Charge rate seems high

[panthel00]

Hey all!

Using a Spektrum, smart charger and Spektrum battery(would not buy again so overpriced), but it seems like this is too fast to be charging 2s 5000mah battery isn’t it?

 

[DavidB1126]

5000 mah battery, should be 5.0 amps for 1C. This is charging at 12 so its above 2C charge rate. I would think you could input your own settings hopefully?
I charge my batteries at 10 amps (5200, 6200, 6100 batteries). Racer things.

 

[panthel00]

5000 mah battery, should be 5.0 amps for 1C. This is charging at 12 so its above 2C charge rate. I would think you could input your own settings hopefully?
I charge my batteries at 10 amps (5200, 6200, 6100 batteries). Racer things.

It’s a 2 c so it should be charging at 10 A max correct thanks for all your help

Edit**** Never mind I reread what you said and it makes sense now. Thanks. Lol

 

[KnowAir]

It’s a 2 c so it should be charging at 10 A max correct thanks for all your help

Edit**** Never mind I reread what you said and it makes sense now. Thanks. Lol

Yeah, I just got a Spektrum 8s powerpack or whatever they call it... 12A is the default setting on the S2100 I believe, mine and my brothers were both set at 12A out of the box.
I set mine up for 5A, which works out to 1C or less for all my packs. I know I can charge faster but I don't need to.
I agree that the Spektrum stuff is waay overpriced, I like the batteries and charger but to think Spektrum charges $350 normally for it!? No way. We scored them off the HH store on ebay for $190 a piece. The charger works well, I charge a smorgasbord of different batteries with it, 2,3,4,6s.

 

[DavidB1126]

Yeah, I just got a Spektrum 8s powerpack or whatever they call it... 12A is the default setting on the S2100 I believe, mine and my brothers were both set at 12A out of the box.
I set mine up for 5A, which works out to 1C or less for all my packs. I know I can charge faster but I don't need to.
I agree that the Spektrum stuff is waay overpriced, I like the batteries and charger but to think Spektrum charges $350 normally for it!? No way. We scored them off the HH store on ebay for $190 a piece. The charger works well, I charge a smorgasbord of different batteries with it, 2,3,4,6s.

Spektrum will be Spektrum, Traxxas will be Traxxas. There is always something in the middle. Which might be better, or worse, than Spektrum or Traxxas smart chargers/batteries.
gensacearespammers also has a new smart tech chargers and batteries called GTech. Not sure how well they do. I'm interested in their new IMARS D300 dual charger. Looks more better to transport to the track and back than my SkyRC T200. Just looking for another charger so I can leave 1 home and 1 in my pit bag for the track.

I wonder if that Spektrum charger has IR readings? If it does, that will be a huge pro / plus of that. Traxxas chargers doesn't have a color or LCD screen. They just have glow up lights. Which kind of sucks. My traxxas ez peak single charger just died on me last year. I just threw it away. It lasted 6 years. (more like 2 years of use tho)

The traxxas ez peak dual is 120 USD. For that money, your better off with a SkyRC, Hota, or even a HiTec with better features and specs.

 

[KnowAir]

The S2100 does give ir readings. It's actually a pretty capable unit IMO. Longevity is unknown to since it's new to me. I'm not a fan of the "ipod" style touch wheel on it though.
My brother jumped right into both the TRX and Spektrumverse's.. crazy money IMO, especially the TRX. Their chargers are really dismal in terms of features, I agree. The simplicity is what makes them attractive to new hobbyists I suppose..
I also have a Hota S6, it's a nice unit, then there's my venerable old Hota thunder AC6.. darned thing just keeps on going! Like 14 years old! Low power, no ir or anything but, it works

 

[panthel00]

Spektrum will be Spektrum, Traxxas will be Traxxas. There is always something in the middle. Which might be better, or worse, than Spektrum or Traxxas smart chargers/batteries.
gensacearespammers also has a new smart tech chargers and batteries called GTech. Not sure how well they do. I'm interested in their new IMARS D300 dual charger. Looks more better to transport to the track and back than my SkyRC T200. Just looking for another charger so I can leave 1 home and 1 in my pit bag for the track.

I wonder if that Spektrum charger has IR readings? If it does, that will be a huge pro / plus of that. Traxxas chargers doesn't have a color or LCD screen. They just have glow up lights. Which kind of sucks. My traxxas ez peak single charger just died on me last year. I just threw it away. It lasted 6 years. (more like 2 years of use tho)

The traxxas ez peak dual is 120 USD. For that money, your better off with a SkyRC, Hota, or even a HiTec with better features and specs.

I had heard Spektrum just re-brands these, but not sure how true that is.

 

[bill_delong]

12A charge rate is weak sauce for me, I prefer to charge my packs at 40A

 

[panthel00]

12A charge rate is weak sauce for me, I prefer to charge my packs at 40A

Yeah, I’ve actually seen some threads about people charging that high. I wonder what the life span reduction would be for someone who doesn’t race on the Lipo’s’s.

 

[DavidB1126]

I had heard Spektrum just re-brands these, but not sure how true that is.

View attachment 166955

I am on Reddit and lots of Drone and FPV guys use the ISDT chargers. Both that ISDT and the spektrum charger we are talking about look very similar.
I read this one post on Reddit. The guy was using the ISDT chargers and he had about 2 or 3 die or go out on him. Can't exactly remember what happened to him.

12A charge rate is weak sauce for me, I prefer to charge my packs at 40A

My charger (SkyRC T200) I can only charge up to 12A. Me and my uncle charge our 2s shorty packs (mine is 6100 LiHV, his is a 4700 LiPo) My uncle has a iCharger 308 Duo. I been searching for a new charger too, just a backup charger or a new one and keep the SkyRC for backup. Been looking at the GA IMARS D300. Looks cool and portable to the track. Also been looking at the Hota D6 Pro. I also been looking on the iCharger 456 / 406 Duo. Or the X6/DX8. If I do get one of them, I do need a power supply, which I got a guy that makes them.

Yeah, I’ve actually seen some threads about people charging that high. I wonder what the life span reduction would be for someone who doesn’t race on the Lipo’s’s.

I am wondering the same thing.
Most racers today use LiPo or LiHV packs. Some use both and LiFe in their receiver or radio packs.
Highly doubt that any racers use nimh or nicad anymore. Some people might use nimh for Box Stock or Spec slash 2wd class depending on the tracks or track director rules.

 

[bill_delong]

Yeah, I’ve actually seen some threads about people charging that high. I wonder what the life span reduction would be for someone who doesn’t race on the Lipo’s’s.

I used to always charge my packs at 1C for the first 8+ years since when LiPo's were first introduced (because that's what everyone told me to do - "OR ELSE"). On average my packs would tend to last about 3-6 months in my 4WD SCT and between 6mo to a year in all the other classes I raced.

For the past 3+ years I started charging at higher rates, first I started at 2C, then 3C but recently at 40A no matter what the capacity of the pack is.

Guess what? The longevity has been identical.

What I have observed is that 40A rate only lasts a minute or two, then it slowly drops until it hits the CCCV cycle. I believe more damage occurs from the heat generated from high discharge in a race plus the added heat in the summer months. I agree that charging at a higher charge rate does reduce the lifespan but in my experience it's negligible.

 

[tntpoof]

I've always tried to stick with the 1c charge rate. Had long life from 90% of my race paks. I've also done the 10 or 12 amp rate when time was short at the track no noticeable difference in those pak, yes all my lipos have id tag with different colors used to indicate c rate ir so on. seen guys destroy paks on high charge rates
You set that charger to charge that high

 

[KnowAir]

The Hota S6 is rated at 325 watts from AC power, pretty stout actually for a $160 charger. To get more than that, one has to spend a pretty good bit more coin. I know they're out there but, for the money, the S6 is my choice.
I have read that Spektrum bought the license for the smart tech from ISDT. The chargers sure do look nearly identical. I've also heard of quite a few failures from the ISDT units. No experience myself, but I read enough about it to pass on them...Yet, here I am using the Spektrum version, LOL. In my defense, I did get it for free so
I find it odd that people will tell you running 2 packs in series is a bad idea due to the batteries not discharging evenly, yet they'll charge batteries at 40 amps which is discouraged by battery manufacturers. It is also often said that charging at a high rate also leaves a battery "less than" fully charged? Not saying what's right or wrong but rather, everyone has their own theories and practices.

 

[DavidB1126]

I find it odd that people will tell you running 2 packs in series is a bad idea due to the batteries not discharging evenly

I don't have any experience with running 2 packs in a series. But if the batteries are the exact same and exact same specs I don't see no issue. If they are running batteries that are different and different specs, there might be a problem with discharging?

yet they'll charge batteries at 40 amps which is discouraged by battery manufacturers. It is also often said that charging at a high rate also leaves a battery "less than" fully charged? Not saying what's right or wrong but rather, everyone has their own theories and practices.

I charge my 2s shorty packs at 10 amps. (2s LiHV, 6100mah, 120C) Both cells fully charge to 4.35v and in total: 8.7v. Some of my basher packs like my hoovo and youme power lipos, when charging at 8 or 10 amps (2s LiPo, 5200/6200 50C/85C) They only charge up to 4.18/4.19v/cell. It tries to get to 4.20v/cell but doesn't get to it.

I don't have any experience with running 2 packs in a series. But if the batteries are the exact same and exact same specs I don't see no issue. If they are running batteries that are different and different specs, there might be a problem with discharging?

More on this. I seen lots of 1/8 E truggy/buggy racers use either 1 4s pack or use 2 2s packs in a series. I wonder which one is better? Depending on the chassis setup or layout it might be a pro or a con with weight distribution.
Running just a 4s pack might be better since you would only have to charge and change out 1 battery instead of 2?
I think bashers are a completely different story?

 

[KnowAir]

I don't have any experience with running 2 packs in a series. But if the batteries are the exact same and exact same specs I don't see no issue. If they are running batteries that are different and different specs, there might be a problem with discharging?

I charge my 2s shorty packs at 10 amps. (2s LiHV, 6100mah, 120C) Both cells fully charge to 4.35v and in total: 8.7v. Some of my basher packs like my hoovo and youme power lipos, when charging at 8 or 10 amps (2s LiPo, 5200/6200 50C/85C) They only charge up to 4.18/4.19v/cell. It tries to get to 4.20v/cell but doesn't get to it.

More on this. I seen lots of 1/8 E truggy/buggy racers use either 1 4s pack or use 2 2s packs in a series. I wonder which one is better? Depending on the chassis setup or layout it might be a pro or a con with weight distribution.
Running just a 4s pack might be better since you would only have to charge and change out 1 battery instead of 2?
I think bashers are a completely different story?

Yeah, those packs that get to 4.15 to 4.19 and sit for an extended period are telling ya something.. they're on their way out. Likely high ir in a particular cell(s).. or, your charger has a really low balancing output.
I believe that using one pack of the voltage needed is the best case scenario. Some vehicles obviously are designed to use 2 in which case handling would be negatively affected by one battery. If possible to even use one pack. I always look at the E Revo 2.0 and wonder..why did TRX do that?
I'm a straight up bang for the buck kinda guy. To a fault even, I'll admit that. Having a variety of rigs that run 2s through 8s, and even occasionally 5s, I find it simply too convenient to use multiple packs in series for versatility. I just gotta do it!! It's not the "correct" way, but it works for me.
I don't mix brands or amp hour/c ratings though. 80 percent of my batteries are Zeee 5.2ah 50-70c rated. I find 5-6ah to be a nice combination of weight and performance. I frequently see people running 9-10ah batteries in their bashers and think, wow, that thing must handle like a turd with all that weight onboard!!

 

[bill_delong]

I find it odd that people will tell you running 2 packs in series is a bad idea due to the batteries not discharging evenly, yet they'll charge batteries at 40 amps which is discouraged by battery manufacturers. It is also often said that charging at a high rate also leaves a battery "less than" fully charged? Not saying what's right or wrong but rather, everyone has their own theories and practices.

Just to be clear

1) Running 2 packs in series will increase the internal resistance across the pigtail which causes the batteries to drain unequally, where the battery on the true negative side will be worked harder and the temperature on 1 battery will be significantly hotter than the other... HEAT is the #1 cause of battery degradation
2) Charging at 40A will cause the battery to increase in heat, but not to the extent of running 2 packs in series, the damage is negligible, in contrast there are some saddle pack designs with extremely short pig tails which make the IR negligible in those designs as well.
3) Charging at higher charge rate will not effect the capacity of a LiPo, however NiCd and NiMh chemistry will get a "false peak" if you charge those battery types at higher than 1C charge rates where a peak detection charger will think the battery is fully charged when it's not. LiPo's use a CC/CV algorithm which makes it impossible to get a false peak with a LiPo charger