Charger upgrade recomendations - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / testgear

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 06, 2023, 12:12:56 am
content: When i first got into LiPos for use with kweld i read that Tenergy TB6 was a pretty good option for balance charger. Been using it for a few years now and am starting to upgrade to bigger batteries as well; so wanted to see if there are now better options out there, say within $300 budget. One channel is enough and 2 channels are more than enough. 20A at 4S per channel is also more than enough as far as power is concerned.My biggest concern/priority is the accuracy of charging/discharging voltage... I intend to buy big and expansive LiPOS and want to maintain them well, without them catching on fire.Yes i have a fire box just in case, but that is a different conversation.What are the recommendations for a charger/discharger/maintainer/balancer better than Tenergy TB6? $300 budget.I do have HP3457A and 10V EDC Kronhite voltage source, so could calibrate the charger if need be... Just want to avoid wong hung lo bling bling with crappy guts...ThanksEDIT: Currently looking at SKYRC T1000, just wondering if there is anything better. I have skyrc mc3000 and scyrc BT250. so far mostly happy with both.ISDT P30 1000WX2 30AX2 Power Dual Channel also looks interesting but i do not have experience with this manufacturer.

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 12:20:48 am
content: SKYRC T1000 with the optional 40A BD350 discharge module would run about $400 and i am seriously considering it. Are there better options at this price point?

author: robert.rozee
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:36:40 am
content: LiFePO4 (Lithium iron phosphate, LFP, sometimes called 'lithium ferrous') may be worth a look if you are not too committed to LiPO. lower terminal voltage (nominal 3.2v, charges to 3.7v maximum) and about 80% of the energy density, but far more difficult to have any major oopsies with. see:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lithium_iron_phosphate_batteryaside from "kweld", what else are you looking at using the cells for/in?cheers,rob :-)

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 07, 2023, 03:45:02 pm
content: Quote from: robert.rozee on April 07, 2023, 03:36:40 amSo far no specific application of the batteries other than kweld. What i am looking for a good TOOL to maintain multitude of batteries, we use a variety of batteries and battery chemistries at work (aerospace), but all the battery maintenance tools there are 30 years old and usually we just replace the cells/batteries. I am looking to buy for my personal use and education, the most versatile, accurate and good quality tool, for now with specific application of maintaining LiPOs, but also with longer term goal of learning about and gaining ability/experience of battery maintenance which i then can transfer to work and there equip battery maintenance lab.Just looking for most accurate and versatile tool to use and learn with. Does not need to have a one button easy mode... i have a brain for that... but needs to be built well; be accurate and offer multitude of tools such as balancing, IR measurement, discharge, may be cycling for NiCd etc etc.Edit:L So far my home battery maintenance involves a variable voltage/current power supply, a current/power controlled discharger and a brain, a Tenergy balance charger and an easymode battery mender for Lead Acids. Just looking for good tool to become the center stage, grand daddy of all the tasks i am currently doing with manual tools.EDIT 2: LiFePO is probably not a good match for kweld. LiPOs offer 100C discarge rate while LiFePO don't seem to go that high. I pull ~1100A via kweld.

author: pcm81
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 10, 2023, 01:05:31 am
content: Due to lack of other recommendations, i pulled the trigger on skyrc T1000 with the optional 40A dis-charger. Found a video online showing how T100 volt meter can be calibrated so hoping the same functionality exists in T1000; that alone would make it an easier to maintain tool...