Model Boat Mayhem

Technical, Techniques, Hints, and Tips => Batteries & Chargers => Topic started by: Cargo on September 23, 2007, 05:48:58 pm

Title: How do you charge?
Post by: Cargo on September 23, 2007, 05:48:58 pm

I was wondering what kind of chargers are in use.

My first charger did only one thing... charging... you allways had to look for the clock. most of the times i forgot to look for the clock. :angel: Not very good for the batteries  ???
Second charger had a clock inbuild... a bit better  :o
Third charger was delta-peak... was good, but not good enough for the new NiMh batteries  :embarrassed:
Fourth charger was a delta-peak and reflex loader. Was nice but the charging rates just sucked  :(

Then i decided to kick all that "rubbish" and instead of getting again ANOTHER low-price charger i bought a new and better charger for 250€. The charger is now 3 years old, from lead-acid, nicd, nimh to li-batteries... he charges everything up to 8A and discharges up to 5A, delta-peak or reflex and some other stuff.

Its funny to see some guys with a highprize modelboat, expensive batteries but low-price chargers  ::)


 

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Trucker Willy on September 23, 2007, 06:18:28 pm

My charger: Orbit MICROLADER V6.5

http://www.orbitronic.de/ (http://www.orbitronic.de/)

and Graupner ultra duo 2  O0

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: ukengineman on September 23, 2007, 07:08:43 pm

I have used a Pro Peak Prodigy (marketed by Ripmax) for some time now. I have used it for NiCd, NiMh, gel cells and LiPo's. No problems at all. A good value digital charger at around £50. The only limitation I have found is that the discharge current is only 0.5A for early ones and 1A for later ones. This means cycling of packs (mainly applies to NiCd) can be a bit slow.
Alan

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 23, 2007, 08:58:51 pm

I have one peak detect charger, very nice yellow thing with a beepy button for dumping 3.5A into batteries,
2 70ma radio gear chargers made by Futaba
1 500ma 6v charger

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: wombat on September 23, 2007, 09:27:45 pm

I charge by the hour  ;D

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: boatmadman on September 23, 2007, 10:20:32 pm

there is a response to that - just cant remember what it is!

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: bigford on September 24, 2007, 03:55:10 am

i use visa but master card works too ::)

i have a hobbico (http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q162/bigfordf550/hcap0100-1.jpg)

now i need to get a charger for the 12 volts

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: boatmadman on September 24, 2007, 09:17:30 am

I use a robbe lader 5 - it has 3 nicad/nimh charge outlets and one gel cell outlet

Ian

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Ghost in the shell on September 24, 2007, 09:49:24 am

has it the ablility to charge nickel - hydride, nickel cadmium and Lead Gel cells at the same time?

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: DickyD on September 24, 2007, 10:08:56 am

I have 3 chargers.

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: boatmadman on September 24, 2007, 10:29:08 am

Yes Ghost, as long as the total load stays below 700ma

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Martin (Admin) on September 24, 2007, 12:44:03 pm

I now use a X Peak 3 Plus Charger / Discharger for everything.
(http://www.modelpower.co.uk/acatalog/Xpeak_3_500.jpg)
http://www.modelpower.co.uk/acatalog/Chargers_that_run_of_12_Volts.html

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Guy Bagley on September 24, 2007, 01:55:13 pm

Quote from: boatmadman on September 24, 2007, 09:17:30 am

I use a robbe lader 5 - it has 3 nicad/nimh charge outlets and one gel cell outlet

Ian

SNAP- damm fine charger too, i also have an optimate 6 v and 12 volt  charger aswell.........

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: cbr900 on September 24, 2007, 02:06:06 pm

I use an MWH Multi Charger, does nicads, nimhs, and gel or lead acid, any voltage any amps up to 5amps, peak detects and cuts to trickle, and of course recycles..........



Roy

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: bigH on September 24, 2007, 06:51:07 pm

   Typical, you get one person who charges and then everyone starts charging, is nothing FREE any more ???????

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 24, 2007, 07:37:04 pm

Well, I think FLJ ought to design us a wind up charger. After all, we've already got wind up radios and wind up torches so it isn't too much to ask for. A couple of minutes winding and off you go.

BTW, definition of a wind up radio: You turn the handle and it insults you!  ;)

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Martin (Admin) on September 24, 2007, 09:41:28 pm

Hey Colin, lets miss out the middleman and come up with some method of having a wind up boat!!!

Martin  ;)

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 24, 2007, 09:46:30 pm

Well Martin, isn't that exactly what they used to have - clockwork motors?

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: bigH on September 25, 2007, 05:54:59 pm

    ;D  Hard luck Martin, another good idea bites the dust

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Martin (Admin) on September 25, 2007, 07:24:20 pm

I'm obviously 80 years behind my time....  ;)

Title: Re: How do you charge?
Post by: Colin Bishop on September 25, 2007, 07:50:45 pm

As they say - "What goes around comes around."  ;)