Hota charger question?

[jerseydrew]

watched a few videos and it seems like on this charger the regular "charge" feature is the balance charge. and if you set it to "balance" that just gets all cells to the same level?

on the protea charger i've been borrowing i have to set it to "balance-charge" so this is a bit confusing.

 

[Moirae]

There is zero need to use balance charge unless you just don't want to charge.

 

[SrC]

^^^Good observation....
Any modern up to date charger will always balance the cells whether Full charging or Storage charging at the end of its cycle.
The old designed chargers gave you a separate Balance mode. But now a days it is understood that a Balnce is always done at the end of any Charge cycle by default.
Make sure the charger you select has a Balance Current spec over 1.0 amp at a minimum. IMHO. It will balance faster. What takes the most time when charging.

 

[dure16]

watched a few videos and it seems like on this charger the regular "charge" feature is the balance charge. and if you set it to "balance" that just gets all cells to the same level?

Everything you said is correct for the Hota charger. The “charge” option balances cells are the end of the charge. “Balance” let’s you balance the cells at any voltage.

 

[SrC]

There is zero need to use balance charge unless you just don't want to charge.

Agree. And in reality , you accomplish the same by just selecting Charge or Storage charge with any decent modern charger. It will balance automatically if you need to because of poor cells with high IR's. A Balance setting alone is old school IMHO. Newer smart screen chargers incorporate a Balance cycle by default with a storage charge or full charge cycle.. Best for Lipo care and feeding. If you have a lipo sitting around that was at storage volts for a few months and a cell or 2 are lower than the rest, Just put a Storage charge on it, this should also balance out the cells if you have a decent charger. No reason to Balance alone without a charge cycle these days. Old school 2 line Display chargers mostly had those Balance Only settings as well as Fast charge only settings. Not used anymore IMHO.
My spin.