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Another recent thread on chargers for 6s -
https://arrmaforum.com/threads/chargers-what-should-i-buy.5692/
While all three of you choices are generally good chargers, for 6s, you need big power - 150w per channel minimum, so that knocks off the first two off your list.
(Below is from the post I quoted)
For 6s batteries, getting a charger that can run big watts is important. Most people want to charge at 1c or better. When we do the math -
For a 5000mah 6s, 22.2v pack -
1c= 5a
5 * 22.2 = 111w needed.
That is for 1c (one hour) charging. Personally, I often charge at 2c (30 minute charge) and so the wattage doubles - 230w for 2c charging of a 5000mah 6s pack.
For the folks that run that big SMC 7400 6s pack, 1C is 7.4, 165 watts, and 2c (half hour) charging jumps to 15a, 330w! To look at this another way, charging this 7400mah 6s pack on a common 50w charger will take 3-4 hours.
If you know that you will be running 6s (and 4s too) you really want to make sure the charger can push the wattage.
Also, when shopping multi-channel charger, make sure the wattage listed is PER CHANNEL. I have seen some of 4 channel chargers that are listed as "200 Watts" - but that is total across all 4 channels - each channel can only run 50W. Also, there seems to be a bunch of 2 channel chargers that are 100W "power sharing" chargers - they can do one channel up to 100w, but the other channel only gets the left-over power, not the full 100w... i.e. channel 1 needs 75w, then channel 2 can only use 25w.
Last - don't buy a charger planning on running it at max wattage all the time - you will eventually overheat it and kill it. Give your self a safety buffer. If you need 100w, buy a 120w charger. If you need 200w, buy 300w. As a good rule, you want a 20% spare buffer for your 'normal' charging. Running up to max every now an again is not a problem, but 100% use at 100% output will shorten the life of any piece of equipment.
How does this effect real life bashing?
Two guys put a battery on to charge at the same time. Guy #1 has a 300w 20a charger, and charges at 2c - 10 amps / 230w. ,#2 has a 50w, 5a charger, that can only charge at 2.2a, 50w, for a charge time of over 2 hours.. Guy #1 can charge, drive to the park, bash and LVC the battery, then drive home. Gut #2's battery is still charging, and #1 is doing post bashing cleanup.
One more example - my son and I want to go to the track. I say OK, let's go, and drop 2 batteries on the charger at 2c, then start loading my truck... (Track days I pack the workbench) 30 minutes later, the truck is packed, and one battery for each of us is charged. We get to the track, unpack, drop another pair of batteries on the charger at 2c, and go race / track bash. Our batteries last 20-30 minutes, guess what? Battery #1 is LVC, and Battery #2 is ready. We can spend all day at the track, and are pretty much never waiting on batteries to charge. With 3 sets of batteries (6 total), they get a 'rest' cycle between LVC and charge, so they don't get overstressed. Plus, my charger is running at 50% output, so it is not stressed either.
Hitec is one of the best companys in the RC business. The X700 is a newer model, and I have heard only great things about it. You will need a stout DC power supply. The best value in PS are converted 12v/24v server power supplies. Something like this one from SMC -
https://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=141&product_id=459
Note that it is 'only' 1000w. Should be plenty, unless you decided to charger 2 batteries at greater than 20a each. If you shop around, the server power supplies run up to 1200w as single 12v units, and some places combine them to make +2000w 24vdc.
You are talking this charger, right?
https://www.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXFWPV
. man! easily with the car, charger, power supply, batteries, easily almost $1,000 !! wow! lol
for other brands that are better than Hitec, not many. here is anther charger line that the racers seem to love -
https://www.amainhobbies.com/rc-car-battery-chargers/c116?fb=769&lg=fb
Note that for the smaller Junsi chargers (like the 106b and the 3010B) are available as "rebrands" from brands like Reaktor or Charsoon. Personally, I run a Reaktor 2x 300w 20a DC charger from Hobbyking. Supposed to be same factory, same internals as the Junsi 106b- rebrand, not a clone. I do like mine. $125 from Hobbyking. Also, HK sells a single channel version with built in AC power.
Edit - one thing you get with Hitec that you will not get with the rebrands is their US customer service - among the best there is. With Banggood and HK, you get to deal with China for any issues. That is always "fun". LOL
With the Hitec 2x700, and the 1050w PS, you could charge 2x 6s packs at 20 amps - which for those 6000mah packs would be about 15-20 minutes! Make sure your batteries can be charged at those high rates, though. Lots of packs have a 1c or 2c charge limit. Most of my HobbyKing packs have a 5c limit, though, so it is not all about battery price.
Yeah, it adds up. It is easy to try to skimp on thing like the charger, but if you get a good one, it will last you a long time, and will be used for many RC's. People seem to love to spend big money on aluminum bling or big tires, then complain about spending a bit extra on a good charger. But the charger will last you longer. And probably get used more. And it is responsible for taking care of you other big investment - you batteries.
Another recent thread on chargers for 6s -
https://arrmaforum.com/threads/chargers-what-should-i-buy.5692/
While all three of you choices are generally good chargers, for 6s, you need big power - 150w per channel minimum, so that knocks off the first two off your list.
(Below is from the post I quoted)
For 6s batteries, getting a charger that can run big watts is important. Most people want to charge at 1c or better. When we do the math -
For a 5000mah 6s, 22.2v pack -
1c= 5a
5 * 22.2 = 111w needed.
That is for 1c (one hour) charging. Personally, I often charge at 2c (30 minute charge) and so the wattage doubles - 230w for 2c charging of a 5000mah 6s pack.
For the folks that run that big SMC 7400 6s pack, 1C is 7.4, 165 watts, and 2c (half hour) charging jumps to 15a, 330w! To look at this another way, charging this 7400mah 6s pack on a common 50w charger will take 3-4 hours.
If you know that you will be running 6s (and 4s too) you really want to make sure the charger can push the wattage.
Also, when shopping multi-channel charger, make sure the wattage listed is PER CHANNEL. I have seen some of 4 channel chargers that are listed as "200 Watts" - but that is total across all 4 channels - each channel can only run 50W. Also, there seems to be a bunch of 2 channel chargers that are 100W "power sharing" chargers - they can do one channel up to 100w, but the other channel only gets the left-over power, not the full 100w... i.e. channel 1 needs 75w, then channel 2 can only use 25w.
Last - don't buy a charger planning on running it at max wattage all the time - you will eventually overheat it and kill it. Give your self a safety buffer. If you need 100w, buy a 120w charger. If you need 200w, buy 300w. As a good rule, you want a 20% spare buffer for your 'normal' charging. Running up to max every now an again is not a problem, but 100% use at 100% output will shorten the life of any piece of equipment.
How does this effect real life bashing?
Two guys put a battery on to charge at the same time. Guy #1 has a 300w 20a charger, and charges at 2c - 10 amps / 230w. ,#2 has a 50w, 5a charger, that can only charge at 2.2a, 50w, for a charge time of over 2 hours.. Guy #1 can charge, drive to the park, bash and LVC the battery, then drive home. Gut #2's battery is still charging, and #1 is doing post bashing cleanup.
One more example - my son and I want to go to the track. I say OK, let's go, and drop 2 batteries on the charger at 2c, then start loading my truck... (Track days I pack the workbench) 30 minutes later, the truck is packed, and one battery for each of us is charged. We get to the track, unpack, drop another pair of batteries on the charger at 2c, and go race / track bash. Our batteries last 20-30 minutes, guess what? Battery #1 is LVC, and Battery #2 is ready. We can spend all day at the track, and are pretty much never waiting on batteries to charge. With 3 sets of batteries (6 total), they get a 'rest' cycle between LVC and charge, so they don't get overstressed. Plus, my charger is running at 50% output, so it is not stressed either.
In an earlier reply he linked his charger but here it is in long format https://hobbyking.com/en_us/0620duo-600w-charger-300w-x2-version-2.html. From everything I have read from him he is very happy with this charger. I have the Hitec X2 700 and am very happy with mine as well.jerry, im curious to know what charger you are using lol
In an earlier reply he linked his charger but here it is in long format https://hobbyking.com/en_us/0620duo-600w-charger-300w-x2-version-2.html. From everything I have read from him he is very happy with this charger. I have the Hitec X2 700 and am very happy with mine as well.
I read that the current drain for balancing affects how long it takes at the end of the charge. The Reaktor 2 has 350mA. My Hitec X4 Plus has 300mA and my Hitec X2 700 has 800mA. I know that my X2 700 is worlds faster at balancing at the end. Again, I cannot confirm if this spec is what is causing my huge difference in balancing but it makes sense to me. On my X4 the balancing takes around 10-15 minutes and on the X2 the same battery takes under 5 minutes. Just throwing that out there and hoping to get confirmation on this spec.
The power supply linked below is the one that I have but it cannot fully power the charger since 1025 watts is less than 1400 watts, but it meets my needs. The only other thing that you should NEED is the charging leads to connect your batteries to the 4mm female output. You can get balance cable extenders or balance boards to make connecting the batteries balance leads to the charger easier but they aren't in any means required.gotcha, what power supply are you using? check my previous comment please =).. sorry, im very new to the hobby
I read that the current drain for balancing affects how long it takes at the end of the charge. The Reaktor 2 has 350mA. My Hitec X4 Plus has 300mA and my Hitec X2 700 has 800mA. I know that my X2 700 is worlds faster at balancing at the end. Again, I cannot confirm if this spec is what is causing my huge difference in balancing but it makes sense to me. On my X4 the balancing takes around 10-15 minutes and on the X2 the same battery takes under 5 minutes. Just throwing that out there and hoping to get confirmation on this spec.
The power supply linked below is the one that I have but it cannot fully power the charger since 1025 watts is less than 1400 watts, but it meets my needs. The only other thing that you should NEED is the charging leads to connect your batteries to the 4mm female output. You can get balance cable extenders or balance boards to make connecting the batteries balance leads to the charger easier but they aren't in any means required.
https://www.smc-racing.net/index.php?route=product/product&path=141&product_id=459
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