Need a new Charger

[blueprint]

The Cellpro 4S charger has served my purpose for a long time now but i recently purchased a 500 and would like the ability to charge 2x 3S batteries... the hyperion duo is on my list but are there any other chargers that are just as good? please post your recommendations... still doing some research.

[bobby619]

When you step up to 6s packs, you can charge 2 x 6s at the same time.

I am researching too.

[kgfly]

You might find this summary useful:
Integrated Balance Chargers
===========================
These offer simplicity and convenience with the balancer and charger combined
in the same case. Simpler, more convenient, take up less bench space and
easier to transport.

--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Brand Model Chemistry Balancer Input Output Price (USD) Notes
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
FMA Cellpro4S LiXx only 2s-4s dc 50W/4A $75 Excellent, simple, hugely popular, great value
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Bantam eStation BC6 multi 2s-6s ac/dc 50W/5A $170 Proven high quality. Integrated ac/dc power supply is great
Hyperion EOS0606iAD multi 2s-6s ac/dc 50W/6A $150 Integrated ac/dc supply but not as good as the BC6
TP TP610 multi 2s-6s dc 80W/10A $130 New model from respected TP brand
Maxpro X6 multi 2s-6s dc 100W/5A $140 New brand, good user comments so far
Bantam BC610 multi 2s-6s dc 200W/10A $180 Same great charger as the BC6 but 200W/10A (dc input only)
Hyperion EOS0610iNET multi 2s-6s dc 250W/10A $170 Most bang for buck in terms of features+output power
Hyperion EOS0610iDUO multi 2s-6s x 2 dc 180W/10A each $270 Very handy if you discharge packs in pairs
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Bantam eStation BC8 multi 2s-8s dc 150W/7A $270 Proven high quality
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Chargery 1010B multi 2s-10s dc 200W/10A $240 New brand, good spec.s, no user feedback seen so far
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
FMA Cellpro10S LiXx only 2s-5s x 2 dc 300W/10A $190 New model with good pedigree but yet to see user feedback
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Graupner Ultra DUO 50 multi 2x-7s x 2 ac/dc 360W/10A $530 Very impressive beast, but expensive. Integrated AC power supply
for up to 120W max output power, else run it off DC to get 180W/10A
per port or 250W/10A on a single port. Appears to be two independent
channels, each with its own display and controls.
--------- ------------ -------------- --------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------



Non-integrated charger+balancer combos
======================================
This is the older style where the balancer is an add-on accessory to the charger.
Less convenient since it means more boxes, more cables, more things to configure,
store and transport.

--------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
Brand Model Chemistry Balancer Input Output Price (USD) Notes
--------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------
TP 1010C multi 210V 2s-10s dc 220W/10A $300 Top performer, hugely popular in US
Hyperion EOS1210i multi 2 x LBA10 2s-12s dc 180W/10A $240 Good value
Bantam eStation 902 multi 2 x PB6 2s-12s dc 200W/9.9A $400 Proven high quality
MEGA POWER Infinity 960SR multi 1 x LCB12 2s-12s dc 180W/10A $200 Good value, great LCD, 2nd NiXx-only port to
charge your Tx in parallel with your flight battery
--------- -------------- -------------- ----------------- ----- ------------- ----------- --------------------------------------------

Notes
=====
1) "multi" means at least: NiCd/NiMH/Pb/LiPo/LiFe
2) "LiXx only" means at least: LiPo/LiFe


The DUO packs a lot of punch for the dollars. It's main deficiencies are that it does not have a discharge feature, it has a crappy LCD that can only be read from directly above and it is a little harder to use than some others.

If you don't need to do two 6s packs at a time then the BC6-10 (2s-6s, 200W/10A) is an excellent choice, superior to the 0610iNET IMO. If you don't particularly want an integrated balance charger then the MegaPower 960SR (2s-12s, 180W/10A, second output for NiXx) is impressive value.

[RC Accessory]

If the CP4S is your only charger, getting another one without the discharge ability doesn't fullfill the full charging need most pilot have.

While we are a direct Bantam importer, we also sell the Hyperion line as well. We have already exchanged 2 Hyperion Duo's for Bantam units because the buyers assumed that such a high end charger had the discharge ability. Another flyer here in HF sold his Bantam BC-8 and bought the Hyperion and has mentioned he misses the discharge function.

If you need to charge 2 packs of different capacites, voltages, even chemistries, then the Hyperion Duo is your only choice for a single charger.

If that is not an issue, look at the Bantam BC6-10. http://www.rcaccessory.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=354

First off it is 200 watts of 12V power supply or 13.8V car power/AC power supply. The Hyperions require 15V or more to get to the rated full power of 180 watts per side on the Duo or 250 watts on the 610iNet charger. Most people do not find this out until they get the unit in.

The Bantam models have full charging and discharging ability, very bright and easy to read adjustable LCD screen. The Hyperions have a very hard to read blue LCD.

Again, if you need 2 pack charging, the Hyperion Duo is your only choice.

[Smiky]

Check out the Cellpro 10s Thread, a lot of people are cancelling their Cellpro order and getting a Hyperion DUO instead... http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=57040

Mike

[blueprint]

thanks for all the help guys... i am really taking a close look at the bantam BC610.

i want the ability to charge through the discharge lead and use a Y Harness to charge 2 3S 2100 packs. I have a few zippy 3s packs of same mah and C. i am using them in series for my 500.

i really hate to charge them individually and would like the ability to charge them together and balance individually...

Thanks again for the helpful information. The TP610, BC610 and the BC6 AC/DC is on my list.

[bobby619]

They say the DUO's firmware is upgradeable. If so, can the discharge feature be implemented on a firmware update?

Also (NOOB QUESTION), do you only need to discharge to store your lipos? What are some other reasons for discharging your packs?

[RC Accessory]

They say the DUO's firmware is upgradeable. If so, can the discharge feature be implemented on a firmware update?

Also (NOOB QUESTION), do you only need to discharge to store your lipos? What are some other reasons for discharging your packs?

Several people on other forums made a comment about a software upgrade to add discharge ability to the Hyperions. Not possible, the hardware for discharge is not there!

99.9% of the time, you will never discharge a lipo. The Storage function on the Bantams discharge the pack to the storage voltage. I have used the discharge function on individual A123 cells in a pack when the voltage of 1 cell was very high, nearly a volt above the rest. Sometimes in the Dewalt packs you get a cell or 2 that needs to be worked on separately.

[RC Accessory]

thanks for all the help guys... i am really taking a close look at the bantam BC610.

i want the ability to charge through the discharge lead and use a Y Harness to charge 2 3S 2100 packs. I have a few zippy 3s packs of same mah and C. i am using them in series for my 500.

i really hate to charge them individually and would like the ability to charge them together and balance individually...

Thanks again for the helpful information. The TP610, BC610 and the BC6 AC/DC is on my list.

We have that for the Bantam BC-6 and BC6-10. See these threads

http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=57876
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=54696
http://www.helifreak.com/showthread.php?t=54695