4s 5000mah charger suggestions

[simplechamp]

Originally Posted by shaunjohnson

Imax B5
cheap, reliable, simple, inacurate ballancer but does the job within specs (people are whinng about 0.02 of a volt difference which i dont worry about)
and if you want to make the ballancer super acurate, there is a kit that some guy made up to replace the resistors to make it into an A+ charger that runs with the $200 ones.

The Imax B5 is only rated for 50W max power. You might be able to charge a 4S pack at 3A, but that would be pushing it, taking into account the efficiency rate and other losses in the system. Not up to the job IMO for a 4s 5000mah pack. Also, I don't know if you've looked at those tiny surface mount resistors that need to be replaced for the balancer accuracy upgrade, but they are a huge pain to replace. I looked at doing that to my Imax B6, but in the end decided to upgrade to a more capable unit. I realized that even if I got the balancer more accurate it would still be limited by the 50W rating.

I now use the iCharger 106B+ and would definitely recommend it. Rated for 250W and the balancer is very accurate. Also has a few neat extra functions, and USB computer connection for firmware upgrades and playing around with charging data, etc with LogView software if you like that techie stuff. A-Main now carries this charger under their "Pro-Tek" line for $125, so you wouldn't have to order from HC.

Go for the best charger you can afford. It will pay off in the long run. Packs will get more energy dense, able to charge at faster rates. Get a charger that will be able to keep up.

[shaunjohnson]

Originally Posted by simplechamp

The Imax B5 is only rated for 50W max power. You might be able to charge a 4S pack at 3A, but that would be pushing it, taking into account the efficiency rate and other losses in the system. Not up to the job IMO for a 4s 5000mah pack. Also, I don't know if you've looked at those tiny surface mount resistors that need to be replaced for the balancer accuracy upgrade, but they are a huge pain to replace. I looked at doing that to my Imax B6, but in the end decided to upgrade to a more capable unit. I realized that even if I got the balancer more accurate it would still be limited by the 50W rating.

good point, well made
i dont take these things into account myself as i carry 10,000mah of total battery with me to the track and that lasts the whole day + bashing.