Li-Fe/lipo charger recommendations

[mark_m]

I'm about to take the big step into the world of lithium batteries. In the short term I need to charge a 3S 1000mAh lipo for the beetle I'm building. Assuming that goes well I'll probably move my planes over (similar sized packs), and I'm planning a feather that I suspect will end up running on Li-Fe.

I get on ok with my Pro-Peak Supernovas so I was looking at the Pro-Peak Quattro's from Technobots, until I realised they only do up to 4 cells and I guess the feather is more likely to be 6s-7s. I'm now looking at any of the G.T. chargers from Giantcod, particularly the ones with built in power supplies. Does anybody have any experience with those chargers?
Also, do all LiPo chargers do Li-Fe?

Can anybody recommend a suitable charger?

cheers

Mark

[mark_m]

Re: Li-Fe/lipo charger recommendations

Can nobody recommend their charger to me?

I heard somebody on the US RFL forum recommend the IMAX B8 charger. it's about £60 on ebay (new). The specs look good but it does up to 8S when I think I'll only need up to 6s, so I'm now wondering about the IMAX B6 which is only £30 from ebay.

It would be useful to hear peoples' experiences with different chargers just so I can gauge what might be a good brand/source, even if it's not directly applicable to my situation.

[widow_twanky]

Re: Li-Fe/lipo charger recommendations

Can nobody recommend their charger to me?

I heard somebody on the US RFL forum recommend the IMAX B8 charger. it's about £60 on ebay (new). The specs look good but it does up to 8S when I think I'll only need up to 6s, so I'm now wondering about the IMAX B6 which is only £30 from ebay.

It would be useful to hear peoples' experiences with different chargers just so I can gauge what might be a good brand/source, even if it's not directly applicable to my situation.

For small 2-3cell lipos we use these

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... oduct=7637

Very very basic charger but it works.

for the bigger packs we use these

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/stor ... oduct=6443

A very good basic charger with some nice functions and capable of doing 8 cells for both lipo and life cells. Not the best chargers on the market but suits our requirements and is cheap

[leorcc]

Re: Li-Fe/lipo charger recommendations

If it needs to be cheap, the GT-Power/Turnigy/Imax 6 and 8 cell charger and balancers are great. Keep in mind though that while they can charge 8S, thet cannot charge them on the 7-8A that the specs give as maximum. The wattage of the chargers just can't cope with those high demands.

The more high-priced chargers 450-600W can do that with ease, but that is a totally different price-bracket.

For my feathers on 4S LiFe and 3S lipo I use the Imax B6 charger, and the T2M Swallow AC/DC2-EQ. Apart from that I have the Schulze Chameleon that can charge 12 cells on 8A.

[mark_m]

Re: Li-Fe/lipo charger recommendations

Leo,

Thanks for the reply. I went for a Turnigy Accucel 6 in the end. I changed my mind from the GT-power and Imax chargers after hearing some reports of them having inaccurate voltage sensing resistors leading to slightly uneven balancing. All three brands are probably exactly the same, we'll see. It arrived this morning and looks great though. I've not used it yet so I'll report back when I do.

[leorcc]

Re: Li-Fe/lipo charger recommendations

The software of these things are basically all the same, the only real difference in in the body and the amount of cells they are equipped to charge. I've used my Imax for over a year now without any real issues, but my brother in law has blown up one of his (I still don't know how, I had used his before he started using it and it was fine).