I need (want) a new charger

[JThiessen]

I think I fried some of the circuits on my Hyp Duo by leaving it outside while camping at the beach a couple months ago (salt water humidity). I have loved this charger since I got it 3 or 4 years ago, but unfortunately, battery technology is fast outgrowing it (mostly on the charge rate capabilities). I'd hold out for another Hyperion if I knew for a fact that they were going to be coming out with a 1000W version in the next couple months, but after seeing delayed releases by virtually every RC manufacturer, I'm not going to hold my breath.
I've got two of the 47A/12V power supplies on the way to me, now to pick the charger. I've read Snellimns review of the Powerlab (including that "other" guys cheerleading posts - sorry cant remember his name), and quite a few good reviews of the I-Charger line. Besides those two, nothing else seemed to grab my attention.
Here's my need: I want to be able to charge two packs at a time, at a rate of 5C for 6K packs. I want to be able to do this both at home, and possibly "in the field" (but I'm hesitant to wire up my truck batteries to produce 24V....I do NOT want to risk my ECM for a faster charge!). Now the predicament...none of them are really "dual" chargers unless you wire up the packs in parrallel (or was it series...too early right now...), which isn't my intent -- I wnat to be able to do two different packs at the same time, which I can do on my Duo, just at a lower charge rate (its the original version). I'm thinking that two of the I-Chargers would be a better answer than the single Powerlab......thoghts???? Anyone have any validated rumors of other companies stepping into the 1000W realm yet? (validated does not mean some guy on a forum posted it.....)

[snellemin]

You can always get two powerlabs and link them together if needed. I was going for the Icharger, but then the rumors started on the Powerlab and I just waited it out. Now they are they only one with a 40A output charger, which was unlocked with one single firmware update.

There is the FMA 10S charger that can do two different packs at once, but you are limited to 10A. Sells for 100 bucks now.

You can push the batteries beyond 5C and still be ok. You do get a bit less capacity, but does it really matter, when you have to wait less for charge time? Evens out to me.

On the FMA I have set the buzzer at 90% battery capacity for the lipo's. That extra 10% is mostly used for topping off the pack anyways at a lower Amp rate. So less stress on your car battery, if charging at the field.


I bring this to the field.

http://www.xantrex.com/power-product...pack-1500.aspx

[JThiessen]

Have to add this - Mikes selection of chargers is also "behind the times" from what I can see.

[Arct1k]

Mike's been slowly cutting back on some of the electronics - Its hard (expensive) to maintain the inventory and most people are sadly just buying from the lowest price.

Mike just can't offer the discounts with the volume sales of the big guys...

[JThiessen]

Cant disagree with that at all. I'd prefer to see him carrying products that are on the leading edge of electric technology, rather than quantity of the mainstream items. Kind of a "mission statement" of his business maybe......

[kulangflow]

If nothing else works out, I have a 610iDUO I could let go.

Good luck in your search.