JBURCH

iTrader: (2)

I was wondering the best way to charge a gel cell for a Losi Starter box to make sure there is enough charge. It seems to die down after about 6 starts on the engine. I currently use a Hobbico plug with 2 alligator clips that have very thin wiring but I dont think its getting a full charge. I know you can use stick packs and Lipo conversion but I wanted to get the use out of the gel cell. Thanks in advance

markr04

iTrader: (1)

Those batteries like to be trickle charged for several hours, like your Hobbico is doing. My old battery would die quickly, but it was old and I replaced it. My new one lasts a few days between charges.

fatdaddy

iTrader: (4)

you can get a charger like the MRC Superbrain 977 or 989 that charges nicd/nimh/lipo/and lead acid/gel cell batteries.

or try going to pep boys or something similar and see what they have for car battery chargers. those will all work ok too.

JBURCH

iTrader: (2)

Thanks for the comments guys, I have had the Hobbico trickling since last race which was Sunday to sunday, and still the same I leave it plugged in all the time. Pep Boys here I come

markt311

iTrader: (34)

I just use the Hobbico wall charger with the alligator clips, I get about 2 race days before I recharge it. If those batteries sit for a few months they seem to not take a charge very well

karnao

i use a standard car charger. 12V 2AMP over night is more than enough.
i made a connector so that i can use banana plugs with the car charger, its much easier than removing the battery from the box to use alligator clips.
i also put a set of female banana plugs in my ofna truggy box since they dont come standard.
i don't even remember the last time i charged my starter box.

losi_racer

iTrader: (25)

i switched to lipo because of this reason. i had a brand new gel cell that needed charging after a day of racing and at the end the day i was fighting with it to turn a worn out engine to start

omarwashington

iTrader: (2)

I find that using a Gel cell didn't give me enough torque for my starter box. I went to 2 x NiMh. I was using the OFNA truggy box

jrwoodchuck

i use the hobbico wall charger also. check you battery, because i get around 5 to 6 race weekends on one charge in a ofna truggy box, and when i do charge it, i just plug it in the night before a race and i'm good to go.

underway

iTrader: (56)

Battery is dead(meaning its time for a new one)... Its time for a new one.... Gel Cells have more than enough power for any starter box. I get joked because my box weighs like 25 lbs.

fatdaddy

iTrader: (4)

they laugh until their little boxes cant turn over that new motor, then they come running to you

PIMP_9000

iTrader: (6)

I charge both my 12 gel batteries with my auto charger. I usually do this twice a month. They usually only draw about a 5 amp charge for about a half an hour. I have never had one die. Maybe you need to charge longer I have went over a month without charging and still have no problems. I use chrome tops with that huge motor I never have problems.

JBURCH

iTrader: (2)

The battery is 2 weeks old, possibly I got a bad one. It reads a little over 12 volts now but after about 4 starts of the buggy it drops dramatically to about 2 volts, I take it some cells are bad in the battery guess I will have to get another one.

Frank L

iTrader: (148)

I use to use a 12v gel cell. I charged it with everything from a standard automotive 12v 2-6 amp charger to a MRC 977 superbrain. The 977 peak charger worked the best. Recently I noticed my 12v gel not lasting a day at the track so I upgraded to a 4s 2200 lipo from losi. I use a Losi box for my 8ight's and I thought the box was going to need new motors and other parts, but after installing the lipo all I can say is wow. Its a little more expensive than the 12v but its 100x lighter, has more power than ever and lasts 2-3 days in between charging. I also purchased a hyperion charger and they are great to work with. I will never use that 12v thing again. It does make a nice paperweight now

losi_racer

iTrader: (25)

my starter box can turn over a brand new motor thats barley been broken in with my set up