Chargers

[Ron Olson]

I'm in the market for a new charger. Basically it will be used for 4 and 5 cell RX packs and TX packs. The ones that I have now are OK for Ni-Cads but with all of the Ni-MH packs I'm worried about using the vintage chargers with them. Any recommendations for one that is fairly cheap, has AC/DC and will do the job?

 

[Paul Pachmayer]

Hi Ron,

I have a brand new digital pulse charger that has never been out of the box I can sell you for 75.00 shipped. New their 100.00. I bought 2 of them and use one for exactly what you asked about. My main packs I use 2 high end Schultz chargers. (about 3 times the cost)

Paul.

 

[dave roach]

I use the Irwin charger you can leave your battery on and not have to warrye about them it will charge the batterys to 99% of the batterys.

 

[Ron Olson]

Dave, there's an idea that I didn't think of! The person that made the chargers for Jim Irwin is a guy that I run boats with once in a while!

Paul, I'll keep yours in mind also.

I have some old chargers, a Tekin, Pro-Tech and a Novak but want something that won't mess with Ni-MH's.

A DC or AC only charger is no problem either as I do have a power inverter in my truck and 12 volt batteries for my starters, etc.

 

[user 115]

Dave, there's an idea that I didn't think of! The person that made the chargers for Jim Irwin is a guy that I run boats with once in a while!Paul, I'll keep yours in mind also.

I have some old chargers, a Tekin, Pro-Tech and a Novak but want something that won't mess with Ni-MH's.

A DC or AC only charger is no problem either as I do have a power inverter in my truck and 12 volt batteries for my starters, etc.

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The Triton Charger is great choice too.

Charley

 

[Preston_Hall]

Well, it isn't cheap but I just got a Hobbico Accucycle. Very versitle in charging, cycling, and discharging. AC/DC. NiCad, NiMh, LiPoly. Gives discharge and charge times. The display is key in my opinion. I like to see some numbers and not just a green light.

 

[Watercadet]

Dave, there's an idea that I didn't think of! The person that made the chargers for Jim Irwin is a guy that I run boats with once in a while!Paul, I'll keep yours in mind also.

I have some old chargers, a Tekin, Pro-Tech and a Novak but want something that won't mess with Ni-MH's.

A DC or AC only charger is no problem either as I do have a power inverter in my truck and 12 volt batteries for my starters, etc.

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The Triton Charger is great choice too.

Charley

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That is what I have too. I love it so far. Charge my glo starter (3000 mAh NiMh) then my 1450mAh Rx pack, then my 12V gel cell, then my 3300 Nimh for the cars then... etc. Oh and I charged my Lipoly bat. in my cell phone! This thing has not false peaked yet. I had a 600mah Nicad pack that was only charging to 500mAh and discharging to 470. I used the cycler function and set the time between cycles to allow for cool down and now it is 650mAh consistantly.

Adam

 

[Russell Bear]

This it?

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXEYD4&P=ML

 

[user 115]

That is the one Preston uses..

This is the Triton.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCJG7&P=ML

 

[Mike Bontoft]

I have the Triton charger and it will charge anything. I bought another charger a year ago for $85, it won't charge LI-Polys, big deal, when am I ever going to charge LI-Polys?, Well, my new Quickdraw ignition uses LI-Polys. Get a charger that does the lot. It will save you money in the long run. For another 10 bucks get the temp probe, then you can set it and forget it.

Mike

 

[Preston_Hall]

I like the fact that the Triton can charge 12V batteries. But it does limit you to only one output. I see that they note a 12VDC power supply with 13A current is suggested. That seems a little high. Maybe the 13A is only needed for larger batteries?

 

[izitbrokeyet?]

I use my Triton with a 12v 10Amp power supply and I charge 12V up to 5amp delivery without any problems. They must have plugged a margin of error into that 13A stat

Definitely theTriton....it's the only way to go. Cost's a little more but does everything.

 

[Preston_Hall]

Kevin,

I was mostly thinking of what would happen while at the lake. This kind of current draw would have left me sitting more than once.

I am not anti-Triton, but the AccuCycle has two outputs. Therefore, twice as fast. Only 2.3A draw as well.

 

[izitbrokeyet?]

I must have misunderstood the concern. I use the power supply when I’m at home and I have a plug available. I use the 12V power supply to power the triton when I’m charging my 12v Gel Cell batteries. When I’m at the lake, I power it up with one of the 12V Gel Cell….I’m sure the draw is somewhere that’s around 2.5 x the output wattage at the higher end due to the internal cooling fan and probably somewhere around 2 x output wattage or less at the lower output settings.

I know I’ve run mine for an afternoon off of one of my 5 amp GelCell batteries while charging some of my NiMh sets / both RX and TX…based on that I’m sure the Triton has a lower required input value if you’re charging smaller batteries. I never made any effort to measure it but I know that 5 amp Gel Cell should have quit in about half an hour based on a 10 amp draw, but it actually for about 3 hours charging different sets. Probably could have run more, but I wasn’t paying that much attention.

No doubt that single output leads thing could be a potential issue.

as far as "fairly cheap, has AC/DC and will do the job" The triton isn't cheap and it doesnt have an AC input( only 12v Input)......so that pretty much means the triton is probably not a good choice for you Ron.