Common Sense lipo charger

[urban camo]

hello, I fly a Trex and started out with the Align charger and MegaPower batteries. Well the MegaPowers are junk and after seeing finless excited about the Flightpower 2500 I decided to buy one. It came quickly from ReadyHeli and I had Gin charge it up for me at work. I dont really trust the Align charger and i dont have the balance adapter.So im in the market for a charger, my local Hobbytown has 2 chargers im looking at. One is the same as Gin's its an Ice intellapeak which with a TP 205 and DC unit will come to 225 roughly. The other charger is a Common Sense balance charger which with the DC unit will come to 125 roughly. Here is the website http://www.commonsenserc.com/product_info.php?cPath=38_29&products_id=185

I trust this forum to steer me in the right direction, infact i wouldnt be where i am without you guys (f)



discuss...

[RC Accessory]

You should take a look at the e-Station BC-6 and BC-8. Here are some reviews and links.

BC-6 Review: http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/bc-6_review.pdf
BC-8 Review: http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/bc-8_review.pdf
BC-8 Review: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666885

Links:

BC-6: http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=241
BC-8: http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=203

Comments:
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=39258&highlight=bc-6+e-station
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=28480&highlight=bc-6+e-station
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=30103&highlight=902+bantam

[kamtsa]

Take a look at FMA Direct Cellpro 4S. It got very good reviews. I have two of those and am very happy with them.

[urban camo]

You should take a look at the e-Station BC-6 and BC-8. Here are some reviews and links.

BC-6 Review: http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/bc-6_review.pdf
BC-8 Review: http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/bc-8_review.pdf
BC-8 Review: http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=666885

Links:

BC-6: http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=241
BC-8: http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=203

Comments:
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=39258&highlight=bc-6+e-station
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=28480&highlight=bc-6+e-station
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=30103&highlight=902+bantam


thats too much for me, i only need to charge 2and 3 cell batteries. My next birds will be nitro and those are 5 yrs away. i was hoping somebody had the common sense charger because its in stock,i got a hundred bucks,and i need to fly :)

thanks for your input I will keep that charger in mind. cheers!

[th3tick]

Add my vote for the Cellpro 4s from FMA Direct. I've got two and wouldn't trade them for anything. I have a Common Sense, but it just sits idle to to its lack of telling me how many mAh it puts into them.

John

[urban camo]

thanks thats important, i didnt know you couldnt monitor the input current...so this 4s is nice looking but i can only set it to 1,2,3,4 Amps? not 2.5? or .8??

edit: im downloading the jermo video right now :D

[RC Accessory]

A lower cost option is the BC-5.

BC-5: http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=152
Review: http://www.rcaccessory.com/pdf/bc-5%20review.pdf

If you are also staying in nitro, having a lipo only charger would charge your tx and rx packs, or even a wireless starter. If you already have a charger for those items, the lowest cost charger would be the Cellpro.

[th3tick]

thanks thats important, i didnt know you couldnt monitor the input current...so this 4s is nice looking but i can only set it to 1,2,3,4 Amps? not 2.5? or .8??

edit: im downloading the jermo video right now :D

You can set it to 1C, 2C, or 3C (it auto-detects the cell count), or select from 0.25A through 4A in 0.25A increments.

John

[urban camo]

ok i think im sold on the cellpro. so 75 bucks from FMAs website,25 for a DC converter,,do i need adapters or anything else to get me going? I want this charger for 3s1p Flightpower EVO 2500 and 2170 mah batteries only. Oh btw what would be the minimum discharge for a 2500mah? either way ill only be doing 5 minutes a flight so i think ill be ok ;)

Thanks guys!

[iwasaseabee]

I picked the BC5 over the fma 4s due to the way they are built. Bantom chargers are assembled in an aluminum case the fma looks like its sort of delicate. I was concaerned about feild use and transport. I will say that the bc5 is an excellant charger easy to use and understand. With all/only the features you need. The fma is also regarded as an excellant charger. hope this helps. Good luck.

[kamtsa]

I picked the BC5 over the fma 4s due to the way they are built. Bantom chargers are assembled in an aluminum case the fma looks like its sort of delicate.

The FMA CellPro definitly has a lame 'enclosure'. The display can also be improved (backlight, better contrast, etc). Otherwise, they are just great and I am very happy with them. I like the ability to set charging rate in C units. This way I can leave it at 2C setting regardless of the battery size.

Kam.

[Probedude]

ok i think im sold on the cellpro. so 75 bucks from FMAs website,25 for a DC converter,,do i need adapters or anything else to get me going? I want this charger for 3s1p Flightpower EVO 2500 and 2170 mah batteries only. Oh btw what would be the minimum discharge for a 2500mah? either way ill only be doing 5 minutes a flight so i think ill be ok ;)

Thanks guys!

Yep, you need an adapter to hook it up. EVO packs use the TP/PQ adapter from FMA.

[urban camo]

argh i cant find a place to buy it using paypal and im dying to fly :)

RC accessory can you PM me an offer on the BC5 with a flightpower adapter? thanks :D

[Jermo]

www.fmadirect.com (http://www.fmadirect.com) Call to pay by paypal.

The new version of the cellpro4s has higher contrast and is viewable from all angles. The open frame is for cooling and isn't an issue. Find a Balancing Charger in the same price range that's better and you'll be doing something that's difficult if not impossible at this time.

The current version also charges at 4Amps balanced.

[urban camo]

awesome jermo thanks alot pal!! ill call em tomorrow :D

[kgfly]

My opinion:

For up to 4s
Best budget LiXx balance charger: FMA CellPro4s (~$75)
Best fully integrated multi-chemistry balance charger: eStation BC6 (~$170)

Both of these do an excellent job. Both are 50W output so can handle 3s/4s packs of much the same capacity. The BC6 can also to 5s/6s packs but not the large capacity ones used in say a T600. Quite useful for doing two 3s 2170 packs in series though to halve your charge time. The CellPro4s is cheaper but needs an external DC power supply (12V/5A minimin) and only does LiPo/LiIon/LiFe. The BC6 appears more expensive but since it integrates the ac/dc power supply and is multichemistry (Pb/NiCd/NiMH/LiPo/LiIon/LiFe) it can be used to charger your Tx and other rechargable batteries around your home as well.

IMO these are the two best entry level balance chargers currently available and either will do a good job. The BC6 is a little more expensive but a lot more flexible. If you end up with four or more batteries, heck, you can just get one of each ;)

[RC Accessory]

You can pay via paypal directly on my web site, www.rcaccessory.com The TP/FP adapter is free, just select it on the pull down menu. Also right now is a free charge cable promotion as well. Just select from the pull downs.

[Helifarns]

FMA CellPro 4s is awesome! For $12 more you can get a USB adapter and see each cell charge, maH going in the battery, a timer and total volts.......very cool!!! The new ones have banana plugs on them!!!

[urban camo]

i called FMA and the guy said they arent setup for paypal yet.so screw it ill put it on my card.sorry rca but but everyone is excited about the fma,i gotta get it <@:o)


hey thanks for helping me setup my radio jerm ;) and a thanks everybody else for your input!

edit:came to 105 bucks with PC interface,TP adapter,and shipping ...i gave them a comment that said Helifreak.com highly recommended you! i hope thats ok

cheers!

[kamtsa]

ok i think im sold on the cellpro. so 75 bucks from FMAs website,25 for a DC converter,,do i need adapters or anything else to get me going?

Probably you will need an adapter. Check the FMA direct site, they list a bunch of adapters (about $10) each. If you don't find an adapter for your specific battery type, call them and ask.

I am also using Astro connectors (such as this one http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LX3604) between the 12V AC/DC adapter and the charger. Very high quality connector, and easy to connect/disconnect.

Kam