Can someone tell me what I need to recharge a radio controlled boat battery that in NiMh? R/C battery chargers go from $20.00 to over $200.00. Can a simple but capable charger be built from an existing charger that is canalbilized?

Secondly, are the LiPo batteries worth the extra money? Is the chemistry that much better than the NiMh?

Wisdom and suggestions are most welcome.

JK

 

you can build a simple/crude charger like the one shown here http://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/showthread.php?t=24217

it drops the current out when the battery reaches cell limit, adustable by programmable zener.

 

Secondly, are the LiPo batteries worth the extra money? Is the chemistry that much better than the NiMh?

Are you using the batteries for propulsion or just for the electronics?

LiPo batteries provide longer duration, less weight, and much lower self discharge than NiCD and the most common type of NiMH batteries. Some newer NiMH boast of low self discharge too.

Unless weight is a major concern, as in model airplanes, I would not mess with LiPos. For non-propulsion, even in airplanes, I still use NiMH.

John

 

John,
The batteries are for propulsion, a 30" displacement boat (Aquacraft Bristol Bay fishing boat.) http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXMPK0**&P=0 Not a fast hull by any means. I was more concerned with run time.

It sounds like you have R/C experience, can you recommend a "reasonable" charger for NiMH batteries. I am not a bells and whistles gotta' have the biggest, baddest out there. I just want capable and reliable. I am also aware of the false economy concept and do not want to buy twice, that is why I am asking for suggestions.

 

I use a Triton and have for several years. It has functions you don't need, if all you are charging is NiMH. You will want to be able to select different charge rates and be able to do a capacity check (i.e., discharge). As you know, NiMH don't need to be cycled per se.

I would just go to a reliable dealer and chose by price. After you find what you think you want, go to a site like RCUniverse.com or RCGroups.com, search on that specific product and see what other users have to say about it before buying.

John