Recommend me a battery charger

[Jerry-rigged]

Volts * amp = Watts.

So a single lipo is nominal 3.7v, and 4.2 fully charged.

So you set the charger to charge at 5 amps. (Assuming a 5000mah battery and 1C charge rate here). 5a*7.4v = 37W. So at the start of the charge, you need 37 watts to charge a 2s at 5 amps. However, as the battery charges, the voltage goes up and the amps stay mostly constant. For a balance charge, somewhere around 4.1v to 4.15v per cell, the charger will start decreasing the amps. Somewhere around 4.0vps, the charger will see peak wattage. So, 8v * 5a = 40W near the end of the charge cycle. Add in a 20% safety factor, you are at needed 50W capacity to charge a 2s pack at 5 amps. (Which is why there are so many 5a/50w chargers out there).

So, easy math is each cell needs 20w for a 5a charge rate.
2s = 40w
3s = 60w
4s = 80w
6s = 120w

Plus add the 20% safety factor.

But that is only for a 1c charge on 5000mah cells. For those that like to run those big 7400mah cells, 1c is now 7.4a, and you need 30w per cell. Now that 6s 7400mah battery needs 180W to charge at 1c, and that is still not counting a 20% safety factor.

TLDR;
Big power toy cars with big power batteries need big power chargers.

 

[olds97_lss]

Yeah, I bought mine knowing I was going to be charging 9000mah 2S packs. So a 9A/84W per port charger was needed to charge at 1C. I charge mine at 10A anyway, I charge my 7400's the same. In 16 months, I had one cell in one of my first 9000mah packs die on me. It dropped down to 1.2V after being storage charged, then sitting for 5 days. I'm running it dead now so I can twist the power leads and pitch it.

 

[fishycomics]

Powerhobby 100W X2 Dual Lipo Charger Blue + 2s 5200mah 50c Deans Lipo Battery

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Powerhobby...:eOMAAOSwqz9Z27UM:sc:USPSPriority!11229!US!-1

Any thoughts on this one i know it is for a Deans they have for XT90. and bannana clips can be made which they did not include all. Price is around $119.00 charger alone does 100 Watt per channe, does not say how many amps it can charge at? so I am looking as I type the chart.

55 watts will be 5 A @ 11.1V 3S, and less for 7.4v 2S so I should be good if IF this sucker has 10A ( it does) Lol time again to do my research.

 

[olds97_lss]

Powerhobby 100W X2 Dual Lipo Charger Blue + 2s 5200mah 50c Deans Lipo Battery

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Powerhobby...:eOMAAOSwqz9Z27UM:sc:USPSPriority!11229!US!-1

Any thoughts on this one i know it is for a Deans they have for XT90. and bannana clips can be made which they did not include all. Price is around $119.00 charger alone does 100 Watt per channe, does not say how many amps it can charge at? so I am looking as I type the chart.

55 watts will be 5 A @ 11.1V 3S, and less for 7.4v 2S so I should be good if IF this sucker has 10A ( it does) Lol time again to do my research.

According to the listing, it does 10A x 2/100w x 2:

• Display : 1602 LCD Scren
• Input Power: AC, 100-240V
• DC: 11-18V Max
• Charge Current Range: 0.1-10A x2
• Discharge Current Range:0.1-2.0A x2
• Circuit Power: 100W Per Port, Discharge Power 10W Per Port
• Balancing Current : 400mah
• Memory : 20 Memories
• Weight: 1.2KG
• Dimensions: 122x139x53mm ( L X W X H)

 

[fishycomics]

According to the listing, it does 10A x 2/100w x 2:

• Display : 1602 LCD Scren
• Input Power: AC, 100-240V
• DC: 11-18V Max
• Charge Current Range: 0.1-10A x2
• Discharge Current Range:0.1-2.0A x2
• Circuit Power: 100W Per Port, Discharge Power 10W Per Port
• Balancing Current : 400mah
• Memory : 20 Memories
• Weight: 1.2KG
• Dimensions: 122x139x53mm ( L X W X H)

Yes i Abbreviated that in (( it Does)) any one have or heard about this.

 

[Gabrielhz]

Ho, sorry to bother here. I have the turning 6s battery with 6000 mah. I bought this charge https://www.amainhobbies.com/protek...dc-battery-charger-6s-8a-80w-ptk-8513/p260579

Unfortunatly I tried to charge this battery and had these problems:
1) I just charge 600 mah in 60 minuts.
2) I don’t know how it’s the % of charge of the battery (do I need to buy anything to measure the charge of the battery?)
3) it’s this a good charger? Do I need to change it or I’m doing a bad programming to charge? Anyone here have this charge?

Help please

 

[Jerry-rigged]

A few thoughts -

1 - Read the manual and figure out how to set the charge rate / amps. It sounds like the charger is set to a very low amp rate, so it is charging slow. Your 6000mah battery should be charged at 6amps - or as close to that as you can get. But see below, you charger won't do 6a with a 6s battery...

2 - Again read the manual, most modern chargers will show the battery voltage, but you probably need to click a few buttons to get there. Also I try to keep a few battery checkers on hand to check battery voltage without needing a charger. To me, a good lipo checker shows individual cell voltage, and overall % capacity left. Here are the two I currently have -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JOO3H5M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-dlux-lipo-battery-cell-display-and-balancer-2s-6s.html
I like the hobbyking one better, as all the info is on one screen, quick and easy to read. The amazon one has bigger print and can show more information, but it defaults to pack voltage, and for cell voltage, you have to hit a button and wait for it to cycle thru the cells.

3 - I've not used that charger, but ProTec is Amain's house brand, and from other ProTec items, it seems they try to make it kind of an 'affordable premium' brand - so I'd expect the charger to be decent quality. However, it is only a 80w charger. To charge your 6s 6000mah pack at 1c / 6amps, you need about 150w of power. Your charger will max out at about 3 amps, which will make the charge time about 2 hours. As a general rule, if you know you will be charging 6s bricks, look for a charger that can do 200w per channel. If you can make a return, and can spend a bit extra on a charger, here are a few better options -
1 channel, comes with an external power supply, close to your current charger cost - https://www.amainhobbies.com/hitec-x1-pro-dc-multicharger-epowerbox-17-combo-hrc61070/p362191
2- channels, but a lot more $$ - https://www.amainhobbies.com/protek...v-lipo-ac-dc-battery-charger-ptk-8519/p578442
And from hobby king, a single channel 300w/20a AC/DC option -
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/0620ac-...charger-discharger-built-in-ac-version-2.html
I have the DC only, 2 channel version of this charger, great charger.

 

[Gabrielhz]

A few thoughts -

1 - Read the manual and figure out how to set the charge rate / amps. It sounds like the charger is set to a very low amp rate, so it is charging slow. Your 6000mah battery should be charged at 6amps - or as close to that as you can get. But see below, you charger won't do 6a with a 6s battery...

2 - Again read the manual, most modern chargers will show the battery voltage, but you probably need to click a few buttons to get there. Also I try to keep a few battery checkers on hand to check battery voltage without needing a charger. To me, a good lipo checker shows individual cell voltage, and overall % capacity left. Here are the two I currently have -
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01JOO3H5M/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/turnigy-dlux-lipo-battery-cell-display-and-balancer-2s-6s.html
I like the hobbyking one better, as all the info is on once screen, quick and easy to read. The amazon one has bigger print and can show more information, but it defaults to pack voltage, and for cell voltage, you have to hit a button and wait for it to cycle thru the cells.

3 - I've not used that charger, but ProTec is Amain's house brand, and from other ProTec items, it seems they try to make it kind of an 'affordable premium' brand - so I'd expect the charger to be decent quality. However, it is only a 80w charger. To charge your 6s 600mah pack at 1c / 6amps, you need about 150w of power. Your charger will max out at about 3 amps, which will make the charge time about 2 hours. As a general rule, if you know you will be charging 6s bricks, look for a charger that can do 200w per channel. If you can make a return, and can spend a bit extra on a charger, here are a few better options -
1 channel, comes with an external power supply, close to your current charger cost - https://www.amainhobbies.com/hitec-x1-pro-dc-multicharger-epowerbox-17-combo-hrc61070/p362191
2- channels, but a lot more $$ - https://www.amainhobbies.com/protek...v-lipo-ac-dc-battery-charger-ptk-8519/p578442
And from hobby king, a single channel 300w/20a AC/DC option -
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/0620ac-...charger-discharger-built-in-ac-version-2.html
I have the DC only, 2 channel version of this charger, great charger.

Thanks for you answear. I justo bought in hobby kings the charger that you recommend me. Also, i did a good programming in the charge and i could charge the tipo 6s battery with 6000 mah. Just that it took 95 minuts to get it full.

 

[GuyFromCanada]

I'm going to necro this thread since there is lots of good stuff here.

I'm 90% sure I'll be 4S or less purely based on the cost of the 6S platforms...most likely I'll be 2S or 3S. Since a lot of the suggestions here are a little older, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good dual 4S charger. I would be okay with dual 3S as well, especially if the interface and feature set is good. I have this charger:



http://hitecrcd.com/products/charge...ni-ac-input-balance-chargerdischarger/product

but I feel like it is lacking in the granularity of the controls for Li-Po charge, discharge, and storage. I don't think it is a bad charger, but since I'm considering a dual charger anyway, I figured it wouldn't hurt to consider different brands and features.

 

[olds97_lss]

Thanks for you answear. I justo bought in hobby kings the charger that you recommend me. Also, i did a good programming in the charge and i could charge the tipo 6s battery with 6000 mah. Just that it took 95 minuts to get it full.

On a-main, the lower portion of the page you linked, it states what it will max out at for 6S.

NOTE: To determine if this charger is suitable for your application, you must perform this calculation to determine the maximum amp rate the charger can supply. Divide the Watts of the charger by the Voltage of the battery pack. This will tell you the maximum amp rate the charger can deliver (Watts / Voltage = Amps). So using the Touch 680 AC as an example and a 6S LiPo battery pack, would be 80 Watts divided by 22.2 Volts, which equals 3.6 Amps. This means that the charger can supply a maximum of 3.6 amps to a 22.2 Volt 6S battery. This amp rate will gradually reduce as the battery voltage increases during the charge cycle.

Since it tops out at 80watts, your max amps with 6S is 3.6A. In a perfect world, a 6000mah pack would be fully charged at 1C (6A) in an hour, 6000/6000=1hr. So, since the charger tops out at 3.6A for that voltage, that's 6000/3600=1.6 hours or 96 minutes.

 

[GuyFromCanada]

Anyone using ISDT chargers? They seem to be pretty feature packed:

http://www.isdt.co/d2.html

 

[GuyFromCanada]

I'm going to throw this charger in the ring...it could easily do dual 4S...dual 6S if you don't mind waiting a little longer than an hour. It is an AC/DC charger and comes with a bunch of good stuff:

https://www.skyrc.com/D250_Charger

 

[Hoss81]

I use a reveletrix GT500 Duo and I really like it. I have a handful of Zippy packs, a few nano-techs, and some SMCs.

 

[Hoss81]

Here are some pictures of the GT500 Duo. For the price I think this is a hard one to beat.

One thing it does that I have always found helpful is it shows internal resistance of the packs. As you can see in the 1 picture, my 4s pack has a bad 4th cell. That pack is 8 years old and was used for 1/8 buggy racing at one time. She's about at the end of her lifespan.

 

[EAGLELITE]

I have Venom duo pro and using it for the first time now. First channel I have 5000mah balance charging at 4.5amp. Second channel I have 7400mah set to balance charge at 6.5amp but it only hit about 5.2amp. I set them both to 4.5amp after I saw that.

This is my first time charging a LiPo and from what I understand I’m below 1c on both batteries. Shouldn’t the second channel with 7400mah be able to hit the 6.5amp I set? Also should each cell read 4.20v when it’s fully charged?

Thanks!

thats the charger I have it works great,,one of the best

 

[Mr.Duke]

I'm loving this new setup.

SMC 12 volt / 900 watt / 75 amp Power Supply
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-Power-S...Amp-DC-900w-/172175901238?txnId=1914975302007

ISDT Q6 Plus 300 watt 14 amp smart charger
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ISDT-Q6-Pl...e-LiHv-NIMH-/132237288537?txnId=1512892457003

Venom 6s 5000mah 50c charged from storage to balance charged in 38 minutes @ 1C

Total cost: $126.53 plus misc. soldering/wiring/connectors

 

[Tumbleweed30]

Wow @Mr.Duke that setup looks awesome. It looks to me like if you had more of the ISDT chargers you could charge extra batteries at the same time? Any idea?

Also - how loud do the fans get? My current UP200 is driving me slowly up the wall with its fan noise.

I think this might be my new setup...

 

[olds97_lss]

Depends on the charger. My HTRC H150A Duo kicks the fans on/off as it needs them, but they seem to run full bore when they are on. My dynamite 100wx4 runs them the entire time I'm charging/discharging at full bore whether it needs them or not. My newest charger, Hitec D7 seems to have a multi-speed fan system. When it was discharging at 6A per each port as I was testing it, at first, the fans came on and it was really quiet. Then about 10 minutes into it, I thought my wife had fired up the botvac. I was surprised she would run it as it was 9:30pm and we live in an apt. I left the office and went to the living room and asked if she intended on running it... it wasn't running, it was the charger.

 

[WoodiE]

I'm loving this new setup.

SMC 12 volt / 900 watt / 75 amp Power Supply
https://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-Power-S...Amp-DC-900w-/172175901238?txnId=1914975302007

ISDT 6Q Plus 300 watt 14 amp smart charger
https://www.ebay.com/itm/ISDT-Q6-Pl...e-LiHv-NIMH-/132237288537?txnId=1512892457003

Venom 6s 5000mah 50c charged from storage to balance charged in 38 minutes @ 1C

Total cost: $126.53 plus misc. soldering/wiring/connectors

View attachment 22737

That's a pretty nice charger setup for less than $200. Nice work man!

 

[Mr.Duke]

Wow @Mr.Duke that setup looks awesome. It looks to me like if you had more of the ISDT chargers you could charge extra batteries at the same time? Any idea?

Also - how loud do the fans get? My current UP200 is driving me slowly up the wall with its fan noise.

I think this might be my new setup...

I can add 2 more 300w chargers for $50 each, which is my long term plan for this setup.

I.....err....."Santa".... is bringing my daughter a new Arrma Talion for xmas this year, along with another iSDT Q6+ charger and a couple new lipo's to go in her stocking.

As far as the fan noise goes, it's on the louder side imo, but not to the point where it's bothersome, at least not for me anyways.