[NSRCA-dist8] Need

Wed Jun 25 19:20:49 AKDT 2014

I was motivated by anticipating the number of charge cycles needed to replenish a days consumption. I didn’t want to stay up all night at a contest (Saturday night in a motel) charging batteries, nor did I want to deal with a generator. Parallel charging up to 6 flight packs (12-5S batteries) in a single session was really appealing, so I opted for the 1500 watt power supply and 2 30 Amp chargers.
This is where the two beer charging session took hold. I don’t pamper my batteries, leaving them charged until my next flying session. My total conversion to LiPo batteries allows the convenience of having batteries charged when ever I get the urge to go flying. Occasionally I will charge the 5S batteries individually to try to maintain a better cell-cell balance but running cheap batteries this may not make any difference, but I once burned $300 of fuel a season so I can’t complain about some battery loss. 
The big expense is still contest lodging and transportation, way more than the plug & play charge box.
Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: NSRCA-dist8 [mailto:nsrca-dist8-bounces at lists.nsrca.org]On Behalf Of Karl Watts via NSRCA-dist8
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 1:49 PM
To: astropuppy; AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY; Patrick Harris
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-dist8] Need

OK, so progressiverc has combos from  350 to 2000 W.  So to give me some idea of what I need,  where do I need to be for a descent two charger system?

From: NSRCA-dist8 [mailto:nsrca-dist8-bounces at lists.nsrca.org] On Behalf Of astropuppy via NSRCA-dist8
Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2014 7:25 AM
To: Patrick Harris; AK, ID, MT, OR, WA, WY
Subject: Re: [NSRCA-dist8] Need

Pat, Karl is a NSRCA member; do you remember what K-Factor issue your charging article is in?

I was going to send this to Karl privately; but, guess its appropriate here.

You want to build a charge box; or, buy one?

I use a separate charger for my radios and park flyers. It just makes things easier. Just keep one of your existing chargers. Specifically, I use a FMA Multi4 running off a 1800ma 3S lipo.

These are the nicest pre-builts; but they are expensive. Perhaps Jim will post a picture of his 2 beer charge station.  http://www.progressiverc.com/chargers/charger-combos

I buy chargers and charge chords from these guys because I like them and they are usually a tad cheaper then progressive.  http://www.buddyrc.com/

Power supplies from this guy because he's cheap and a really good person to deal with. Pat and I have the 47 amp supplys. Today I would buy a 100 amp model and run two chargers off it just ask him to add a 12 volt tap for small chargers.   http://feathermerchantrc.com/

Do not mess around with 12 volt chargers for 10S packs go at least 24 volts. 12 is fine for radio batteries, 4S and below. but the rest needs and likes to be 24. Watts come easier at higher voltages.

On Tue, Jun 24, 2014 at 10:57 PM, Patrick Harris via NSRCA-dist8 < nsrca-dist8 at lists.nsrca.org <mailto:nsrca-dist8 at lists.nsrca.org> > wrote:
Karl,

Go on EBay and type in "RC Transmitter tray" and you will find a bunch of them. I got mine from Ebay as well and it's top notch. Most all of them are overseas and will take a couple of weeks to arrive, but at a fraction of what you will pay in the US.

Your mentor Mike will dial you in on charging stations. Mike can get you going on parallel charging if that's how you want to go. 

Progressive RC in Seattle have systems all ready to go, but they aren't inexpensive. 

Don't short change yourself on chargers. Most guys start out too small and regret it. If you are going to parallel charge I would start out with either a Power Lab 6 or 8, or an ICharger 306B. Add an inexpensive power supply from Feathermerchant.com and you will be good to go. 

I built my whole system into the large Harbor Freight case with two power supplies and two chargers. I'll send you an article I wrote that can give you some ideas.

Pat

On Tue, Jun 24, 2014 at 9:31 PM, Karl Watts via NSRCA-dist8 < nsrca-dist8 at lists.nsrca.org <mailto:nsrca-dist8 at lists.nsrca.org> > wrote:
Hey, I need a couple things.  Looking for sources, new and used, for a radio tray and battery charging station.

I have an iCharger 208B and using a deep cycle battery.  Will probably get another charger - iCharger or Cell Pro.  Want to add to this with needed supplies for a charging station that I can plug into generator or ac plug.  Want to be able to charge all my stuff in one place, radio, receiver battery, motor battery, etc.  Nice if I can buy all together as a kit, but probably more economical to acquire as an itemized list and build myself.

Boy, radio trays are expensive, anyone have a used one to sell with hand rests?

Karl

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