Hobbico Accu-cycle elite??

[redrover]

I just purchased the Hobbico Accu-cycle elite.
I got this charger because it seemed to have alot of features, and was also AC/DC.
I know alot of people frown on the AC charger part, but I like to be able to just plug it into the wall if I want.
This charger was the same $$ that most Dc only chargers are but also has most of the features.
My problem is that when i am reading about it in the manual it says max fast charge is 2000mah - after that it is onlt trickle charge.
So i guess it would take all nite to charge my 3500mah batteries?
I really think this is intended to be more of a flight pack charger - not a car charger?

Does anyone have any experience with this charger??
Should I send it back and get the ICE + AC adapter instead?
I know to get the AC/DC ICE it would be about $100 more, but that seems to be the one everyone loves.

Any input would be appreciated.
Thanks

 

[K_B]

What that means is that the max output is 2A. Which is why this charger is cheaper than most other chargers with similar features. The ICE can charge up to something like 8 amps. So to charge a 3500mAh on the Hobbico would take about 1.5 hours at the max charge rate. I have a Vision Peak Ultra. Same thing. It's cheaper but it's current max is 4A. But 4A is do-able for most batteries I use. 2A is rather limited...

 

[redrover]

Thanks K_B
that makes sense

So if the hobbico does 2000mah max = 2Amps
then
The Ice can do 8Amps, or 8000mah correct??

So in other words - pretty much any NIMH battery I can find is going to be charged fast with the ICE charger.

I almost got the ICE in the first place, but the Hobbico came with the AC power supply, and that is what changed my mind.

I guess im gonna bite the bullet and get the ICE and a seperate power supply.

Thanks again

 

[K_B]

Just keep in mind that just because a charger can charge at 8 amps, you don't necessarily wanna charge a battery at that kind of amperage.

A good rule of thumb is to set the amps equal to the capacity. In other words, if you have a 3000mah battery, charge at 3 amps, if the battery is 1200mah, charge at 1.2A. Your batteries will last longer that way.

Batteries can be charged at double their capacity, so that same 3000mah battery can be charged at 6A and a 1200mah can be charged at 2.4A. This gives the battery more "punch" but it's hard on 'em and decreases their lifespan...

 

[redrover]

OK
so do you think it would be better to go with another charger, or stay with the Hobbico.
I guess with the ICE i could charge my 3500mah at 3.5 amps or whatever
but
with the Hobbico im already pretty much maxed out right?
Im not trying to charge my batteries lightning fast or anything, I just dont want to start out with the charger at max capacity - knowing that ill only getting bigger batteries in the future, not smaller.

make sense?
Thanks for all of your help.

 

[BrandonW]

as a rule of thumb i would charge all your rc truck batteries between 3.5 amps and 5 amps. some people charge at higher amps but only if they are racing and what that extra punch. but like kb said you will lose bettery life

 

[gone_wheelin]

If you do get the Ice you will be happy you did. I've been using mine now for over a year for both my racing packs and my crawler packs. Not only will it charge at 8a it will discharge at 10a so you can cycle your packs every once in awhile. Another bonus is that you can charge LiPo and LiIon packs with it. I like it so much I picked up a second one as a backup and to help with charging duties on busy race days.

My advice on charging, set the battery you are charging on a fan to keep the packs temp down, not only will this help increase capacity it will also decrease the chances of a false peak.

 

[K_B]

I'm a penny pincher and refuse to spend $160 or whatever on a charger and power supply (and yes I know I could make one from a CPU PS; I'm lazy too) so I went with that Vision Peak Ultra, but as you can see, the Duratrax ICE is pretty much the way to go. Really, I think that Accu-Cycle is geared more towards flyers anyway...

With chargers, I think the old saying stands true:

"you get what you pay for"

 

[redrover]

I went ahead and ordered the ICE.
One of my friends who was going to get the Hobbico charger for his planes bought that one off me.
Im not going to get a AC power supply right now - just charge off of the truck battery for a while and see how that goes.

Thanks for all of your help - Ive really learned alot from this site. 8)