Jason Merkle
Senior Heliman
Location: Las Vegas, NV
| Ive been using Thunder Power 7800-8200 mah LiPo packs for about 6 months now (The BEST 6 months in my 12 year RC career  )....
When the packs first came out, the only capable charger was the Triton. I picked up 2 of them and used them daily up until a few months back. They performed flawlessly but they were VERY slow. It would take 4 hours to fully charge a depleted pack 7800-8200 mah. It would charge at 2.5 amps for most of the charge but the last 5% of charge slow down and take nearly 1 hour. Many time I would pull them off the charge when the amps began to ramp down from 2.5 - the packs would be 90-95% charged and still worked excellent.
However, being limited to only 4s4p packs and 2.5 amps I really wanted something better. Then Orbit released its new software to charge up to 6s4p packs at 5 amps. I almost bought one but the manufacturer of Thunder Power himself had problems with his so I continued using my Triton.
Last months Schulze introduced their new software on the 330D model. I bought one as soon as they were available and it was capable of 11 cells in series and can charge up to 5 amps (5 amps only up to 8s packs, the amperage goes down for larger packs). For the price, it was a MUCH better charger than the Tritons. Then, I got rid of both Tritons and purchased a Schulze 636 with the new software...
While the 330 is an excellent value, it was again limited to 5 amps (2.5-3 hour charge time for fully depleted packs). But the new 636 can charge up to 8s4p packs at 8 amps! It can do up to 13s packs but of course the amps go down as you get about 8s packs. Still, Im am thoroughly impressed - I can fully charge a pack in under 2 hours! I again will mostly pull the pack when the amps drop below 3 and the pack will be 90-95% charged in an hour.
The 636 is pricey though - $400. But it has be great. However, Astro Flight now has an ALL NEW charger. Unlike the Schulze chargers which can charge NiCad/NiMH/LiPo/Lead batteries, the Astro can ONLY charge LiPos. It can charge up to 9s packs! Its limit is 6s packs for 8 amps and larger packs will have slower charge rates. Still, for less than $150 this is a powerful charger that is very capable. I do plan to buy and try one in the coming weeks.
You can get them from Astroflight.com The model is a 109DX I believe - you may have to call to order if it is not yet on the site.
Either of the Schulze chargers or the Astro are your best bet!
I love my LiPos - I get 15-30 minute flight times mostly full of 3D aerobatics
Jason |
