Triton or ICE, Which is the most usefull?

[ODatsBright]

I've tried searching the forums and only get some posts with discussions on which charger to get before it seems the conversation gets off to another direction before any real recommendations are made. I've read the specs on both chargers and I'm not sure which seems to be the better charger. The Trition2 now seems to meet the same capabilities as the ICE. I like the Triton2 but the display is not as good as the ICE, however, the ICE does not do lead acid which would be nice as I have a few of my daughters toys which use small 7.0Ah or less lead acids. I have a Vector charger but I think that is to much even set at the lowest 2 amp setting for a 2-3Ah Pb battery.

Anybody have suggestions on which one to actually get?

As far as the chargers I do have, I've got an old Pila BC2 I think, a new Ultrafire, a Maha 777+ and an Ansmann 16.

Thanks.

 

[wptski]

I you've compared the specs, compare the manuals now. They are comparable but not the same! I own both.

Find the ICE manual here: ICE and the Triton manual here: Triton

 

[rdh226]

The ICE generally has the nicer UI, but the Triton is far more flexible in what it will drive. If you only
get one, get the Triton, unless you KNOW FOR SURE that you will never ever never ever need (or just
want) to charge any of the combos -- like more than 6 NiCd/NiMH -- I think 6 is the ICE's limit, or was
it 8? that the ICE won't handle. This includes all the "bright" lights using 9/10/11/12/more stacked cells,
like the USL, Torch, Mag623/625/etc. I think this even includes the Mag85.

My $0.02's worth.

-RDH

 

[Weylan]

Just to be clear here:

Input:
11-15V DC

Battery Types, # of cells: 1-10 Nickel-Cadmium cells (1.2 - 12.0V NiCd)
1-10 Nickel-Metal Hydride cells (1.2 - 12.0V NiMH)
1-4 Lithium-Ion or Lithium-Polymer cells
(3.6 - 14.8V Li-Ion/Li-Po)
Battery Capacity Range: 100-9900mAh
Fast charge current: 0.1 - 8.0A (1C max for Li-Ion/Li-Po)

 

[koala]

You have answers to your questions. You need to charge lead acid, go for the Triton. The ICE has extra function for breaking in electric brush motors, which is non relevant unless you are in to RC. The larger display is really sweet, but I hate the scroll wheel on the ICE, it doesn't work very well. Don't just limit yourself to these two chargers, there are plenty more out there.

Here's a good place to start...
http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/default.php?cPath=52_53

 

[rdh226]

Just to be clear here:
...
# of cells: 1-10 Nickel-Cadmium ... 1-10 Nickel-Metal Hydride cells ...

Just got home...Yup, you're right, ICE will handle 10 NiXx cells, enough for Mag85 (9 cells) but
still short of USL/Torch range.

-RDH

 

[ODatsBright]

Weeellllll, I've read the manuals, including the newer Triton2. Seems both have their strong points. I guess like everything else in the world, there is no "IDEAL" charger. Since I have some smaller Pb batteries and the Triton2 will do more cells overall (24 vs. 10 Ni and 5 vs. 4 Li) I believe I'll try the Triton2. If I need fancy discharge graphs I'll use my CBA and I guess I'll have to live with only 2 lines of display.

Thanks all for the replies.

 

[wptski]

Try charging a single AA at 2A on the Triton? You might get 1.6A but it's no problem on the ICE! The ICE's timer is in seconds and you can't turn it off like the Triton can.

 

[ODatsBright]

I ended up getting the Triton2. It seems like a nice charger. I've got to make up some custom battery connectors and play around with it more but off hand it seems like it will do a nice job.

 

[LuxLuthor]

Don't rule out the Hyperion 1210i. I have been using it for about 5 months....and although I don't have the Triton or Ice, people at RC Groups are giving it pretty good marks.

It is sold at CheapBatteryPacks.com, & now does A123 new cell chemisty and all these battery types you mentioned. It works great on my 24 cell NiMH battery pack used for the 747 Aircraft landing light spotlight ("Larry14K").

BTW, it is very easy to solder a wire between two contacts to make the display very bright in the Triton. It is fixed now in the current Hyperion displays.

 

[ODatsBright]

I can't seem to access the link either by clicking or directly entering the link.

On a second note, does anyone have a thermal probe for the trition or ICE. It seems they use the same probe and I'm wondering if they are using a standard thermistor for the sensor?

 

[wptski]

I can't seem to access the link either by clicking or directly entering the link.

On a second note, does anyone have a thermal probe for the trition or ICE. It seems they use the same probe and I'm wondering if they are using a standard thermistor for the sensor?

Both links go directly to a PDF file and work for me! Yes, both probes are the same but I have no idea about the thermistor. Not real accurate but as a safety, it's good enough!

 

[evan9162]

The temperature sensor is a 3-wire device, in a TO-92 package (like small transistors). I haven't disassembled my thermal probe, but I bet it's an LM35 temperature sensor.

http://cache.national.com/ds/LM/LM35.pdf

 

[koala]

It's sure is LM35, I made mine . It's actually quite accurate but I am not sure if it transfer heat fast enough.

 

[ODatsBright]

Koala,

Looks like a Futaba type connector is used. I'd assume black to be ground, red to be Vout and white to be +VS?

 

[koala]

Here's the pic I stole it from RCgroups, this is what I built

by afabio - rcgroups.com