Fast chargers?

[Tama]

Hi all, new to rc
Just wondering what would u all recommend as a cheap and descent fast charger with a Ec3 connection for Nimh batteries. I understand Lipo's are much better and will probaly take that path in near future along with the odd upgrade. My 7yr old son and i will be bashing the Ecx Amp MT once its delivered, I'm just abit concerned that the charger that comes with it will take for ever to charge battery. Also, any recommendations on how you'd get a longer run time out of this trucks stock setup other than more Mah.

 

[Jerry-Rigged]

Congrats!

Depending on your budget and possible future upgrades, there are lots of options.

very basic, but will get the job done, $25 -
https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...port-mini-50w-multichemistry-charger-dync2030

Better has modes you will need if you ever go Lipo, $45 -
https://www.horizonhobby.com/produc...gers--1/hitec-x1-mini--ac-dc-charger-hrc44241

Even better - Charge 2 batteries at once (very very nice when you get more than one car) $100 -
https://www.amazon.com/Venom-RC-Bat...1514999708&sr=8-4&keywords=venom+lipo+charger

All three of these brands are pretty good, with Venom being kind of a 'budget' brand.


Oh, and if you decided you want a charger that does not come with EC3 lead -
https://www.horizonhobby.com/charge-adapter:-banana-to-ec3-device-dync0072

 

[Tama]

Awesum. Thanks heaps for the links.
So , these are fast chargers?
If so does that mean, say 45min to an hr charge time and would i also get longer run time with a smaller pinion...

 

[X]

Most batteries, unless otherwise specified in the battery specs, can be charged at 1C (some are capable of much higher charging). This means that they can be charged at 1 x capacity, which equals a charge time of about an hour.

 

[Tama]

Thanking you heaps. Much appreciated

 

[Jerry-Rigged]

You will need to set the charge rate for all these chargers. if your battery is 1800mah, set the charge rate to 1.8a, and it will charge in about an hour. This is called '1c' charging - 1 x capacity. For most all Nimh, 1c charging is the max you should do.

Lipo often have higher ratings. Some are 1c, but I have 2c, 5c, and even some 10C lipos.

For longer run time, I would look into higher mah batteries. Get some 3300mah or 4000mah packs, and you will have much longer run times! Both dynamite and Venom make good, mostly affordable nimh packs.

 

[Tama]

Thanks Jerry-Rigged.
Am currently looking at bigger batteries on the market. I appreciate the feedback. Thumbs up...
Is this charger any good...
SkyRC IMAX B6AC V2 Version 2 Digital RC 3S LiPo NiMH Battery Balance Charger
I don't think it comes with ec3 connection but I'm sure i could get 1 for it.

 

[Jerry-Rigged]

the iMax B6ac is a good, basic charger. Comparable to the Hitec X1 I linked above. Only warning with the iMax, there are LOTS of 'fake' ones out there, with questionable quality and high failure rates. A "Real" iMax should come from a retailer with a return policy and cost around the same $40-$50 as the Hitec.

HobbyKing is one place that sells both the real and fake iMax B6ac charger, and they are good with warrantee returns, if you want to roll the dice to save a few bucks.

https://hobbyking.com/en_us/imax-b6-ac-dc-charger-5a-50w-with-us-plug-copy.html
https://hobbyking.com/en_us/imax-b6ac-v2-professional-balance-charger-discharger.html

 

[Tama]

Hmm, makes sense now knowing I've seen some iMax for next to nothing and others more pricey.

 

[kruzracing169]

My opinion, I am a firm believer of not to go cheap on chargers or batteries. This is the sole of your RCs energy.
I use the Hi-Tech brand, and would not use anything else, just saying.
I charge a 2s lipo 4000mah 25C while balancing and I am around a 100ish minute charge time.

 

[DantheMan]

I can report accurate fast "balance" charging using the Dynamite Prophet Precept. *Has adequate settings and modes...Was surprisingly cheap enough...$58.00 and can charge anything up to 5 amps, Nicd/Nimh/Lipo 2s/3s/4s/5s/6s...comes with numerous adapters...EC3 is one of them.
**My local hobby shop must have discounted it for me when I bought other items, here is a link to what it is:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dynamite-C...400560&hash=item1c6fb29aaf:g:KBkAAOSwDFBaAgHR

 

[i_r_beej]

I'll second the recommendation for Hitec chargers. I have four. I recently sent in two for service and both were out of warranty. Their service department claims that they will repair or replace without charge at their discretion and will inform if your repair will incur any charges. One charger was replaced without charge and the powersupply of the much older charger was replaced. All within 10 days. I was just out the cost of shipping the chargers to the service center.

So "Horizon Hobby-level" service. High praise indeed.