iMax b6ac charger?

[-Gamah]

I just ordered a combo from readyheli with this charger and two 2200mAh 25C "rookie" lipos (yeah, i'm afraid to solder.)

Link to the charger is here:
http://www.readyheli.com/Kong_Power_...6accharger.htm

Has anyone used it? It's rather cheap, but it beats my align non-information-sharing charger. Plus for that charger and 2 lipos under $200, I figured it'd be worth a shot. Has anyone used this charger at all though? Or am I going to be the guinea pig and have to review it?

[reor]

I just got one also and it so far is great. It brought back an old nimh battery to life and now my lipo's are more balanced after charging them. Each cell used didn't used to be so equally charged as they are now. They're almost exact now. I could still use a little knowledge on the proper settings for LIPO's to make sure they're charged right and I don't ruin them, and if they should ever be discharged or not. Can anyone help? Thanks

[-Gamah]

As a best scenario, a fully charged lipo should be 4.2 volts per cell exactly. I'm not exactly positive, but I believe no single cell should ever go below 3.2(?) volts or you risk damaging it. For storage ~3.8 volts per cell is for room temp storage, and you can store a fully charged lipo in a freezer for as long as you wish. Before using a frozen lipo, simply let it warm to room temp and fly!

[Johnny Lugnuts]

If ordering from HK, does this unit ship with an A/C power cord suitable for use in North America?

Thanks,

Johnny

[Johnny Lugnuts]

I've done some looking around, and it appears as if this power cord is the same as those used for lap tops. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks,

Johnny

[RHSHIP]

Johnny, it's safe to assume if youre ordering the Imax from HK it will still include the US (3 prong) adaptor. The adaptor to plug into the charger is unique only to this item, so a standard laptop adaptor would not work, as it also has 3 holes to plug into the charger.

[Johnny Lugnuts]

Originally Posted by RHSHIP

Johnny, it's safe to assume if youre ordering the Imax from HK it will still include the US (3 prong) adaptor. The adaptor to plug into the charger is unique only to this item, so a standard laptop adaptor would not work, as it also has 3 holes to plug into the charger.

Thanks for the reply.

An adaptor is not required, as the B6-AC has an integral A/C power supply. The power connection to the charger looks identical to my own lap top.

Here's a photo:



Thanks,

Johnny

[Johnny Lugnuts]

Originally Posted by Johnny Lugnuts

I've done some looking around, and it appears as if this power cord is the same as those used for lap tops. Can anyone confirm?

Thanks,

Johnny

I should clarify my earlier post. I'm talking about using a power cord from a lap top only, not a lap top power cord with the brick.

Okay, having received my new IMAX B6AC, I can now confirm that this charger will, indeed, work with a lap top A/C power cord. I had one lying around and chose to use it, rather than the supplied power cord with USA three prong adapter.

Johnny

[Thx1326]

Originally Posted by -Gamah

As a best scenario, a fully charged lipo should be 4.2 volts per cell exactly. I'm not exactly positive, but I believe no single cell should ever go below 3.2(?) volts or you risk damaging it. For storage ~3.8 volts per cell is for room temp storage, and you can store a fully charged lipo in a freezer for as long as you wish. Before using a frozen lipo, simply let it warm to room temp and fly!

There have been several statements with support that Lipos should NEVER be stored in a freezer. The cold will break down the internal catalyst. Room temperature is best.

[TJinGuy]

but I believe no single cell should ever go below 3.2(?) volts

Remember that is the voltage under load during flight (a voltage you can not easily monitor), not the voltage your cells should be at when you hook them up to your charger. They should be near 3.7V. So be careful when you say "The lowest they should go is 3.2V", especially to new pilots, or they could ruin their packs.

[Andy01]

Originally Posted by Thx1326

There have been several statements with support that Lipos should NEVER be stored in a freezer. The cold will break down the internal catalyst. Room temperature is best.

From personal experience I would dispute this.

I always charge my lipos after flying as I generally fly at least once a week (at weekends). Early last summer I made the mistake of leaving lipos (2 x Kong Power @ 70 cycles & 4x Zippy-R @ 20 cycles 3s) fully charged in 86°F + temps for 3 weeks, and then another 2 weeks. The KPs were basically dead after this & the Zippys were noticeably weaker.

Since then I put my lipos in a container in the freezer fully charged during the week.

My Flightmax & Rhino 3s lipos have had over 80 cycles and are not noticeably weaker (for my Sport, not 3D flying) than when new, and they perform almost was well as my much newer Hyperion G3 VX lipos. All have been kept frozen since new.

Freezing lipos is actually recommended by Kong Power

http://www.kongpower.com/faq_en/show...xt01=&srhTxt02

If I was going to store them for months (like northern hemisphere winters), I may just leave them at storage charge at room temp, but for storing for a week or two, freezing fully charged does it for me.

Colin

[TJinGuy]

Ok how about just to be safe you stick the packs in the fridge instead?

[RC Accessory]

I don't know about the freezer, but the refigerator works. I stored 3 Thunderpower 1320 3S packs in the refrigerator for just over 3 years. Each pack was storage charged to 3.85V and each one put in a ziplock bag.

I decided to sell my non PowerEdge lipos around April and brought out all the packs from the refigerator. The TP 1320's were down to 3.3V, but were still balanced. They flew very well and the local club guys bought them for $10 per pack and they still run good. Refrigerator works for sure.