the ultimate charger question

[chizzler]

ok, i would like to charge 2400's and 3000's(and basically all my other batteries), and i know that duratrax can handle that, but i cant find one. (plus, my lhs said it doesnt give the right reading on the lcd for the ni-mh?) is there any charger that does both ni-cd and ni-mh without having to sit and baby the batteries with a meter? i was told the millenium can do it, but then i flipped through an old rcca mag in which they tested it and they said its not ni-mh compatible. i was then told that i could charge it, though, if i watched the pack until it got warm. then i read here somewhere on this board that that is bad for the cells because by this time they will already have been overcharged?! :confused:

and that Novak Ionic seems like its never gonna come out!!

i really dont want to end up buying a competition electronics, thats just waaaay too much for me at this point. :)

though it could be fun.... :D

if anyone can point me in the right direction that would be great!!!!!

[HowieStern]

the newer Novak Milleniums are completely ni-mh capatible....

Comp Electronics has entered the millenium battleground with their Pit Bull.... it's a bit more expensive than a millenium, but wayyyyy cheaper than a turbo 35 BL....

peace out... :)

[chizzler]

has anyone used the millenium to charge 3000's, and does it do a good job?
does it peak correctly?

what is up with novak's ionic?????? :confused:

[KJG]

I am new to the game, having just built a RC10T3 and I have just bought a charger.

After looking at all the options I decided on a Quad Charger from LRP. I am using 2000 and 2400 batteries and the charger works great.

I also know that it charges 3000 perfect as other club members are using it. My view is buy what is financially right for you, and for me it was the Quad Charger. :D

[chizzler]

what power supply can you guys suggest?
i was looking at the N-Power and it looked like a good deal.
also, how do those dc power supplies work?

thanks people!! ;)

[HowieStern]

i have been using my millenium to peak ni-mh sub-c and aa cells for well over a year now.... it works perfectly... (4mv cut-off, 4-5 amp charge rate for sub-c's)

i personally use an Integy Nuclear 7 power supply.... it looks to be the exact same power supply that comes with the intellipeak chargers...

peace out.... :)

[cck]

I am the guys ,whom is using the N-Power, all I can tell you is N-Power is the best power supply. The DC voltage output from the PS is so constant and it came with new plug with silicone wires, you 'll absolutely can't go wrong with this unit.

[Obi112]

Don't spend over $100 for a power supply. Here is one Nairb found and he loves it. I don't personally own one, but if Nairb does, it must be good:

Nairb's Amazing Find (http://www.mpja.com/product.asp?product=12422+PS)

[cck]

Obi112, I knew which Power Supply you were talking about, It was a piece of ****. Now this is my story about that Power Supply. Four weeks ago I ordered that PS and recieved it, but that was defective and I returned to MPJ* was trying to get a replace one. But people from the MPJ* sent me a letter and said they had that PS checked and found nothing wrong with that PS and gave me back my refund. Oh, jesus I am a HVAC technicain and I do have enough judgement to determine that PS was defective. I was so mad about those people, Whom suspected my judgement, but what could I do. I lost $10+ for shipping and eventually bought the N-Power. N-Power is a lot better. It came with all the accessaries you need to operate it. And is a lot more safe to use.
P.S I told MJP* I was using that PS to power my Milleniun charger, they replied to me and said that PS was not intended for my type of application. I am still mad....

[chizzler]

hey howiestern, youve been a great help!! :)

i need to ask, i understand what you mean by charge rate, but what does "4mv cut-off" mean?

is it you program the charger to stop charging at this charge for the ni-mh, or do you, yourself, have to watch for this # :confused:

as for a power supply, i know i can get suuuper cheap ones at auto stores, but i want to get one r/c related so ill feel confident in what itll be used for!

[cck]

4 mv cut off is voltage threshold setting. And the following statement is copied from Nonak's web site.

Voltage Threshold: A user selectable feature used in the Millennium Battery Management System whereby the user can set the amount of voltage change that is necessary in order for the charger to detect a "Peak" in a battery pack. As cells charge, the pack voltage will increase until fully charged. At this time, the voltage on the pack will start to drop. When the voltage drops by the amount set in the Voltage Threshold setting, the charger detects this as a "Peak" and charging is terminated. This is an especially useful feature to prevent overcharging cells. The higher the Voltage Threshold setting is, the hotter the cells get. High cell temperature is detrimental to the overall longevity of the battery pack. In general, NiCd packs can charge and peak normally using a 12mV/cell setting, while NiMH packs (3000mAh sub C's) require a much lower setting of 4mV/cell.

[chizzler]

ok, that answered my question!
so in lamon terms, its the chargers way of basically saying, "hey battery, youve almost got a full tank so i better cut you off!"

so it looks like im going to get this charger, since you guys have not yet disappointed me :)

[cck]

It should say "hey batteries you got more than what you needed". Get the Millennium and N-Power.

[chizzler]

yup, yup
thanks cck :) :)

[Grizzbob]

One thing though, you mentioned possibly buying a cheap PS from an auto supply store....I wouldn't do that. Those things do not deliver clean regulated power, & that is an absolute neccessity with a high-end charger like the Millenium(that also goes for the Pit Bull, Tekin BC112a, Turbo35, etc.). If your PS can't deliver clean power, it will cause your charger to false peak more, & it could damage it. That's why Novak decided to build the N-Power, you can bet it'll power your charger exactly the way it needs it(though there are other supplies that will also work well). I also bought an N-Power, & as usual, I wasn't disappointed, it'll power 2 chargers(as long as the combined amp draw is 10 amps or less) throughout a race day without rest & won't even get warm..... :)

[chizzler]

man grizzbob, youre always there for me :)

thanks!!
yeah, thats what i said earlier, that i did NOT want to get an auto store PS because i wasnt sure how good it would be. i was worried about them not being r/c related, so i wanted one that i knew i could count on so thats why im going with power. just another orange possession to get :D