Charger advice

[Stigtheone]

There are lots of YT vids that go over LiPo basics. Watching some on your specific charger will help as also. I charge at 1c only. Charging faster than that will only degrade your batteries faster. Never let them go below 3v/cell. To do that, I set my LVC to 3.6v/cell or so if the ESC has that option, but to be honest, I usually stop running around 3.8v/cell. Don't ask me how, but the last 10 runs have all ended at 3.8v-3.83v, and I stop before LVC kicks in. Getting to know my RC's I think

OK bud, sounds good. I'm gonna buy one of those voltage alarms too I think, as the last battery was below 3.2v when the rc went into crawl mode. Need to check the program info I've got for the esc as I seem to remember something about not being able to set it to cut out at 3.2v

 

[The_RC_Dude]

Hey all, I'm in the market for a budget charger as I'm buying a new 5200mah battery and want to get a charger/discharger.
Not looking for any pro stuff just one better than the standard little charger that came with my FTX Bugsta, which probably damaged the battery that it came with.
I've found this charger (genuine not one of the fakes on ebay)
Everyone think it will be OK?
Thanks in advance!!!
https://www.hobbyrc.co.uk/skyrc-s65-65w-6a-ac-balance-charger

I've heard pretty good things about that one. In one of my other hobbies, foam flinging blasters (admitidly it's taken the sideline since the pandemic and RCs!), for modded or hobby grade electric flywheels blasters we use LiPos, and that charger is pretty popular. What's your price range, under $50? Do you need/want a screen? This charger also seems decent, albeit more expensive at $60, but it seems to have more battery flexibility, you can connect different battery plugs to the charger, and it supports pack up to 4s.

 

[Stigtheone]

I've heard pretty good things about that one. In one of my other hobbies, foam flinging blasters (admitidly it's taken the sideline since the pandemic and RCs!), for modded or hobby grade electric flywheels blasters we use LiPos, and that charger is pretty popular. What's your price range, under $50? Do you need/want a screen? This charger also seems decent, albeit more expensive at $60, but it seems to have more battery flexibility, you can connect different battery plugs to the charger, and it supports pack up to 4s.

I ordered the skyrc charger bud seemed to be the best cheap one I could budget for atm

 

[The_RC_Dude]

I ordered the skyrc charger bud seemed to be the best cheap one I could budget for atm

Ok! Let us know how it goes! Good choice!

 

[Stigtheone]

Ok! Let us know how it goes! Good choice!

I will do buddy thanks!

 

[Stigtheone]

@WickedFog
Hey bud so my new charger came today.
Reading through the manual is making me a little confused- it says if I use the balance charge function I have to connect the balance lead and the two main leads with the Deans connector on?
Is this correct or am I missing something here?

 

[WickedFog]

Yes. That is correct. It uses the balance leads to be able to read the individual cells and balance them.

 

[Stigtheone]

Yes. That is correct. It uses the balance leads to be able to read the individual cells and balance them.

OK and that's the best way I need to charge it bud? I'll be honest I thought I'd just be plugging in the balance lead like I do on my original little charger lol
Still getting the hang of all this electric stuff mate tbh lol

 

[WickedFog]

OK and that's the best way I need to charge it bud? I'll be honest I thought I'd just be plugging in the balance lead like I do on my original little charger lol
Still getting the hang of all this electric stuff mate tbh lol

Yeah. That is how you plug them in with real chargers

Just remember to line up the positive wire on the balance lead with the correct cell count printed on the charger.

 

[Stigtheone]

Yeah. That is how you plug them in with real chargers

Just remember to line up the positive wire on the balance lead with the correct cell count printed on the charger.

OK thanks wicked, so would I plug the balance wire in line with the 123 part of the balance plug on the charger? Sorry if I'm pestering the life out of you buddy haha

 

[WickedFog]

Yeah. Just keep the plug as far right as it can go. The red wire will line up with the number of cells in your battery.

 

[Stigtheone]

Yeah. Just keep the plug as far right as it can go. The red wire will line up with the number of cells in your battery.

Brilliant bud, and I'd set it to charge at 1C and 5.2 A? (battery is a 5200mah lipo)

 

[WickedFog]

Correct.

And when done with the battery for the day, put it on a storage charge to 3.8v per cell.

 

[Stigtheone]

Correct.

And when done with the battery for the day, put it on a storage charge to 3.8v per cell.

OK bud ill remember that, still reading through the manual getting used to all the options settings etc so expect me to be back on your case once I've got these connectors for the deans lead cheers again Wicked mate!!!

 

[WickedFog]

The good thing is, you only have to learn that stuff once. All the chargers are pretty much the same. Some just have a few extra bells and whistles

 

[Stigtheone]

The good thing is, you only have to learn that stuff once. All the chargers are pretty much the same. Some just have a few extra bells and whistles

Excellent mate, I've always been good with mechanical stuff but electrical is all new to me haha

 

[WickedFog]

Same here bro

 

[Stigtheone]

Same here bro

You're the expert here mate haha

 

[The_RC_Dude]

You're the expert here mate haha

@Greywolf74 is good with electronics too, but too bad he's not been on for nearly a month (see one of my other threads for an explanation)! @WickedFog is good too with this stuff, especially 3D printers!

 

[WickedFog]

Electronics is a subject I know very little about. But I have dealt with enough chargers and LiPo batteries to have let the little bit of knowledge I have sink in