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Electric Stunt => Gettin all AMP'ed up! => Topic started by: Paul Taylor on June 20, 2013, 08:31:37 AM

Title: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 20, 2013, 08:31:37 AM
So I have searched and found a few threads on batteries and chargers.
I even read some on the stuff in SN's. I'm am still unsure what to buy.
I have the controller from Tom Morris. I have a AXI 2826/10 coming.
I would like to get two batteries and charger. I would like to get a marine battery to recharge at the field.
Can someone suggest a middle of the road charger and batteries?
Thanks
Confused.  :!
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: William DeMauro on June 20, 2013, 01:01:36 PM
Paul,
I wrote about chargers recently in Stunt News and many times on here. If you can swing it buy the best charger that you can possibly afford. I've been known to push the I-charger 306B as it's one of my favorites. If that's too expensive and everybody's version of expensive is different shoot me an e-mail and maybe we can chat on the phone a bit one day.
William
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: John Cralley on June 20, 2013, 01:19:43 PM
Paul,

The Thunder Charger T610 has served me well for not a whole lot of money. It will balance charge, discharge, discharge to storage level etc. Others will have their favorite I am sure.

http://www.hobbypartz.com/75p-t610-charger.html
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Jeff Traxler on June 20, 2013, 01:25:50 PM
Paul,Whats the kv on your motor? 3,4,or 5 cells?
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Reptoid on June 20, 2013, 03:34:31 PM
The AXI 2826/10  is 920kv and 3-5 cell H^^
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 20, 2013, 07:01:28 PM
The AXI 2826/10  is 920kv and 3-5 cell H^^

Found this link.
http://www.modelmotors.cz/index.php?page=61&product=2826&serie=10&line=GOLD

So then went to this site.
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_listCategoriesAndProducts.asp?idCategory=86&LiPoConfig=4&sortlist=&CatSortOrder=desc

Here are 4s batteries that range in all shapes, sizes and prices. 
Now what charger to get for these batteries. The one John listed did not seem to do two 4s batteries???
I would like to charge more then one battery at a time or balance.
HELP!!!
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Dean Pappas on June 20, 2013, 07:02:17 PM
With a Kv of 920, you are almost certainly running 4 cells.
If you limit yourself to 4 cells, then there are excellent chargers for $60 or less like the Revolectrix 4S that balance, discharge and storage charge.
Regards,
  Dean P.
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 20, 2013, 07:07:57 PM
Thanks Dean!
I will have a look.  H^^
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Jeff Traxler on June 20, 2013, 07:29:19 PM
Paul,Check PM ASAP
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Curare on June 20, 2013, 09:37:05 PM
What I have to offer may not be particularly relevant to stunt needs but I have had a bit of experience with chargers.

Firstly Bob Hunt reccomends the Cell Pro 10s, I've had one for about 5 years, and probably used it to put nearly 2000 charges through batteries ranging from 2s to 8s, and from packs as small as 400mah, to 6600 mah. It'll do the lot. It's a great charger, the only thing I don't like about the cell pro is the fact that it's a LI only charger. It'll take Li Fe, Li Ion, and Li Po but nothing else. If you have nicads or Nimh for your glow drivers and possibly other aircraft you'll still need two chargers. Also the Cell Pro doesn't have a discharge function. With that said it's great in the fact that it'll monitor individual cell voltage, give you an IR reading and also 'heal' overdischarged batteries (to a point).

Recently, after a few dodgy input power issues it developed some problems and is now in need to being sent back to the factory. I'm not upset as it's had an absolute beating.

I had to buy a new charger, and I can thoroughly reccomend the powerlab Chargers. You'll get everything you have in a cell pro, (if you go for the balance charger board, you can charge up to 6 packs at once) plus you get the ability to safely parallel charge, you can charge nearly everything (nicad nimh, lipo, PB) and the best bit is regenerative discharge.

Occassionly we go flying and will have a pile of packs charged, and for whatever reason we don't burn all the packs. With the powerlab you can program it to discharge your battery packs back into a Lead Acid battery, so rather than burning off your stored energy in heat, it's actually charging something. The other good thing about this is that you can really haul out a lot of energy fast, which is helpful for determining the health of suspect packs.

On another note, you always gets what you pays for, and I've been seeing some guys with packs that go funny quickly. I've seen packs that have been balanced charged off cheap chargers that are wildly unbalanced. A few cycles on the ol' powerlab brought them back from certain death though.


Sorry for the long winded post, but it's worth noting to new electricky guys what's what.

Short version: Powerlab!
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 21, 2013, 11:13:46 AM
A few of these chargers listed in this thread have been discontinued. 10s and 4s.
http://www.revolectrix.com/4sgold_description_tab.htm

Right now I am looking for a mid range - 50-75 bucks that will balance and store.
I think I have learned I need a 4s battery and charger.
Not real clear what 4s stands for.
On information over load.  ???
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Jeff Traxler on June 21, 2013, 11:51:14 AM
The telephone has the answers you seek y1 y1
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Howard Rush on June 21, 2013, 02:02:16 PM
Not real clear what 4s stands for.
On information over load.  ???

I just recently learned that kV isn't kilovolts.
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: John Cralley on June 21, 2013, 04:09:06 PM
A few of these chargers listed in this thread have been discontinued. 10s and 4s.
http://www.revolectrix.com/4sgold_description_tab.htm

Right now I am looking for a mid range - 50-75 bucks that will balance and store.
I think I have learned I need a 4s battery and charger.
Not real clear what 4s stands for.
On information over load.  ???

4S stands for four cells. Don't ask why!! mw~

By the way, I went for buying extra batteries rather than an expensive charger that will charge several batteries at one time at the field.  y1
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Paul Taylor on June 21, 2013, 07:41:43 PM
Make sense John.
Thanks. I think I'm starting to learn a little.  H^^
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Jason Greer on June 21, 2013, 08:33:28 PM
You might think about spending just a little more and get a charger that will charge more than a 4s pack.  This would give you more freedom in the future to go to a 5 or 6s pack if so desired.

If you're ever in LA (lower Arkansas) let me know.  We have a great soccer field to fly on now.

Take care,
Jason
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: ericrule on June 22, 2013, 09:38:07 AM
Paul:

In January 2013 I posted a Special Offer in the Vendor section that offered 50% off the price of a charger when you purchased two batteries. sounds like it is what you are seeking.

Check it out at the RSM section of the Vendors' Cornor.

Eric Rule
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Curare on June 23, 2013, 07:18:12 PM
HAHAHA, too true!

I'd been eyeing off the 1700w PSU that revolectrix supply to power the PL8, which would allow me to charge all my 8S packs at once.

While I'm on part-time work though it's going to be a long wait.

Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Bob Hudak on June 23, 2013, 08:27:43 PM
Go to hobby kings website and check out the Nanotech batteries in the 3.0 AH or 3.3 AH capacity with a 25C-50C discharge rating. The size will be metric but is easy to convert to inches. You'll need this to see if they can fit in the ship you are going to use them in. Chargers are going to be where you spend money that fits your budget. Take Will and Bob's  advice and buy a good charger that will serve you many years. I'm saving my money for an I Charger 306b.
Title: Re: What batteries and charger?
Post by: Curare on June 24, 2013, 01:23:06 AM
Personally, I don't think that nano-techs are all that.

I have had equal success in some demanding setups ( hauling 38 amps out of 2200mah packs) with turnigy and zippy packs, and there didn't appear to be any benefit to using nano-techs. In fact they appear to be more finicky than their less expensive brethren (they hate to be charged and left, even for a day).

In most CL setups high C rating isn't going to be required, and most 25c packs will work happily. I'd be more inclined to buy Zippy compacts these days due to their smaller size.