Have a 10 year old astro flight charger, do I need a new one?

[dustint]

It was a great charger at the time. Its a 15 minute charger, with an amp variation dial and readout, and a trickle charge option if timer isnt set. Question is, do I need to get a newer charger. Has their been some breakthrough in this technology for me to justify buying a new one? I assume that having an amp dial allows both 6-7 cell batteries to be charged?

Thanks in advance....
Dustin

[jeepinator]

Some dude said:
Has their been some breakthrough in this technology for me to justify buying a new one?

Yes, there most certainly has !
It is called peak detection. And without it you are shooting in the dark. Unless you want to babysit your packs for 35-45 minutes while hey charge, I recommend a peak charger (I think every one is these days).

If you chose the babysit technique, shut off the charger when they start getting hot. Between warm and hot I would say :p

Peak chargers sense when the pack is charged by monitoring the voltage of the pack. Nicads, and even NiMh batts to a lesser degree, go up in voltage while they are charging. They then reach a peak voltage and the volatge starts dropping when they are fully charged.

[ 07-09-2001: Message edited by: jeepinator ]

[Nairb]

I agree. I don't recommend a timer charger for ANYBODY! Everybody (and their batteries) deserve a peak charger to maximize their potential. There are plenty of options, just pick the right one for you.

[NOVAK_FAN]

If you can afford one I would go with a Novak Mellineum charger it will be tha last charger you buy for a long will and it charges all of different types of cells that are out right now, how ever you will need a power suply to run it the Novak N Power is a good choice but any 12 volt 10 amp power suply will work. :D

[bryceanator]

First off theres a couple of questions you have to ask your self are you sure its worth it if you using 10 buck batts and older stuff look at some thing else you dont NEED it. Buy motors or batts instead but what you have works and it will do.I say wait and buy other stuff then buy a high quality charger and you never know they might invent some magic charger for half the price of the milleninum :D :D

[Jo_bomb17]

Well said Jeepinator! :D