AC Chargers? Which one do you recommend?

[justo316]

I'm considering a new charger. I have an LRP Jet at the moment.

AC is the only requirement I have. I probably will end up with NiMH batteries someday, so to charge those would be good. I also wouldn't mind being able to charge random cells (can I use it to charge a receiver pack? What about some AA's?). As many bells and whistles as possible would be nice too.

Anyone got any recommendations for one? Obviously, I don't wanna spend too much money, but if it's worth it, I'll fork out for whatever...

[Ken]

Good AC chargers are hard to find expecially a 240v ones. I suggest you get an old computer power supply(I got one for $2.50) at the tip. $8 for some globes, $5 for some 12ga wire, $3 for deans connectors(not necessary). For under $25 you get a power supply that can power 2 chargers at once. Enough with that onto the charger. A SuperNova 2500(I think that was the name) is probably the best charger for the price(100) if you can find it at the price. It does 1-25 NiCD, NiMH cells as well as Pb bateries.

[justo316]

Umm....Ok, is that safe?

[azzachaz]

I have the Supanova 250s

I run it off a computer power supply in the garage. It is safe as long as you wire it to prevent short circuits (dont let + and - touch)

They are damn good chargers too. Hard to find an AC one to match it for the price.

Even a really small PSU is good enough to handle the charger. Top of 5A charging so 5A x 12V = 60W

you could almost use a lighting transformer of some sort.

[azzachaz]

love you avatar btw 8)

energise, customise

lol

[James]

you do any mods to the PC pwr supply at all? and is it ATX or AT power supply? ive seen people make mods to the unit's. i found one in german (i think) which is useless to me, he modified the psu box too for some banana style plugs, etc. was pro.

I've got an LRP micro charger (12V though) and it's neat! real small. charges nimh, nicad, and apparently does transmitter packs too!! sweeet. Cost about $60 new.

[Ken]

You don't have to mod them internally unless you want them to look pro. The 3 that I've done, I just solder the external wires, added the globes and deans. I used 200W AT PSU's.

To get them to run a charger, removed the connectors and bundle all the yellow(12V+), red (5V+) and the black(earth) wires together. Separate the black wires into two, (you should have 4 bundles of wires now, a red, a yellow and 2 blacks). Solder all the wires in each of the 4 bundles together. One the red and one of the black bundles solder 3 18W globes on using the 12 ga wire. I have a deans connector on that connection because the globes are fragile and I like to take them off when transporting the unit. That's about it. Tape up the unused wires.

[justo316]

Thanks for all the help.

I was just flicking through an old copy of the Jaycar catalogue, and noticed they sell a whole bunch of AC to DC power supplies. Seems like an easier way to go for not that much money.

[azzachaz]

AT PSU is easier because they have a switch already. ONly mods are plugs on the ends of the cables if you want a nice connection.

[justo316]

Well, all things being equal, an AT PSU costs the same as a power supply from Jaycar (about $40).

The power units form Jaycar are all taken care of. They have switches and -/+ knobs already (no mods required). Seems like the *easier* way to me....?

[trq steer]

both my mates r using ausmann chargers they seem to b pretty good

$60

[BALISTC]

I have an Eagle CDC.......awesome charger, but its around 400 bucks new.

Before that, I had a SuperNova 250S, and that was the best value for money charger I've ever seen!

[Matt]

finding a charger with excellent peak detection and cut off is my issue. too much voltage drops before the chargers detect that the battery has hit its peak :(

[Ken]

Go to your local tip mate, power supply and cable for $2.50. I looked at getting a Jaycar power supply but they cost too much. I wanted a 12-15v 5amp power supply but they were anywhere from $50-120.

[justo316]

But it smells there doesn't it.... !ill