What is a good charger?

[squeeforever]

I'm actually on the list for a discounted price on the Extrema. It was supposed to come out MONTHS ago....Don't wait on it. That much I know. It's like the CC Mamba Maxx :p. Anywho, there is a charger that can do alot of what you want....The E-Station 902. It can charge 1-12S LiPo @ 9.9 amps and discharge at the same amperage, 1-32 NiMH, USB port to be hooked up to computer, temp. sensor, and 2 outputs (very convienient IMO). I just got my E-Station 701 today and its GREAT! I love it! Best charger for the price. Its usually $189 but I got it for $150. The 902 is $299 and well worth it. Plus, the 701 (and 902 I think) have a port to hook up a special type of tap so it can monitor the voltage of the pack. Only thing is, it won't balance them through it :frown:. The temp sensor is also a very nice feature. One more thing it can do...it can be adjusted for the type of Lithium cells. 3.6 or 3.7 volt cells.

[BrianG]

Hmm. Oh well. I guess the only way to get exactly what I want would be to build my own, which really isn't all that hard except for the switching power supply on the input.

Metalman, you said that taps start heating up at ~3A. I thought that when you charged Lipos with a balancer attached that it, that you didn't hook up the main primary wires and simply charge/balance through the taps via the balancer (like in my attachment). So, if this is true (please correct me if I am wrong), then the most you can charge this way is 3A?

I still think it would be a good idea to slightly increase the size of the taps and charge each cell individually at ~5A through the taps. No need for a balancer that way.

Well heres my battery and charger (without balancer) setup, could someone help show me how to put taps on to balance the packs. They are being charged as 2 seperate 5s1p lipo packs.