New to Lipos and charging - basic how-to questions

[esrazor]

Hi,

I have a new Dynamite lipo charger that has Tamiya connectors. My existing lipo batteries have a Thunder Power balancer connector and a Deans connector on the discharge end. The ESC on my helicopter uses Deans so all of my batteries that I buy in the future will have Deans as well.

My questions:

Do I need to make my own connector on the Dynamite charger? Do I just cut off the Tamiya connector and replace it with a Deans or Thunder Power connector? Is this was people typically do?

If I need to replace the connectors, can I buy some crimps, or do I need to solder the connectors?

Can I charge through either set of connectors on the battery? Either the balancer end or the discharge end (TP or Deans)?

Do batteries come with Deans connectors or does everyone do there own modifications to the batteries to accomodate the connectors they need?

I have a Thunder Power balancer. Do I have to buy batteries that have a TP balancer connector? Can I get an adapter to go from the Thunder Power balancer to whatever balancing connector is on the battery? Is there a type of balancer that is the most common?

The charger also came with smaller clip - looks kind of like a jst, but I'm not sure. It's wide enough for three pins, but only two are in the connector. There is an adaptor included to go from Tamiya to this "unknown" connector. This connector isn't documented in the charger manual. Any ideas on what this might be?

Thanks a lot for your help!

[WayneBrown]

Hi,

I have a new Dynamite lipo charger that has Tamiya connectors. My existing lipo batteries have a Thunder Power balancer connector and a Deans connector on the discharge end. The ESC on my helicopter uses Deans so all of my batteries that I buy in the future will have Deans as well.

My questions:

Do I need to make my own connector on the Dynamite charger? Do I just cut off the Tamiya connector and replace it with a Deans or Thunder Power connector? Is this was people typically do?
Cut them off and solder on new deans connectors. The tamiya ones are horribly inefficient.

If I need to replace the connectors, can I buy some crimps, or do I need to solder the connectors? If you want to crimp, anderson powerpoles are the choice, and the only brand that accomodates crimping. You are better served to learn to solder for a lower resistance connection.

Can I charge through either set of connectors on the battery? Either the balancer end or the discharge end (TP or Deans)?
Depending on the charger and/or balancer. You 'can' charge each cell through the balance lead, but you'd have to make your own leads to do so.
Do batteries come with Deans connectors or does everyone do there own modifications to the batteries to accomodate the connectors they need?
Only the low end batteries geared to the entry level user come with leads preinstalled. You will find that a higher quality battery will not come with leads.
I have a Thunder Power balancer. Do I have to buy batteries that have a TP balancer connector? Can I get an adapter to go from the Thunder Power balancer to whatever balancing connector is on the battery? Is there a type of balancer that is the most common?
There are adaptors available, but you can get pretty confused real quick trying to make sure they work properly before you try to charge.. Buying and sticking with a brand is the easier course.
The charger also came with smaller clip - looks kind of like a jst, but I'm not sure. It's wide enough for three pins, but only two are in the connector. There is an adaptor included to go from Tamiya to this "unknown" connector. This connector isn't documented in the charger manual. Any ideas on what this might be?
Likely a lead to charge a RX pack, at least that part sounds logical. I'd pitch it and the Tamiya connectors in the bin.