AC Lipo charger - RC-Monster Forums

hyperasus · **AC Lipo charger -** 03.15.2006, 10:20 PM

What is the best AC Lipo charger? I have 3 chargers now that I can never use because they are DC only. I've ran my car battery dead a few times and I am sick of it. I am looking for something that will charge my Lipo Packs at 5amps or more.

MetalMan · 03.15.2006, 11:52 PM

Why not just get a cheap power supply? Here's a link to one, the one I use:
http://www.emtel.com/search/product_...t_id=EMV15012V

EDIT:
It looks like they may have raised the price a little bit. Even still, it is rather inexpensive.

JOHNNYMAXXIMA · 03.16.2006, 01:57 AM

Not sure how many cells you are running but this MRC 977 has it's own power supply and can charge two packs at once.
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXLCJ6&P=7

hyperasus · 03.16.2006, 06:39 AM

Thanks guys. Both of those look like a good solutions. I found this here which should work great with my Hyperion Lipo charger.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXUF47&P=7

I like that Super Brain 977 charger. If I could confirm that it will charger at 5 amps even with Lipo then I think I would buy that too.

nitrostarter · 03.16.2006, 07:13 AM

Hmmm, i guess I always looked passed the 2 packs at once feature. It does look pretty good.

Question though, If I'm running 5s lipo (3s+2s), and I charge both packs on the 977, I thought the packs had to be at the same voltage? Wouldnt charging them seperately give slightly different voltages?

hyperasus · 08:02 AM

In the description it says,

"Charges two batteries at the same time even if they are different voltages and/or battery types"

So I'd say it should work fine with a 3s + 2s. My problem is that I ran out and bought 2 Vision Peak Ultra Chargers from my local hobby shop only to find out that even though they are 5 amp chargers, they only charge Lipo at 2.5amps:mad:1 . I will not make that mistake again. The 977 looks awesome, but I want to know that it can charge 2 Lipos at 5amps each.

squeeforever · 03.16.2006, 05:00 PM

it can only charge up to 3s lipo so no, it wont be able to charge 2 packs at once unless there in parallel which will take longer to charge. i would look at the 989. it can charge up to 8s lipo and 1.5c.

nitrostarter · 03.16.2006, 08:10 PM

Quote:

I have a question on the 977 Charger that you guys offer. I was reading that it can charge 2 packs at once, regardless the pack size and type. It also says that it can charge up to 5.0Amps. My question is can it charge Lipo packs at 5.0amps and if so can it handle 2 lipo packs at 5.0Amps? Thanks for the help.

Cory

Hi,

The only time you would ever charge a lipo battery is if the capacity is 5000mahs. You must always set the charger for a 1C charge rate which will take 1 hour to charge. The 977 will only charge up to 3 cell for lipo packs.

John

This is an email from MRC Support that I questioned them on.

MetalMan · 03.16.2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeeforever

it can only charge up to 3s lipo so no, it wont be able to charge 2 packs at once unless there in parallel which will take longer to charge. i would look at the 989. it can charge up to 8s lipo and 1.5c.

1.5C isn't a measurement of current... How many amps can it do?

squeeforever · 03.16.2006, 10:05 PM

im not sure but since it can charge 8s lipo at 1.5c i would ASSUME more than 8 amps.

MetalMan · 03.16.2006, 10:12 PM

That's a lot of power... 8s x 4.20V x 8amps = 267watts. The Thunder Power TP-1010C can do up to 200watts, and it costs $200. Compared to other chargers with those sort of specs, it is low-cost. I don't think that the Super Brain 989 would be able to charge any higher than 5amps.

hyperasus · 03.16.2006, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nitrostarter

Quote:
I have a question on the 977 Charger that you guys offer. I was reading that it can charge 2 packs at once, regardless the pack size and type. It also says that it can charge up to 5.0Amps. My question is can it charge Lipo packs at 5.0amps and if so can it handle 2 lipo packs at 5.0Amps? Thanks for the help.

Cory

Hi,

The only time you would ever charge a lipo battery is if the capacity is 5000mahs. You must always set the charger for a 1C charge rate which will take 1 hour to charge. The 977 will only charge up to 3 cell for lipo packs.

John

This is an email from MRC Support that I questioned them on.
__________________

They didnt answer the question. Yes the battery is 5000mah or higher. Will it or will it not charge 2 lipo packs at 5amp each. Do these companies not realize that there are Lipo packs bigger then 5000mah?

nitrostarter · 03.17.2006, 12:01 AM

Quote:

The 977 will only charge up to 3 cell for lipo packs.

Theres the answer. Only 3s at one time.

JOHNNYMAXXIMA · 03.17.2006, 03:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squeeforever

I would look at the 989. it can charge up to 8s lipo and 1.5c.

Squee, have you found anyone that has these available yet? Tower Hobies and Mike both are saying that they are not out yet. What's the hold up?