Best charger? ($200 budget)

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SirJMD

SirJMD

Newly Enlightened
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Oct 3, 2009
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I currently have a Multiplex MultiCharger LN-5014 (delta peak charger) - im not sure if its the best out there (probably isnt, since it 4 years old, or more).

A few requirements:
- Must be able to charge AA, AAA, 18650, RCR123, SLA and NiMH packs (12 cells)
- Able to determine the cells capacity (discharge -> charge cycle maby..)
- Up to atleast 5A charge current
- Multi channel charge for AA, AAA (NiMH in general), RCR123 and 18650.
- Display with lots of info/options
Prefer 230V powered, but DC powered as my Multiplex is ok too.



Budget is around $200 - let me know which chargers you prefer!:popcorn:
 
Last edited:
Hi,

Have a look to the Hyperion chargers. I have one and really happy.
You have the Hyperion EOS 0720i NET3 7S at that price. Really a powerfull charger, 250watts, 20amp.
 
Basically every hobby charger will cover your stated needs. I don't know why not just keep the multiplex?

The specs you are looking for can be found in every 50$ hobby charger (delivered), and when you go up the scale, usually they will go up like higher charge rate (like 15A instead of 5), higher discharge rates, capable of charging more cells...

But that is about it. No magical charging method has been invented in the last 4 years. The batteries are usually the ones that limit you in how fast you can charge them, not the charger. (well unless you have some high capacity ones, but judging from your 5A rate, thats not the case).


When buying a hobby charger YOU are probably the one that should know best what you need. Balancing? High discharge rates? Faster charging? If you don't know why you need a new charger for, then you most likely don't need one.
 
A380 said:
Hi,

Have a look to the Hyperion chargers. I have one and really happy.
You have the Hyperion EOS 0720i NET3 7S at that price. Really a powerfull charger, 250watts, 20amp.
Click to expand...

Would prefer such big charger to be powered @ 230V. Doesnt seem like they have such model.

I like the PC logging ALOT! :D


T0RN4D0 said:
Basically every hobby charger will cover your stated needs. I don't know why not just keep the multiplex?

The specs you are looking for can be found in every 50$ hobby charger (delivered), and when you go up the scale, usually they will go up like higher charge rate (like 15A instead of 5), higher discharge rates, capable of charging more cells...

But that is about it. No magical charging method has been invented in the last 4 years. The batteries are usually the ones that limit you in how fast you can charge them, not the charger. (well unless you have some high capacity ones, but judging from your 5A rate, thats not the case).


When buying a hobby charger YOU are probably the one that should know best what you need. Balancing? High discharge rates? Faster charging? If you don't know why you need a new charger for, then you most likely don't need one.
Click to expand...

I know there's no new method for charging - delta peak/v is still the way to do it. But chargers gets new options etc. Like the one A380 mentions - it got USB for logging! That i would like ALOT.

The function i need the most, is multi-channel balancing. I very often use multiple RCR123, AAA, AA and 18650 batteries.


Ive looked alot at the Maha Powerex MH-C9000, it seems really awesome. But it doesnt seem to be able to charge 18650 - right?

(requirements updated)
 
The "balance charging" feature of hobby chargers is only for Lithium chemistries - not for Nickel based cells.
 
TranceAddict said:
wow you got the money, go ahead for Schulze next-gen charger, there will be no others can surpass it.
Click to expand...

I prefer spending a bit more the first time, than buying mid-end products over and over again. High-end products tends to last longer, and have fewer annoying errors.

Is this the one youre talking about: http://www.schulze-elektronik-gmbh.de/next-e.htm ???

From what i can see.. its able to balance cells in series, but it does not have multi-channel charging. Tho, i like the big display and the high discharge current and power it can handle (250W!).
 
You want multiple channels and all sort of other features......

Well..... Have you thought about having FOUR hobby chargers. Now 4 channels and REALLY independent. Then get a gianormous powersupply with 230v inputs. Say 30-50 amsp output ? Then run all four hobby chargers off that one giant supply. If you want more variety get four different brands for all the subtle differences that you seek. Now that setup will completly blow away anything the Maha C9000 could ever do. Want more channels, just buy 4 more and have 8 channels.
 
InHisName said:
You want multiple channels and all sort of other features......

Well..... Have you thought about having FOUR hobby chargers. Now 4 channels and REALLY independent. Then get a gianormous powersupply with 230v inputs. Say 30-50 amsp output ? Then run all four hobby chargers off that one giant supply. If you want more variety get four different brands for all the subtle differences that you seek. Now that setup will completly blow away anything the Maha C9000 could ever do. Want more channels, just buy 4 more and have 8 channels.
Click to expand...

4 channels or 4 chargers - not the same. Not by far :)

My lab. power supply got two channels. These can be combined in either series or parallel - thereby doubling the max current or voltage. All this magic happends inside the PSU, and allows me to just hook up one set of wires. 2 channels made into one! I can also run them as two completly independt channels!

Thats what i want in a charger. Able to run multiple channels, or combine them to one large. 1A for AA/AAA/etc should be more than enough - but 5A or more could easily be needed for SLA.

I like the charger with USB-data logging, i really do! :D
 
@SirJMD, hobby chargers do not have (or need) the multi-channel thing.

InHisName said:
Well..... Have you thought about having FOUR hobby chargers. Now 4 channels and REALLY independent. Then get a gianormous powersupply with 230v inputs. Say 30-50 amsp output ? Then run all four hobby chargers off that one giant supply. If you want more variety get four different brands for all the subtle differences that you seek. Now that setup will completly blow away anything the Maha C9000 could ever do. Want more channels, just buy 4 more and have 8 channels.
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I have, 4 Accucel-6 chargers hooked up to a 110/230V input, 12V/35A output supply. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
rmteo said:
@SirJMD, hobby chargers do not have (or need) the multi-channel thing.
Click to expand...

They do if you want to track the performannce of individual NiMH or NiCd cells, on a large scale. That's one of the drawbacks to a hobby charger. Their intended use is for charging welded, series battery packs, where you don't really have much choice as to how you're going to charge them. They never had the monitoring of individual NiMH/NiCd cells in mind, from the drawing board.

You can of course, analyze individual cells, one at a time, or two at a time with some of the high end hobby chargers, but most of the more dedicated, advanced NiMH/NiCd chargers like the Maha C9000, are a better solution, and offer more features, as well.

Now, for Li-Ion cells, it's a different story, as you can balance charge them. That's, in part, why I finally did get a hobby charger. It's also really handy for NiMH/NiCd battery packs, of course. :)

SirJMD, the best way I know to go about what you're looking for, is to set yourself up with two groups of chargers (or one in each group). One for NiMH/NiCd, and one for the various Li-Ion chemistries. That's how I did it. There may eventually be an all in one charger/analyzer, but I don't know of any yet.

Dave
 
45/70 said:
They do if you want to track the performannce of individual NiMH or NiCd cells, on a large scale. That's one of the drawbacks to a hobby charger. Their intended use is for charging welded, series battery packs, where you don't really have much choice as to how you're going to charge them. They never had the monitoring of individual NiMH/NiCd cells in mind, from the drawing board.
Dave
Click to expand...

What I am trying to say. In any event, most everything in RC is moving over to Lithium - nickel chemistries are pretty much on the way out.
 
They are gonna be around for a while in everyday applications. And agreed, you are probably better off with a dedicated NiXX charger, that can discharge and refresh your cells separately, and a hobby one for Lixxx, because li-ions don't need refreshing and hate deep discharges and such.
 
Thanks for all your responses. This is the conclusion:

- Maha Powerex MH-C9000
For keeping my AA's alive for my camera flash (Speedlite 580 = hungry).


Then i need one for Li-ion batteries. I like the "Hyperion EOS 0720i NET3 7S" quite alot, since it got USB for data logging. Got a flashlight that eats 2x 18650 - good idea to balance those? Should be fairly easy to build a holder for the two batteries, and balance them with that charger.


So "Maha Powerex MH-C9000" and "Hyperion EOS 0720i NET3 7S" - sounds like an okay choice?
 
With loose cells, you won't need to balance them - just charge them in parallel.

Yes, the Maha and the Hyperion would be one way to go.
 
Ok, Maha: Ordered.
Hyperion: Looking for good DK/EU shop. Still awaits answer from a shop i contacted.
 
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