RCCrawler Forums

silver05 · 12-08-2011, 11:10 AM

Hey guys.

I have a team checkpoint 1030 charger that I really like and has great specs.
But I am starting to get into lipos.

The charger will go up to 4s which is good enough for me.

Only problem is no internal balancer.

What would be better. Getting a external balancer or a new charger all together. I don't mind having to carry extra pieces or more wiring.

My budget would be under 100. So it would probably have to be a cheap charger.

Will an external balancer work just as well as an internal?

SINister · 12-08-2011, 11:36 AM

I had an in-line balancer for awhile and it worked pretty well. It died after a few months though not sure why so I got the Thunder AC6 charger to replace them both. I suggest checking it out Thunder AC6 Smart LiPo Balance Charger/Discharger w/ AC Adapter for 1-6 Lipo/ 1-15 Nimh + USB to PC Software . For $45 it charges pretty much everything including 1-6s lipo charge/balance/storage options.

Operating voltage: DC 11~18 volts
Charge/discharge power: max. 50/5 Watts
NiCd/MH: 1~15 cells
LiIo/LiPo/LiFe: 1~6 series
Pb: 2~20V
Charge current: 0.1 to 5.0A
Discharge current: 0.1 to 1.0A
No. of cycle: 1 to 5 times
Battery data memory: up to 5 data
Weight: 260g
Dimension: 140*95*28mm
Computer USB port
Temperature sensor port
Built in AC adapter

Omega-Tron · 12-08-2011, 12:08 PM

I also have the Thunder AC6 (two of them); it's a very popular LiPo charger. It's very easy to use and the built in AC power supply is a big plus IMO.

silver05 · 12-09-2011, 11:21 AM

Thanks for the replys guys

I will defiantly have a look at that charger.

Trubble · 12-09-2011, 12:24 PM

I use a Team Checkpoint external balancer with my Onyx 230 charger, works just fine. Not sure I trust pushing 6 amps through a balancing tap, so I limit myself to 3 amps charge rate when using it as a charge-through. But used as an external while charging through the main lead, it also works well enough. If my 230 ever went belly-up, I'd keep an eye on Tower's, or A-main's 'scratch and dent bin' for a decent score on a 235. If I could actually afford to, though, I'd really love to pop for a Hyperion with a lot more power, (ie; EOS0720iNET3).

jokers_toys · 12-09-2011, 12:51 PM

Thunder AC6 is a great bang for the buck

never gave me a problem even switching between nimh and lipos all the time

i even take it out to the track with me

squatch71 · 12-09-2011, 12:56 PM

x2 on a Onyx 230 charger and external balancer...have no problems.

steele42 · 12-09-2011, 09:40 PM

I've got the onyx 235 and love it. I think you would like it and it's in your price range

OKJeepin · 12-09-2011, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steele42

I've got the onyx 235 and love it. I think you would like it and it's in your price range

Same here, I think I paid 80 or 90 bucks for mine.

AsILayDying · 12-09-2011, 10:49 PM

+1 on the Onyx 235. I've been using this one for a few years now for NiMh and LiPos with no issue. Really easy to use has a dc connector for car battery connection charging.

I also have an old Hyperion EOS0606i charger. Works good too but I think it's more like 130 instead of 85 like the Onyx.

Sent from my iPhone 3GSlow but still works flawlessly.

RusT808 · 12-10-2011, 12:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squatch71

x2 on a Onyx 230 charger and external balancer...have no problems.

+3 Only problem I have with it is the fan make weird noises when I first start charging.

Trubble · 12-10-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RusT808

+3 Only problem I have with it is the fan make weird noises when I first start charging.

My 240 does that pretty bad, too.

silver05 · 12-10-2011, 04:07 PM

Thanks for all the help guys. Time for me to figure out what I want to do.

12-08-2011, 11:10 AM	#1
silver05 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 9	What would you do? Hey guys. I have a team checkpoint 1030 charger that I really like and has great specs. But I am starting to get into lipos. The charger will go up to 4s which is good enough for me. Only problem is no internal balancer. What would be better. Getting a external balancer or a new charger all together. I don't mind having to carry extra pieces or more wiring. My budget would be under 100. So it would probably have to be a cheap charger. Will an external balancer work just as well as an internal?

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12-08-2011, 11:36 AM	#2
SINister RCC Addict Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Oak Ridge, TN Posts: 1,141	I had an in-line balancer for awhile and it worked pretty well. It died after a few months though not sure why so I got the Thunder AC6 charger to replace them both. I suggest checking it out Thunder AC6 Smart LiPo Balance Charger/Discharger w/ AC Adapter for 1-6 Lipo/ 1-15 Nimh + USB to PC Software . For $45 it charges pretty much everything including 1-6s lipo charge/balance/storage options. Operating voltage: DC 11~18 volts Charge/discharge power: max. 50/5 Watts NiCd/MH: 1~15 cells LiIo/LiPo/LiFe: 1~6 series Pb: 2~20V Charge current: 0.1 to 5.0A Discharge current: 0.1 to 1.0A No. of cycle: 1 to 5 times Battery data memory: up to 5 data Weight: 260g Dimension: 1409528mm Computer USB port Temperature sensor port Built in AC adapter

12-08-2011, 12:08 PM	#3
Omega-Tron Pebble Pounder Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sioux Falls, South Dakota Posts: 135	I also have the Thunder AC6 (two of them); it's a very popular LiPo charger. It's very easy to use and the built in AC power supply is a big plus IMO.

12-09-2011, 11:21 AM	#4
silver05 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 9	Thanks for the replys guys I will defiantly have a look at that charger.

12-09-2011, 12:24 PM	#5
Trubble Proverbial threadkiller Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Wisconsin Posts: 1,453	I use a Team Checkpoint external balancer with my Onyx 230 charger, works just fine. Not sure I trust pushing 6 amps through a balancing tap, so I limit myself to 3 amps charge rate when using it as a charge-through. But used as an external while charging through the main lead, it also works well enough. If my 230 ever went belly-up, I'd keep an eye on Tower's, or A-main's 'scratch and dent bin' for a decent score on a 235. If I could actually afford to, though, I'd really love to pop for a Hyperion with a lot more power, (ie; EOS0720iNET3).

12-09-2011, 12:51 PM	#6
jokers_toys Quarry Creeper Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Paragould Posts: 368	Thunder AC6 is a great bang for the buck never gave me a problem even switching between nimh and lipos all the time i even take it out to the track with me

12-09-2011, 12:56 PM	#7
squatch71 I wanna be Dave Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: four o six Posts: 2,101	x2 on a Onyx 230 charger and external balancer...have no problems.

12-09-2011, 09:40 PM	#8
steele42 Rock Crawler Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Southern Utah Posts: 778	I've got the onyx 235 and love it. I think you would like it and it's in your price range

12-09-2011, 10:49 PM	#10
AsILayDying RCC Addict Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Orlando Posts: 1,153	+1 on the Onyx 235. I've been using this one for a few years now for NiMh and LiPos with no issue. Really easy to use has a dc connector for car battery connection charging. I also have an old Hyperion EOS0606i charger. Works good too but I think it's more like 130 instead of 85 like the Onyx. Sent from my iPhone 3GSlow but still works flawlessly.

12-10-2011, 04:07 PM	#13
silver05 Newbie Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 9	Thanks for all the help guys. Time for me to figure out what I want to do.

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