OldGuydust

iTrader: (18)

Very interesting.......

Mr. Flyby

Haha wow that's a big difference from 5 amps. Im going to upgrade chargers so it can charge faster for going to the track. I can't wait 45 minutes at the track for a battery to charge lol

fq06

iTrader: (12)

I saw a charger or two in the usa for a couple more $'s than the Hobbyking turnigy that I use just can't remember where it is at.
You will also need a power source for a good charger, my setup costs about $130 all in.

fq06

iTrader: (12)

Yep, after I threw out the extra $'s for the reedy and ran it I was like... meh, not that much of a difference. Top end is the same, there is a little more power right off the bottom then midrange and up it's the same power.

Mr. Flyby

So in other words the more amps the charger has the faster it's going to charge the batteries? Correct?

fq06

iTrader: (12)

Correct. But your lipo can limit how high you can set the amperage at in a charge. Like my reedy is rated up to a 2c charge so I charge that at 13 amps (6500mah 2c: 6.5 x 2 = 13 amp charge). I couldn't reach the limit of the nano if I tried with a 20 amp charger.

Mr. Flyby

So if I buy a 20 amp charger will that fry the battery I have now?

fq06

iTrader: (12)

A good charger will charge anywhere from 0.1 amps up to (in 0.1 increments) whatever it's max is (mines 20).
So you would set the charger at 6 amps for the lipo that you currently have as that is the max rated charging capacity for that specific lipo. It will be fine at 6 amps and it will charge slightly quicker than the 5 amp charger that you have.
When you get better lipos, you will be able to charge at higher rates... up to whatever your new lipo allows.
Charge yours much over 6 amps and you may have a bbq. Crack a beer, invite some friends over and cook some hot dogs

Mr. Flyby

Hahaha ok I think I got it now. So you shouldn't use your charger at more amps than what your battery is right? Just by saying the charger pretty much adjusts itself answered my question lol I thought it always charges at 20 or something.

fq06

iTrader: (12)

Exactly. Even though a charger can charge at 20 amps doesn't mean that you should use the full 20 amps on all lipo's.

You tell the charger how many cells your charging and how many amps you want to charge at and the charger does the rest.

I charge my nano techs at 20 amps most of the time because they will take it.
I charge my reedy pack at 13 amps because that is all that reedy says it will take.

Mr. Flyby

Ok so you have the Turnigy nano-tech 5600mah 2S2P 50~100C?
So it would be 5.6ampsx50-100c so your charging amps would be between 280 and 560? right? Am I doing this right? lol

Edit: Also how would I know what to charge it at? No more than 75% you said? So if my battery is capable up to 6amps and my charger goes up to 5 amps I should charge it at roughly 4 or 4.5 amps?

fq06

iTrader: (12)

I have one of those, first nano I got a while ago. My others are 6600's but we will use the 5600 for this example.

Lets assume the manufacturers rating is correct which they all use a different method to determine the discharge rate and some even lie. Thats another story.

The 50-100 represents the rate the lipo can discharge at. A constant 50c (280a) and a burst (few seconds) discharge of 100c (560a). You want the constant to be at a minimum of 125% of the amounof amps that your esc/motor can draw. In your case, that is way above your esc/motors needs. That will keep you from puffing the lipo from over working it.

The charge rate is the amount that you can charge at. That is based on the size of the lipo (mah) and the charge "c" rating. So for the 5600 nano specifically (all will be different) you can charge at a 8c rate. So you convert the 5600mah to amps. 5.6 amps. Then you multiply by 8 (8c). You get a max charge rate of 44.8 amps.

Hence, you are more than safe charging that specific lipo at 20 amps as it is below the max 44.8.

Specs below for the 5600 50-100 nano tech.


Capacity(mAh) 5600
Config(s) 2
Discharge(c) 50
Weight(g) 294
Max Charge Rate (C) 8
Length-A(mm) 138
Height-B(mm) 47
Width-C(mm) 25

fq06

iTrader: (12)

The 5300 or the 5600 (both 50c) are more than enough for a 2wd. A 4wd like I run is more power hungry and thats why I run the 6600's.
The 6600's sell out quicker than the 5300 or 5600, but if you find them in stock... get them.
Some will say it's over kill.

I say that they weigh virtually the same (their claimed weights are within a few grams of actual weight) and the 6600 will fit in your truck. If you ever step up to a 4wd, you dont have to go buying new lipos... you already got em.

Its not possible to have too much battery, the higher discharge capability, the longer healthier life it will live.

Mr. Flyby

Alright I'm starting to get it now. I guess I was just confused on where you were getting the numbers from, I have to check what the battery is rated at first to get my numbers. But you said you're only suppose to charge like 75% max of the safe amps? right?

fq06

iTrader: (12)

Charge up to the max allowed, thats fine.

Its when you max out the discharge capability that you run into trouble.

If your motor/esc can take 280 amps at max load and you have a lipo that can put out a max of 280 amps... the lipo will overheat and at a minimum puff causing permanent damage or worse catch on fire in your brand new toy that is now a puddle of plastic and screws on the track.

You always want your lipo to be capable of way more than your motor can ask for.

Kind of like having a 500cc gas motor in a tractor that is used all day at full throttle since the motor is so underpowered for the application. Compared to a 5 liter 6 cylinder diesel motor that can be run all day long at 10% throttle.

The 500cc motor may last a week as it is being pushed to its limit at all times and the diesel lasts for years as it is working at a leisurely pace.