Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
Nicad chargers
What sort of charger do most people recomend? Why?
I have seen many Tritons at events and have read that Nightshade has a SuperNova. _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
Sun May 08, 2005 1:21 pm
Knightrous Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW
Tritons are preferred by some because they will charge from 1-24 cells of either NiCD or NiMH. they will also charge LiPol/LIon and PB batteries. Price:$200
You can also use the GWS chargers, but I believe they are limited to only 10 cells on NiCD or NiMH, I may be wrong. Price $80-100
The Supernova chargers, I hear are very similar to the Triton, but I'm not too clued up on them, best off waiting for Jeff to post about them Price: $180? _________________ https://www.halfdonethings.com/
Sun May 08, 2005 1:26 pm
andrew
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 3110
Location: Castle Hill, Sydney. N.S.W
i use the GWS charger and its not as fancy and high tech as the triton but i can charge Orbits batts nicely at events, I do need about 3 mins to swap connectors as i need to charge the main batt and booster pack seperately because of the 12 cell limit but besides that it has worked a dream so far.
Only costs 75 bucks too _________________ Andrew Welch, Team Unconventional Robotics
Sun May 08, 2005 2:29 pm
Valen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 4436
Location: Sydney
we use a supernova
the new ones charge pretty much anything like a triton i believe
cost was $200 i believe
and a $30 ATX 500W PSU for power _________________ Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets
Sun May 08, 2005 9:21 pm
ffej Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 22 Jun 2004
Posts: 595
Location: Kurrajong, NSW
I use the older version of the Supernova, pretty much the same as the newer one, except it doesnt change LiPoly's, and its missing the all important customizable charge complete tones, stupid firmware upgrade . . . .
The Supernova can charge 30 cells BTW, compared to the Triton that can only manage 24. _________________ Jeff Ferrara
fb@ffej.net
ffej.net
Sun May 08, 2005 10:15 pm
timmeh Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 20 Jul 2004
Posts: 2523
Location: Victoria
How many feathers use 30 cells anyway?
Id reckomend a triton cos it leaves room for if you build a bigger bot or add more cells or want to use lipoly's in an ant or whatever. _________________ Tim Team Reaper.
Mon May 09, 2005 4:46 pm
Valen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 07 Jul 2004
Posts: 4436
Location: Sydney
but the supernova does all that
and more than the triton? _________________ Mechanical engineers build weapons, civil engineers build targets
Mon May 09, 2005 5:30 pm
Glen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 9481
Location: Where you least expect
jeff passed on the link to an ebay charger that was up to 24 cells and 5 amps for $30.
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
Is the SuperNova 250s about the best value at a little under $200 in most peoples opinion? _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
Tue May 10, 2005 1:00 pm
Philip Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
I have bought a Platnium EX charger for just under $200 from Wings over the downs, the shop where Nic/Original Carnage works. I found them to be close to the best price for that charger (within $2).
The nicad and NiMH charging capabilities are similar to other battery chargers in it's price range but it is able to charge up to 10 lipols in series, 37v. I think that lipols may be the way to go in the future.
I cycled my old drill batteries on the weekend. The charger was set to automatically choose the optimum rate to discharge and charge the battery. The charger tests the battery's internal resistance every minute to determine the state of charge. The charger discharged the battery at 0.11 A down to about 0.5 v per cell. It then charged at 0.23 A.
I intend to do this once per month and belt 5 A into the battery packs the rest of the time. I hoope it works. _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
Mon Jul 11, 2005 7:50 pm
Philip Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 18 Jun 2004
Posts: 3842
Location: Queensland near Brisbane
I charged the battery from my Atlas Copco on the automatic setting yesterday. It chose to charge it at 4.1A. This compares with 0.23A for the drill batteries that came with the Ozitos drills on the same setting. _________________ So even the rain that falls isn't actually going to fill our dams and our river systems
Thu Jul 14, 2005 10:29 am
Glen Experienced Roboteer
Joined: 16 Jun 2004
Posts: 9481
Location: Where you least expect
has anyone else had problems getting the triton to charge at its quoted 5 amps? waydes wont seem to go past 3-3.5 on 24v...
im tossing up getting my own and not sure whether i want the triton cause its so simple in use, the supernova is probably the best deal of performance and price (i just hate the interface) and the astro 112D which is just flat out performance wise the best cept it doesnt do SLAs and lipolies. and its all metal construction looks nice. _________________ www.demon50s.com - Minimoto parts
http://www.youtube.com/user/HyzerGlen - Videoooozzz
Tue Feb 07, 2006 8:56 pm
Knightrous Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW
I have a little issue with my Triton, All the NiMH packs I've been charging have only been taking 1000mAh max When I first spotted it, I thought the battery pack had died... But I tested it today and the pack lasted quite a while. Also charged a good 3300GP pack and the same thing, 1000mAh....
Joined: 17 Jun 2004
Posts: 1459
Location: Brisbane
The Triton charger cannot put out 5A at 24V because it cannot handle the power. At 12V it can charge at that ridiculous rate (you shouldn't charge batteries at more than 1C unless you really need to).
And Aaron, what rate are you setting the charger at? To get the most out of the batteries they should be charged at 0.1C as per the manufactures recomendations. It takes longer but you just have to be patient if you want good results. _________________ Get Some!!!
Secretary of the Queensland Robotics Sports Club inc.
Tue Feb 07, 2006 9:31 pm
Knightrous Site Admin
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Posts: 8511
Location: NSW
I'm charging the NiMH's at 0.5-1C depending on cell size. 2/3A and AA's get 0.5c and Sub C's get 1C rates. I might go back through the manual incase there is something I've missed special to NiMH _________________ https://www.halfdonethings.com/
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