Charger upgrade
 

I think it's time to up my charging game. I've been racing again now for a little more than a year and starting to progress further up the standings in class. I'm still using my old Thunder AC680 and Passport P1 Mini. I strictly run 2S and will continue to do so. I've noticed a lot of other racers are using the iCharger 406 Duo, and while it would be an easy choice, it's not in my budget. I run 17.5 on road and off road classes along with VTA and Eurotruck. Usually 2 classes, sometimes 3 classes per race day. I had considered picking up a SkyRC discharger, but if I can find a charger that will discharge at a higher rate than 2A, that may not be necessary. Maybe I'm missing a benefit of the BD250? Right now I am charging my batteries at home the day before, then topping off at the track. I'll put them all into storage the day after racing. Charging and storage is an all day affair right now and I'd really like to reduce that time.

Are there any racing level dual chargers (AC or DC) for under $100 that will do 15-20A (or more) per channel? I do need LiHV capability, but it seems most these days do that. I've been looking and there are so many different models I'm not sure what to choose. Its also not clear if when it specs 15A charging, if that per channel at the same time, or just one channel and the other channel is at a lower amp. Suggestions or clarification is much appreciated.

Not a dual charger, but the iCharger 206b was my long standing backup before purchasing the 406. These can be purchased used for around $50 and have a great form factor and good capacity. I'd still suggest saving up for the 406, it really is worth the money.

I vote iCharger X6, 75 amp power supply and the BD250 discharger.

The big advantage of the BD250 discharger is you can get your batteries to storage voltage in a few minutes each. The second thing you can do with it is cycle your packs. I highly recommend using a standalone discharger. Its significantly faster. I also smoked my old Reedy 1216 discharging a big battery... its just heat on your electronics after all.

Just looking at whats available nowadays, the Hitex RDX2 Pro and Reedy 1416 may meet your needs, 14amp max charge, but they only discharge at 2 amp.

I use a iCharger x6 at the track. The only disadvantage with it is that you can only charge 1 battery at a time. I charge the night before also, so i am just topping off through the day. If your running 3 classes its not too bad, you just need to be in the habit of immediately recharging when your done with your session. Bottom line is even running 4 classes some days I've never felt stressed about getting my batteries charged in time.
You will need a power supply with this. So $110 for the charger + $80 for a power supply for this setup.

I have a 406duo that i only use at home. Its a nice charger, but unless you cycle your packs and need the ability to charge at 40 amps its not necessary. With the 406 you can set it up to automatically cycle your batteries using programs that you set. You will need to get a discharge bank to do any of that though which is another $100.

If you need the ability to charge two batteries, its cheaper to get two x6's!

Only if you need more than 10A discharge and if you need it to be a fancy-looking commercial model. The materials to build one yourself are far cheaper than that.

Eric,

Check out the Ruddog RC215 on AMain, this looks like an even better choice than the X6 because its dual channel. Its out of stock right now, but like most chargers it appears to just be rebranded from another MFR. RaceDayQuads has a similar model that's $30 cheaper than an X6.

https://www.amainhobbies.com/ruddog-...-0405/p1258998
https://www.racedayquads.com/collect...attery-charger

I do not recommend charging your batteries at home, especially inside a cool AC and if you take the batteries outside where it's hot, the heat will cause the voltage to spike and your batteries will be damaged.

Be sure to charge your batteries as close to when they will be used as possible by minimizing the amount of time they are fully charged.

A quality charger like an X6 or S6 will charge all 3 packs in parallel within 10-15 minutes @ 20A, more info here:

• Which charger is the best?

The Toolkit M6D was unusable for me. Calibration was so bad out of the box, it wouldn’t even charge (due to mismatch in readings between the main lead and balance sum). If calibrated at full cell voltages, it would be off at minimum voltages (and visa-versa). Given how dangerous calibration drift can be, I can’t recommend that charger.

Unfortunately not. Even single channel 15A under $100 is challenging.

To push more than ~10A at a lower price, you’ll likely need a separate PSU. You can buy a prebuilt one for ~$80, or DIY for ~$30 if you’re good with a soldering iron. Go for 750W+.

Once you have a PSU, then you can get into high amp charging most economically with the X6. If dual channel is more important, I would give the ISDT P20 a strong look. $130, 20A per side or 35A parallel charging capable, butter UI and controls than the funky switch on the X6.

The BD250 discharger is wonderful tool for getting full packs back to storage or for cycling if that’s your jam. I am fully capable of a DIY build, but I’d still buy a BD250 over and over again. I’m too weary of discharging through my charger, so I strongly prefer a standalone unit. They can be had for $85 on RCJuice if I recall correctly.

Ive been using both the M8 and M6 with zero issues on 2 and 4 cells for racing for 3 years . I use old school dischargers ive had in my collection for 15 years. also for a ps just moded atx (10-50 amps) power supplies from old thrown out computers.. no need for a high dollar charger never has been never will be..

i really recommend just to save for an icharger 406 duo
but here is the cheapest charger i can think of that means your requirements. Hota d6. On ac power you can charge two 2s lipo batteries at 15 amps each at the same time

https://www.smc-racing.com/index.php...product_id=447

I'm running the Hota d6, and have been happy with it. It doesn't fit your discharge requirements, but charge current and a 1.6A balance charge current make it a fair deal at its price point.
--Alex