Tower Hobbies AC/DC Digital Peak Charger

[blue-beard]

Has anyone used this charger? It looks to be the same as the discontiued Piranha digital peak charger. Any thoughts?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXTSA4&P=7

I thought about using it with this power supply, anyone use one of these?
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCLD5&P=ML

I think my POS superbrain 959 finally sh!t the bed so I may be looking for a new charger. I'm a noob when it comes to chargers so I don't know jack. I'm not looking for anything fancy dancy, just something that will charge nimh/nicad, I probably won't mess around with lipo. I do most of my charging at the house so having a way to charge from a wall socket is a plus. I am a cheap bastard so I am having a hard time swallowing the fact by the time you get a charger and power supply you are near the $100 - $150 mark. Help my cheap ass out. :lol:

Thanks

 

[tjb]

It is the same as the Piranha, it's fine if not using LiPo or over 8 cells

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

As far as I know the Digital Pirhana is still in production (my brother in law bought one very recently). It is the same thing as the Tower charger you're looking at. I've got the Duratrax branded one, and love it. I like my Hyperion better, but it works great if you're not looking at lipo. Great bang for the buck.

 

[2JSC]

Yeah - its a great cheap-o charger. I like mine and have been getting plenty of use out of it. But I will be buying something a lot better next time I get a charger.

 

[blue-beard]

Thanks for the input guys. What are you using for a power source?

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

It's an AC/DC charger. I usually plug it into the wall. I tried plugging it into my dog once to see if it worked, but I don't think Maggie puts out enough amperage to power it. That, and she didn't like the power cord stuck in her ear.

Away from home I power it off my car's battery using the supplied clips.

 

[blue-beard]

It's an AC/DC charger. I usually plug it into the wall. I tried plugging it into my dog once to see if it worked, but I don't think Maggie puts out enough amperage to power it. That, and she didn't like the power cord stuck in her ear.

Away from home I power it off my car's battery using the supplied clips.

I must be some kind of fawking idiot! :lol: I missed the part about it being an AC/DC charger. :roll: I guess I was just so caught up in seeing all these chargers that require a power supply I guess I thought this one needed one too. Thanks

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Hope that came across as humorous. Sorry if it didn't. I sometimes don't use enough smilies. If you're looking at possibly buying a DC charger and power supply, check out the Hyperion EOS 0606i. It's AC/DC, and I also have one of those. Great charger, and more flexible than the Duratrax/Tower one. Can't go wrong either way.

 

[blue-beard]

Hope that came across as humorous. Sorry if it didn't. I sometimes don't use enough smilies. If you're looking at possibly buying a DC charger and power supply, check out the Hyperion EOS 0606i. It's AC/DC, and I also have one of those. Great charger, and more flexible than the Duratrax/Tower one. Can't go wrong either way.

Yep it was plenty humorous! :lol:
I was just realizing my stupidity.
I was looking at dc chargers and power supplys but I really don't have any desire to drop that kinda coin on a charger right now. I think I'll probably go with the duratrax/tower one.
Thanks

 

[2JSC]

The reason for being a DC is that you can charge your batteries in the field from your car battery(DC = 12volt)... the AC mean you can use it at home from a wall outlet.

 

[DanTaylor]

Yes it is the exact same thing just re badged as a tower charger now. Duratraxx discontnued the charger for some reason. If your looking to get the 5 AMPS charge ability out of it you will need a power supply. Otherwise it charges at 3 AMPS which is fine just 5 does it faster.

In my opinion this is the best bang for your buck charger on the market. Very easy to use, reliable charges. has never let me down.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Yep it was plenty humorous! :lol:
I was just realizing my stupidity.
I was looking at dc chargers and power supplys but I really don't have any desire to drop that kinda coin on a charger right now. I think I'll probably go with the duratrax/tower one.
Thanks

You'll be plenty happy with it. Its a great charger.

Where did you guys hear that it had been discontinued? Its still listed on their web site.

 

[Robb]

Just to play devil's advocate:

Make sure that you are content in the fact that, with that charger, you will be limited to 8 cell NiXX voltage/technology. If you wish to go with more cells/voltage, or step up to LiXX technology, sometime in the near future, you will have to purchase another charger. If you see yourself in RC for years to come, and want to be able to charge whatever is thrown in front of you for years to come, a high quality AC/DC charger able to handle higher voltages, and LiXX packs, may be worth the extra up-front cost. Such a charger (Hyperion for example), will set you back $120+, but in the long run, the initial investment is probably well worth the added cost. Just a prediction, but I don't think anyone is going to be running NiXX packs in about a year or so.................the LiXX technology is just expanding too rapidly.

 

[Reflection]

Just to play devil's advocate:

Make sure that you are content in the fact that, with that charger, you will be limited to 8 cell NiXX voltage/technology. If you wish to go with more cells/voltage, or step up to LiXX technology, sometime in the near future, you will have to purchase another charger. If you see yourself in RC for years to come, and want to be able to charge whatever is thrown in front of you for years to come, a high quality AC/DC charger able to handle higher voltages, and LiXX packs, may be worth the extra up-front cost. Such a charger (Hyperion for example), will set you back $120+, but in the long run, the initial investment is probably well worth the added cost. Just a prediction, but I don't think anyone is going to be running NiXX packs in about a year or so.................the LiXX technology is just expanding too rapidly.

X 4562

IMHO,a good charger is an investment if you enjoy RC or anything electronic. Your batteries will thank you in the form of lasting longer and longer run times. Example.....

Rig 1 is running the best cells you can buy but the driver chose to buy a cheaper charger to save money.

Rig 2 is running cheapie cells the driver bought in a bargain bin at the LHS but he charges with a top notch charger.

Both rigs are identical in weight,gearing,drivetrain,motor....even the antenna tubes are the same.:lol: If driven the same over the same terrain,rig 2 will run longer because the cells got a better charge. These cells will typically get more cycle times as well because they are getting better charges each time.

I know thats just an example I threw out there and there are allot of variables to consider. BUT,I've seen the outcome just like my example first hand. I started with a cheapie charger. Yeah,it worked and I though it worked good. After going with a better charger,I noticed my cells weren't cooking after the charge or the end of the run. I also noticed ALLOT better and longer run times with the same exact cells.

Another thing.... I've made adapters for all my battery powered hand tools.(cordless drill,mini skillsaw,flashlights,sander and more) I charge everything from my 14 volt cordless drill to the T.V. remote batteries to the camera batteries all with my RC charger....Hyperion EOS0606I I've noticed allot better performance from my cordless handtools as well. They seem to stay chargerd a good deal longer now. I'm getting ready to put my old 3300 sub C's in those battery pack and I should see even longer cycle times. Be hard to beat a cordless drill that'll stay charged for 6 months:lol:

 

[blue-beard]

You'll be plenty happy with it. Its a great charger.

Where did you guys hear that it had been discontinued? Its still listed on their web site.

Here is where tower lists it as discontinued.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCLD5&P=ML

 

[blue-beard]

Just to play devil's advocate:

Make sure that you are content in the fact that, with that charger, you will be limited to 8 cell NiXX voltage/technology. If you wish to go with more cells/voltage, or step up to LiXX technology, sometime in the near future, you will have to purchase another charger. If you see yourself in RC for years to come, and want to be able to charge whatever is thrown in front of you for years to come, a high quality AC/DC charger able to handle higher voltages, and LiXX packs, may be worth the extra up-front cost. Such a charger (Hyperion for example), will set you back $120+, but in the long run, the initial investment is probably well worth the added cost. Just a prediction, but I don't think anyone is going to be running NiXX packs in about a year or so.................the LiXX technology is just expanding too rapidly.

X 4562

IMHO,a good charger is an investment if you enjoy RC or anything electronic. Your batteries will thank you in the form of lasting longer and longer run times. Example.....

True, I may one day want to upgrade batteries and then I'll be SOL. :neutral:
Maybe I'll sack up and get a good charger, we'll see.
Thanks for the thoughts though. I appreciate it. "thumbsup"

 

[Rocksmith Eng.]

I have that hyperion charger as well. Great charger, and I charge everything with it as well. After the snow melted I hooked it to my Suzuki DRZ440 dualsport to charge. It had died from sitting. An hour later I was roosting the streets around here and pissin the cops off once again. "thumbsup"

Save your money and get a good charger the first time.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

I have that hyperion charger as well. Great charger, and I charge everything with it as well. After the snow melted I hooked it to my Suzuki DRZ440 dualsport to charge. It had died from sitting. An hour later I was roosting the streets around here and pissin the cops off once again. "thumbsup"

Save your money and get a good charger the first time.

x2. I know I've already said this, but you really won't regret spending the money. Unlike a truck which will be outclassed next year, a good charger is a long term investment. I bought a digital Piranha and was really happy with it. 3 months later I decided I wanted to upgrade to Lipo and had to spend the money all over again. Its worked out really well, as I use the Duratrax as a bench charger for my transmitter, nitro receiver packs, etc. Its a great charger, but spend another $100 for the Hyperion. It does a better job and your batteries will last longer, allowing you to gain back some of the additional cost.

 

[Mortimer Snerd]

Here is where tower lists it as discontinued.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCLD5&P=ML

I emailed Duratrax for confirmation, as I wasn't sure if Tower had discontinuedit becuase they sold the same charger under their own brand and got this reply:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for your recent e-mail. There will be a new series of chargers in the near future called Onyx.
Thanks,
Jake M
Product Support

There ya go! Sorry to have doubted the info given!

 

[DanTaylor]

I emailed Duratrax for confirmation, as I wasn't sure if Tower had discontinuedit becuase they sold the same charger under their own brand and got this reply:

Dear Sir,
Thank you for your recent e-mail. There will be a new series of chargers in the near future called Onyx.
Thanks,
Jake M
Product Support

There ya go! Sorry to have doubted the info given!

Thanks for confirmation. I'm just hoping they make a newer version of the Pirahna for those of us that cannot afford to go Lipo.