battery chargers ? which one ? discharge %?

rcboarder · Hover Master Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 13

Just got my first heli ,mcx2,clearly addicting and in need of a better charger that can charge / discharge , I think. I'm left at the end of my flight time and not sure what is the best state to leave the batteries in. From what little I have been able to find out, is that leaving them fully charged is wrong and leaving them drained is also wrong. So whats the proper % of charge that I'm looking for and how do I get there? The celectra 4 port was going to be my next buy but I don't think that does what I'm looking for,does it?Any suggestions on a good charger that will meet my needs would be a great help. thanks.

Crashagain · Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2011 12:09 pm Post subject:

I have 2 chargers, Hyperion 606i and the Protech 610.
both will do everything you want. the hyperion is about 100 bucks and the protech is 80 bucks. Leaving the drained it not a bad thing....
I keep my batteries stored at 3.71 per cell, that is the lowest you want to go. You want to use the 80% rule. Don't use more then 80% of the batteries capacity.

rcboarder · Hover Master Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 13

Thanks crashagain , are both of those able to do more than a single 1 cell at a time?Would really like to keep flying with out waiting for battery charge.Thanks.

Crashagain · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 12:08 pm Post subject:

Both of those companies offer a DUO type charger, but 2 is the most you can do unless you want to parallel charge.
If you have a bunch of batteries all the same size you can charge them together by parallel, the charger thinks you are charging one big battery.
I am using a parallel board from http://epbuddy.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=15
you can buy a board or cables.

pjdog · Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 10:04 pm Post subject:

rcboarder:

Sense you don't show your location in your profile I'm not sure ordering something from the USA is cost effective but XHELI.com has the Thunder AC6 on sale for $ 47.00. It's a super charger. I have one and love it. Works great for me.

Food for thought.

Jack

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:13 am Post subject:

If all you are looking to do is charge MCX2 batts, go for the Celectra 4 port charger and an AC adapter to power it. That's all you need.
Them little 1 cell 120 mAh LiPo's aren't that expencive to worry about proper charging. Just time some flights till the LVC (low Volt cutoff) on the heli kicks in and keep flights after that just short of that time.
It's not till you are paying 150$ to 200$ for a big LiPo pack for a big heli do you need to worry about spending big money on a decent charger/balancer.

rcboarder · Hover Master Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 13

Thanks everyone for responding.I think dumb thumbs is right ,I really only need to charge multiple 1 cell eflite batts, the celectra is probably all I need.Already bought the AC adapter when I bought the mcx2.I think I can pick up celectra 4 port for around 40 bucks.If I do go with pjdog's suggestion of the thunder AC6, am I right in assuming I would only need a parallel charge cable to make it work? thanks again.Oh yea, I'm in the states,NW Montana.

pjdog · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 12:46 am Post subject:

rcboarder:

I would not bother with a Thunder AC6 or simular charger unless you get a helicopter that has multi cell batteries. Single cell batteries do not need a balance smart charger.

Jack

chopper54 · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 2:34 am Post subject: post subject

hi rcboarder
the 4 port celectra is a brilliant little charger. i also use mine to charge four batteries at a time for my 120sr.

Dumb Thumbs · Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 4:26 am Post subject: Re: post subject

rcboarder · Hover Master Joined: 14 Feb 2011 Posts: 13

Thanks again everyone for your help,went ahead today and ordered up the celectra 4 port ,extra blade set,some more batts and some spare screws, finally crashed yesterday and lost one of those tiny blade screws.Grounded till Wednesday, oh well. Thanks again.