Charger & Battery advice

[Baddon]

I have one of these.

 

I have both 7.2V & 8.4V NiMh packs and need to charge enough for up to 5 buggies running at once (the Family fleet) this takes WAY to long as we normally take at least two packs each, so its 10 Hrs to charge them all IF..... I we monitor it carefully to change over when needed.

I would also like to try Lipo 2s (not really for loads more power just for a bit more zip) I would need something that can fit in all the buggies so I have seen on here that there is a 2s thats same shape as the stock NiMh stick pack.

I would also like to be able to charge more than one pack of the NiMh at a time. Anything out there that does this at a sensible cost?

All advice appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

[Baddon]

Thinking rather than buy a DUAL charger just get another charger.

This is really good value, anyone using this 

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IMAX-B6-Electric-Lipo-NiMh-Li-Ion-Ni-Cd-RC-Battery-Balance-Charger-Blue-K6R3/113111225479?epid=24020943574&hash=item1a55f45487:g:L8gAAOSwovFbNIRo:rk:7:pf:0

 

 

[Nobbi1977]

I agree with the above. Single chargers have less to wrong and you still have a spare if one breaks

[WillyChang]

IMAX B6 has been a budget favourite for many for a fair while. Works well enough & is fairly reliable... unless you get unlucky, then yeah best try a different unit.

But where do you charge & what power source from? Pretty sure that blue one you show needs DC power only; whilst the black CoreRC you show is possibly AC & DC capable? 

I run DC chargers off carbattery when in the field, whilst back at workbench I have big AC PSU... a 40A unit will have enough juice to run 4-6 of those B6s simultaneously. 

Some DC chargers can run off certain brick PSUs made for laptops, if you're serendipitously have a suitable brick lying about from a retired computer.

[Jonathon Gillham]

Check out the other SkyRC chargers as well, they are decent chargers which won't break the bank. They are AC powered only though which may rule them out if you don't charge at home or at a track with power.

The S60 is the single which is basically the same spec as the imax B6 above. The D100 and Q200 are the dual and quad versions. A bit of difference but not really enough to worry. Check out banggood.com for them, they usually include shipping in their pricing too.

[Fabia130vRS]

2 hours ago, WillyChang said:

IMAX B6 has been a budget favourite for many for a fair while. Works well enough & is fairly reliable... unless you get unlucky, then yeah best try a different unit.

But where do you charge & what power source from? Pretty sure that blue one you show needs DC power only; whilst the black CoreRC you show is possibly AC & DC capable? 

I run DC chargers off carbattery when in the field, whilst back at workbench I have big AC PSU... a 40A unit will have enough juice to run 4-6 of those B6s simultaneously. 

Some DC chargers can run off certain brick PSUs made for laptops, if you're serendipitously have a suitable brick lying about from a retired computer.

I have the iMax B6, not sure if the real deal ir a copy, neverless, I am using a old notebookcharger, and this one will work like it is supposed to.

IBM 16,5v 9A

[Baddon]

Thanks for the info.

 

I only charge of mains at home

[Juggular]

Have you considered SkyRC B6 Nano?  It came out about 6 months ago (it does Bluetooth too).  

For $60, it can charge up to 15A.  You do need a power supply.  Hobbyking 25A power supply is $45.  Turnigy 23A power supply seems to have a better reputation, but it's $60.  So for $105, or $120, you can charge three 5000mAh batteries in 1 hour.  Considering that 15A charger is almost 3 times as fast as the 6A charger you've got there, the price is reasonable.  

Or Turnigy UP610 charger does 10A, for $35.  It also needs a power supply.  You can get a 10A power supplies for $15 on ebay.  But consider that 10A power supply is likely to give you 9A in reality, so it's better to get something like 12A or 15A.  Anyway, for a minimum $50, you can charge two 5000mAh batteries in 1 hour.  But I'm not so sure about the Turnigy quality when it comes to chargers.  Unlike SkyRC, which made the famed IMAX B6 (also S60, D100, Q200), Turnigy is relatively new to the chargers...

One of the reasons why people would recommend a single charger is that multi-chargers may split the amp.  If the charger is rated at 6A, and you plug 2 batteries, you charge each at 3A.  If you are going to plug 4 batteries and go to bed, then a multi-charger would be more convenient. (I would put the batteries in fireproof cases if you are going to charge overnight)