Lithium care?

[BrianG]

OK, I read the FAQ about Lipos, but didn't find the answer to my question. In the near future, I plan on getting some Lithium-based batteries (probably Li-Ion or Li-Mn) and want to make sure I understand a couple of things.

1: I understand a balancer keeps each cell in a multi-cell pack at the proper voltage, but when do you use it? While charging, after charging, during use? Why aren't there chargers that simply charge each cell individually (like having several seperate chargers in one box)? Would that eliminate the needs for a balancer?

2: What is a reliable charger that will do 5s or 6s at ~5A (for future battery purchases)? Most I've seen either only go up to 3s or 4s, or they do only ~2-3A. I was at my LHS today and saw this really small charger that looks just like this (Pro-Peak Prodigy II), but red, that will do NiMH/NiCd, and Li-XX cells 1s-5s @ up to 5A for $130. It was a brand that I haven't seen though, and I don't want to trust multi-hundred dollar batteries to just anything. I want to make sure that whatever I get will be solid and is not susceptible to overcharging through electronic errors. Ideally, it should be able to be run from household AC as well as 12vDC.

I'm willing to spend the bucks for good quality stuff, but don't want to spend money needlessly for overpriced stuff. I don't want to learn my mistakes the hard way! :)