Cheap Orion lipo chargers?

[sefton]

I'm thinking of going LIPO (on a budget)

Has anyone heard of these cheaper Orion lipo chargers? (they arent on the Orion web site).

http://www.lstshop.co.uk/catalog/index.php/cPath/116_163?osCsid=5ee69c9b70c9dce321d8329e34435d5f

Craig.

[DCM]

You got to look in their flight electronics section.... Avionics I think it is called.

[sefton]

do you think they would be good enough or would it be wize to get the advantage charger?

Craig.

[ashleyb4]

They are no good for charging the lipo's for 1/10th cars i would get the advanatge i have one and i have never charged lipo off it but it is a very good charger.

A

[DCM]

not to sure, but I think this one http://www.teamorion-avionics.com/Advantage+Chargers/Li-Po+Charging+System is a little low on the charge current, and designed for flight packs and receiver packs

[sefton]

just had a look on ebay, the advantage is about £75 plus postage from HK or USA.

Craig

[ashleyb4]

If its the newest version (the one that looks like carbon fibre) then that is a bargain.

A

[dave g]

just remember that there is no benefit from high amp charging of lipo's,the performance remains the same wether you charge at 1 amp or 5 amps,only time is saved by faster charging.

dave

[DCM]

just had a look on ebay, the advantage is about £75 plus postage from HK or USA.

Craig

Dont forget though, if it goes pop, the UK distributor will not help you get it repaired.

And LiPo, never re-peak them......

[dave g]

cmon steve..you know as well as i do that its impossible to repeak lipos :)

dave

[DCM]

You and me, yes, but there are lots out there, and I have heard some real horror stories, especialy when Helicopters first started using LiPo, and the amount of people who ask if they can use they X charger to charge LiPo, lol

[dave g]

in theory you cant overcharge the lipo if the charger is working correctly no matter how many times you try to retop them up,because the chargers work on a voltage cuttoff point not peak detect(lipos dont have peak drop off,they just keep climbing)
so when the charger detects 8.4v it terminates the charge(some are set to 8.2v)

dave

[jimmy]

This is the one I am using with the Trakpower lipo

http://www.flightpower.co.uk/acatalog/301dx_s.jpg

http://www.flightpower.co.uk/acatalog/Chargers.html


Its great, not much more to say about it really, will mention it in the trakpower lipo review though.


There were a few guys running the TrakPower lipo tonight (touring cars) running a range of different chargers.. there is no real advantage (pun!) to any of them..

[dave g]

yes a cheap charger should provide the same lipo performance as an expensive charger since charge rate bears no outcome on the performance of the cell,obviously its paramount you buy a good quality charger thats fit for the job as the last thing you want is a charger failing.

dave

[sefton]

So am I right in thinking, I can charge then race then charge then race and so on?

Theres no need to discharge and equailize or cool down time before recharging?

Craig.

[JCJC]

Interesting range from Bantam, lots of info here

http://www.bantam301.20m.com/

Do they do adjustable Delta Peak on NiMh, anyone know?

[Dunc]

Interesting range from Bantam, lots of info here

http://www.bantam301.20m.com/

Do they do adjustable Delta Peak on NiMh, anyone know?

If in doubt, read the manual! :D

I had a look at the 902 model and it does have an adjustable delta peak of 5-20mV per cell (look at page 7 of the manual). I didn't check any of the other models.

Hope that helps.

[sefton]

has anyone got any pics of how lipo's are wired up? because the pics always look like a closed solid unit!

[DCM]

depends on the LiPo pack, if it is the team orion, then it is just a pair of corally connectors going into the case.

[JCJC]

If in doubt, read the manual! :D

I had a look at the 902 model and it does have an adjustable delta peak of 5-20mV per cell (look at page 7 of the manual). I didn't check any of the other models.

Hope that helps.

Cheers Dunc, looked at the 301 manual before, not mentioned, but thought manual was mabey missing it.
Mick:wtf:

5-20mV per cell---------is that a little high for NiMh or am I missing something as usual

[dave g]

you should let the cells cool before recharging..not that they should be getting hot when they come out of the car,if they are your overloading them.

dave

[jimmy]

Everyone was hammering them last night, come off the track , straight on the charger.
The cells dont get warm never mind hot though.

[dave g]

sounds like they are spot on then jimmy :)

its always wise to give them a rest tho if you can,they will be warm internally.

dave

[sefton]

Hmmm...might have to get one of the bantam's & a lipo pack should work out about £130 ish (hassel free motoring)!

Anyone what a Sirius?

Craig.

[sefton]

Doe's anyone know anything about the Trakpower 4900 lipo pack?

what would this kind of power realisticaly do to a B4?

Would it be a better idea to get the Orion3700 lipo pack?

Thanks

Craig.

[jimmy]

I have raced the Trakpower and am just about to release the review. I thought WOW I will have the fastest car last night (19 turn touring) but I look around and the 4 guys sat nearest to me all are running brand new Trakpower LiPo's!!

It has a slightly higher voltage so you'd best run a tamer motor maybe, but other than that it seems great. I have run it with touring, modified off road and spec 2wd vintage racing. The best thing is not having to lug aroung a huge battery case and never having to change cells.

[sefton]

I have a Novak 6.5 brushless.

How about your link to the Bantam charger, have you ever bought from that store?

Do the lipo's fit into b4 ok?

it looks like the esc corally's just go directly into the lipo unit!

Thanks

Craig.

[jimmy]

The store I linked to is the flightpower store, and these are the guys that make and sell the Trakpower LiPo. Trakpower is their new brand for model cars.

It fits perfectly in the B4 and most cars. And yea the corallys just fit into the pack, its really neat and safe that way

[sefton]

and 1 pack would be sufficient for a days racing?

I cant seem to find a way of adding products to basket! also the 3900lipo doesnt seem to be in stock.

Anyway it looks like I've found my birthday pressie!

Cheers

Craig.

[jimmy]

I dont know if it is enough for your needs, all I can say is that I have raced with it three times in three different cars and only used the one pack. Either doing multiple runs on one charge or charging between rounds.

If you are running a hungry 8turn in a 4wd on wet grass with 200g of lead in the car - and you are a throttle jammer.. Then there is the chance you will take juice out faster than you can possibly put it back in between rounds.

[sefton]

Nope - I'm more of a careful slow driver that spends quite a bit of time upside down!

Have you seen the Orion lipo's? if so how do they compaire?

Also is there anyway of telling how much power is left in a pack after use?

(last question)!

Craig.

[jimmy]

power left in ? not really sure about that to be honest. I have never seen the orion lipos in the flesh so I can't comment on them, the Trakpower is very popular though and you can't miss those!!:D

[sefton]

Does the Bantam come with charge cables & temp sensors? or are they sold seperatelly?

http://www.flightpower.co.uk/acatalog/Chargers.html

Craig.

[jimmy]

no, mine didn't, I guess because it could be used for charging all sorts of stuff.
I made two wires with a male corally at either end.

[RC Accessory]

Does the Bantam come with charge cables & temp sensors? or are they sold seperatelly?

http://www.flightpower.co.uk/acatalog/Chargers.html

Craig.

Hello,

Depending on which Bantam charger you select determines what accessories are included. Many organizations can supply the main unit but few carry all the accessories.

I completely stock all the accessories as well as the chargers and ship worldwide. www.rcaccessory.com (http://www.rcaccessory.com) Free EMS shipping for orders over $250.00.

To answer another question posted earlier, the e-Station 301DX does not have user adjustable mV settings for nicad and nimh charging. The BC-8 and 902 have these options.

I would be happy to answer any Bantam Charger questions.

Regards,

Evan Chapkis
RC Accessory, Inc.
Auth US Bantam Importer

[mark christopher]

They are no good for charging the lipo's for 1/10th cars i would get the advanatge i have one and i have never charged lipo off it but it is a very good charger.

A
they are fine for car packs
not to sure, but I think this one http://www.teamorion-avionics.com/Advantage+Chargers/Li-Po+Charging+System is a little low on the charge current, and designed for flight packs and receiver packs
as above they are fine, mirage sell em for the car packs
Dont forget though, if it goes pop, the UK distributor will not help you get it repaired.

And LiPo, never re-peak them......
yes they will
if your using a lipo charger you can not re peak em

So am I right in thinking, I can charge then race then charge then race and so on?

Theres no need to discharge and equailize or cool down time before recharging?

Craig.
correct
Doe's anyone know anything about the Trakpower 4900 lipo pack?

what would this kind of power realisticaly do to a B4?

Would it be a better idea to get the Orion3700 lipo pack?

Thanks

Craig.
it will be fine in a b4 just less weight more voltage

Nope - I'm more of a careful slow driver that spends quite a bit of time upside down!

Have you seen the Orion lipo's? if so how do they compaire?

Also is there anyway of telling how much power is left in a pack after use?

(last question)!

Craig.
yes there is now www.trakpower.com (http://www.trakpower.com) the new balancer show how much is left

http://www.trakpower.com/Images/VBal.jpg (http://www.trakpower.com/Images/VBal.jpg)

The NEW TrakPower V-Balance safety and conditioning device shown connected here to the TrakPower 4900 pack. This revolutionary safety device contains the rules for safe-handling of LiPo packs in its software. When connected between charger and battery, the V-Balance monitors the condition of both cells in the 2s LiPo pack (and up to 6s LiPo for future-proofing) and will disconnect the charger if any one cell is in danger of going over-voltage or under-voltage. Additional functions such as the Fuel Gauge show the approximate state of charge of the whole pack (and each cell on pressing the mode/reset button). The V-Balance also equalizes the state of charge of the two cells either passively or during charging.

TrakPower V-Balance: The key to unlocking the world of ultra-high performance LiPo for RC Cars SAFELY!!!

The TrakPower V-Balance is supplied with the special 2s TrakPower lead harness

[sefton]

Does anyone know how to order products direct from the flightp[ower website?

Craig.

[jimmy]

Hi Evan,

Thanks for the information. Do you know the MV cut off used on the 301 DX by any chance? I realise it's not adjustable, just wondered if you had any idea on this?

and yes, it is past 4am - dedication, thats what it takes. :eh?:


Hello,

Depending on which Bantam charger you select determines what accessories are included. Many organizations can supply the main unit but few carry all the accessories.

I completely stock all the accessories as well as the chargers and ship worldwide. www.rcaccessory.com (http://www.rcaccessory.com) Free EMS shipping for orders over $250.00.

To answer another question posted earlier, the e-Station 301DX does not have user adjustable mV settings for nicad and nimh charging. The BC-8 and 902 have these options.

I would be happy to answer any Bantam Charger questions.

Regards,

Evan Chapkis
RC Accessory, Inc.
Auth US Bantam Importer