Which Venom Charger & LiPo batteries to get?

[Digital]

I'm looking to switch from nimh to lipo. It looks like most of you prefer the Venom brand. Which charger and batteries do you recommend?

I think I would prefer a charger with a battery balancer.

[EeePee]

I disagree about Venom and most of us.

Check out Hobbyking instead.

[svt923]

I think a lot of people run Venom because they are on the shelf at most hobby shops (and may be the only option at a lot of small shops), not necessarily out of preference. My favorite batteries are either Gforce for smaller packs and SMC for larger ones.

Value Hobby R/C Hobby Store (Addison, Illinois): Batteries - Power

SMC Racing

[BoilerUp]

You certainly want a Lipo charger with a balancer. Balancing the batteries will not only extend their lifetime but also keep you safe from over charging a single cell. As for the Venom brand, I have no experience therefore I cannot offer any suggestions but I have a Hitec X1 balancing charger and it works very well. Definitely an affordable option if you change your mind and consider another brand.

I would strongly suggest you purchase a fire-resistant charging bag with your batteries. It is smart to charge the batteries inside the bag as well as store them in it when you are done using them. Have fun!

[HahnsB2]

I have a few Venom Lipos and they've been fine, one is over 4 years old. I like both the Onyx 235 and Hitec X1 chargers.

[Col_Sanders]

The ichargers that you can buy from hobbyking have excellent reviews everywhere. I bought one a few months ago and love it. If you buy from Hobbyking, try to order from one of the US warehouses and you should get it pretty quick.

[Digital]

This charger? - iCharger 106B-plus 250W 6s Balance/Charger

I have an Axial AE-5 ESC, I'll need to cut/solder the old Tamiya connector and solder on the Dean's connectors as well. I'm also running a brushed a Axial motor. Which batteries should I get from Hobbyking so I can just make one order here.

Thanks buds

[EeePee]

What truck?

[Digital]

Wraith

[EeePee]

Well, there's the guys that buy huge brick batteries and don't want to change them out but sacrifice weight and performance then there's the smarter people that bring multiple batteries that are smaller and improve performance. That decision is up to you. As long as the battery can handle the amp draw of the system as a whole… smaller is always better in my opinion.

[Digital]

Thanks EeePee, which model batt? 2s, 3s, etc.

[EeePee]

Nano tec. 2s or 3s and size is up to you. Consider a 3s 2200. Good middle point. Half the size of a brick battery but not exactly a small crawler pack size. Comp crawler guys run 450 mah or thereabouts. It just depends on your intended use and blah blah.

[Digital]

Originally Posted by EeePee

Nano tec. 2s or 3s and size is up to you. Consider a 3s 2200. Good middle point. Half the size of a brick battery but not exactly a small crawler pack size. Comp crawler guys run 450 mah or thereabouts. It just depends on your intended use and blah blah.

10-4, thanks good buddy

[Digital]

Is this the charger you're referring to?

iCharger 106B-plus 250W 6s Balance/Charger (AR Warehouse)

[Col_Sanders]

That is the charger I have. It will charge up to 10A. If you want something that will charge faster, the 206B is a good option.

You do need a power supply for either one though.

ETA I bought my power supply on ebay.

[Digital]

What the hell? Now I need a separate power supply?? Which one do I get? You guys are killing me.

[Col_Sanders]

The power supply just let's you run it from a wall outlet. Most chargers that have one built in are either low power and charge slow or are very expensive. Hobbyking has some power supplies for under 50 bucks. You want something that will power that charger easily, so 200w or more will be good.

I bought my power supply off ebay. Just search rc charger power supply. Mine is just a computer power supply that someone already soldered connectors on. Or you could convert a computer power supply yourself if you have one laying around. It isn't very hard.

[EDDIE THE YETI]

Venom batteries are fine

And I have a onyx charger forget which model exactly but it charges my 4000mah battery is about 45 minutes

Don't know how much faster you need a battery charged

[Natedog]

WHat EePee said, don't skimp or buy the wrong batteries and charger. Venom, Onyx and Traxxas imo are all low performance over-priced junk. Buy Hobbyking or SMC lipos, there are couple other less expensive brands taht I don't recall at the moment, but these are the two brands I like. Hitec makes great chargers here's a good one, buy good and buy once. It's AC/DC too!
X2 AC Plus 2 Port AC/DC Multi-Charger | HITEC RCD USA

[Digital]

Originally Posted by Natedog

WHat EePee said, don't skimp or buy the wrong batteries and charger. Venom, Onyx and Traxxas imo are all low performance over-priced junk. Buy Hobbyking or SMC lipos, there are couple other less expensive brands taht I don't recall at the moment, but these are the two brands I like. Hitec makes great chargers here's a good one, buy good and buy once. It's AC/DC too!
X2 AC Plus 2 Port AC/DC Multi-Charger | HITEC RCD USA

thanks Natedoog, which power supply should I look at?