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[dpbarry]

Hi folks..


I'm looking at using lipo batteries with my esc/motor setups but as I'm new to lipo's and having heard all the horror stories encountered, i'm looking for advice on what to choose in terms of chargers and balancing.


Currently I operate Nimh batteries with my model planes and have a Mercury Ex charger but I'm looking to upgrade to something more modern.


The motors I run operate in a voltage range of 7.4 - 15v so will be probably be using either 3S or 4S batteries. I currently have the Modelslipway 'Shamrock' on the board (has been for quite a while) and beginning to finish it off. I'm also gathering all the bits and pieces together for my RNLI Mersey class lifeboat and as you can guess, batteries, motors and weight are coming to the fore.


With the horror stories heard, i will not be doing any lipo charging inside the house and I intend to build a charging 'bunker' outside.


So, the question being, what would people recommend or not recommend for charging lipos.


Any assistance greatly appreciated.


Declan

[Sub driver]

Hi.
Component shop
Turnigy accucel 6 digital..with the mains adapter
A superb charger that will do the lot..
They also do some simple cheaper lipo balance chargers too.
I love my accucel.
Regards sub.

[essex2visuvesi]

Imax B6.... charges pretty much any battery you can throw at it up to 6S lipo. Discharges, charges, balances and even has a storage charge mode
Also charges NiCd, NiMH, Pb & LiFe batteries


Make sure you get a genuine one and not one of the many clones

[Martin (Admin)]

 
I agree with Sub Driver, Turnigy Accucel-6
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__64345__Turnigy_Accucel_6_80W_10A_Balancer_Charger_w_Accessories.html

Here how to use it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvr-25yGeVk

Buy from a reputable shop, there are a few fake "Four button chargers" out there!

[dpbarry]

Cheers Guys..


I've been looking at it on hobbyking but it seems the uk warehouse is out of stock. The european warehouse has it but at what appear to be £10 dearer?


I'm a bit wary of hobbyking at moment as I got stung with import charges for something I though I had bought from the uk website. Turns out I got transferred somehow to the worldwide website and got charged with import duty.


Looking to see if there is someone else in uk who stocks it. Seems like tjshobbies are selling it and has 2 in stock.


Wife asked me today what I wanted for christmas. Methinks the turnigy Accucel 6 and a couple of batteries fits the bill. 😜


Declan

[sparkey]

  The two chargers I use and can recommend are for the workshop are:-Fusion ethos LX41Bpro a bit expensive but a brill charger got it from Cornwall model boats and Turnigy ACCUCELL 6 a bit smaller so can be taken to the lake I got this from Component shop,I have brought cheaper chargers from the web but just a waste of money did not last 5 mins you get what you pay for,I have use these chargers on all types of batteries from Lipo's to lead acid no problems at all,I find if you look after your batteries they will last a long time,Ray.      

[Klunk]

I run 2 X accusel 6. Excellant chargers easy to use. I cheat and have a large desktop power supply to them not the little ones. I also use them off the car battery lakeside as well.

[Klunk]

I run 2 X accusel 6. Excellant chargers easy to use. I cheat and have a large desktop power supply to them not the little ones. I also use them off the car battery lakeside as well.

Also there are a lot of imam b6  fakes out there so buy from a reputable  dealer. Not heard if any fake accucells buy not really looked

[spearfish99]

The Imax B6 does pretty much everything BUT BEWARE.  There are a lot of clones of this around which look identical but are not the original thing.
 Even Hobbyking used to advertise both versions on their HK site, clearly differentiated
.
 Usual thing: if it looks to good to be true, it usually is!
 

[boat captain]

Why not buy from Component Shop as Sub has said.

[dpbarry]

Why not buy from Component Shop as Sub has said.

Doh!!     Not sure what the iPad was doing. Couldn't see it for the trees. I see they have both options in stock. Off now with wife's credit card...  Sorry, mean Santa's 
 
Declan

[Tombsy]

If you are a new lipo user and are concerned about safety there are safer, fused, computerized chargers that will not let you input an incorrect setting like cell count or battery chemistry.
I've been reading how nervous people are about lipo's and the lengths they go to when charging but then they buy the cheapest charger available.
In the big picture of the costs of my boats I factor in a good charger as cheap insurance. I've had Accucells and I have recommended them in the past but I've realized how easy it is to input a wrong setting and then bad things can happen.
A Revolectrix Cellpro Multi4, Hyperion or an ICharger are some choices if you want something more or if you get distracted easily like me. :)

[essex2visuvesi]

This is a good feature of the B6 i mentioned earlier.... this charger will not allow you to input the incorrect setting for the battery connected

[dpbarry]

Well, Charger and lipo batteries are on their way but I have another question to ask just in case I end up in a very bad way in hospital..
The batteries I have come with the JST-XH connector which I gather is the balancing plug but I also see it referred to as the charging plug.  The Discharge plug is a 4mm Bullet connector. (going to change to XT60 connector)
 
This might sound a very stupid question but when charging, are both leads connected to the charger or just the 'Charging/Balancing' lead.
 
I think the horror stories about these lipos is starting to get to me so if the questionn does sound stupid, I'm not apologising  . Like the old saying measure twice, cut once!! Ask and get it right the first time rather than after the explosion if incorrectly connected.
 
Declan 

[sparkey]

  You need both plugged in,follow the simple rules and you will be fine,don't forget not to run them right down leave 20% charge in them or they will be useless,Ray.