LiPo Batteries and chargers

Salaas

Righto,

I've a ICS M4
Was looking at LiPo's as they fit better in the battery compartment than NimH *thinner which saves 10 minutes of wiggling the battery into place so it fits*

I was looking at a 7.4V 2100mAh 25C+ continuous discharge
But unsure of what charger to get.

First time using LiPos and the information I've read is good but not sure what charger to use with the battery and where can I source it?
Would the local model shops have it as its used for RC cars aswell?

Ideally I'd want a speed charger as not really in the mood to wait hours for a charge.

Decoy

There are loads of threads on the subject of LiPo chargers if you would take the time to a quick search on the forum.

iMax B6 Balance Charger seems to be universally recommended, it's what I use and I've no complaints.

I don't know how fast you expect a battery to charge. Although in theory you could charge the LiPo you mentioned @ 2.1amps (assuming you're using an intelligent charger) most of the literature I've read on LiPos is against charging them @ more than 1amp, irrespective of capacity.

Private Snafu

The recommended charge rate for a lipo is generally 1C. So if you've got a 1200mah lipo 1.2 amps is recommended.

Most computerized lipo chargers are the same, they all mostly run the same OS, the only difference being max charge rate and supported batteries. If you're looking for someone who sells chargers in Ireland I'd recommend http://radioactivemodels.ie/store/index.php?cPath=28_42_54.

Lemming

Decoy wrote: »

There are loads of threads on the subject of LiPo chargers if you would take the time to a quick search on the forum.

iMax B6 Balance Charger seems to be universally recommended, it's what I use and I've no complaints.

I don't know how fast you expect a battery to charge. Although in theory you could charge the LiPo you mentioned @ 2.1amps (assuming you're using an intelligent charger) most of the literature I've read on LiPos is against charging them @ more than 1amp, irrespective of capacity.

I would also suggest a Kong Power LiPo/NiMH charger (it actually does more than just those two types of batteries) and simple to use yet v ery configurable depending on number of cells per battery, battery size, and how many amps (or decimals there-in) you want to charge with (e.g. how fast you want to charge the battery; fast charge vs. trickle charging, etc.).

lperrozzi wrote: »

The recommended charge rate for a lipo is generally 1C. So if you've got a 1200mah lipo 1.2 amps is recommended.

Cobblers. The recomended charge rate for a lipo battery (as with any battery) is dependent on the size of the battery. Size / 1000 will give you your recommended maximum charge rate for any given battery.

For example;

1200mah / 1000 = 1.2A
3600mah / 1000 = 3.6A
etc.

Private Snafu

Lemming wrote: »

Cobblers. The recomended charge rate for a lipo battery (as with any battery) is dependent on the size of the battery. Size / 1000 will give you your recommended maximum charge rate for any given battery.

For example;

1200mah / 1000 = 1.2A
3600mah / 1000 = 3.6A
etc.

Yes which is actually 1C:rolleyes:, I've been involved in RC much longer than I have in airsoft.... Believe it or not I know how to care for and charge LiPo's :pac:


As far as a recommended charger, I've been using http://radioactivemodels.ie/store/product_info.php?cPath=28_42_54&products_id=260 for years without any issue

Decoy

lperrozzi wrote: »

The recommended charge rate for a lipo is generally 1C. So if you've got a 1200mah lipo 1.2 amps is recommended

Lemming wrote: »

Cobblers. The recomended charge rate for a lipo battery (as with any battery) is dependent on the size of the battery. Size / 1000 will give you your recommended maximum charge rate for any given battery.

For example;

1200mah / 1000 = 1.2A
3600mah / 1000 = 3.6A
etc.

Play nice guys! While accepted wisdom is that the maximum charging current is mAh/1000 or 1C (I'm still not fully clear on the C-rating, I thought it was proportional to max charge current but not directly proportional). The reason I mentioned 1amp is that printed on a couple of my LiPos is a message that specifically states NOT to charge at more than 1amp.

Private Snafu

Its recommended by most lipo manufacturers (bar a few who specifically state 2C, but they're just weird ) that batteries are charged at 1C (were C stands for capacity). Specific charging instructions are normally printed on the back of batteries regardless.

And I really am a nice guy . I think my previous post was misunderstood, we are essentially saying the same thing.

Lemming

My apologies lperrozzi; I picked up what you had written wrong initially as I was scanning the thread whilst eyeball deep in work.