How do i know which charger i need
The RC Battery charger is one of the most important purchases you can make please click on the Read more button below for our handy guide. It is important to get the correct charger for your needs you dont want to be waiting for 3 days to charge 1 battery and you also dont require a 2000watt charger with 2kw power supply to charge a few 500mah batteries for your indoor models. The RC Charger market can be a mine field and makes it difficult choosing a charger suitable for your requirements even for experienced RC enthusiasts with so many available with different watts and amps some are mains some are DC and require a power supply fitted with different connector types.
We have produced this guide below to help you in your selection of a charger. If you are still having problems with your selection then please drop us an email and we will do our best to help you .
Charger selection:
* Always select a charger that meets your actual needs.
* Always ensure that the maximum charge power in watts will be sufficient for your needs.
* To determine the potential maximum charge rate for your battery pack, simply divide the maximum charge power of the charger by the full-charge voltage of your battery pack.
* A 50W charger with a 5A charge current theoretically, can only deliver 5A at 10V.
* An 80W charger with a 7A charge current theoretically, can only deliver 7A at 11.43V
* Efficiency losses (usually 20 percent) in the charger or the input voltage to the charger may reduce the charge current further.
* Setting the charge current too high and outside the capabilities of the charger is very likely to result in the charger overheating and potentially failing.
Theoretical examples using a charger with a maximum charge power of 80W
* 80W / 8.4V (2S LiPo) = 9.52A - making a 7A charge possible
* 80W / 12.6V (3S LiPo) = 6.35A (max charge current achievable)
* 80W / 16.8V (4S LiPo) = 4.76A (max charge current achievable)
* 80W / 21V (5S LiPo) = 3.8A (max charge current achievable)
* 80W / 25.2V (6S LiPo) = 3.17A (max charge current achievable)
When you have worked out the wattage and ampage you require you now need to ensure that the charger includes the correct connectors if not you will need to choose a charge lead with suitable connectors
JST / BEC Connector
usually red in colour and are found on smaller batteries usually up to 2S they are shaped to prevent them being plugged in incorrectly. Please be aware of cheap JST connectors as from experience they sometimes have the red and black wires incorrectly positioned and can cause a catastrophic short circuit of your batteries
Deans connectors / T connectors
Are usually burgundy or black they have a T configuration of pins to ensure they cannot be plugged in incorrectly
Mini Deans connectors / T connectors
Are usually burgundy or black they are the little brother of the larger deans connector and have the same T configuration of pins to ensure they cannot be plugged in incorrectly often used on indoor models
Micro Deans connector
Usually burgundy in colour they are unlike the larger deans connectors they have a male pin and a female socket to prevent them being plugged in incorrectly they are usually found on small indoor models to save weight
XT60 Connectors
These are one of the most popular connector types they are usually yellow they have 3.5mm gold connectors housed inside a yellow plastic housing and cannot be plugged in incorrectky due to the shape of the housing
XT90 Connectors
usually yellow in colour and are the big brother of the XT60 they are usually found on larger capacity batteries with a higher voltage
EC3 Connectors
Usually blue in colour and are identified by the 3.5mm gold connectors inside a plastic housing this connector has a circular and a D shape so it cannot be plugged in incorrectly it is found on E-Flite models. This connector is also compatible with the newer Version IC3.
IC3 Connectors
Are usually orange and grey in colour and are identified by the 3.5mm gold connectors inside a plastic housing they also have a small centre pin that transfers telemetry data this connector has a circular and a D shape so it cannot be plugged in incorrectly it is found on E-Flite models. This connector is also backward compatible with the older EC3 Connector.
EC5 Connectors
Are usually blue in colour and are identified by the 5mm gold connectors inside a plastic housing the connector has a circular and a D shape so it cannot be plugged in incorrectly it is found on E-Flite models. This connector is also compatible with the newer IC5 Connector.
IC5 Connectors
Are usually Orange and Grey in colour and are identified by the 5mm gold connectors inside a plastic housing the connector has a circular and a D shape so it cannot be plugged in incorrectly it is found on E-Flite models. This connector also has a small centre pin that transfers telemetry data it is also backwards compatible with the older EC5 Connector.
Multiplex connectors:
Usually green in colour they are a six pin connector and are shaped to prevent them being plugged in incorrectly they are found on Multiplex models and associated batteries. These connectors are also regularly used as wing connectors on gliders that have 2 servos in each wing. These connectors can be tricky to solder due to the six pins on the back the pins are very close together and when soldering can easily be bridged this would cause a catastrophic fialure of your battery and ESC
Quantum or HXT Connector:
Usually Red in colour they have circular connectors that are different sizes that prevent them being plugged in incorrectly they are available in different sizes fitted with 2.0mm 3.5mm or 4.0mm gold connectors
Gold connectors:
There is a wide selection of gold connectors ranging from 2mm, 3.5mm, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 8mm and are soldered to the battery with One male and one female and the female is covered with heat shrink to prevent a short circuit with the male connector as a second security precaution modellers often use fuel tube to cover the male connector.
RC Pro plus connectors:
These are usually red and black connectors with a 3mm or 5mm male and female gold connector.
Traxxas connectors:
Black in colour and found on all Traxxas RC Cars and chargers they are shaped to prevent them from being plugged in incorrectly. They are found on New Traxxas models and if removed and replaced with an alternative type connector will void your warranty also Traxxas do not recommend using adapters to allow the use of alternative batteries
Tamiya connector:
Usually white in colour and found on Nimh batteries they have one circular and one square connector to prevent being plugged in incorrectly
Supra X D4 Pro Connectors:
Usually orange and grey in colour and fitted with a lage and small circular connector to prevent them from being plugged in incorrectly these tend to be used on larger models and batteries drawing high currents
