Dual charger or two small chargers?

[83imp]

I just purchased an Axial Yeti XL kit and I'm pumped. I've been in the hobby for 25+ years, but I've never owned a car that I had to use two packs with. Since moving to brushless, I've always run single 4s-6s packs in my 1/8 scales and have only run single 2s in my 1/10 scales.

I have a Thunder AC680 that has always served my needs, but from what I read elsewhere, if I equipped it to charge 2 2s batteries, it would take it nearly two hours to charge them and like most lipo topics, some say its safe and others believe it will result in a blazing inferno

So, I'm thinking about buying another AC680 or a dual battery charger. So aside from footprint on the workbench, is there an advantage to using dual charger vs two single chargers?

 

[GLwagon]

I have had a hand full of LiPo chargers over the years, & when I was racing a lot I purchased a CellPro Powerlabs 6 1000w charger with PC link.
It is great, but very specific to what I was doing.
The only other chargers I would only consider are the newer HiTec chargers, the Junsi iChargers.
Really need to figure out your power needs, I have batteries that will take a 5c charge rate & I can hit a battery in less than 10min at 15-20 amps charge rate.
Two separate chargers will afford only loosing one charger if one fails, an all-in-one could be more of an issue if it dies.
Space, two chargers is just more clutter, but if you have space no biggie.

Hitec X-1 Mini AC Balancing Charger 60 watt X1, 4s max, but inexpensive so buy 2.

Hitec RDX1 AC/DC Charger/Discharger 60 watt x1, 6s max, tall & skinny

Hitec X1 MF Multi-Function AC/DC Charger 80 watt x1, 6s max, 10 amp max

Hitec X2 AC Plus 2 Port AC/DC Multi-Charger 50watt x 2 on AC, 100watt x 2 on DC

Hitec X4 Pro AC/DC 4-Port Mutlicharger 100 watt x2 on AC, or 200 watt spread over 4 channels, very handy for charging transmitters & stuff. <---- I would get one of these for the price.

Junsi iCharger 308Duo 300watt x2, DC only

Just from my personal pile of chargers, iMax, GT power, and some of the nasty China chargers work, but they will short charge 4.18 - 4.19v per cell or they suck in general. Cheep isn't bad, but there is better.

My biggest packs are 5s & 5800mAh, & at near full charge I am drawing 126 watts at 6 amp rate on the charger, if I bump it to 10 amps I need 210 watts.
My 2s 6600mAh pack can be charged at high amperage & it has seen 15amp charge rate many times, but even at 15 amps 2s only takes a touch over 120 watts to do it.
You can series up &/or parallel packs but it can be a little more dangerous if done wrong. If you don't know then don't try.

 

[mikemcE]

I will also second the hitec X2 ....with 100 w for charging 2, it is quite a value for $100. The only reason I would think another single is cost.... BUT most single chargers are lower power ....


Hang up and Drive

 

[BigBlokBoi]

Hitec all the way

Donner Party Crawlers D.P.C.

 

[slowmethinks]

I have a HiTec X2 as well as a Kinexsis KX50D. The HiTec has more features, but the Kinexsis allows me to charge 1S for my drone. It also charges 2 batteries @ 6A vs 2 batteries @5A on my HiTec. But my HiTec has a fast charge option as well as a battery check. (I don't have to pull out my little voltage meter everytime I want to check a battety).

But honestly, the displays and programming are SO similar, I'd bet they were made under the same Chinese roof. In fact, the HiTec X4 looks to be built the same as my KX50D minus half the charging ports...

But both are vastly better than the Onyx ones I had prior.

 

[BigBlokBoi]

Also the hitec can be controlled by phone

Donner Party Crawlers D.P.C.

 

[nightcrawler48]

I started with a Hitec X1 and realized pretty quick this just wouldn't cut it. Excellent single battery charger but moved up to a X4 so I could charge all batteries at once, or at least 4 at a time. Both have performed flawlessly over two years of use. The X4 has probably 600+ packs charged on it, 2s and 3s, all mah from 2200 to 5000, and still going strong. The X1 is perfect size as a take along to connect to the 12V auto battery to charge batteries when out on an all day event. Just remember to start the car once in a while to charge the car battery. Have a friend who was charging everyone's batteries all day and when we were ready to head home, he had to get a jump as he had discharged his car battery to the point it didn't have a enough juice to start his car.