Looking at chargers…cable question for you folks

[PaPa K]

Looking for a 2 port charger and read up on the recommendations in electronics, also watched several of the recommended videos. I understand the specs and considerations pretty well (I think), but I have a question regarding the charge cabling. I notice that the larger chargers output via xt60 or xt30 plugs (or bananas) and some come with adapters for middle size plugs, but no 2.0 for my FMC 1/24 or AX24. Is that because at those small sizes most people just charge via the balance port? I know on larger batteries you use both to speed charging and balance. I can make adapters no problem, but is it necessary?

 

[WickedFog]

Yeah, it's necessary. Those usb turds are dangerous and not that great at balancing your battery. Plus, you can't storage charge with usb dongles.

Buy these, and if you are up on the charger specs as you say and grabbing a Hota D6 Pro, grab some XT60's for making cables. Make sure you grab Amass brand.

For the Axial stuff, grab these.

Grab these as well. They make life so much easier.

 

[Hammer Down]

Grab these as well. They make life so much easier.

Never seen these before. They look much nicer than the little circuit board type extensions.

 

[WickedFog]

Never seen these before. They look much nicer than the little circuit board type extensions.

They are SWEEEET! Nice and snug.

 

[jimdavis577]

or if you want to make your own cables, like i do. I make all my own charge leads and balance leads

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF982F7P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

 

[WickedFog]

or if you want to make your own cables, like i do. I make all my own charge leads and balance leads

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CF982F7P?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title

None of those connectors will work for what the OP is trying to do. He needs the connectors I listed to charge his batteries for the 24th scalers. Just solder the XT60's on and he's golden.

And the nice thing about those balance extensions I linked is while any 6s balance connector will work with anything 2-6s (remove the plastic tab in the extension cable), the ones I linked are notched exactly like the balance plug in the chargers, making a secure connection for any balance plug from 2-6s. Adding these to your charger will keep you ftom plugging and unplugging balance leads into your charger, which will wear the balance port out. These are a no brainer.

They are very nice cables, and everyone on here that has bought them love them

 

[Greywolf74]

None of those connectors will work for what the OP is trying to do. He needs the connectors I listed to charge his batteries for the 24th scalers. Just solder the XT60's on and he's golden.

And the nice thing about those balance extensions I linked is while any 6s balance connector will work with anything 2-6s (remove the plastic tab), the ones I linked are notched exactly like the balance plug in the chargers, making a secure connection for any balance plug from 2-6s.
View attachment 216878
They are very nice cables, and everyone on here that has bought them love them

I highly recommend these. I have them on all of my chargers!

 

[RustyUs]

None of those connectors will work for what the OP is trying to do. He needs the connectors I listed to charge his batteries for the 24th scalers. Just solder the XT60's on and he's golden.

And the nice thing about those balance extensions I linked is while any 6s balance connector will work with anything 2-6s (remove the plastic tab), the ones I linked are notched exactly like the balance plug in the chargers, making a secure connection for any balance plug from 2-6s.

They are very nice cables, and everyone on here that has bought them love them

Best things to happen to the LiPo side of the hobby IMO. This link HERE has different lengths of those balance plug extensions...

 

[PaPa K]

Thanks folks, I knew the crew here would have answers. Thanks for clearing this up. I knew the wart chargers were sketchy and do not do storage, but could not determine if more than a balance cable was necessary on a good charger like the Hota on these small batteries.

 

[Greywolf74]

Thanks folks, I knew the crew here would have answers. Thanks for clearing this up. I knew the wart chargers were sketchy and do not do storage, but could not determine if more than a balance cable was necessary on a good charger like the Hota on these small batteries.

99%+ of all LiPo chargers will have to have the main lead hooked up as well as the balance lead in order to charge. I'm sure there's probably a couple out there, but I'm not even aware of anything made in the last 15 years that will charge through the balance port only.

 

[WickedFog]

Rusty shared these in another thread, and they are great at keeping you from pulling your balance leads out of the connectors.
https://a.co/d/2epsZlW

Might want to grab some of them too @PaPa K. Make sure you select the ones for your batteries.

 

[jimdavis577]

None of those connectors will work for what the OP is trying to do. He needs the connectors I listed to charge his batteries for the 24th scalers. Just solder the XT60's on and he's golden.

And the nice thing about those balance extensions I linked is while any 6s balance connector will work with anything 2-6s (remove the plastic tab in the extension cable), the ones I linked are notched exactly like the balance plug in the chargers, making a secure connection for any balance plug from 2-6s. Adding these to your charger will keep you ftom plugging and unplugging balance leads into your charger, which will wear the balance port out. These are a no brainer.
View attachment 216878
They are very nice cables, and everyone on here that has bought them love them

I see your point, I was posting that link to the connector set for the mini charge port, but for rather making any 2s/6s balance lead. they are the same as the balance ports. I used these to make custom length cables to go from my charger to my boards on my custom made charger / toolbox.

but I will say I like the idea of no boards by running your leads, those are slick

 

[WickedFog]

I see your point, I was posting that link to the connector set for the mini charge port, but for rather making any 2s/6s balance lead. they are the same as the balance ports. I used these to make custom length cables to go from my charger to my boards on my custom made charger / toolbox.

but I will say I like the idea of no boards by running your leads, those are slick

Yeah, I figured that's what you were referring to. I started modding my 6s leads years ago to accept any size battery because I had an old charger that one of the balance ports started to wear out on. I started doing this just to keep that port from getting any worse.

Those modular ones are super nice. But I would add the protective covers like these, as they lock in that connector VERY well.

 

[Doom!]

I highly recommend these. I have them on all of my chargers!

Agree, they are much nicer than the circuit board style. @Greywolf74 and @WickedFog turned me on to these a little while back.

 

[jimdavis577]

Yeah, I figured that's what you were referring to. I started modding my 6s leads years ago to accept any size battery because I had an old charger that one of the balance ports started to wear out on. I started doing this just to keep that port from getting slany worse.
View attachment 216910

Those modular ones are super nice. But I would add the protective covers like these, as they lock in that connector VERY well.
View attachment 216911

what wire are you using to build your harnesses with ?

 

[PaPa K]

I appreciate all the sage advice and assistance in spending my money I now have on order a D6 Pro, and the bits and pieces recommended by @WickedFog and @Greywolf74 to whip up some cables for my small 2S packs. I am sure as I plunge deeper into the RC abyss that this setup should serve me well. Thanks for all the info and guidance folks, keeps me from wasting money on junk.

 

[PaPa K]

@jimdavis577 I will probably use 18 flexible on the small 2s pack sets as they are 350mah. Later I can build heavier for bigger capacity packs. Retired after years of working on electronic equipment I have a dedicated solder and heat shrink station and plenty of quality wire. Working on high end medical equipment, they never bought cheap tools or supplies

 

[WickedFog]

what wire are you using to build your harnesses with ?

For these small 24th scale harnesses like PaPa K is needing, I just use the attached cables on the ones in the Amazon links I posted. They aren't even charging at 1A at 1C charge rate anyway, so they do just fine. So I just buy those wired connectors and solder on an XT60 and heatshink it or liquid tape it.

 

[PaPa K]

Thanks WF. That was my original plan, just wondered about durability of the small wires, but I will have spares….

 

[WickedFog]

Thanks WF. That was my original plan, just wondered about durability of the small wires, but I will have spares….

Buy the XT60's with the covers, and put you some heat shrink on the wires coming out of the holes. They hold up just fine. I starting using those after I made these.