The other "Dennis" (stuntguy13) saved me the trouble of asking the same question:
to wit: is it better to have a "gang" charger or to have multiple single chargers?
I'm thinking about the Great Planes Poly-charge, each station charging through an Equinox balancer for my 4S x 2500's. Next queston is what kind of power supply are you guys with the multipack chargers using?
Hi Denny,
The Poly-charge 4 I use, and mentioned in my prior post, is great at the field. I can fly my mini pattern plane all day with my 6 3S 2100 batteries, and go home with them all charged too. :-) .... BUT, this charger is light on features. NO display, only blinking lights, NO idea of charge amt/flight, NO balancing, must use separate balancer. NO discharge ability.
Even with these limitations it is still a nice unit, and a good solution. If you are using smaller batteries it may be a very good choice. I have my batteries numbered so I rotate them between one of my balancers, so that at least every 4th charge they get a fully balanced charge. A nice feature is the easy dial you turn to set the charge rate, it can be different for each battery. It also automatically senses the correct V to use for each battery.
Power Supply: I use the very good PS from my friends at SinCityJets in LV. It has three output jacks for three chargers. It is small, light, has two fans and way cool blue lights inside. :-) It is only $75 and it works great. Here is the link:
http://sincityjets.com/store-accessories.htmMake sure you get a "switching power supply". If you go to an electronics store they may try and sell you a lab PS that will weigh about 25 pounds. The one above weighs < 2 lbs.
The thin, light one from Radio Shack is also good. Make sure it is at least 18 amps, 20 to 25 amps is even better if you want to charge multiple 4 amp batteries. Between the PS and our three batteries being charged there is a lot of energy being lost. ;-)
There are other good PS out there, but I would be wary of some of the inexpensive ones. I tried one once, from my LHS, and it failed in a week. ....... But, then again, your milage may vary? ;-)
Regards,