12-08-2011, 11:10 AM | #1 |
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? |
Sponsored Links | |
12-08-2011, 11:36 AM | #2 |
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: 140*95*28mm Computer USB port Temperature sensor port Built in AC adapter |
12-08-2011, 12:08 PM | #3 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |
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, 10:33 PM | #9 |
Rock Crawler Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Wister, OK.
Posts: 697
| |
12-09-2011, 10:49 PM | #10 |
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, 12:34 AM | #11 |
Quarry Creeper Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Honolulu
Posts: 428
| |
12-10-2011, 12:52 AM | #12 |
Proverbial threadkiller Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Central Wisconsin
Posts: 1,453
| |
12-10-2011, 04:07 PM | #13 |
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.
|
| |