New to Lipo, shopping for a charger

[emory70]

So I finally joined the modern world and ordered some Lipo batteries for my Clod project. But I'm really lost as to what charger to get. I've never been a racer, never liked the idea of a charger that needed a power supply. But my good buddy insists that I really need a dc only unit and separate power supply. I'm not afraid to spend what I have to (don't ask how much I have in the thing already), but I don't want to get too crazy.

 

[Cowboyclod]

I'm using this one its awesome. Best bang for the buck.

http://crawfordperformanceengineering.com/product_info.php?products_id=636

 

[Razdawg]

Here is the one I use - >http://www.hobbypartz.com/thac6smbachw.html

It's a bit cheaper (price only) but does not have quite the output as the one Cowboyclod linked.

Either ones are great budget chargers.

 

[im2tall]

Depending on how many batteries you wanna charge at once 12-15 volts will be fine! The Turnigy Mega 400w 20amps is the best bang for the buck at 12volts

https://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=23590(Only available to U.S custmers only).You'll be able to charge up to 260ish watts safely on 12v, and you can parallel charge 4 5000mah 3s packs at 1c! I parallel charge 2 2s 5000mah batteries in about 30min at a 2c charge maybe less depending on how much I have to put back in! If you want a really good PS for cheap check out the($20) DPS600pb server PS! It's 575watts and 47a at 12volts, and really easy and safe to convert! I run 2 in series at 24volts for the PL8, it takes a little more work for safety but once done you'll never really want/need more power unless you field charge with a generator! Mostly the 12s and 14s heli guys will charge over 1000w at 3-4c etc for 15min charges to get on, because flight time usually last between 4-10min depending on setup, and flying style! Google the DPS600pb and how to convert, it's super easy! Hope this helps!

Here's a good basic/simplified link on how to convert the DPS600pb PSU:
https://sites.google.com/site/tjinguytech/my-projects/HP47A note: Most people connect pins 6,8,10.I'm not sure why he uses 6,9,10 but it works!I recommend 6,8,10. The super simple way to make the connection is to just find an old servo wire pull the 3 pins and snip the wires,twist them together, plug them into to 6,8,10,and voila you have a 12v 47a/ 575watt power supply. You can shrink wrap them,or just use 1Futaba/Hitec plug for each pin.

 

[HDMM]

Hard to beat the Thunder AC680, that's what I started out with for Lipos. It's AC/DC and can charge just about anything. http://www.hobbypartz.com/73p-ac680-accharger.html

Now because I got back into racing and whatnot, I needed a multi port charger so I picked up the Racer's Edge Prime Cube 200. It's been a awesome charger! http://www.stormerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/seekpart.pl?pn=RCESC4450

 

[emory70]

Thanks y'all.

 

[2wdPuller]

about 30 years ago I used a protek 702 that you flipped a switch for 6 or 7 cells, charge/discharge and cranked the knob and it was done in 15 minutes.
over the last 30 years much center vision was lost so is there a simple charger on the market that you can memorize what buttons to hit and use without needing to read the lcd screen?
I have a talking multimeter if I want to know wolts/amps and it would be nice if the charger had banana plug knobs that unscrew and the probe or a wire can be stuck in the hole then the knob is screwed back down.
I hope there is a simple quality charger out there.

 

[th67ss]

I just started using this one about a week ago and it really easy to use. You'll need a good supply, I just use a power supply from an old HP server that's able to put out 1200 watts. Got it for cheap off of fee-bay.

Link to PS: http://www.banggood.com/ISDT-SC-620-500W-20A-MINI-Smart-LCD-Battery-Balance-Charger-p-1060646.html

Hope this helps?