Advice on a new charger/discharger?

[GTSLOW]

Greetings RCC! So I've recently replaced all of my lipos. I'd like to ensure I'm doing everything possible to keep them in tip top shape. Is there a 4S capable lipo charger that can also discharge/storage charge?

I know safely discharging and not over-discharging is important when it comes to storing them.

 

[indybama]

I use the hitec chargers. Ive got 2 of the hitec x1 n they work great. Only reason ive got 2 of the single chargers is i got a good deal on them. Id like to get the hitec x4, then i could charge/discharge/storage 4 at a time. Them my boys could have the ones ive got now.

Ive got multiple connectors for the chargers as well. Deans, xt60, trx, n a jst type (the 2 pin red ends). The plug into the charger with bullet ends. I use the balance connector extensions vs a balance board, so ive got a pile of wires layin close by lol. Ill get u some pics here shortly of wat i use

 

[indybama]

Heres one of the chargers n the different plugs ive got

Sent from my SM-A516V using Tapatalk

 

[DRED805]

I was recently turned onto these for discharging...

https://www.amazon.com/VIFLY-StoreS...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl

Beats having to program the capacity and voltage every time you want to discharge a battery.

 

[crunky]

https://www.smc-racing.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=447

I just picked up this after many nights of reading and research. Hota is a company that's been around since the early days. They are the manufacturer of many chargers that get rebadged and sold under popular brand names.
They made the OG thunder chargers.

It's quite a powerful charger in a small footprint, and does dual charging. Most chargers on the market rely on an internal resistor for the discharge cycle so you'll never get huge discharge rates unless you're discharging into a battery bank. The Hota is an Ac or DC capable charger.
Good luck !!

 

[Benp]

https://www.smc-racing.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=447

I just picked up this after many nights of reading and research. Hota is a company that's been around since the early days. They are the manufacturer of many chargers that get rebadged and sold under popular brand names.
They made the OG thunder chargers.

It's quite a powerful charger in a small footprint, and does dual charging. Most chargers on the market rely on an internal resistor for the discharge cycle so you'll never get huge discharge rates unless you're discharging into a battery bank. The Hota is an Ac or DC capable charger.
Good luck !!

I got the exact same charger last summer. Absolutely pleased with it.

Very very reasonably priced through
Banggood as long as you don’t need it quick.

 

[indybama]

The hitex has balance, charge, storage, discharge, n it stays at the same batt setting it was last used for. Or u can set the memory for each battery u have n just flip thru them.

I think the hitec is also ac/dc capable, just needs the dc adapter for it

 

[Timmahh]

I'll quad a Hitec.

have an old Thunderpower balance charger that will discharge also, single pack.

Picked up a Hitec X2 for 115 last year. AC/DC, does all needed LiPo maintenance, aka balance storage. Will do up to 6S packs. 2 at a time.

 

[GTSLOW]

I was recently turned onto these for discharging...



https://www.amazon.com/VIFLY-StoreS...uPWNsaWNrUmVkaXJlY3QmZG9Ob3RMb2dDbGljaz10cnVl



Beats having to program the capacity and voltage every time you want to discharge a battery.

It looks very rudimentary. Do these have a safe cut off to prevent over discharging? If so I'm in!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[GTSLOW]

I use the hitec chargers. Ive got 2 of the hitec x1 n they work great. Only reason ive got 2 of the single chargers is i got a good deal on them. Id like to get the hitec x4, then i could charge/discharge/storage 4 at a time. Them my boys could have the ones ive got now.

Ive got multiple connectors for the chargers as well. Deans, xt60, trx, n a jst type (the 2 pin red ends). The plug into the charger with bullet ends. I use the balance connector extensions vs a balance board, so ive got a pile of wires layin close by lol. Ill get u some pics here shortly of wat i use

I have those same lipos except in 4S! I really wanna make sure I take care of them after spending so much lol.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[GTSLOW]

https://www.smc-racing.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=447

I just picked up this after many nights of reading and research. Hota is a company that's been around since the early days. They are the manufacturer of many chargers that get rebadged and sold under popular brand names.
They made the OG thunder chargers.

It's quite a powerful charger in a small footprint, and does dual charging. Most chargers on the market rely on an internal resistor for the discharge cycle so you'll never get huge discharge rates unless you're discharging into a battery bank. The Hota is an Ac or DC capable charger.
Good luck !!

This is kind of what I figured in regards to discharging. I think it will be best to find a good discharge that won't over discharge and then get a quality charger like the ones mentioned above i.e., smc or hitec.

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

 

[crunky]

I'm not sure if this is relevant to your situation, but what I recommend to friends when they are getting lipo charger and storage charge questions is to set their esc lipo cutoff value as close as you you can get to your actual storage charge value. That will save time on the duty cycle trying to either discharge or bring the voltage to to storage charge.

I digress. Most of the higher end chargers will let you discharge into a battery bank that's 6s or above. For me that's too much setup and concern haha.

Hope that helps.

 

[indybama]

GT, those are 4s batts in that pic. I get mine from hobbyking. Theyre faily cheap priced, but so far have been great batts. I get almost 2 hrs run time from 1 batt. Ive got 4 of the turnigy 1.4 4s n a tattu 1300mah 4s, so i can go pretty well all day so long as i dont have issues with the rigs. I also picked up a 3s turnigy as well. Really good bang for the buck imo

 

[DRED805]

It looks very rudimentary. Do these have a safe cut off to prevent over discharging? If so I'm in!

Sent from my SM-N986U using Tapatalk

Yeah, they cut off at ~60%.

They sense the voltage (green for 4s and blue/red for 3s in this case), and adjust the discharge rate to be as fast as safely possible. The heat sinks never get more than warm to the touch. They can explain how it works better than me...

"With the advanced algorithm and built-in temperature sensor, VIFLY StoreSafe lipo battery discharger can intelligently adjust the discharge speed according to the battery voltage and unit temperature. It ensures the highest discharge rate in an appropriate temperature range."

Plus, you can leave it plugged in and it won't over-discharge (which is important for my forgetful ass)...

"The StoreSafe will stop discharging when your battery reaches storage voltage and then goes into an ultra-low leakage current so the unit can be left for long time without over-discharging the battery. Just plug in and leave it alone."

 

[indybama]

May have to get me some of those as well. Pretty niffty lil devise

 

[GTSLOW]

Holy smokes they discharge to storage. That is absolutely fantastic. I'm sold!

 

[DRED805]

https://www.smc-racing.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=447

I just picked up this after many nights of reading and research. Hota is a company that's been around since the early days. They are the manufacturer of many chargers that get rebadged and sold under popular brand names.
They made the OG thunder chargers.

By any chance did you compare the D6 plus with the D6 pro? If so, were there any reasons you went with the plus other than it's capable of 300w vs 200w with the pro?

I have the same little single charger as indybama, which is only 65 watts x1, and it's worked fine for my big 4s batteries. I can't imagine needing more than 200 watts to charge any two 4s batteries I throw at it. I'm leaning towards the pro because of the smaller footprint on my work bench, and I can throw throw my phone on it to charge wirelessly.

Besides A/C watt output, am I missing anything the plus can do that the pro can't, before I order the pro for a few bucks less from banggood?

Thanks!

 

[crunky]

I got mine based off reviews. The 6 plus is a dual output. I'm sure they are close in specs. That smc site i listed also sells the plus as a combo package with balance boards and leads made up with the proper ends.

https://www.smc-racing.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=113&product_id=541

I buy from these guys often, quick shipping and great service.

 

[Benp]

By any chance did you compare the D6 plus with the D6 pro? If so, were there any reasons you went with the plus other than it's capable of 300w vs 200w with the pro?

I have the same little single charger as indybama, which is only 65 watts x1, and it's worked fine for my big 4s batteries. I can't imagine needing more than 200 watts to charge any two 4s batteries I throw at it. I'm leaning towards the pro because of the smaller footprint on my work bench, and I can throw throw my phone on it to charge wirelessly.

Besides A/C watt output, am I missing anything the plus can do that the pro can't, before I order the pro for a few bucks less from banggood?

Thanks!

For me, the D6 + was cheaper at the time.

Also I was impressed with the all metal build and the dual fans to help with cooling.

I can appreciate the smaller footprint of the Pro and the ability to charge you phone.

I don’t know if the pro is able to be controlled with the Hota App like the Plus is.

My biggest question would be the robustness of the plus’s push buttons vs the jog wheel. Hopefully a non issue.

Realistically you cant go wrong with either one.

 

[svt923]

I’ve accumulated quite a few chargers over the years (Hitec, Sky RC, ISDT, Revolectrix, some Hobbyking brand, etc.) but my favorite has been the iCharger models I’ve owned. The 106b was my first lipo charger that had built in balancing back in the day and I recently stepped it up to the 4010 duo. Beyond the ridiculous amount of charging power, it has a bunch of ways to customize the charge cycle and features I didn’t know I wanted (balance discharge option, adjustable end current so you can control the cell voltage drop when the charge ends, actual IR readings when most chargers fail miserably at this). The new series of iChargers are also super compact (like the X6 isn’t much bigger than a deck of cards but has 800w of charging power) and pretty good on price. You will need a power supply though which makes things a bit less convenient.