hyperion duo

[redshift]

"tends to be more expensive in the long run" - That sums it up Brian, I have wasted enough $ by doing it cheap "for now"- but to answer Jeremy's question.. I just have to push the envelope. :) Really I want to be able to charge 4 packs at once in a pinch with parallel adapters. Obviously I can't balance charge 4 at once, but I have a TP balancer. The Duo is an awesome charger from what I hear, I want to maximize it's versatility, and I'd rather have more than I need rather than just enough, or not enough.

[BrianG]

Well then, prepare to pony up the bucks for a decent 40A @12 PS. If it puts out a consistent 14.4v (typical running car voltage), you can get away with a 33-35A version...

If you do not already have the duo, you could get seperate chargers and then use seperate, but smaller, PS units. Don't know how the final cost will shake out...

[redshift]

Ok so it looks like I'm gonna be a bit over budget, ahwell. I did compare various combinations and they always came out more money.

Tower has the Integy 36amp, but it's 2 x 18a outputs, I assume it's ok to bridge the outputs on that?

[BrianG]

Originally Posted by redshift

...Tower has the Integy 36amp, but it's 2 x 18a outputs, I assume it's ok to bridge the outputs on that?

I wouldn't assume that. Typically in switching supplies, the total current available is somewhat less than simply adding them together, but more than just one. This is due to how the feedback circuit works. But this may be different. I would contact Integy before purchasing to be sure - or download the manual and see what it says.

Why not just use a 450w power supply from a computer they are dirt cheap with fairly clean power I see them on the side on the road all the time, old paper weights.

[BrianG]

450w is for all the voltage rails, so only about 1/2-2/3 of that power is for the 12v line. Plus, the output is right at 12v, so any heavy load and it drops to 11.x volts, especially on the cheaper ones, and most chargers error out at or around 11v.

[redshift]

Ok turns out I'm blind....the Integy 36 amp PS has 3 outputs. 2 x 18a and 1 36a. Looks like a decent deal, same price as 2 of the Ofna 18 ampers.

[ssspconcepts]

Just got my competition electronics ps today...charged two 5S 5000mah packs with my Duo wonderfully.

From Revo

[redshift]

Yeah that ^

;)

[captanabolic]

Invest in a rivergate Bulldog 30 or 45 amp spend the money now. you can get them fairly cheap on tower with the coupon codes. These things are brutes. i also use them to charge my marine trolling motors. they are very well made.
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXEG99&P=ML

I have the 45 and use it to charge my 2 Hyperion 5s 5000's @2c. with a duo charger

[BrianG]

FYI: Most of those specialized PS units have a little adjustment pot inside you can tweak the voltage up to around 14.5 (I usually set to 14.8v because most chargers accept up to 15v). This will help reduce the current needed by a little...

[redshift]

How did I miss that one on Tower..... the Rivergate 45 has my name on it. I will spend $20 more just to not have an Integy.

Thanks for that find!

[captanabolic]

Redshift, cool you wont regret it. I have learned a lot here, most of all not to skimp on electronics lol. The river gates have a little jumper on them to go from 13.8 to 14.2 I just leave mine at 14.2

[jayjay283]

I use that 36a "integy" one, Its not really an integy, its from http://www.eaglemodel.com/ the directions are in chinese and it doesnt even say integy anywhere, they must have just bought some distribution rights or something. You can use it 18a x 2 or 36a but not both. Its held up well and has a cool blue light lol. It is chinese junk, but works great with my duo. That rivergate looks more heavy duty but never tried it.

[redshift]

Well I have to bite my tongue....... I got the Rivergate 45, and ended up returning it. Too industrial. (never thought I'd say that!)

And I figured out I'll only be charging at 8 amps per port, so it was way overkill. I instead got a 30 amp "Power Force" from HobbyLobby for $80, don't have it yet but I'll report back on that.

As for the Duo, my only major complaint so far is the weakass chime. Not a huge deal, but I was used to using a friend's PolyCharge 4 which had a chime that could be heard about 2 city blocks away over traffic noise....

AND please I need a little help with charge rate settings, I bought the adapters for charging my DX3.0 and my receiver cells, all are 2000 mAH NimH, what would be a good amp setting for those?

1 amp enough for a semi-quick charge? I have the trickle setting at 50mA, the lowest- sound OK?