PDA

View Full Version : Battle of the Titans (Chargers)

MavriC
05-29-2008, 01:44 PM
Hi all, been awhile since I last posted.

In the process of going BIG with electrics and I'm looking at 6S packs and bigger, so after a few days research (Google is your friend) and looking over the big boy chargers, I've come across these. I've no experience with any of them except the e-Station 902, so any help/advice/info would be much appreciated! Oh yeah, I know about the 1010C and the CellPro10 but I'm looking at, if you will, newer chargers that will do at least 12 cells. Plus must discharge, which kills off the Hyperion Duo. Otherwise that would have been the perfect charger IMHO.

First Up: Bantam e-Station 902

http://www.bantamtek.com/products/charger-902.htm

http://www.bantamtek.com/image/Chargers/902.jpg

I have a friend with this charger and it's very nice! Easy to use also.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Second: Graupner Ultra Duo Plus 50

https://shop.graupner.de/webuerp/servlet/AI?ARTN=6444

https://shop.graupner.de/productimages/6444.jpg

This one seems to be "the one" to have since it does it all plus includes an AC inverter built in!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Third: robbe Power Peak Eternity

http://at.robbe-online.net/rims_at.storefront/483ee81e0007bf88271b3e0dc146060c/UserTemplate/1/?ISID=483ee81e0007bf88271b3e0dc146060c

http://data.robbe-online.net/robbe_pic/P1001/P1001_1-8471.jpg

Beautiful looking charger, with 315W of power!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fourth: Schulze next 20.36-14 "high end"

http://www.schulze-elektronik-gmbh.com/index_uk.htm

There is no picture for this charger as of yet, since it's not been released. However those of you with experience with the Schulze isl8 "high end" can chime in and let me know what you think of it. This will be the replacemet to the isl8.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Fifth: Hyperion EOS 0610i DUO

http://media.hyperion.hk/dn/eos/EOS0610iDUO-MAN-EN.pdf

http://media.hyperion.hk/dn/eos/HP-EOS0610iDUO-L.jpg

This would be the one if only it discharged as well. I threw it in here for those interested.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Once again I know about the TP 1010C and the CellPro 10S but they are both lacking certain features I'm looking for.

So anyone with experience with any or all of these chargers please post your comments as to ease of use, hangs/bugs/crashes (if any), feature sets, etc....

If I'm going to spend rather large bucks on a high end charger, I only want to do it once. I have a 40A Power Supply already picked out:

http://www.bkprecision.com/www/np_search_model9.asp?model=1692

http://www.bkprecision.com/spimages/1692.gif

Thank you everyone in advance!

Rick

P.S. Bob you could do a charger comparison/review shootout! You have a ton of experience, and I'm sure a lot of us here would greatly appreciate your efforts with this. Providing you have the time. :-)
MavriC
05-30-2008, 12:38 PM
Anyone have any comments/experience/notes/info???

Rick.
cbflys
06-10-2008, 01:09 PM
An upcoming firmware release for the Hyperion 0610i DUO is rumored to include 'discharge' functionality. I have this charger and highly recommend it.
MavriC
06-10-2008, 02:36 PM
An upcoming firmware release for the Hyperion 0610i DUO is rumored to include 'discharge' functionality. I have this charger and highly recommend it.

Hey! Thanks for some input!

That's what I'm looking for!

Yes, I heard that too about the DUO. I actually read that in one of their info releases! If so, then the only other charger to give serious competition at this time would be the Graupner Ultra Duo Plus 50. But I think it's easier to get your hands on the Hyperion's.

Rick.
BLEVE
06-13-2008, 01:49 PM
It appears that the promised firmware update to include discharging has been released. Anyone installed it yet. Seems like this puts the Hyperion at the top of the heap.
WhirlingBladesOfDeath
06-19-2008, 12:06 PM
Just a FYI, I just found out last night that my DUO can only do 6S max per pack. I bought the DUO to charge my new FP single 8S packs, only to find it can't do it. :arggg:

When they say it can go up to 12S, what they really mean is it can charge 2 separate 6S packs in "SYNC" mode, which just means the two balancers talk to each other and keep the cell voltages the same between the two. Otherwise, it's just two seperate 6S chargers.

The DUO WILL NOT charge any SINGLE lipo larger than 6S. :(

The charger is great for my smaller packs, but I gotta say I'm a bit PO'd right now about the whole thing.

Good luck,
Jason
RC Accessory
06-19-2008, 12:53 PM
It appears that the promised firmware update to include discharging has been released. Anyone installed it yet. Seems like this puts the Hyperion at the top of the heap.

The discharging is through the balance tap @ 300 mah. Very very slow. The unit does not have the chipset for discharging.
MavriC
06-19-2008, 01:10 PM
The discharging is through the balance tap @ 300 mah. Very very slow. The unit does not have the chipset for discharging.

What happened to the Bantam 902? I was looking at buying it, but a lot of web shops hardly have any stock. Are they discontinuing it, or making a newer version?

Rick.
RC Accessory
06-19-2008, 01:20 PM
What happened to the Bantam 902? I was looking at buying it, but a lot of web shops hardly have any stock. Are they discontinuing it, or making a newer version?

Rick.

Special order at the moment.
MavriC
06-19-2008, 01:30 PM
Special order at the moment.

What about the Graupner Ultra Duo Plus 50?

It seems to have it all. See my first post.

Rick.
Nudenut
06-23-2008, 03:36 AM
I have the Graupner 50, just starting to put it through it's paces...

* Max 120W when running on AC input
* Max 180W x 2 or 250W x 1 on DC input
* Built-in 2s-7s balancer for each channel

It has two independent channels which is pretty good. Certainly it could easily do two 6s 5000 packs at the same time at up to about 7.7A or 1.5C (when running from a DC power supply). Charging two such packs at 1C requires approximately 300W input. At 1.5C, about 450W input. So you will need a beefy DC power supply, probably best to get a 15V/40A unit if you can which I have.

On AC power max output is 120W which is plenty to do one 6s 5000 pack at 1C or two 6s 5000 packs at 0.5C

for me running 6 cell set-up it's perfect!
MavriC
06-23-2008, 10:49 AM
I have the Graupner 50, just starting to put it through it's paces...

* Max 120W when running on AC input
* Max 180W x 2 or 250W x 1 on DC input
* Built-in 2s-7s balancer for each channel

It has two independent channels which is pretty good. Certainly it could easily do two 6s 5000 packs at the same time at up to about 7.7A or 1.5C (when running from a DC power supply). Charging two such packs at 1C requires approximately 300W input. At 1.5C, about 450W input. So you will need a beefy DC power supply, probably best to get a 15V/40A unit if you can which I have.

On AC power max output is 120W which is plenty to do one 6s 5000 pack at 1C or two 6s 5000 packs at 0.5C

for me running 6 cell set-up it's perfect!

Thanks for the input on this charger! I've been VERY interested in it. Seems to have all of the features that anyone could ever want!

Curious... If you had a 8 cell pack or 10 cell pack could they still be charged on this charger? I've no experience with anything bigger than a 6S1P. I know a 8S2P or a 10S2P could be done, but are the balancer leads still separate on a big brick of a battery?

If you don't mind could you also post some good photo's of your Grauper 50 please? There is really nothing on the net to get a good clear shot of the charger and it's dual screens.

Thanks once again for your input!

Rick.
Nudenut
06-23-2008, 01:44 PM
Hi Rick,

Think 7 Cells is the max I'm afraid, although it'll charge/balance 2 of them concurrently!

Here's the manual and some pics of it juicing 2 x 6S KP 5000's on DC (2 x 180w max) easy! :smokin:
MavriC
06-23-2008, 05:19 PM
Hi Rick,

Think 7 Cells is the max I'm afraid, although it'll charge/balance 2 of them concurrently!

Here's the manual and some pics of it juicing 2 x 6S KP 5000's on DC (2 x 180w max) easy! :smokin:

THAT IS EXACTLY "THE" setup I was planning on purchasing!!! You read my mind!!

WOW! was the first word that came to mind... THAT is the UBER setup in my opinion!

Thank you very much for the pic's BTW.

But, what about an 8S or 10S? I think the balance leeds are paired off no? Meaning that an 8S would have two 4 cell leeds and a 10S would have two 5 cells leads? Maybe?

Either way congrats!

Rick.
Nudenut
06-25-2008, 12:49 PM
See what you're saying Rick but assume in order to charge 8 or 10 cell (even with seperate balancing leads) you'd need two output leads also which I'm not sure you'd have?? :dontknow
MavriC
06-25-2008, 05:49 PM
See what you're saying Rick but assume in order to charge 8 or 10 cell (even with seperate balancing leads) you'd need two output leads also which I'm not sure you'd have?? :dontknow

OK Nigel, thanks for the reply. I thought that the battery listed here for example...
http://www.flightpower.co.uk/index.asp?currency=USD&page=Products/index.asp^currency=USD
has two (2) balance leads (5 each) to possibly charge on your charger.

If not, no problem. But thanks for your input and pic's. I appreciate it. :-)

Rick.
Nudenut
06-26-2008, 02:14 AM
The charger charges via the output lead on the pack (as most I think when you get over 2 or 3 cells) and just uses the balancing leads for well, balancing I'm afraid.

If you were to make up your 8 or 10 cell pack by connecting 2 x 4cell or 5cell in parallel (or series, correct me if I'm wrong, one or other) then this charger can charge/monitor and balance both together, so yes.

However bottom line single packs up to 7cell per output it seams.

Nigel