Looking for a cheap charger... - RC-Monster Forums

BrianG · 10:32 PM

I have several "good" chargers, but I need a NiMH charger that is: small, handle 1-7 cells, has a built-in AC power supply, and where current can be adjusted in 0.1A intervals from 0.1A up to 3A or more.

I have a Superbrain 960 charger which is almost what I need, except it is adjustable in 0.5A intervals starting at 0.5A. Something similar would be ideal...

BrianG · 01.30.2012, 04:56 PM

Anyone?

BrianG · 05:01 PM

Nevermind, I guess I'll just get one of these and put it in a different case along with a laptop 15v/5A power supply I have lying around. A little more than I wanted to spend for the usage, but oh well.

hoober · 01.30.2012, 06:34 PM

Brian, I'll send you a charger , but lets get nailed down what you want first.

I do have the LN5014 or the Triton JR vers 1 and vers 2.

hoober · 01.30.2012, 06:36 PM

Would the Tower digital peak work?

BrianG · 01.30.2012, 06:52 PM

Actually, I have a bid on ebay for the charger (the only auction for the LN5014). I only bid $20, so if I'm outbid (which is probable), I'll contact you. Thanks for the offer though!

The Tower charger looks a little.. I dunno.. I guess crappy is the word. Looks like a kit someone threw together. lol.

hoober · 01.30.2012, 06:59 PM

Alright, I wouldn't go over $20 cuz we can get the cheapo 50 watt chargers for around that brand new , but DC only. The Tower digital peak is identical to the favorite Duratrax digital piranha.

I'm real familiar with the 959, 960 and the Tower. Are you doing a specific job with 1-7 cells? I ask cuz many jobs are very problematic on some of these chargers.

Well , let me know if you need one when your auction is over or whatever.

BrianG · 01.30.2012, 08:53 PM

Well, I made a NiMH charger for AA's that uses temperature-peaking to determine when to shut down. It works really well for the Turnigy LSD AA's I have for various remote controls and is simple to operate (it auto starts when you plug in the cells) and charges at ~400mA.

But now we have other rechargeable things, and I'd like something a little more versatile that is small enough to sit on my desk, yet does what I want. Basically, I'd be charging more NiMHs, the occasional Lixx, etc at various rates depending on how much in a hurry I am. Some cells take a better charge at low rate, while others can take a faster charge, which is why I want something highly adjustable current-wise.

_paralyzed_ · 01.30.2012, 09:39 PM

I have a super brain 977 with no power supply. $10 shipped...

BrianG · 02.06.2012, 12:36 PM

OK, so I was outbid on ebay for the LN5014. Currently at $20.50+$9 shipping, so I'm not going to go that route.

@_paralyzed_: That would be an awesome deal, however it is a little larger than I was looking for and it starts at 0.2A (really need 0.1A starting point). For the size, I might as well stick to a Hyperion EOS7i I have (which is for sale still).

@hoober: If you still have that LN5014, I'm interested. I can get a small laptop 15v 6A PS and shoehorn something together so the charger and PS is one physical unit.

hoober · 06:19 PM

sorry, double post.

hoober · 02.06.2012, 06:19 PM

Yep, it'll be on the way if you say so. You better pm me your address because I may not still have it or you may have moved. Give me a day or 2 to ship it out priority mail , please.

I don't think I have a ps that'll work. It may not work with a 15 volt ps either. Doesn't it have a 15 volt MAX for input voltage?

I just checked, it does indeed have a 15 volt max input.

BrianG · 02.06.2012, 06:50 PM

PM sent! And thanks!

If 15v is too high to let the charger turn on, I'll just put a diode in series (I have a few laying around, and at worst, I'll just use part of a 25A bridge rectifier) to bring it down to around 14.3v, but it should be fine...

hoober · 02.06.2012, 06:56 PM

Ok, I have a lot the DTX 7 amp power supplies. If you want one I'll include it as well , but you'll have to use your diode in between of course because they spike up to 17 volts sometimes. This ps is one that hangs on the wall plug and has a wire that goes tot he charger. It would give you 2 seperate components , and a very clean set-up.

BrianG · 02.06.2012, 07:00 PM

Do you have a picture of the DTX7 PS? I tried google, but couldn't find a direct hit. The fact it can spike to ~17v leads me to believe it's a linear style (or poor/no regulation). If that's the case, I'll just use the laptop supply as they are small and are switching style.

Size is of the essence, so I plan to mod the charger's case (extend the bottom) so that the supply can sit inside it and be one neat/small package with fewer wires at my desk...