Hi Stuart,

There are a few options in chargers for li-po as well as the normal Ni-Cd and Ni-Mh, it really depends on your budget. Here are a few worthy of consideration;

Schulze 6-330d;
For the money, around 120 this is an excellent buy, it has the capabilities of charging two packs of any sort at the same time, the primary output, A has a variable charge rate which can be setup in the parameters, the secondary output B has a maximum charge rate of 350mah. It will charge pretty much any sort of pack used in RC modeling at the moment.

Pro-Peak Prodigy;
This is a good charger and comes in at a very respectful 55, However although it will handle Lithium cells, it will only handle the Li-ION not the Li-PO. It is a single output variable rate charger that first asks you to select the pack type, then it will check the number of cells automatically and asks you what charge rate you want to use, up to a maximum of 3amps.

Pro-Peak Murcury EX;
This is the newer version of the supernova you are already accustomed to. It will handle all cell types, including lithium. The price is 76.50 for this unit which is the same as the supernova. Like the supernova it is a single output charger which has a programmable charge rate upto 5amps.

Robbe Power Peak Ulitmate - Lithium Charger;
This is one of the top of the range chargers from Robbe, it will handle any type of RC cell around currently, inlcuding both Li-ION and Li-PO. The price is 84.99, which considering all its functionality is pretty good value for money. This unit is a single output charger so will only charge one pack at a time.

I hope this helps give you an insight into the chargers currently available. I am sure I have missed a few so I would have a good look round before you make a decision.

Cheers,

Pete.

Thanks Pete, I think I'll go for the Robbe Power Peak....

I've ordered from Midland the Robbe Power Peak Ultimate - Lithium Charger

re charger

i was always a super nova man me.but super nova wont handle the li poly so when i bought my shock flyer i had to get another charger and i got a pro peak prodigy very good

Hi Stuart,

Well done, Im glad to hear you got one ordered.

Reboot;

I too have a prodigy, it is a good charger, a little more basic in operation than the supernova but sometimes simplicity is best

Cheers,

Pete.

Chargers

To late for Stu but if your looking for a great charger don't forget the Graupner Ultra duo 30 - 150 - been using it on LiPo's and LiOn's since Sandown this year - brilliant.
Dave D

Update needed

Thought I would revive this old thread. Now that I've entered the world of digital servo's etc, I feel I need to get a field charger. It would be nice if it could charge all types of batteries, kind of jack of all trades.

Are there any new ones or different ones to those mentioned above that are worthy of consideration. About 100 to spend.

I run 2 electrics plus my Knight 50, I bought Schulze Chamaleon first and then needed another charger so I bought a Pro-Peak Prodigy 2 (which does charge LiPo's), both are excellent but I do not need the power of the Schluze and find myself using the Pro-Peak most of the time - no idea why!

prodigy 2 is good. I have a constalation which is another 25ukp but is a little easier to use and has preset memories.

Ade

Still using my Ultra duo 30 by Graupner easy to use and with separate connections for Tx/Rx charging very flexable.
Micro-processor controller high performance fast charge, battery maintenance and balancing unit for NiCd/NiMH/Li-Io/LiMn cells and lead acid batteries.
Battery clips for connection to 12V car battery; also integral high quality G4 gold contact connectors for connection to 230V/12V mains PSU.

Dave

Ade, Do you use your constellation to charge the lead acids in your flight box, when you are at home?

Or something different, you've got two connected in parallel if I remember right?

I have a small mains PSU at home that powers my charger so I can charge everything. So.. yes I do use it to charge my flight box.

My flight box is nothing special. I just found that 1 7ah battery that I was using to start my 50 wasnt enough to start the 90. I had another 7ah floating around and connected in parrallel. Doubles the Capacity and Load capability. Combined with a Sullivan Hi-torq starter it starts 90s with ease.

Ade

Another vote for Schulze here, I had a pro peak thingy, sold that infavour of using the Schulze for everything from 800mah (it really does charge the smaller stuff better) Nimh Rx packs up to 10s5p liths it does it all and a lot better at somethigns than the cheaper chargers out there.

the schulze doesnt do Li-po properly. Towards the end of the charge instead of feeding a constant 4.2v per cell it actually does a constant current until the voltage gets to 4.2v then knocks the current down which inturn makes the voltage drop a little then ramp back up to 4.2v and knocks the current down.

etc etc

not exactly as they are designed to be charged. Dunno if it does any damage tho or if other chargers do it any differently.

Ade