Hobby Charger

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spencer

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Jan 19, 2008
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Location
Saskatoon, Canada
I am in the market for a good hobby charger. I am kind of looking at the Triton2. I like what it can do and best of all I can buy it locally. I know that a hobby charger is not good for charging cells of various charge levels but I already have a four channel multi-charger so that's not a big deal for me. I'm just searching for recomendations. Convince me to buy this one or talk me out of it and recommend me a better one. Something I would like but isn't necessary is multiple outputs. I know that the Shultze is a good charger but I don't know enough about it to make a descision on it. I'm looking at around the $150 price point but you guys might convince me I need to spend more.

Thanks,
Spencer
 
The Triton series chargers are great all around chargers. There are better choices if you wanted just one chemistry, but if you want it all, the Triton is an excellent choice, especially considering the price.

However, if all you're going to do with it is our flashlight cells, look on some forums for a used, original Triton. Those can be had for less than $60 usually and can do nearly everything the Triton 2 can do.

The original Triton can charge and discharge up to 4 lithiums in series (14.8v packs), up to I think 24 nimh and nicad and even 12 volt lead acid. The Triton 2 goes up to 5 lithiums and perhaps a few more nimhs and nicads but for a flashaholic's purposes, I don't see the need.

www.rcuniverse.com
www.rcgroups.com
www.runryder.com

Those would be good places to look for a used Triton. For a new Triton 2, www.towerhobbies.com is a good source. Make sure you get a coupon code as they ALWAYS have a current one out there. (I can provide you with one if you go the Tower Hobbies route)

Good luck!
 
I have a Triton2 and love it except for the fact that it does not charge those Dewalt A123 batteries...that is why the original owner of my Triton sold it to me....and he was another CPF member here.

I believe there are other, newer RC chargers that will do it all. Yes they may cost a bit more than your 150, but not by much as I recall. Especially if you are getting really serious about this hobby and it sounds like you are, you should spend the extra for the best charger you feel you cannot afford..it will be worth it in the end.

That said above, I would love to get another fully capable charger, but I am willing to not go the A123 route and live with Emoli. At least for now.

Bob E.
 
Hello Bob,

If you ever decide to try the A123 cells, I have been charging them to 4.1 volts successfully for a little over 100 cycles now. I don't know if the other brands can handle this, but the A123 cells don't seem to mind.

Tom
 
Been browsing around a little bit more and I think I want to get one that has a USB connect for charge/discharge curves, capacity, etc. (like the BC6). With this revision to question, what do you suggest now. Still the BC6 or something else? The local Triton2 is not really an option anymore because they raised their price on it by 33%. I'm really leaning towards the BC6 because it has AC input.
 
Battery Charger... :whistle:

The BC-6 is a good option featuring AC input. However, if you have an old ATX computer power supply laying around (who doesn't these days?) those work just fantastically well to power the other chargers.
 
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I recommends this charger Good power, software upgrade, realtively cheap and software monitoring using logview, among the best china made hobby charger IMO. Some of the new added features are from users own wishlist, the good thing about this manufacture is they listen to users you can read the thread where alot of suggestions are disccused with the manufacturer reps.

here is the link.
http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=839657
(delete this mod if posting to other forum is not allowed)
 
Will the USB port connection also power the charger? Sorry for ignorance but i am new to all this and have so many Li Ion batteries and only a cheap charger so would love a decent hobby charger.
 
electric sheep said:
Will the USB port connection also power the charger? Sorry for ignorance but i am new to all this and have so many Li Ion batteries and only a cheap charger so would love a decent hobby charger.
Click to expand...
No. Some hobby chargers are capable of outputting 100's of watts. USB can only supply 2.5 watts.

EDIT: I posted before I looked at the charger rizky_p posted. That one can output 300 watts.
 
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spencer said:
I know that the Shultze is a good charger but I don't know enough about it to make a descision on it. I'm looking at around the $150 price point but you guys might convince me I need to spend more.

Thanks,
Spencer
Click to expand...
I just received my Schulze next generation 6.30.5 charger today. Overkill for most people, but a wonderful charger if you enjoy tinkering and can afford it.
Cheers John
See photo
http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u227/noelex/schulzesmall.jpg
 
I've had a look at this charger (the 106B+) and it seems like the best option for me right now. I can charge all the chemistry's I could ever want and it has upgradeable firmware. Best of all its affordable!:twothumbs I think this is the one for me. Thank you very much for the suggestion.
 
I need to do a search. I have so many Lithium ion batteries now and NMhi that a hobby charger would be perfect. Do they come with good instruction sheets?
 
Just in case some of you guys might have missed my link before, there is another thread HERE that has several other hobby charger options as well.

This iCharger 1010B+ and 106B+ looks similar to the Turnigy Accucel 8 I talk about over there, but I do like the available support and ability to update firmware. Unfortunately, it is STILL 50% more than the Turnigy.

Just goes to show there are A LOT of options out there if you're willing to do your research. My Turnigy was delivered this past Tuesday, but I won't get to use it until I get home this weekend. Let's hear what everyone thinks of their chargers once they get to use them!!!
 
BC-6 or BC-8

Replaced 8 of my chargers the first day.

I use it everyday!

I charge 1s, 2s, Pb gel cells and N30 packs, NiMi series, A123, Emoli and Li-ion, all three lithium chemistries!

It is either AC/DC powered and you can elect to charge Lithium in Series or with its internal balancer. For lithium and modded lights this gave me a lot of design freedom
 
Hi,

I recently purchased a Triton Jr. I have a 9.6V NiMH pack rated at 1650mah. I want to do a standard charge on this pack in order to balance it. However, my charger only has a choice of .1A increments. So should I do a 100mah charge for 16 hours or a 200mah charge for 16 hours? I know that technically I should be doing a 165mah charge for 16 hours. What should I do? I was thinking of doing a 100mah charge for 20 hours. Please help.

Other than this issue, the Triton Jr. charger is inexpensive and pretty comprehensive. I like it. I yanked a 12VDC 8AH lead acid battery from a tire compressor which I don't use often - perfect match for my needs. I use a battery tender Jr. to charge the lead acid battery.
 
I think the 100 mA for 20 hours plan sounds reasonable. When doing a conditioning charge it is better to err on the low side of the 0.1C rate.
 
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