Chargers, Batteries Q's for all the guru's...

[Farwar]

I am starting to look into racing with my T3. I have a good radio and esc but now I need to hit the battery and charger market. Lets start with the chargers. I want one that will last me for a long time.

I have my eye on the Novak Millenium Pro charger. It looks good and I have heard good things about it. It has a fair price too. The other chargers that I am looking at are the Lrp Pulsar Pro, Great Planes Triton and the Integy 16x7 Pro. As you can see I'm looking for a charger in the $150-200(max) zone. Also what are some key features that I should be looking for? Now what do I need to get as far as the DC power supplies go? Anything special?

You still with me here?
Now for the batteries! My LHS sells some good GP3300 batteries either matched or already put together with a tamiya plug. For a little bit extra($25 CAN) I can get the matched and they will put them together for me. Is this worth it? Now what do I need to take care of them. I know to charge to the fullest but after that, i'm lost :rolleyes: . How do I discharge them and can I make my own discharger? Also they say the put them on a tray to equalize the cells.What is that?

Thanks for your help!

[Farwar]

Too many questions? lol Any help would be appreciated!

[rcguy2477]

best charger-associated pulsar, power supply needed, most power supplies come pre wired

Get some batteries online. You can get them for a lot cheaper. I recomend promatch, kenetix, smc

hope these answers work for you

[Farwar]

Can the LRP Pulsar Pro charge glo-igniters, reciever batteries and transmitter batteries as well? If I choose to buy this, I wont need a discharger for my batteries? I want to stick with the batteries at my LHS because i'm in Canada and shipping costs will bring the cost up. What am I looking for in a power source?

[rcguy2477]

Yes the pulsar will do all the stuff you mentioned. For the power supply, look for one with 12+amps if you plan to run in motors, ideally, a 20+ amp one would be good, but they can be very expensive.

[Hachi_Roku]

Do you live in the Toronto area?

[Lapster]

a 20+ amp one would be good, but they can be very expensive.

Actually... I have a 22 amp Pyramid PS and I got it for 75. Look on ebay, there is a store in pittsburgh that sells them. Lucky for me I didnt have to pay shipping, I picked it up. Im guessing you would be in the 90-110$ range w/ shipping. But compare it to a Rivergate.

Pyramid's are awesome.

[highroller]

The Integy chargers are also very good look at the 16x5, 16x7 and 16x9 models prices will vary depending where you buy them, Direct or through LHS or online from Stormer Hobbies, RNL Hobbies, Sheldon's. Even the unmatched GP3300 are more than good enough for club racing/bashing or the loose zapped cells for a little better voltage (see them on Ebay), the matched stick packs (SMC, Pro Match other matchers even the Integy GP are good) shop around and look at prices. For discharging most use 1157 auto bulb 10 usually and to insure cells are discharged equally used the equalizing trays made by Trinity-Real Time2, Integy Octane 2, Pro Match Smart Tray2 for sideby side packs. For stick packs use a single 1157 bulb with proper connector solder to it and attach to pack, then remove when bulb dims. Most get rid of the Tamiya connector and use Deans, or Sermos (aka power poles or litespeed) connectors.

I use the Integy 16x5 Backlight(prices range from 139 to 149)and 16x5v6(179 to 190.00) DC chargers with Rivergate (powersource) 45amp or Rivergate Bulldof) 30amp models alowing you run 2 chargers with no problems up to 3 on the 45amp without sweat. Also found the Rivergate distributing dealers where you can buy online (securely) and prices are a little better than through other channels.