Which Quality LiPo Charger?

[DaveG28]

How user definable is the charge rate on the BC6?

I have the trakpower charger at the moment, and my only concern with it is it only charges in 0.5A increments, so for example if I end up with a 4200 I charge at 4 or 4.5A!? Assuming it's not safe to charge most Lipo's (except trakpower) at over 1C but don't really want to charge at under 1C either! Or does under charging have zero effect??

[mark christopher]

bc6 is in .1 amps
4 or 4.5 will be fine, 4.5 is just a very small amount over 1c

[DaveG28]

Cheers for the info, what other advantages does the Bc6 have, did I read it's 12v or 240? Anything else?

[Dagger Thrasher]

It's best to stick with 4A in this case...don't go with 4.5 (sorry Mark Christopher). It's risky, and potentially dangerous to do with any pack with is only rated for a 1C charge (which is most of them). Charging below 1C doesn't have any detrimental effect on performance with LiPos, either; it'll just take a tad longer to charge.

[Bungleaio]

Originally Posted by DaveG28

Cheers for the info, what other advantages does the Bc6 have, did I read it's 12v or 240? Anything else?

It's both. When it's being used from the mains the crocodile clips are live with 12v power. I've used these to power my tyre warmers and also the occasional soldering iron. The manual doesn't say it's suitable for this and it's at own risk but I've not had a problem over the past 6 months. I wouldn't try using it to run another charger!

[DaveG28]

What reasons would there be for getting this over the trakpower charger, anything other than more user definable charge rate and dual voltage input?

[mark christopher]

can also balance charge and discharge, also does other cell types

[mark christopher]

Originally Posted by Dagger Thrasher

It's best to stick with 4A in this case...don't go with 4.5 (sorry Mark Christopher). It's risky, and potentially dangerous to do with any pack with is only rated for a 1C charge (which is most of them). Charging below 1C doesn't have any detrimental effect on performance with LiPos, either; it'll just take a tad longer to charge.

sorry but to charge a 4200 pack at 4.5 amps is around 1.07c
that will NOT cause problems or damage packs so both rate WILL be ok

[Dagger Thrasher]

To be fair, charging at 4.5A *probably* wouldn't represent a problem. And of course it depends on the quality of the pack used as well, but there's a reason why cell manufacturers have labels warning users not to charge at over 1C (excepting the latest, faster-charging cells). It'd most likely result in just a slight lifetime/capacity reduction if done repeatedly, but it's just not worth it to gain a slightly quicker charge (IMO). LiPos demand respect.

Anyway, this is going off-topic, and there's no point getting into an argument. The BC-6 is a fine charger, and is very flexible; you'll be able to charge Nickel cells and Pb batteries with it too, and has a range of other features. The ability to precisely set charge current is important, though.

[DaveG28]

Cheers guys, not worried about a slightly slower charge, just wondered if charging below 1C impacted the C rating of the cell etc!

This sounds like a top charger anyway!

[DaveG28]

Sorry guys more questions:

What do the separate balance boards actually do? For example why the board and not just the trakpower harness?

Also, am assuming balancing most saddle packs is done like TP one's with just a lead connecting to the link wire between cells?? If so would the TP harness let me balance other Lipo's? (am thinking of going LRP!)

[mark christopher]

the boeads allow other makes of cells to be balanced that have the small pliug for balancing, the trakpower harnes lets you do anything with the 2mm and 4mm plugs

[traffman]

Another BC6 purchase here !
Ordered today . The price is a little steep but considering what it does and the main point is that it can run off 12v and 240 .

[jono83]

where can i get one and and how much?

[traffman]

I bought mine from Microtech , 108.00 pounds.

[DaveG28]

Ordered mine the other day from Blink Helicopters!