Aftermarket LIPO Charger... what do you use?

[Rotax800]

Hey guys,

I love flying but i'm really limted to 1 flight once a day because of the charge time and my schedule. I'd really like to cut it from 3 hours charge down to an hour or so. What aftermarket lipo charger do you guys use? Please state the brand, model, etc... Also if you use one of the blinky whatever they are devices that i've read about.

This would really be helpful me.

Thanks.

[tom dubya]

Well since no one has answered your post yet i'll say i think alot of these guys use the imax b5 and b6 i think. As for me im still using the stock charger but i have a few batteries so i can fly for about 45 min or so. Which for me is about all the time i ever have anyway.

[thunderhead]

Right now I'm running 2 Chargery Power C650's with matching 12 amp power supplys. I also run the balancers designed for my batteries. This set up will charge all my three cell stuff and my 6 cell batts as well. Obviously this allows me to charge 2 packs at the same time no matter the cell count or mah rating. Cost about $160 for total for everything.

[Rotax800]

HI guys,

Thanks for reply to my topic. I called my LHS this morning and they only have the Triton Jr. in stock and they have the little Astro blinky balancers. I've heard good things about the Triton2 chargers. I just don't know enough about the Jr's and what they don't have that the triton2 does have. Needless to say, I didn't buy it because I wanted to do a little more research and possible see what you guys think of the Triton Jr. It was $79 and the blinky think was $30.

Thanks.

[Ronniebiggs]

How do you get the Imax B6 charger to work? You dont get a power transformer. I tried the stock belt cp lead and it wouldnt fit. Could someone provide a link to a Uk place that stocks a suitable charger lead (or whatever you call it) Would like the fast charge (higher ampage) if poss.

Sorry for the hijac:)

[newhelliguy]

This is a great charger ---4 batteries at once up to 3 amps each (3000Mah) and 1 to 4 cells each. its 4 independant chargers for the price of one.
give it a looksee.

http://www.amainhobbies.com/product_info.php/products_id/9819

[another_finn]

How do you get the Imax B6 charger to work? You dont get a power transformer.

Blink (http://www.blinktrading-online.co.uk/batteries-chargers-c-92.html) has some power supplies that should work... Or you can probably find something suitable in just about any electronics, computer or hardware store in your area.

Sometimes you have to get creative, though. I'm currently using a cheap SkyRC 15V/5A power supply that I hacked for banana plugs. I couldn't find a suitable connector, so the plug is permanently soldered inside my, uh, Esky connection box :D

This is a great charger ---4 batteries at once up to 3 amps each (3000Mah)

That GP charger is probably great for quick mass charges, but it doesn't do balancing, which kinda negates the speed advantage. I still swear by my CellPro 4S - automatic everything, smart charge balancing (instead of discharge balancing; huge speed advantage right there), can charge at up to 4A / 3C and also supports A123 batteries.

[peddler]

I'm using the Hobbico accu-cycle Elite. It charges up to 3 cell lipo or 10 Nihm or nicd. You can set some parameters. 10 battery memory. Also, you can set to auto cycle up to 5 cycles, nice for new batts. It comes with a 120 volt power source for use on the bench. It's been good for what I use it for ; 3 cell 2100 lipos and Nimh batts. Also, you can charge 2 batts at once. Heres the link to where I got mine http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEYD4&P=ML I forgot to add that I needed to buy the Electrifly Equinox balancer when I later got into the lipos as the charger does'nt have balancing capabilities.

[DierWolf]

Finn,

I'm still all confused on this charger business..

you said you hacked it together, i see what looks like a standard esky charger with plugs comign out where the 2 LED's used to be and a power supply..

how exactly is this all working in conjunction ? wiring diagram of how it is would help me, this is why up to now i havent bought one of these things and rather buy multiple batteries coz really searching the net to buy one is very confusing on all what you need to get .

[must289pwr]

I still swear by my CellPro 4S - automatic everything, smart charge balancing (instead of discharge balancing; huge speed advantage right there), can charge at up to 4A / 3C and also supports A123 batteries.

I just got the Cellpro and that thing rocks!!! I was using the standard eflite charger on my 2100mah packs and it was taking about 5 hours. With the Cellpro it has cut down to about 30 to 45.

Finn,

I'm still all confused on this charger business..

you said you hacked it together, i see what looks like a standard esky charger with plugs comign out where the 2 LED's used to be and a power supply..

how exactly is this all working in conjunction ? wiring diagram of how it is would help me, this is why up to now i havent bought one of these things and rather buy multiple batteries coz really searching the net to buy one is very confusing on all what you need to get .

If you already have a power supply like another_finn did you can hack it to get it to work. But if you dont have something that might work then just buy the 12V 5A powersupply from somewhere like fmadirect.com thats only $30. Not having to wait huge amounts of time for a charged pack just rocks.

[another_finn]

i see what looks like a standard esky charger with plugs comign out where the 2 LED's used to be and a power supply...
It's just the plastic box - I needed somewhere to mount the plugs ;)

The only difficulty is that most chargers are designed to operate off a car battery in the field. They usually come with crocodile clips attached to 4 mm plugs, which makes it kinda hard to use a suitable power supply you already have lying around the house. My solution was to grab a $17.50 PSU (http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6477&Product_Name=IMAX_Power_Supply_100~240v_5A) off Hobby City and solder the connector to 4 mm plugs mounted in the first convenient box I could lay my hands on. Converting PC power supply units is also a popular alternative.

If you want to avoid the hassle, there's a new version of the BC6 out with an integrated power supply - and like must289pwr said, FMA Direct now offers a 12V 5A unit (http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?item=2262&section=57) with suitable connectors pre-installed.

Can't say enough good things about the CellPro - just remember to get the Great Planes / Kokam adapter (http://www.fmadirect.com/detail.htm?item=2271&section=45) for Esky/Align/etc batteries.

[DierWolf]

Finn your the best (not to sound girly) but love it when people actually post links of what exactly is needed, takes out the hassel of searching for the right thing :)

Ok i understand now the esky balancecharger box is just a junction boy your using LOL... cool.. questions... Why not just solder it directly?? wire to wire? unless you want to maintain the clips for field use...

I guess what confused the hell out of me is in your pic the power lead going to the esky charger/balancer was still plugged in.... or am i still missing something here LOL..

[another_finn]

questions... Why not just solder it directly?? wire to wire? unless you want to maintain the clips for field use...

I guess what confused the hell out of me is in your pic the power lead going to the esky charger/balancer was still plugged in.... or am i still missing something here LOL..
It IS plugged in - that power lead is coming from the new PSU. The original hole was a convenient size, so I epoxied in the connector from the power supply, then soldered two wires to the 4 mm plugs inside the box.

I might as well have cut the wires and soldered them together without connectors... However, the cable from the PSU kinda looked like it might be coaxial so I didn't want to mess with it ;)

[DierWolf]

Ahhh ok cool now i got the wireing setup you have.

Kinda hard figureing it ouw when the wires go off picture :)

[kimmy]

CellPro is the best. :D