From whom was your charger purchased Doug? I want to avoid them!

Regards

Erfolg

I dont think we can really blame the retailer entirely, as I know of at least one "good" reputable retailer at least, which stocks them (BRC )

yes I know all about sale of goods act and contracts with the supplier etc etc, but the spec I was quoting was from the importer / distributor J Perkins themselves, and the retailer has to be guided by that I guess. It would not be practicable or reasonable to expect every retailer to check every detail independantly.

Erfolg,

I'm not going to bad mouth a supplier just because I bought something that wasn't up to spec... suffice it to say I'll be more wary in future!

Timbo,

The link you posted for the manual is identical (right down to the JP Logo) to the one that came with the charger.

Another thing, the 5 cell "sub C" packs I charged up the other day are still reading 7.4vdc

Hi Doug, I am not sure what you mean about the subC packs?

5 subC cells should show around  7 - 7.5V after a full charge.

Hi Timbo another great review, I dabble with A123 nano phosphates, the bigger Imax, B8 does up to 8 cells of those too, and at 7A. It also uses a USB connector to interface with a pc so you can monitor everything real time. Slight drawback is the the logview software is only available in german, but hey ho a german V is the same as any other LOL. Obviously mine came from our chums at HC

Draws 20A from my bench PSU so be aware......

Danny

Timbo, Now you have me curious about its accuracy LOL I will have to double check, however unless you have calibrated test equipment it is all relative. I will check and let you know

The main problem I have with chargers is they don't deliver the current that I need, my home made field charger will do 6 M1 cells at 10A, giving a 10-15 minute recharge time, so the B8 @ 7A is pretty good

I think you will find the receiver is fine, it is usually servos which dont like high voltages. I am not entirely sure as to the output voltage of the powerbox version you have, but from memory I recall it was NOT the LiPo version, so I think you are restricted to using either just a 4 cell ( 4.8V ) or 5 cell ( 6v ) nickel pack(s). The LiPo version has built in voltage regulation, but I am thinking the nickel version does not, and relies on a small voltage drop from diodes which are used to enable 2 x packs to be connected simultaneously.

This voltage is supplied to the receiver and servos via the 4 main servo input connection points from your receivers outputs ads it were, rather than a single "battery connection" socket on the receiver....I think

Assuming your servos are "authorised" for 6v operation, then do not worry about the peak voltage " fresh off the charger" of 7v....this will very soon drop a little anyway.

The 6V servos are quoting 6V as the nominal, and will be fine on a fresh 5 cell nickel pack.

Timbo

I have become a little uncertain about the various clones out there compaired to your charger.

Would it be possible for you to summarise the position to date?

I think this is one of the more useful and interesting threads

Regards

Erfolg

Well no not really Erfolg, as I cannot say for certain which of the various versions have the exact same spec as "mine". All I can suggest is that prospective buyers check carefully that the unit has the features that they really require, after all, some folks may not want / need all of the features of the IMAX6.

All I will say is the LiPro+5 is NOT the same, sort of gives it away really by the name anyway

Well done Timbo, interesting thread. I have two very similar chargers one which I bought from Hong Kong via ebay called an rc power 601 bc and a lipro 5 (or 6, its in France at the mo and i'm not) which I won from RCM&E letter of the month

Both chargers look very similar to each other with the exception of the rc power having a cooling fan running all the time, (most annoying) I did notice that one can discharge as well as charge and just assumed that the other would do the same.

Luckily I am one of those people who dont need to do much lipo charging at the moment but I will cycle the features and report back. Theres no point in reading that instruction booklet as it looks like it was written by Manuel from Faulty Towers.  Keep up the good work. Al

Gosh these keys are close together aren't they - notro head you say, well I was a nitro head m'self.

I am still doing motors actually and prefer them in many instances to engines

Seriously though, welcome Derick, and providing you make informed choices, and discuss your purchases with an electric flight specialist such as John Emms at Puffin models..... you will derive a lot of pleasure and clean quiet flights from electric models. 'Tis the future my friend.

What sort of aeroplane are you considering for your first forray into the world of elecktrickery ? 

Timbo

I have been looking at the spec for both the Imax 6 and 5.

Both mention that they charge Li-fe batteries. I have had a look around the internet and the best I can find is  Li-FeS2  batteries. Do you know if they are used much in modelling?

I am wondering at the storage voltage option, if the batteries are charged to a lower value, what practical difference would storage at full charge make? Would not the voltage drop to this lower level with time anyway?

I have been looking at the B5, it is hard to tell from the adverts how functionally different it is from the B6. Any knowledge?

How useful is the in charger battery storage information. Is it storing discrete battery  performance/characteritics or info on how to charge a battery  ie 1500, 3s etc.

How useful has it been, to be able to transfer your battery data to the PC? 

Giant Cod are now selling these chargers. Great 

Erfolg

I think the LiFe batterries they are referring to is mainly the Lithium Ion nano phosphate M1's made by A123 a few of us are using them for flying and have been for over a year. Funnily enough myself and two friends have been asked to do a talk on these cells at a model club on 17th Jan. I use the IMAX B8 to charge and balance up to 8 of these cells. They have several advantages over both Lithium polymer, and Nimh's, one they are safe, two they can be very fast charged, typically in just 10 minutes at 10 Amps (not with IMAX however 7A max).

Danny

Erfolg. I have no personal knowledge of the Li fE type of cells. I made the commitment to Lithium polymer batteries some years ago, and all my gear is purchased and used on the basis that LiPo is my power supply. Due to their low self discharge characteristics, it would be an appreciable amount of time before they self discharge down to the recommended storage level. It is the recommendation of several manufacturers that long term storage be at a lower level than "ready for use " level.

I believe the main differences are that the B5 does not have the data transfer facility, or storage / cycle charge modes, and of course, is only 5 cell capable rather than 6.

As yet, I have not used the "memorise battery charge parameters" facility, or the data transfer to PC facility. Dont think I am likely  too either !