Chargers, Balancers, and Loggers

[ImNix]

Ok, so yea, I'm new... Why are balancers that needed? Is it necessary to have a logging device for the battery on the chopper during flight? I'm looking at the 1010 from TP (someone once told me just find the nicest charger you can find). Any and all advice is greatly appreciated... Knowing my luck this subject has already been covered and someone is going to tell me to search:arggg:...

Thanks guys!

[ZipZap]

Do a search:rolling

The 1010 is nice. Match it with a 210 balancer and you have a nice setup that you will likely never grow out of. There are cheaper avenues if you will never need to charge so many cells.

The balancers are important because the individual LiPo cells are sensitive to charge and discharge rates, voltages, etc. The balancer keeps the pack's cells as uniform as feasible, so that you will get the max performance and lifetime from your batteries.

Logging devices are a luxury, especially when you're a beginner.

[ImNix]

is there some kind of wall plug in device? i guess the TP one wont work?

[Pinecone]

Balancers are needed because over time the various cells in a pack can develop slight variations in the cell voltages. We charge lipo packs to 4.2 volts per cell, which is VERY close to the maximum safe voltage for the cells (4.25 - 4.3 volts per cell). But if you charge the entire pack (say a 3S pack) to 12.6 volts, if one cell is higher or lower than the other two, it can mean that some cells are overcharged. So if the pack reads 12.6 volts, but the cells are 4.0, 4.2, 4.4, the 4.4 volt one is overcharged and may "vent with flame" aka explode in a ball of flame. Which is not good. :)

So balancing makes sure that all the cells are very close in voltage.

You do NOT need a logger in flight, but you do need to pay attention to you pack depth of discharge. Whne you recharge at the end of a flgiht, you should make sure that you are not having to put more than a maximum of 80% of the pack capacity back in to recharge. Keeping it under 80% will increase your pack life a lot. So typically start out with a short flight 3 - 4 minutes, and fly exactly 3 or 4 minutes. Recharge the pack and see how much you put back. The up your flight time a bit based on what you put back until you get to putting back 70 - 80%. And if you change things, blade size, motor, type of flying, drop back to a short flight to check your depth of discahrge.

As for chargers, it depends on what size heli. The TP 1010C with 210V balancer is a very nice setup, but about $300. If you are starting with a smaller heli (3S - 11.1volt packs) the FMA CellPro is an amazing charger at $75 ($60 on sale).

[ImNix]

great explanation! ya a really good friend of mine just suggested that. is there some kind of plug in adapter for the chargers? im not really looking forward to keeping my hood open for an hr

[ZipZap]

Some are ready to plug into the wall. Look for AC/DC.

On the DC chargers, you'll need to get a power supply that plugs into the wall.

[Pinecone]

You can get a power supply from most electronics type stores. I don't know where you are since you didn't enter a location, but in the US, Radio Shack carries them.

Or you can modify an old computer power supply as they put out 12 volts on some connections.