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sjgusmc21 · 10-02-2011, 08:56 AM

Can anyone suggest a 'mid' priced charger that has a high discharge rate for storage mode? I have a 'version' of Hitec X4 charger (love it), but don't love the 1.0 discharge rate. Was testing it yesterday and with 4 3s 2100 batteries at 1.0, it only discharged 130mAh in 28 minutes! I have multiple batteries, and need to discharge them for winter storage without it being a 24 hour process per battery. I have a server power supply (converted), so power isn't an issue. I was looking at the iChargers, 206B, but would like something a little cheaper, as I will only be using it for storage discharge. Appreciate any advice. I like the hyperion's, but out of my price range right now. Was looking at one of these....but totally up for suggestions.

iCharger 208B
iCharger 106B+
iCharger 206B
E-STATION BC8

pctomlin · 10-02-2011, 12:57 PM

If you have that many batteries to put in storage why not take your heli out and hover all the batteries down and charge to storage voltage. Much cheaper option right now.

sjgusmc21 · 10-02-2011, 07:51 PM

You are correct, I really never did think about that. However, I also very rarely get time to fly...30-45 minutes when I do. So having a charger that I could discharge/store at a quick rate would be very beneficial to me. Thank you for the suggestion.

pctomlin · 10-02-2011, 09:17 PM

I saw you were not getting much in the way of answers to your question so I thought I would give you a quick alternative to get your batteries to storage without having to purchase another charger yet. I have put a battery into storage mode from charged once with my 306B and did not like how hot the charger got. I now put all my batteries into storage mode from below storage voltage. I plan on looking into using the regenerative discharge mode on the 306B this winter to see how that works out. The 306B is able to transfer power from the Lipo to a PB battery on the input side of the charger (using deep cycle batteries as your charger power source). I believe this will not create the heat doing it the normal way.
Whatever you wind up doing, research what will work best for you and buy once.

FYI, the 206B has a regenerative discharge mode also.

007brendan · 10-03-2011, 12:42 AM

The iChargers can only discharge at 80W by themselves, but as mentioned previously, they will get pretty hot. With an external resistance hooked up they can do the full 1000W.

For external resistance, a lot of people have had success using auto head lights as dischargers. They're 12V lights, so you can use one for 3S, or two headlights wired in series for 6S. They should be able to discharge your battery faster than the icharger by itself.

In external discharge mode, you can hook up the headlights in series with the positive side of your battery and plug it into the charger and it will discharge it to the right voltage.

sjgusmc21 · 10-03-2011, 03:45 AM

Thank you for the help! Didn't know any of this. Will take a closer look at the headlight method. Thank you very much!

sjgusmc21 · 10-04-2011, 10:19 PM

Again, thank you all for your help. I spoke with a very professional and friendly man at Progressive today. Very, very helpful and explained a lot to me. I ended up ordering a Cellpro 8S and go with the DIY project over at RCGroups. Took me about 6 hours total today (on and off while taking care of my 3.5 yr old daughter, teleworking, and running errands), so not overly disappointed as I believe it would have been much less if I hadn't interrupted the discharging process. Of course, these were only 3s 2100 lips, not the 4s and 6s I have. So, it would appear that although I REALLY WANTED a iCharger 208B, I just can't justify it when all I really want it is for discharging/storing. I will let you know how my project turns out and once again, thank you all for your help!

10-02-2011, 08:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
sjgusmc21 Registered Users Join Date: May 2007	High Discharge Rate for Storage Mode Can anyone suggest a 'mid' priced charger that has a high discharge rate for storage mode? I have a 'version' of Hitec X4 charger (love it), but don't love the 1.0 discharge rate. Was testing it yesterday and with 4 3s 2100 batteries at 1.0, it only discharged 130mAh in 28 minutes! I have multiple batteries, and need to discharge them for winter storage without it being a 24 hour process per battery. I have a server power supply (converted), so power isn't an issue. I was looking at the iChargers, 206B, but would like something a little cheaper, as I will only be using it for storage discharge. Appreciate any advice. I like the hyperion's, but out of my price range right now. Was looking at one of these....but totally up for suggestions. iCharger 208B iCharger 106B+ iCharger 206B E-STATION BC8

10-02-2011, 12:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
pctomlin Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2008	If you have that many batteries to put in storage why not take your heli out and hover all the batteries down and charge to storage voltage. Much cheaper option right now. __________________ Paul Agile 5.5 - Q 4125-1100, YEP 120, Brain2 HD FBL / Outrage 550 - HK4020-1390, Edge 120, Brain2 HD Rave Ballistic FSO - Q 4530-500, Edge 160HV, Brain2 HD / Protos Max V2 - MSH 4530-500, Edge 160HV, Brain2 HD

10-02-2011, 09:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
pctomlin Registered Users Join Date: Nov 2008	I saw you were not getting much in the way of answers to your question so I thought I would give you a quick alternative to get your batteries to storage without having to purchase another charger yet. I have put a battery into storage mode from charged once with my 306B and did not like how hot the charger got. I now put all my batteries into storage mode from below storage voltage. I plan on looking into using the regenerative discharge mode on the 306B this winter to see how that works out. The 306B is able to transfer power from the Lipo to a PB battery on the input side of the charger (using deep cycle batteries as your charger power source). I believe this will not create the heat doing it the normal way. Whatever you wind up doing, research what will work best for you and buy once. FYI, the 206B has a regenerative discharge mode also. __________________ Paul Agile 5.5 - Q 4125-1100, YEP 120, Brain2 HD FBL / Outrage 550 - HK4020-1390, Edge 120, Brain2 HD Rave Ballistic FSO - Q 4530-500, Edge 160HV, Brain2 HD / Protos Max V2 - MSH 4530-500, Edge 160HV, Brain2 HD

10-03-2011, 12:42 AM	#5 (permalink)
007brendan Registered Users My HF Map location Join Date: Apr 2011	The iChargers can only discharge at 80W by themselves, but as mentioned previously, they will get pretty hot. With an external resistance hooked up they can do the full 1000W. For external resistance, a lot of people have had success using auto head lights as dischargers. They're 12V lights, so you can use one for 3S, or two headlights wired in series for 6S. They should be able to discharge your battery faster than the icharger by itself. In external discharge mode, you can hook up the headlights in series with the positive side of your battery and plug it into the charger and it will discharge it to the right voltage. __________________ EXI 450 Trex 600e GF

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10-02-2011, 07:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
sjgusmc21 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: May 2007	You are correct, I really never did think about that. However, I also very rarely get time to fly...30-45 minutes when I do. So having a charger that I could discharge/store at a quick rate would be very beneficial to me. Thank you for the suggestion.

10-03-2011, 03:45 AM	#6 (permalink)
sjgusmc21 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: May 2007	Thank you for the help! Didn't know any of this. Will take a closer look at the headlight method. Thank you very much!

10-04-2011, 10:19 PM	#7 (permalink)
sjgusmc21 Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: May 2007	Again, thank you all for your help. I spoke with a very professional and friendly man at Progressive today. Very, very helpful and explained a lot to me. I ended up ordering a Cellpro 8S and go with the DIY project over at RCGroups. Took me about 6 hours total today (on and off while taking care of my 3.5 yr old daughter, teleworking, and running errands), so not overly disappointed as I believe it would have been much less if I hadn't interrupted the discharging process. Of course, these were only 3s 2100 lips, not the 4s and 6s I have. So, it would appear that although I REALLY WANTED a iCharger 208B, I just can't justify it when all I really want it is for discharging/storing. I will let you know how my project turns out and once again, thank you all for your help!

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