavy at 2.6 lbs. Will give it a shakedown & report soon. :thumbup1:

81428

Jersey Crewmax
07-26-2012, 08:49 PM
I have a Hyperion 610 Duo, I'm content with it. Doesn't have a discharger though.

srislash
07-26-2012, 09:40 PM
Well it arrived at my door LESS than 24 hours from the time I ordered it. $115.70 including (free) shipping. Unit looks solid; heavy at 2.6 lbs. Will give it a shakedown & report soon. :thumbup1:

81428Holy!! Are they just down the block from you Tony?

oscarel
07-26-2012, 10:15 PM
FMA PowerLab6 and 8 with safe parallel boards.

ray schrauwen
07-26-2012, 11:29 PM
If you looked a little more you could have found the extra 5% off coupon like I used to snag one of those. For me it was $119.xx shipped but, it takes a week more to Canada. I could really use it this weekend, oh well...

I also have 3 Astro 109's and 2 x Hyperion 1210's. I got sick of those LBA's and sold them. I use aftermarket balancers but, with this new charger, Balancing will be much faster at 50 wats discharge per channel I think? That helps when you want to balance packs that are slighly out so you don't have to wait forever @ 2 or 5 watts...


Well it arrived at my door LESS than 24 hours from the time I ordered it. $115.70 including (free) shipping. Unit looks solid; heavy at 2.6 lbs. Will give it a shakedown & report soon. :thumbup1:

81428

Derrick Davis
07-27-2012, 12:48 AM
Propperchopper,

I do like my new ultimate 800 charger. Love the multiple battery profile settings that I can create and store. the lighted dual displays are cool too! It has far more bells and whistles than what I was used to with my dual port hobbico 50 watt charger. The manual seems pretty thorough but I haven't done anything out of the ordinary with it yet. I'm your average weekend sport boater and frankly, I suspect that this is more charger than I need. But, it will be nice to grow into it... learning as I go. I'm still trying to figure out the manual and auto settings. I'm sure I'll get it once I spend more time with it. It has no problem charging lipos in short time. I do prefer to charge slow, say between 1 - 2 amps as many of the folks here have suggested is better for the battery and it's longevity. I apologize for just now replying to your question. [embarrassing and how rude of me] ciao,
D

10gauge
07-30-2012, 08:34 PM
What is a RELIABLE cell balancer?...
I haven't had good luck with 2 Hyperion LBA10+ balancers.

ray schrauwen
07-30-2012, 09:32 PM
Reliability is an important factor, quality and watt ratings are another. Quality meaning the ability to accurately balance cells watt ratings the higher the faster it gets done.

I have seen some balancers at HK and I have a pair. Not 100% reliable but, I was able to repair one with a bad solder trace.

It is black and has both a balance and discharce function although, pretty crude it does work.

There are also other versions similar but, with external extra discharge loads with lamps. 50, 100 and 150 watt drain balancers. They are at a few other places as well.

Thunder power makes a very reliable accurate balancer http://thunderpowerrc.com/html/TP205V.html

ksm2001
07-30-2012, 11:03 PM
What is a RELIABLE cell balancer?...
I haven't had good luck with 2 Hyperion LBA10+ balancers.

I know Astro Flight makes a blinky lipo balancer for 2-6S

I haven't had any problems with my Hyperion EOS720I super dou3 so far, knock on wood, but have had my icharger 106b+ for a number of years and this spring noticed cells 5 and 6 on my 6s packs were out of balance by .15v below the others according to the display readout. I checked them against the Hyperion 720I and my voltmeter and all 6 cells were in balance. The nice part with icharger's is you can get into the calibration part and input your voltage readings of each cell taken from an accurate voltmeter reading and your back into balancing accurately.

properchopper
07-31-2012, 01:51 AM
What is a RELIABLE cell balancer?...
I haven't had good luck with 2 Hyperion LBA10+ balancers.

Both of my LBA10's died on me after about a year's use - good riddance-they were totally goofy to operate. Then one of the internal balancers on my Hyperion EOS06101i quit. Bought 4 of these and love 'em. Decent voltage bleed @ 50ma and accurate to .01V . Each comes with a TP adaptor and wrist strap (?) [ Hey dude, that a cell balancer on your wrist ? In a Night Club ? lol]

81702 81703 81704


http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXAEPR&P=ML (check out the short video)


BTW I'll have a review of the Sky RC Ultimate Duo 400 X2 in a day or so. Got the programming mostly figured out. The instructions take you 80% there, the rest is subject to guesswork and cosmic intervention.

MIGMaster
07-31-2012, 12:28 PM
The guys at my LHS couldn't stop raving about those Electrifly units - especially for $19.00 - $20.00 a pop. I'm using one of the HobbyKing Chargery http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__7443__CY_B6_plus_balancer_2_6S_series_.html units for my MRC 977 and it's working well - all my other chargers are balancing.

properchopper
07-31-2012, 01:05 PM
I have an early version of the HK balancers - they seem to be slower than the Electrifly ones.

81716

MIGMaster
07-31-2012, 01:32 PM
Good to know ! I need to check out the one I have and pick up an Electifly one now just to cure my curiosity ;-)

ray schrauwen
07-31-2012, 01:54 PM
For some reason I have a hard time trusting a flashing LED but, thats just me.

The Chargery unit looks like a knock off of the Thunder power and they seem to always be out of stock.... popular means something...

10gauge
07-31-2012, 08:06 PM
Thanks ksm, Ray, Mig, Tony. The Elecrifly seems like the way to go. I'll go with a couple of Astroflight 109 chargers and a 12V/25A Switching power supply. Good riddance to Hyperion!

10gauge
08-01-2012, 10:46 PM
Properchopper or anyone else: Does the Electrifly Cellmatch 6-cell Balancer accept the Hyperion connector? I am asking because my LiPos are mostly Polyquest.

properchopper
08-01-2012, 11:14 PM
Properchopper or anyone else: Does the Electrifly Cellmatch 6-cell Balancer accept the Hyperion connector? I am asking because my LiPos are mostly Polyquest.

Had to dig out an old Hyperion from the retired battery pile, but plugs right in ('tho the actual Hyperion tab has a safety catch on it that bends back a tad to allow entry). You'll be fine with the Poly's (and a happy camper with the E-Fly thang):thumbup1:


81805

watts=power
08-02-2012, 12:34 AM
I am using a Thunder Power TP820CD and so far it has been a great charger. I have it paired with a 24V PS that stuffed into an Align T-Rex case.
http://i324.photobucket.com/albums/k345/dewmanSNK/IMG00195-20110414-1246.jpg

Before this I was using the Astro 109 / Blinky combo, but I noticed on my larger packs the LEDs on the Blinky never seem to settle down in a timely manner, even at a 1C charge rate. I believe the blinky can do a 150mA/cell discharge, while the TP802CD and other chargers internal balance circuits can do 300mA/cell discharge. I loved the Astro 109's, but I did not want to have to find a separate balance mechanism, so that is why I moved on to the the TP820CD.

785boats
08-02-2012, 12:59 PM
A few months ago I bought the Hyperion EOS 0720i Super duo. The IR feature is great for monitoring the condition of the cells.
Now I can charge 2 x 5000mah bricks in parallel, per channel at the same time. That's 4 packs in about 40 - 45 minutes at 1C.

Jersey Crewmax
08-03-2012, 07:16 AM
Please disregard, I searched and found the answer to my question.

10gauge
08-03-2012, 08:47 AM
I always have been in the habit of charging a depleted pack with the LBA10 Balancer every time. The problem I have with the Hyperion 1210 charger is that I get an "Open Circuit Error" and the charge cycle never starts. Repeated attempts kills an entire day just to charge a handful of LiPos. That's one of the main reasons I haven't been running boats for the past 4 years.... Maybe I should start off charging WITHOUT the balancer in the beginning. This way the voltage of the cells will reach a threshold that the 1210 charger will accept. Once the charging cycle starts, the 1210 charger shows that there is at least 50% charge left.

Thanks Properchopper for the photo of the Electrifly in action. That TP820CD looks impressive too. It says that there are JST type connectors with the kit, so does that mean I can use the Polyquest/Hyperion packs on the TP820CD?

Thanks

properchopper
08-03-2012, 03:06 PM
I always have been in the habit of charging a depleted pack with the LBA10 Balancer every time. The problem I have with the Hyperion 1210 charger is that I get an "Open Circuit Error" and the charge cycle never starts. Repeated attempts kills an entire day just to charge a handful of LiPos. That's one of the main reasons I haven't been running boats for the past 4 years.... Maybe I should start off charging WITHOUT the balancer in the beginning. This way the voltage of the cells will reach a threshold that the 1210 charger will accept. Once the charging cycle starts, the 1210 charger shows that there is at least 50% charge left.

Thanks Properchopper for the photo of the Electrifly in action. That TP820CD looks impressive too. It says that there are JST type connectors with the kit, so does that mean I can use the Polyquest/Hyperion packs on the TP820CD?Thanks

From page 6 of the TP820CD instruction manual: "The included balance connector adaptor connector boards (2pcs) allow the built-in balancers to be used with 2-8S Thunderpower-compatible balance connectors as well as the JST-HX balance connector found on many other brands of batteries from Align, Dynamite, E-Flite, Parkzone, and more."

(The Hyperion connector is pretty much what you'll find on most of the batteries from Dinogy{my favorite - hint :wink:}, Hyperion, Polyquest,Turnigy and assorted others).:smile:

10gauge
08-04-2012, 12:18 AM
Thanks, Properchopper for the affirmation. The majority of my LiPos are Polyquest 25C.