Returning R/C'er battery/charger question

[docc]

Hi all,

I am getting back into R/C with my sons, it has been about 5 years since I have done anything with my two electric Associated Stadium trucks.

I have been reading a bit and with what I have learned I bought a new charger, the ICE. I have a older Mellenium Pro and a converter only delivers 10amps. The ICE recomends a 15 amp power supply. I am looking at the two power converters that radio shack has for sale. One is 15 amp for $80 and the other is rated at 25 amp for $100. Will using a larger one damage it, or just have extra in reserve? Are there better options for a power supply than what I have chosen?

I also am just back yard bashing at this time. My old batteries are shot. I was thinking of getting the 3300's NiMH they have for $25 each. I would like to stick with the NiMH batteries because they are less likely to "memory". Will these do me well for my purpose or should I look elswhere. I don't plan on racing so I don't think I need matched sets that cost twice that. Any recomendations?

Thanks,
Doc

[trxcrazy345]

welcome back Doc :wave: i don't know much about chargers but i think that you should stick with the recomended 15 amp power supply

[MyMonkey]

I too would stick with the 15 amp power supply. Oddly enough, I have just now re-entered RC after a 3 year hiatus. Welcome back. :D

[kschauwe]

My ICE works just fine on a $21 6amp P/S from Walmart

[Grizzbob]

To answer your Power Supply question, you won't harm the charger at all, you'll just have plenty of extra capability for more load(so you could run both the Ice & your Millenium Pro at the same time, I have that 25 amp supply & do it all the time, works great). And about the batteries, yes, some of those 3300 stick packs should work just fine(though there are more out there now with more capacity, but $25 per pack is pretty good)..... :cool:

[one85_db]

I use the 25 amp Radio Shack P/S with my ICE charger, it works great; the P/S NEVER gets hot. I also have about 4 of the GP3300 packs from R.S. and they are easily worth the price, great packs.

[baih]

get the bigger power supply. you said your getting back into r/c with your sons. you will end up getting more chargers. the Ice has alot of functions which may end up as your primary charger. with the bigger power supply, you will be able to two or three more chargers.
the reason the Ice recommends 15 amps is because of the motor run in feature and it can charge more than a 6 cell battery pack.

[docc]

Thanks everyone for you input. I will go out and get the 25amp PS since it is only $20 dollors more.

Doc

[pauster]

If you are looking for a powerful 12V power supply - take one out of an old PC :)

Very stable voltage and loads of power.