I will be adding an airwire system to an accucraft rgs goose #2. As this is my first venture into rc/battery application I will need to get some kind of charger for the batterys. I’ve seen chargers as simple as a wall wart for less than $10 to a real hi tech can charge up every battery ever made charger that costs $200. Some where between these 2 extremes is the best charger for the $$$. My batteries are not yet purchased but I’m thinking 14.4 volts and nmhi aa or sub c size. My one concern is overcharging and ruining battery packs(like i did on my airsoft gun oops).A charger that senses a full charge would be an important feature.
What are you guys using for a chargers?
I use the E-Flite Pinnacle plus. Just do a search. They are about $100. Good for NiCad and NiMh. The thing I like about it, is you can monitor the amount of charge your pack takes (mah). So you know if it fully charged, just tricked you, or perhaps is at end-of-life. You can set the charge rate to whatever you want and it automatically detects the proper voltage.
I use the Maha 777 Plus, it does what Del’s does, but sets the charge rate automatically.
It has an LCD display and tells you the state of the battery, how many minutes on charge, and how many milliamps have gone into the battery.
It does peak detection and does nicad, nickel metal hydride, and lithium batteries.
It also includes a discharge, and a conditioning cycle that will tell you the TRUE amp hour capacity of your battery. Comes with clip leads and a clever set of sliding contacts that can charge your other battery packs like cell phones, cameras, etc.
http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/viewitem.asp?idproduct=185
Regards, Greg
Take a look at this charger. $29.95 and it works fine. I have 2 of them and have sold many others.
http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=2350
My favorite vendor is all-battery.com, but you’ll find good stuff at allbattery.com and batteryspace.com Pick your battery and get whatever charger matches it. For the NiMH packs I use, all-battery.com has a nice charger for $25. Since I can get to my batteries easily, I have 3 packs and just take them out to charge them.
(http://www.outsidetrains.com/mls/TE4019b.jpg)
My main battery analyzer is an MRC "Super Brain 989.
<The Super Brain 989 “do-it-all” AC/DC charger will make short work of recharging & rejuvenating any battery pack from 1-8 cell lithium, 1-25 cell NiCd/NiMH & 6-24 volt lead acid and gel cell batteries.>
My back-up is a MAHA MH-C777PLUS-II Universal LCD Charger / Analyzer / Conditioner
<Supports a wide voltage range of 1.2V to 14.4V (1 to 12 cells) for NiMH & NiCD, and 3.6V to 14.4V (1 to 4 cells) for Lithium Ion. >
They both analyze, auto discharge and re-charge, “kick start” a dead pack, etc.
John - I haven’t shopped battery chargers for quite some time, but thanks for the info. I really like the MRC Super Brain 989. I may have to add that one to my bench.
The Maha chargers have always turned me off, just on looks alone (probably because they accept individual cells, I guess), although I’m sure they must work fine. Lots of folks seem to use them.
Bill - The batteryspace charger looks like quite a good deal. Is the temperature sensor a pain to use? Do you just tape it on the outside of the pack, or do you have to carefully get inside for a better reading? Not much flexibility on the charging rates though.
When I first started toying with changing out to Batt/RC, I went to an RC model airplane show at a local park.
90% of the fliers use battery power now instead of those noisy little gas engines.
I figured with these guys having bucco bucks flying around, they would know a little about chargers.
I asked around and stopped at all their benches and the MRC “Super Brain 989” was the most popular analyzer/charger among this crowd.
I was shown several other brands, but not one MaHa was in use.
They use exotic chemistry such as Li-po, etc for weight (less).
I got mine at “Wholesale Trains”. I think that’s Lantz Train Shop.
Now most of the club members who run Batt/Rc in our train club use the 989 as well, after they seen how mine performed. There are a couple MaHa’s and some other brands as well.
Thanks for all the input! I looked at the $30 charger that Bill recommended. The charger maker wants you to add a thermister to battery packs over 12 volts. It seems like the thermister stops the charger when the batterys reach a certian temperature. It will add 2 wires and another jack to install. The plan (at this point) has the 14.4 volt pack not removable for charging. Is anyone using the thermisters?
I don’t use the thermistors at all. I only use 1 charging jack. Just be sure that you set the charge rate switch to the proper setting. In most cases, using the lower current setting would probably be the best for your battery packs.
My charger has a thermocouple that shuts it down if things overheat.
Both the Super Brain and the Maha 777 have wired sensors for temperature.
The MaHa’s magnetic, so it sticks to the top of the pack.
The Brain’s has to poke in a corner of the shrink wrap.
I use NiCad’s so no temp probe is needed.
All your input has been very helpful…many thanks. I ran goose yesterday on track power and need to move up voltage to 16.8(8.4v packs X 2)as 14.4 doesnt have enough speed . Accucraft uses 24 v motors. Now to see if I can fit bigger packs in!!. Every detail change creates a new challenge!
Oh yea!
I think a goose would move rather slowly, but what matters is what looks right to you.
Personally, I run my trains on the slow side for my own pleasure but when I run them on a public display I run them faster!!! Thats what the crowds enjoy…too slow and they think somethings wrong…I call it the Lionel effect!!