What charger for 6S?

[RustlerRacer16]

Is there a charger that will balance charge two 3S LiPos simultaneously at 5 amps?

I'm considering the Super Brain 977. It will charge two 3S LiPos simultaneously at 5 amps but won't balance so I'll need two balancers. Lame. But at less than $100 for me, it's not bad.

Any suggestions?

[brushlessman]

http://www.fmadirect.com/new_applications/10s_charger.htm
you will need a good 400w power supply
Charges Lithium Polymer or A123 Cells (variable charge rates for both LiPo and A123 cells). Charges 1 Pack of 1s-10s or 2 Packs of 1s-5s Simultaneously
simply the best charger you can buy
the charger is a balance charger so you will not need balancers

[Silver_Flame]

If you want to spend some big bucks, get the Hyperion 0610i Duo (http://www.maxamps.com/EOS0610i-DUO.htm) and a power supply, such as the 30 amp one from here (http://www.nitrorcthunder.com/Power%20supply.htm). Also, the one posted above isn't that bad either...

[brushlessman]

If you want to spend some big bucks, get the Hyperion 0610i Duo (http://www.maxamps.com/EOS0610i-DUO.htm) and a power supply, such as the 30 amp one from here (http://www.nitrorcthunder.com/Power%20supply.htm). Also, the one posted above isn't that bad either...
the fma is better and cheaper, (just like maxamps, hyperions are over rated and overpriced)

[Silver_Flame]

I wouldn't say they are overrated and overpriced, they are the highest quality chargers available, and their price shows that to be true. I will admit that that FMA Cellpro has some pretty darn cool features, but every time I look at my Hyperion, it just screams "quality". The FMA has some of the coolest features for the price (Even more than the Hyperion), but the Hyperion has greater limits, and can also charge NiHm batteries if needed.

[brushlessman]

I wouldn't say they are overrated and overpriced, they are the highest quality chargers available, and their price shows that to be true. I will admit that that FMA Cellpro has some pretty darn cool features, but every time I look at my Hyperion, it just screams "quality". The FMA has some of the coolest features for the price (Even more than the Hyperion), but the Hyperion has greater limits, and can also charge NiHm batteries if needed.
very true! the no nicad battery feature is a blow but you can get a cheap 25$ charger for that and still be cheaper than a hyper

[RustlerRacer16]

If those are the lowest prices I think I'll go for the 977. :D I'd like to keep the whole purchase under a grand if I can help it.

[Silver_Flame]

very true! the no nicad battery feature is a blow but you can get a cheap 25$ charger for that and still be cheaper than a hyperAlso true, but would that $25 charger have a mv/cell setting at all, and if it did (If you find a $25 charger with one, tell me :D ) , is it as sensitive as the Hyperion's? Sorry, I couldn't help but carry the debate on a little bit longer. :p

[brushlessman]

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXHJB5&P=7
sorry(30$) looks like a good canidate! if you dont want to break the bank go with the route i did i got 5 of these 4 44$ http://www.*********.com/*********/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6507&Product_Name=*******_2-3_Cell_Lipoly_Balance/Charger
5amps is alot of current! you need a good 200$ charger for it

[RustlerRacer16]

1.2A max output? Eww....I need 5A.

[Silver_Flame]

Ooooh, it does not have an adjustable mV per cell feature, so it's off the list. :p And yes RR, that is a very big ewwww. :D

[brushlessman]

hey those chargers are a great deal! here for those who are stuck in the fast lane http://www.*********.com/*********/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6792&Product_Name=iCharger_106B-plus_250W_6s_Balance/Charger
the dtx chrager never failed me! plus its auto peak detection
you dont need 5amps! it will not hurt the batterys it will actualy make them last longer! it will just take about 4.5hours to charge

[RustlerRacer16]

hey those chargers are a great deal! here for those who are stuck in the fast lane http://www.*********.com/*********/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=6792&Product_Name=iCharger_106B-plus_250W_6s_Balance/Charger
the dtx chrager never failed me! plus its auto peak detection
you dont need 5amps! it will not hurt the batterys it will actualy make them last longer! it will just take about 4.5hours to charge
4.5 hours! :eek: That's crazy! I'm probably going for the 977. I wonder if I can find a used one.

[brushlessman]

so you will need 2 mrcs to = the fma? +balancers? so thats like 250$

[RustlerRacer16]

so you will need 2 mrcs to = the fma? +balancers? so thats like 250$
No, the 977 charges two batteries simultaneously. So <$100 plus the cost of two balancers, the price of which I have no idea of.

[brushlessman]

i dont believe you have that right, it says 1-3 not 1-6
it may charge 2 6cell nimh's at one time but not lithium.
now you would need 2x electrifly balancers for it your looking at 170$
why not just get the fma is 190 and has way more features.(plus its shiny)!

[brushlessman]

if your going with that get this http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMAH9&P=M i have it and it is good

[RustlerRacer16]

I'm 90% sure the 977 will charge two batteries at once regardless of type, capacity or voltage. It can also charge on and discharge another at once. I'm not super worried about price on anything I can get from Horizon or Great Planes distributors because I can get employee discount from work. But chargers/balancers from Hobby City and that FMA one I can't get on discount.

[brushlessman]

well if you can get a discount go for it, i dont work in a rc shop so i dont get discounts (except at maxamps)

[RaiderOfOld]

DO NOT GO WITH ANY SMART BRAIN CHARGER!!! (or any MRC for that)

Trust me on this one, they are garbage. Here is a true story for you.

Bought 2 2S Packs from Team Orion, after 2 charges, they puffed one of my $100 packs. After calling team orion, they stated that in the package insert, it states, DO NOT CHARGE THESE BATTERIES WITH ANY MRC CHARGER. IT WILL VOID THE WARRANTY.

The reason for this is the MRCs do not have the CC/CV option. I am not quiet sure what that is, but after distroying $100 on the pack after just 2 charges, i made sure the next one had it.

They are cheap for a reason. They are great for any kind of battery, except Lipos. For the love of everything holy, STAY AWAY FROM THE MRC.

[Silver_Flame]

That does make me remember something. I also recall there being issues with the MRC chargers.

[RustlerRacer16]

Well then, I need another dual lipo charger that will push 5 amps.

[Silver_Flame]

Both of the chargers that both I and brushlessman linked to in the first two posts can charge two batteries at up to 10 amps each, but the Cellpro can only charge LiPo, Lion, and A123; the Hyperion can do all of those including NiMh and Nicd too. The flipside is that the Cellpro has some pretty darn cool features.

[RaiderOfOld]

I will tell you, when I first started back in this hobby with the E-Revo, i made a crapload of mistakes, but buying the Hyperion Duo and power supply was one of my best things i did. Yes, it does cost, but it does everything. It will almost change your underwear when you first see how fast your brushless Revo will go on 2 3S packs. It has tons if features and will charge anything. It is one BAD **** Charger.

[RustlerRacer16]

They're so expensive though. For some reason I can justify spending $650 on the truck but not $200-$300 on a charger. :(

I would kill for that Hyperion. But that $280.....yikes. :fear:

[RustlerRacer16]

Anyone know who distributes the Hyperions?

[Silver_Flame]

I would consider it an investment. It may seem like a lot when it is almost half as much as the truck, but won't you get more and more vehicles with more and more batteries? You will need a charge for all of those, and the Hyperion is that charger. Have a cheap RC with a cheap NimH battery? Yep, the Hyperion can charge that. Have a 6s 10,000 mah battery that you want to charge at 10 amps? Yep, the Hyperion can do that too.

I have found from experience that buying the highest quality items first will pay off itself in due time.

[Silver_Flame]

Anyone know who distributes the Hyperions?Yes, All E RC (http://www.allerc.com/), I think.....

Actually, here's Hyperion's official list. (http://www.hyperion.hk/distlist.htm)

[RaiderOfOld]

Amen to what Silver Flame said. I have bought cheap then had to go back and buy the expensive one many times in this venture. Buy It. All the cool kids are doing it.

[RustlerRacer16]

I hear you guys. If my boss can get one for me on discount I might get it. But it's still going to be more than retail for that 977. :D

Silver Flame, do you work for Hyperion? :lol: If not, you should.

[Silver_Flame]

Silver Flame, do you work for Hyperion? :lol: If not, you should.No, I don't work for them, I am just an extremely satisfied Hyperion owner. But yes, I should work for them. :p

[brushlessman]

why does everyone jump to the conclusion that hyperions are better than fma? the cell pro 10s charges 1 lipo 1-10000mah at .1 - 10amps or 2 packs 1-5000 at 5amps each. and has many more features than hyperion does, and alot cheaper at 189$ vs. hyperion 279$ its 9o$ more for less?;)

[RustlerRacer16]

why does everyone jump to the conclusion that hyperions are better than fma? the cell pro 10s charges 1 lipo 1-10000mah at .1 - 10amps or 2 packs 1-5000 at 5amps each. and has many more features than hyperion does, and alot cheaper at 189$ vs. hyperion 279$ its 9o$ more for less?;)
The FMA charges 2 packs at once?! I must have missed that.:mellow:

[brushlessman]

it balance charges 2 packs at once

[RustlerRacer16]

Great Scott! I wonder if I can get my discount on that charger....

[RustlerRacer16]

The Hyperion says it can do quick charge 2C. Does that mean I could safely charge my 3S 5000 packs at 10A and be done in 30 mins?

[brushlessman]

the fma cell pro can do 3c! yes the fma can get them 95% in 20min i have seen it done the lipos do get warm bun not hot. about 85*
Faster Auto Charge rates (1.0C, 2.0C, and 3.0C), permit safe charging Lipo batteries at up to a 3C charge rate. This is only possible with FMA Direct cell-balancing technology which incorporates integrated, highly-accurate cell monitoring and balancing during charge.

[RustlerRacer16]

Woah...I thought you could only do 1C or your house burns down. :cool:

My likelihood of getting a discount on the Hyperion Duo is a lot higher than getting the FMA. So the Hyperion is most likely.

[brushlessman]

how much of a discount will you get? 90$ i doubt it

[mistercrash]

DO NOT GO WITH ANY SMART BRAIN CHARGER!!! (or any MRC for that)

I have the MRC Super Brain 989 and I have to say: LISTEN TO WHAT THIS GUY IS TELLING YOU! They are junk and not to be trusted charging your expensive Lipo batts. They are ok at charging anything else but not Lipo.

[brushlessman]

I have the MRC Super Brain 989 and I have to say: LISTEN TO WHAT THIS GUY IS TELLING YOU! They are junk and not to be trusted charging your expensive Lipo batts. They are ok at charging anything else but not Lipo.
977 says nothing about cc/cv the 989 does:fear:

[mistercrash]

whatever cc/cv is, it doesn't seem to be reliable in my 989 as it puffed my Protec receiver pack the third time I tried to charge it. In 20 years in the hobby, I always get the best quality I can afford in anything I need, but sometimes I slip and get lured by a low price tag. I always end up regretting it.

[brushlessman]

its the safest way to charge lithium polymer batterys

[RustlerRacer16]

how much of a discount will you get? 90$ i doubt it
I get it for whatever cost is, plus 10%. I have no idea how much that will be so I can't really make a decision until I figure that out. ;)

[tmaxx225]

What if you get two seperate chargers? like two onyx's for $160 then get them on tower for a discount of $20

so they would be $140.

[fmj40]

Each lipo pack has its own safe charge rate according to its "C" rating.. I could charge my venom 11.1 v packs at 3 amps if I wanted to, but I usually go with a lower rate of 1.5 just because.

[brushlessman]

Each lipo pack has its own safe charge rate according to its "C" rating.. I could charge my venom 11.1 v packs at 3 amps if I wanted to, but I usually go with a lower rate of 1.5 just because.
true that!
12-15c packs should only be charged at 1 or less c, 20-30 can be charged at 2 c without issue(only with a charger with a balancing circut , (like fma or hyperion) ) now only fma can charge at 3c rate. its really neat to watch a fma charger charge batterys, what it does is it starts the charge cycle at a low rate like .5c then as the cells get balanced it ramps up to 1c then 2c and finally 3c (that all happens in a matter of 3min) once it is charging at 3c it is moving it will take about 5-10 min of charging at 3c (about 85% capacity of the cells) and then it will slow down to compleat the cycle when the battery reaches 95% a beep will sound to inform you that your cells are almost ready (at this point i would pull the packs off as 5% will get you about 1 min more of runtime) if you do keep charging this will take about as long as 5-10min to get from 95% to 100% because the charge rate is about at .5c now. it is not impossible to charge at 3c its just needs a cell monitoring system that tells the charger to slow down so a cell to catch up with the other cell. this is why they say not to charge above 1c because most use a external balancer or a balancer inline with the charger ( like interface mode on a equinox cell balancer) this way the charger has no idea what the individual cell voltages are. with a integrated cell balancer that is controled by the charger cpu it is possible to charge at higher rates by lowering the charge rate on a certain cell or discharging a cell to remain balanced during a high current charge.
is your head spinning yet?:wacko:

[mistercrash]

Au contraire mon ami, you made things very clear. Very good explanation. And without even trying, you confirmed what was said before, get the best charger you can afford now because you get what you paid for.

[Cainam]

I have the Triton Jr. that Brushlessman mentioned, and it is an extremely good charger (even if you do need an external balancer. I use the Equinox with no problems.) BUT. . . Even 5 amps is limiting with the batteries that are available. I'm looking at something that can charge 8000 mah batteries at 1c. A friend has the Hyperion EOS0610iDUO, and I'm probably going to pick one up ans soon as I can afford it. Quality costs, but it is cheaper in the long run.

[Silver_Flame]

That's great that it can charge at 3c, but why? You'd have to use a 3300 mah battery for that, and a battery like that could not handle the E-revo. Also, it has been proven that 1c gives the best balance of pack life and charge time; any more and it is possible to shorten the battery life.

[RustlerRacer16]

What if you get two seperate chargers? like two onyx's for $160 then get them on tower for a discount of $20

so they would be $140.
Hahahah Tower discount won't touch my employee discount. :lol: :lol: :lol:

[SteGra]

Hyperion DUO is the best all-around charger (NiCd, NiMH, LiPo, A123/Li ion, Pb acid) and it allows storing parameters for each battery for a precise charge.

The only disadvantage is it needs a separate power supply, like here (http://cgi.ebay.com/12-Volt-DC-30-Amp-Power-Supply-3-Diff-models-BlackSteel_W0QQitemZ200257175137QQcmdZViewItem?has h=item200257175137&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C 240%3A1318)

I have the 969, which is the predecessor to the 977 and never use it, because it only allows 4.5 amps max charge, (977 allows 5 amps), which is OK if using 2200 mAH batteries or less. The 969 is inaccurate and doesn't allow a full charge.

[brushlessman]

That's great that it can charge at 3c, but why? You'd have to use a 3300 mah battery for that, and a battery like that could not handle the E-revo. Also, it has been proven that 1c gives the best balance of pack life and charge time; any more and it is possible to shorten the battery life.
i use 3000 packs in my erevo! i run them in parallel to get 6000

[rhino420]

rustler racer you are going to hear a bunch of different opinions on the mrc 977 i personally have both the mrc 977 and the hyperion 0610i.... i use to charge my 3s and 2s lipos on my mrc 977 but only at 2.5 amps and it worked fine no problem at all. i did alot of research before i bought my mrc977 and got the same remarks some people say its fine some people say run like a plague most people run because the prior 977 i think it was the 969 which did not have the cc/cv option but the new or newer 977 does and its fine this is a quote i got off another forum check it out:

"The truth is, MRC released (a long time ago) The 969. It claimed to charge nimh, nicd, and lipo.

Well, the charging algorithym for lipo with the 969 was unacceptable, it was not the CC/CV method used by all chargers today. The charge was based off your estimate of how much mah was left in the battery. Well, when people had flamethrowers on table tops, they complained obviously.

There was a recall for the 969's, and they were exchanged for 977's, ones that ARE indeed lipo safe.

Orion decided to put a disclaimer on thier packs saying not to use with MRC brand. This applies only to the 969 charger.

I've owned a 977, and the newest 989 (Nine Eight Nine) charger, and they have charged my lipo's very reliebly every time. The only bad thing about MRC was the 969 charger. "

but on the other hand the hyperion is a great charger also with all the good things said about it is proof its a good charger. those are my two cents

[Kamalt]

I use a Bantam e-station BC6. (http://www.bantamtek.com/) Has the option to plug into pc so you can monitor the charge.

[8ight-e]

Spend the money on the 0610i duo, you will NEVER for one second regret the purchase. A charger is an investment that you won't be making again anytime soon. With 360+watt at your disposal and the ability to charge any type of cell you will be future proof because as you will find over the months/years you will do different size packs, different voltages (everyone ends up going higher voltage eventually) even different chemistry; so you don't want to under buy and have to do it again. The Hyperion’s are the best lipo chargers on the market iMO, quality and reliability. Buy it, and feel good that you made the right choice and feel comfortable no matter what system changes you make, you will have a charger more than capable of anything you throw at it.

my 2c