Chargers

[Lucodeath2]

Can anyone recommend a decent racing pack charger that isnt mega expensive and it quick charges packs to their peak. (not on a timer)

Must run on both 12v/240v

Cheers

Luke

[jozza]

I've got a Ripmax Supernova, cost about £70 and is quite good, but has the tendency to false peak cold Sanyo nimH packs for some reason. However, it does charge the packs nicely at up to 5a, and can run off 12volts, or 240 if you add a power supply.

If you are looking for a cheaper alternative, the Ripmax propeak varipulse is not bad, charges at up to 5amps, can run off 12 volt battery or mains without a separate power supply. Note that it can only charge at 3 amps from the mains though, so would take a bit longer to peak up a pack. It's not as fancy as the supernova though, I quite like that charger as it also can discharge, and it can charge 12volt batteries too, quite handy.

Pricewise, the supernova is about £70-£80, plus another £30-£40 for the power supply, the varipulse is about £35.

Another charger which I've heard the praises sung about is the Space Charger, which is about £80, or the Space Charger Pro, about £90

[DJTheo]

I use and can reccomend the LRP Quadra charger, which works on both voltages, charges 0-5.5A, discharges and cycles packs and costed me only 130EUR.

Cheers

[Fausto198]

If your just a weekend fun runner I don't think you can far wrong with the Ripmax 2500 pro peak charger for £30.

Its just one button and two lights to worry about.

Specs

• AC220/230v and DC12v input voltage

• Delta Peak Cut Off

• Auto Trickle Charge

• Fast Charge 3.5Amp

• Slow Charge: 130mAh 4.8~9.6v AC / -130mAh 4.8~8.4v DC

• Fast Charge 7.2~8.4v NiCad Packs

• Slow/Fast Charge 4.8~8.4v NiCad/Ni-MH Packs DC Input

• Slow/Fast Charge 4.8~9.6v

NiCad/Ni-MH Packs AC Input

• Audible Error Alarms:

–Output Disconnection

–NiCad/Ni-MH Short Circuit

–Low Input Voltage

• Auto Shut Down

• Reverse Polarity Protection

[Beetlejuice]

Try to get hold of a Protech Mega peak 3000. The only time it failed me was when the blew. Changed it and never had a problem since.

[SJoerD]

quote:

Originally posted by Beetlejuice

Try to get hold of a Protech Mega peak 3000. The only time it failed me was when the blew. Changed it and never had a problem since.

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id="quote">id="quote">

When it blew? [:0] LOL [] That sounds pretty serious. I guess you mean just the fuse. That can be pretty fustrating if you don't know it, the charger keeps working SEEMINGLY but your pack never finishes. [xx(]

I have it and no problems. Very basic though but it can do Ni-MH cells. I payed €40 for mine.

[Lucodeath2]

Well, Im spoilt for choice.

That ripmax sounds good if its a peak charger, I have an ansmann ac30

at the mo and that cuts off well b4 peak.

Cheers

[Wireless]

I have two of the Ripmax 2500VP Varipulse chargers at £40 - great little charger with adjustable current from 0.5-3A (240v) or 0.5-5A (12v) so you can charge smaller packs (I do the ones in my Piccolo helicopter on this charger)

Get this one : http://www.ripmax.com/ProductFrames/O-IP2500VP.html

Rather than : http://www.ripmax.com/ProductFrames/O-IP2500.html

Roop

[Lucodeath2]

What does "delta peak" actually mean?

Does it mean 100% charge

[DJTheo]

Yes, batteries have the properties that their voltage "jumps" a bit when they are full and this is measured by delta peak chargers to stop the charging procedure.

Cheers

[sosidge]

quote:

Originally posted by DJTheo

Yes, batteries have the properties that their voltage "jumps" a bit when they are full and this is measured by delta peak chargers to stop the charging procedure.

Cheers

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id="quote">id="quote">

Not entirely true, the voltage actually drops once the battery reaches a full charge, and this drop is what the peak charger sense.

[Lucodeath2]

I found a protech delta 10 for £32 with all the leads, upto 10amp

with a discharger built in.

I just need some decent batteries now.

Luke

[DJTheo]

You are right sosidge, I should have clarified that the jump is in the negative direction.

Cheers

[The Slayer]

Yup the propeak 2500 - dirt cheap on e-bay, £20 i paid (i think) good little charger.... no pro machine, but hey who wants to spend £100 on a charger [xx(]

[DJTheo]

quote:but hey who wants to spend £100 on a charger

id="quote">id="quote">

Trust me, as a good RC and ESC its a good investment as you use it for all your cars and for many years, a cheap charger will kill your batteries faster, as always in life, cheap stuff you pay double in the end [V]