Tbone17

iTrader: (10)

I'm thinking about a new charger.

For the last few years I had an IMAX B6, basically a generic 4 button charger rated at 5A and 50W. Then tried a Hitec X1 which was rated 6A at 50W. A few months ago I switched to a dual channel Venom Pro Duo rated at 7A and 80W per channel.

I'm generally happy with the Venom however have a few things that I don't really like:

1. The charger takes a long time to balance batteries. Actually all of my chargers to this point have taken a long time to balance my batteries. I used to run Turnigy and Gens Ace batteries and was told that it's the quality of my batteries that was causing the long balancing times. I now run SMC and Trinity batteries and they also take a long time to balance so I'm thinking the charger is a bigger factor than originally thought.

2. Discharge is very slow with any of the chargers I've tried so far. After a race day I've got at least 3 batteries that need to be brought to storage voltage which can take a long time and again balancing once near the storage voltage takes quite a while.

3. Not a huge issue but my current charger has a single display which switches back and forth for each channel. I'd prefer to have a display for each channel so at a glance I can see where each battery is at. I've also accidentally unplugged the wrong battery when mistaking which channel was selected on the display.

On my current charger I do like the compact design and the fact that the AC power supply is built in.

I have considered a few chargers:

The Reedy 1216C2
-built in power supply
-individual display for each channel
-12A 120W per channel
-but only 5A 10W discharge per channel
-USB charge port for phone etc

The Hitec X4AC
-4 channels each with its own display
-built in power supply
-6A 50W per channe
-1A 5W discharge
Less power than what I have now but more channels so I can charge/discharge all batteries at the same time. I don't think this is a good option but have considered it.

The other charger I've looked at is the icharger.
-Lots of power
-people say it balances much faster than other chargers
-higher(faster) discharge rating
-will need an external power supply making it less compact than the other options
-more $

I like the icharger the best but am trying to decide/justify that it's worth the money. It'll be double the cost of other options(eg 1216C2) but will it perform twice as well. If I decided to get an icharger I'd be looking at the 308 or 406 duos.

I mainly run 2s but do have some 3s and 6s flight batteries though those don't get used nearly as much as the 2s.

Sorry for the long post but was trying to give as much info as possible to get some good advice and feedback on my situation.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated.

GuyIsDamGood

The Graupner Polaron chargers are good.

disaster999

iTrader: (1)

iCharger 308duo is a nice choice for you, its the cheapest of the duo series but still pack a punch. 30a or 800w per channel charge, 30a or 80w discharge. Sync up the 2 channels and have 50a / 1300w charge and 30a / 120w discharge. Hook up a discharger bank and discharge actually discharge at 30a max.

You're able to calibrate the charger yourself using your trusted multimeter, 12v or 24v input. Able to read batter internal resistance and read voltages down to 0.001 decimals.

Gives you plenty of power when charging 6s batteries as long as you can supply the power.

Chris Brown

iTrader: (19)

I vote for the icharger as well. I have the 4010 and can't imagine needing another charger. I've been racing for over 20 years and have had a lot of chargers. I haven't seen a more versatile charger than the icharger and they're even capable of lihv charging. Truly a great charger.

SouthFloridaApp

iTrader: (6)

I chargers are great. Buy from progressive rc.com as the warranty is the best.

Power supply...get this.....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RC-Power-Sup...EAAOSwmtJXVmTg

This is cheap and fantastic for 2s.....It will work for 3s too, but I am not sure as to the particulars...

Tbone17

iTrader: (10)

Thanks for all the input.
I was looking at those power supplies, price is good and should be plenty of power for what I plan to do.

I'd like to somehow mount the icharger to the power supply and keep it as compact as possible.

Chris Brown

iTrader: (19)

I have that power supply and have charged 2s and 4s batteries on my 4010. I haven't had any issues.

glennhl

iTrader: (16)

I have the Turnigy Reaktor 2 x 300W 20A Balance Charger and really like it. I can charge 2 batteries at 20 amps each (I normally have it set at 10 or 15 amps though). You can get the double like mine for $135 or the single for $75. Does everything I need it to do.

Tbone17

iTrader: (10)

Well I took the plunge and ordered a 308duo. Looked at all the other options and I've learned in the past that sometimes it's cheaper to spend more now rather than later.

Hope I made the right decision...

waffleNchicken

iTrader: (3)

I just made the switch from PowerLabs chargers. I had a 6 and an 8 (one @ home, one @ track).... I began having issues w both units.... Last weekend I couldnt charge @ track, so I picked up the 408 DUO and couldn't be happier! What a great unit!

You won't be disappointed with your iCharger purchase.

Tbone17

iTrader: (10)

Pretty stoked to try it out.
Need to figure out a case for it asap

GuyIsDamGood

Take a look at the Hitec X1 Pro - 17Amp ePowerbox Combo (charger and power supply).
It is a affordable charger and power supply.

trigger

iTrader: (15)

Nothing will beat a Junsi Icharger 406. Get a decent 1000 watt power supply and a resistor bank and you will be set. Forget the rest.

Tbone17

iTrader: (10)

Pretty impressed with the icharger.
Wasn't the cheapest option but definitely worth the money.

platgof

iTrader: (4)

I would get a HP power supply 900 and get two Junsi 206 chargers. That way you can charge two batteries at 20 amps if needed. When you get a charging system this powerful, it will keep you in charged batteries all the time. I charge 4s batteries at 12 amps, and it is very fast. I can also go higher is wanted. These would be great on 6s as they are rated for those batteries. You can get a power supply off eBay for $40, and the chargers for $115 ea. from AMAIN with the discount. The best part is, when one goes bad you only change one part, not the whole system. I also want to add that the whole system is not very big.