Chargers that can charge at more than 10A / 2C? What do you use?
 

I currently run a 1210i with dual LBA10s at 10A when charging two 2s Neu XP 5000 packs. They can be charged at up to 5C, but 10A is only 2C, so what charging options do I have?

In the future, I want to run the g3 hyperion packs too, so it would be nice to stay in the Hyperion family of chargers if possible. I know the 615i duo can charge at up to 15A each, but that's not 5C either.

So what does everyone else use?

Someone did some testing at >2C charge rates and noticed you don't gain a whole lot of time. It seems that the battery hits the CV threshold much much sooner and it stays at the CV stage longer. So while you do gain some time, it's not as much as you'd think.

Then, charging 5Ah packs at 5C is 25A! 4s at 25A will take a max of 420w! At some point, the only equipment capable of that level of power/current will be bench CC/CV power supplies, but they don't have all the error checking and balancing functions that true chargers do. Manufacturers are gonna have to start making chargers run directly off 120v with built-in high voltage switching power supplies to deliver that kind of performance. It's just getting too high for 12v. To get 420w out of 12v, you'd need around a 45-50A supply. Not cheap.

+1

I use an Ofna 30 amp PS for my Hyperion Duo3
http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products...rodID=OFN92136

I charge my Gx3's 6500 at 2.3C (about 15amp ea) and it takes 20-25 min for a full charge from an LVC of 3.3/cell!
My 5000mah Tenergy's take 3C charge rate full charge in 20 min.

If you really need faster than that you need to have more batteries...

ICharger 208B+ goes to 20A and 8S lipo.
Great chargers, im using 1010B+ that goes 10A and 10S lipo.
Hobbycity sells them, but dont be fooled, those are quality chargers.

Might want to add that to get the full output of the 208B, you need more than 12v, more like >17v IIRC.

Well well, it seems like our battery technology has passed charger technology. I use a PC power supply, thanks to BrianG, and it works flawlessly. It's my 2nd unit and I have good success with them. This is also my second 1210i, which I'm also really happy with.

I might have to just buy another charger and run it at the same time so I can charge up to 4+ batts at once. If I use my Y harness, I can hookup my two 2s packs as a 4s pack on each LBA10 (making four packs total), charging as once 8s pack. I'm not sure if it would be able to keep up with a 2C (10A) charge, but what do you guys think?

What would you guys suggest for a 2nd charger? I think a 615i duo would be overkill (and a lot of cash) but I would like to stick with Hyperion still. :)

The EOS0720i can do 20 amps and has been out for a while. Although I use the 610i, i can still charge my 1100 mah packs at 5C and they reach 90% in 10 minutes. The newer packs have so low IR that they spend very little time at CV; only a few minutes regardless of initial current. There is never a good reason to charge beyond 90% unless you are racing spec or need to make runtime during a long main or something.

My radioshack 25A 13.8v powersupply (discontinued, but $60 if you can find one) supplies enough power to charge my hyperion 3300 mah 6s pack at 10 amps with ease. Thats the same power as a 2s pack charging at 30 amps.

If you wouldn't mind another 1210i, allerc has them for $85 right now (I just bought one, great charger!) If you're looking for something newer, I'd go with a 615 Duo3 but that's over 3x the price of another 1210i.

Mike had the 1210i for around $80, but I'm not sure if he still has some in stock. I snagged one while they were on sale :D

I might just pickup a 610 duo used somewhere since they don't require a set of LBA10s.

Yep. The Ebike guys are starting to use CCCV bench power supplies with standalone balancers like the battery medic from HC. With 12 to 20s setups and 10 or 20a/h packs we need it just to get a charge below 4 hours.