Help! Want to go lipo but very confused

[Jus228]

I recently bought a Duratrax Onyx 230 charger as I wanted a better quality charger for my NiMH batteries I"m running, I wanted precise control over the peak threshold settings as well as the charge rates.. I also made sure to purchase one that I could charge lipo's with when I was ready for the switch.

I can't spend a whole lot on batteries at this point I just want to try ONE lipo I want the 11.1v for insane speeds with my VXL Slash and I'd like decent run time my current NiMH are dissapointing they are Trinity I wish I learned of them before I purchased them. :mad: Around $100 tops for the lipo is all I can do less would be better. :cool:

The thing that is confusing me most is the balancer I need to charge the lipo. What do I need for it to work with my charger and how much will I need to spend?

[pedebasher89]

well for a battery i would suggest a ***** lipo battery pack. i have 3 myself and love them. you can get them on www.*********.com for around $50-$70. srry i didn't post a link for the batt but for some reason there website isnt working for me. my battery packs are 3s1p 4800mah 25c lipos

[maximusthegreat]

pedebasher,
How long does it take shipping to deliver from there? That shop is in china isn't it? Do they kill you on shipping charges?

[cooleocool]

Many people with the Onyx 230 use an Astro Blinky balancer or the LBA10 balancer. Both are under $40.

I have been hearing great things about SPC's (http://www.spcracing.com/) Li-Po packs throughout the forums. I would probably give them a look.

[FOX22]

i thought you can charge Lipo with the 230 all you need was a palancer?

[cooleocool]

You can charge Li-Po batteries with the Onyx 230... you only need a balancer.

[Jus228]

Many people with the Onyx 230 use an Astro Blinky balancer or the LBA10 balancer. Both are under $40.

I have been hearing great things about SPC's (http://www.spcracing.com/) Li-Po packs throughout the forums. I would probably give them a look.

I've been on the SPC website and like the prices.. I was about ready to give up on it when I looked at the price of Maxamps batteries and thought I'd go broke trying to buy batteries. :eek:

So lets say I order one or maybe even two of the SPC 8000mAh.. They give me the option of ordering with the traxxas connector which is good.. But now the connector for the balancer what plug will it come with and will I likely need an adapter? Can you let me in on a few good places to order a balancer from? I have heard several people mention that Blinky one I may go with that.

[Kanati]

The blinky works great with the SPC batteries and the 230 charger, I have both and it's a great setup. I bought my Blinky at impactrc for like $22 or so.

[cooleocool]

Tower Hobbies also carries the Astro Blinky balancer.

[maximusthegreat]

Can someone explain how you use the 230 and Blinky in tandem when charging or discharging lipo's?

[R-maxX 19]

to use the blinky with the onyx 230, you take the balancer, and plug it to the output on the charger. set up the charger like you would normally charge. set the balancer in a mode, so it balances while charging. (there are many different names for this mode). then, you plug the battery into the charging tap, and the balancing tap,which comes out of the balancer. and then, you just hold the start button on the onyx 230, and it will charge and balance. hope this helps :cool:

[nitro0619]

You can charge Li-Po batteries with the Onyx 230... you only need a balancer.

i just ordered a onyx 230 charger and a orion 3400 lipo. what is the deal w/ balancing/charging this combo? is a balancer necessary? nitro guy/electric newb here so all info greatly appreciated!!

[R-maxX 19]

Balancing balances all the cells to be at the exact same voltage, so you get a longer life and better performance out of your pack. Kind of a lipo newb(still waiting for my lipo/charger/balancer) here, but i have heard that without balancing, the cells will be fight against each other. (i've heard this from somewhere, but don't remember where.<_< )

[brushlesspede]

to use the blinky with the onyx 230, you take the balancer, and plug it to the output on the charger. set up the charger like you would normally charge. set the balancer in a mode, so it balances while charging. (there are many different names for this mode). then, you plug the battery into the charging tap, and the balancing tap,which comes out of the balancer. and then, you just hold the start button on the onyx 230, and it will charge and balance. hope this helps :cool:

That sounds confusing. All you have to do is plug in your charger like you would to charge any battery, then line up the black wire on the balance plug with the negative side of the blinky, plug it in, and thats it.

[speedemall]

I use an equinox for balancing.Very simple device with one push button and led's $30.You just plug it into your charge jacks and switch to interface mode.

http://www.electrifly.com/chargers/gpmm3160.html