R/C Tech :: Product Review :: APS Racing 3-in-1 Dyno Charge

there are quite literally hundreds of different battery chargers on the market today. Over the years, these have progressed from the simple twist-a-dial timer chargers to the microprocessor-controlled behemoths that claim to do just about everything you could imagine, short of brewing your coffee and cooking your breakfast--although at this rate, those can't be far behind! Still, with so many choices on the market, only a small group of chargers have ever included motor run and break-in functions, and nearly all of them have become mainstays of the electric racing scene. Sure, you can run a motor off of an old battery pack, but why go to the trouble when your charger can control the voltage and duration of the run, and even give you feedback throughout the process? If you've never owned a charger capable of motor break-in, here's some good news: the APS Dyno Charge has your name written all over it.

like most competition-grade NiMH chargers, the Dyno Charge can charge between 1 and 8 cells at anywhere from 0.5 to 8 amps, with an adjustable voltage delta peak of 10 to 200 mV per pack (or 0.01 to 0.20 V for those used to that terminology). If you're worried about overheating a pack, the charger includes an external temperature probe and can be programmed to cut off the charge at a particular temperature as well. There are 5 programmable charge profiles, so keeping track of settings for different types of batteries is easily accomplished. Getting information from the Dyno Charge is easy thanks to its two-line blue backlit display, something that's really a treat if you've been using a non-backlit charger up to this point.

When you're done charging, the extra functionality of the Dyno Charge keeps it an integral part of your pit area. The most basic motor run mode lets you run a motor at anywhere from 0.1 to 8V, and can handle a sustained current draw of 20A (above and beyond two other notable chargers on the market). A solid motor break-in stand is included with the charger, and the stand has a reflective RPM sensor built into it. If you're interested in RPM readings, just pop the reflective cap on to your motor, start the run, and the charger will report the RPM value. If you're more interested in a complex break-in procedure, you can set up the Dyno Charge to pulse the motor with two different voltages to more accurately simulate on-track driving conditions. Both modes record the maximum RPM and amp draw, which can then be stored and recalled later for comparison purposes. It's not exactly a dyno since it doesn't place a load on the motor, but the Dyno Charge should still help you weed the bad motors out of your stable.

The charger includes an easy-to-navigate menu, and although the instructions are brief, they are detailed and provide a graphical representation of everything that you'll encounter on the screen. You can enable or disable the sounds, and the charger even includes a mode to test the reflectivity of the RPM sensor and the operation of the temperature probe. We're not sure how many people will actually do these things, but the fact that the designers thought those things out says a lot.

using the dyno charge is quick, simple and efficient. As a DC-powered unit, it requires a 12-16V power supply for operation, helping to preserve its small size and weight. The charger comes with a set of power leads and output leads, each with alligator clips. A small headphones-style plug on the front of the unit accepts either the temperature or RPM sensors, though not both at once. Unlike a lot of chargers that have tiny computer-style plugs for their sensors, the mini stereo plug makes using the sensors easy, and resists wear and tear. Once the charger has been fired up, the blue backlit display makes it very easy to read, from the bright daylight to the darkest indoor pitting area.

Despite the "dyno" in its name, charging is still the primary function of the Dyno Charge, and we had no complaints in that area. Although it lacks some of the more advanced charging modes that have become common these days such as multi-step charge rates, the Dyno Charge gets the job done with no problems. You can program up to five different battery profiles, set both the voltage peak and temperature peak cut offs, or even combine the two if you're really paranoid. Plus, you can use the temperature probe to lock out the peak detect until a certain temperature is reached, which is an excellent way to avoid false peaks (assuming that you have a good idea of the charging temperature of your packs). The default sounds include button beeping and a series of five short tones to indicate the end of a charge, although sounds can be completely disabled in the menus.

The motor run and break-in features of the Dyno Charge are well thought out and equally easy to use. Once again, despite the "dyno" in its name, it's plain to see that this is not a dyno and is certainly not a substitute for one; only RPM and amp draw data is available, with no load placed on the motor to generate torque and power numbers. The primary function here is to break in a motor, and you won't find an easier method anywhere else. If you want to get excessively particular with your break-in methods, the variable voltage mode should satisfy your every urge, and makes the motor sound like something out of a sci-fi movie as it pulses. The inclusion of the break-in stand is another big plus, and since it is constructed from a solid chunk of aluminum, it won't be vibrating away as the motor runs.

with all of the different battery chargers on the market right now, it is bound to be difficult for any new product to find its niche, so the Dyno Charge faces quite a task. Its main competitor will likely be the even-less-expensive Duratrax ICE, with both chargers offering a relatively similar feature set. However, APS' offering excels in a few areas over the ICE: its 20A current maximum during motor break-in, included break-in stand, and backlit screen all set it apart. A bigger screen and some extra charging flexibility would have been nice, and the lack of a discharge mode keeps the Dyno Charge from being an all-in-one solution, but who are we kidding? If this thing had been on the market a year ago, it would be in every pit box on the planet, and for good reason. There aren't many negative things to say about a small, lightweight, inexpensive charger that doubles as a break-in tool. If you race or work on motors on a regular basis, the APS Dyno Charge deserves a spot on your table.