Chargers

[SayMikey]

I need a 4s charger thats pretty quick but not crazy expensive. Whats everyone using ? I have a poeer supply

 

[jack dyer]

I have been using one of these https://www.amazon.com/ISDT-Touchsc...er&qid=1674858856&sprefix=Istd,aps,105&sr=8-6 . Run it off a power supply at home and a deep cycle battery at the pond the seem to work ok and easy to use.

 

[Mike Starrett]

Whatever you choose to get, I would get one that charges multiple batteries at the same time. I use this one for2,3 and4s

BGUAD 100Wx4/10Ax4 AC/DC 4 Port RC LiPo Charger Discharger Intelligent Balance Charger Quad Multi-Functions for NiMH NiCd LiHV Pb Batteries for Hobby Rc Car Boat ​

 

[Daniel's Racing]

I think he wants inexpensive if possible. Extra ports extra money. Each port is another charger. Multiple single ports can be cheaper and better route for many and if one dies your not out of gas entirely.

You can also charge as many similar types of packs at once off a single port.

Just parallel the discharge leads and the balance leads for as many as you want to charge.

What size packs do you want to charge ? How long do you want to wait ?

Main motor packs will take a more expensive higher output charger unless you want to wait forever.

Low powered cheaper ones may not do you much good in the field for main motor sized packs.

Hard to recommend without understanding your needs.

Maybe ?

https://www.amainhobbies.com/protek...battery-charger-ptk-8522/p696353#tab-feedback

 

[SayMikey]

Id like to charge 2 packs quickly,Willing to spend a couple hundred or so to get the right one that works on 4s

 

[SayMikey]

Im looking at this ISDT K2 AC 200W DC 1000W 20A Dual Channel Balance Lipo Charger Discharger

 

[Mike Unger]

I am a fan of the spectrum smart chargers and smart batteries. Done lots of charging with big batteries flying helicopters. A quality charger is as important as quality batteries.

 

[RaceMechaniX]

Mikey,
If you have a power supply skip the AC/DC versions. They are limited to very low charge rates when using the internal supply. Just go with a DC version. The ISDT and iCharger's are both my preferred choices. The iCharger 406 Duo is a full featured charger, but it's a little complicated to pickup. The iSDT's are a little simpler and more compact.

-Tyler

 

[Mike Unger]

Agreed. AC chargers are the way to go.

 

[HTV Boats]

I have several. ISDT chargers and a couple more expensive AC/DC dual chargers. I find I use the ISDT's more often and the feature I like best is the DC input range is up to 30V. That becomes really handy to discharge a 4S or 6S or using it as a power supply for charging other batteries. Most DC chargers won't take a fully charged 4S (16.8V) for input. I just like the versatility.
Mic

 

[Daniel's Racing]

Agreed. AC chargers are the way to go.

He suggested DC only.

He was telling you go straight DC if you want a powerful unit. Internal power supply for A/C models limits the output and raises the price.

If you have solid DC amps already to power with get a straight up DC only model.

 

[Randy Naylor]

Keeping it inexpensive it hard to do. I always have a ac power source to run a dc converter. the battery will work well for your dc power supply in the feild. At home with the ISDT I do not see how it can charrge at 20amps off a laptop from what I have read.

 

[ctgrannis]

Im looking at this ISDT K2 AC 200W DC 1000W 20A Dual Channel Balance Lipo Charger Discharger

I have the ISDT K2. I only AC charge 2 and 3s at 1c, so never pushed it. I can say that the interface is much better than any other charger I've used and it's convinced me to change all connectors to XT60's.

The box it comes in sucks for storing.

Good luck.

 

[Wasted wages]

I have several. ISDT chargers and a couple more expensive AC/DC dual chargers. I find I use the ISDT's more often and the feature I like best is the DC input range is up to 30V. That becomes really handy to discharge a 4S or 6S or using it as a power supply for charging other batteries. Most DC chargers won't take a fully charged 4S (16.8V) for input. I just like the versatility.
Mic

To me this is all just straight up crazy.. all this new battery tech. Too many rules to follow when charging / discharging...

So your saying you have to charge up a 4S and then use it as the input to charge lower voltage batteries? Why wouldn't you just use a charger to do the lower volt batteries?
As far as discharging a pack to charge others, I thought it is bad to drop a pack too low...how is that prevented?

What is used to charge the 4s or higher batteries? Can't use a car battery right ?
4s is 16.8 volt?

I have dedicated chargers for my cars and plane, and all my radio gear. All AC.
Red light... no go.
Green light...go fly!
Simple.

The few lipos I have, get charged on the empty garage floor in a bag on an AC charger.. at the field I have a cheap 12v charger to charge between flights or runs..
Keep it simple.

 

[HTV Boats]

I am not saying I have to charge a 4S to be a power supply for less voltage cells. When you charge multiple batteries for a race day running several boats sometimes you have charged batteries you don't need that day from breakdowns ect. The ISDT can use a 3-4-6 cell for a power supply and charge anything 1-6 cells. What you do is basically move power you have already charged versus discharging with a resistor and wasting energy. I monitor individual cell voltages diligently and store batteries between 3.75 & 3.85v per cell. I use metal ammo cans and an old refrigerator in the garage for storing.
Between myself my son and grandson we may run 8-10 FE boats at a race so we bring 2 pairs (parallel) for 2 heats for most boats. This means 30 or more packs charged to start the day. 6-8 charge stations between rounds. I don't know what will be needed in the final heats so a versatile charger makes life easier.
At a car or drone race I charge 4 5000ma 6S batteries as a power supply to charge our cells rather than take a generator. RED light GREEN light doesn't work for my program.
Mic

 

[Grimracer]

When I was racing FE I would just recharge the same pack each day for each heat.. at the price and maintanice of all those packs.. I would just get one pack (or whats needed) and kill it in a year or two.

I have two sets of battery's for my helicopter, and its the same thing..

My EC145 flys in 8S 2P (8400mah) (4-4S 4200s) and I charge them using a parallel board and ISDT 500W charger.

I do like my iSDT chargers.. (DC) and use then quite a bit. Easy to use and powerfull.

Grim

 

[zboter1]

I thought this was a nitro boat forum.
LOL

 

[HTV Boats]

I thought this was a nitro boat forum.
LOL

Hmmm the subject is in the FAST ELECTRIC forum section. Problem?

 

[zboter1]

I need a 4s charger thats pretty quick but not crazy expensive. Whats everyone using ? I have a poeer supply

Mike,
Buying 2 of these for the kid to use. Not integrated and Reasonable.

 

[zboter1]

Mike,
Buying 2 of these for the kid to use. Not integrated and Reasonable.
View attachment 313326

Charging 2 4s5000ma 100c
Truck is on 8s