Blade 400 charger upgrade
03-09-2009, 08:09 PM
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Blade 400 charger upgrade
Hope some of you guys can help suggest a good, not too expensive chager/ balancer for my blade 400... I switched to 2200 mah batts, but still using the stock chargers, some recommendations? hopefuly somethig that works off the same a/c adapter.
I looked through almost the whole forum and dindn't find any info. Im sure this can also help other people. Thank you.
I looked through almost the whole forum and dindn't find any info. Im sure this can also help other people. Thank you.
03-09-2009, 08:17 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
rcbartra,
I have been using an Eflite C505 lipo charger since shortly after I got my B400, and I love it....simple, yet effective, and you can monitor the mA you put back into the packs, to figure flight times with the B400 and the packs you are using...
http://www.ehobbies.com/eflc505.html
Now, it's not inexpensive, but it helps your batteries last longer, by not over discharging them once you figure your millamps used, and the 80% lipo battery rule of thumb for flight times...
It would not work with your stock AC power supply, you would need a decent power supply...if you want to keep it cheap, you can go the route I did, with this;
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC4030
Hope that helps...there are MANY different chargers out there, this is just what works for me...I'm sure you'll get lots more input too!
Good luck with whatever you choose...
Glenn
I have been using an Eflite C505 lipo charger since shortly after I got my B400, and I love it....simple, yet effective, and you can monitor the mA you put back into the packs, to figure flight times with the B400 and the packs you are using...
http://www.ehobbies.com/eflc505.html
Now, it's not inexpensive, but it helps your batteries last longer, by not over discharging them once you figure your millamps used, and the 80% lipo battery rule of thumb for flight times...
It would not work with your stock AC power supply, you would need a decent power supply...if you want to keep it cheap, you can go the route I did, with this;
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC4030
Hope that helps...there are MANY different chargers out there, this is just what works for me...I'm sure you'll get lots more input too!
Good luck with whatever you choose...
Glenn
03-09-2009, 08:37 PM
#3
RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
ORIGINAL: rotarydoc
rcbartra,
I have been using an Eflite C505 lipo charger since shortly after I got my B400, and I love it....simple, yet effective, and you can monitor the mA you put back into the packs, to figure flight times with the B400 and the packs you are using...
http://www.ehobbies.com/eflc505.html
Now, it's not inexpensive, but it helps your batteries last longer, by not over discharging them once you figure your millamps used, and the 80% lipo battery rule of thumb for flight times...
It would not work with your stock AC power supply, you would need a decent power supply...if you want to keep it cheap, you can go the route I did, with this;
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC4030
Hope that helps...there are MANY different chargers out there, this is just what works for me...I'm sure you'll get lots more input too!
Good luck with whatever you choose...
Glenn
rcbartra,
I have been using an Eflite C505 lipo charger since shortly after I got my B400, and I love it....simple, yet effective, and you can monitor the mA you put back into the packs, to figure flight times with the B400 and the packs you are using...
http://www.ehobbies.com/eflc505.html
Now, it's not inexpensive, but it helps your batteries last longer, by not over discharging them once you figure your millamps used, and the 80% lipo battery rule of thumb for flight times...
It would not work with your stock AC power supply, you would need a decent power supply...if you want to keep it cheap, you can go the route I did, with this;
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC4030
Hope that helps...there are MANY different chargers out there, this is just what works for me...I'm sure you'll get lots more input too!
Good luck with whatever you choose...
Glenn
I second rotarydoc! I have the same charger, the elfite C505 and she is a honey. There are battery chargers that cost less and will even do two of your battery packs at once BUT, they are NOT not backed by Horizon Hobbies warranty. They have one of the best Customer Service Depts in the hobby. If you ever have a problem, you mail it in to them and two weeks your either repaired or replaced for at least a year and often more time than that. I have sent several things back to them as has rotarydoc and thats why I trade with them. $109.00 for an eflite charger compared to $85.00 shipped for a bigger imported charger sounds like more money, but you what? IT IS NOT if you have a problem.
Good luck JPEE
03-10-2009, 09:46 AM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
I have a FMA Direct cell pro 4 charger. It is a sweet charger for around $90 shipped with the eflight balance lead adapter. I use a computer power supply for the 12 volts as there is no ac adapter. It will charge 1,2,3,4s cells and you can adjust the current. It has a storage mode to if you are going to store your lipos. It also has a few safety features so your batteries will not explode or over charge. Thing works great.
http://www.fmadirect.com/Detail.htm?...306§ion=45
http://www.fmadirect.com/Detail.htm?...306§ion=45
03-10-2009, 07:32 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
hi guys ,
I appreciate the quick response, I got a long flying season ahead and this charger is a must if I want to keep my batteries in good shape.
Thanks
I appreciate the quick response, I got a long flying season ahead and this charger is a must if I want to keep my batteries in good shape.
Thanks
03-10-2009, 07:39 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
ORIGINAL: rotarydoc
rcbartra,
I have been using an Eflite C505 lipo charger since shortly after I got my B400, and I love it....simple, yet effective, and you can monitor the mA you put back into the packs, to figure flight times with the B400 and the packs you are using...
http://www.ehobbies.com/eflc505.html
Now, it's not inexpensive, but it helps your batteries last longer, by not over discharging them once you figure your millamps used, and the 80% lipo battery rule of thumb for flight times...
It would not work with your stock AC power supply, you would need a decent power supply...if you want to keep it cheap, you can go the route I did, with this;
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC4030
Hope that helps...there are MANY different chargers out there, this is just what works for me...I'm sure you'll get lots more input too!
Good luck with whatever you choose...
Glenn
rcbartra,
I have been using an Eflite C505 lipo charger since shortly after I got my B400, and I love it....simple, yet effective, and you can monitor the mA you put back into the packs, to figure flight times with the B400 and the packs you are using...
http://www.ehobbies.com/eflc505.html
Now, it's not inexpensive, but it helps your batteries last longer, by not over discharging them once you figure your millamps used, and the 80% lipo battery rule of thumb for flight times...
It would not work with your stock AC power supply, you would need a decent power supply...if you want to keep it cheap, you can go the route I did, with this;
http://www.e-fliterc.com/Products/De...rodID=EFLC4030
Hope that helps...there are MANY different chargers out there, this is just what works for me...I'm sure you'll get lots more input too!
Good luck with whatever you choose...
Glenn
Just want to make sure I understood right. Are you using the EFLC4030 with the 505 charger? 'cause I have 2 of those power supplys I use w/my stock chargers..
Thank you.
03-10-2009, 07:51 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
HI rcbartra
I use this charger:
[link]http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7373&Product_Name=Turnig y_Accucel-6_50W_5A_Bal/Chrg_(USA_Warehouse)[/link]
You need an AC power source for charging indoors. I modified a PC Power supply to use with mine. I'm quite happy with it and for the price, you can't go wrong.
I use this charger:
[link]http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7373&Product_Name=Turnig y_Accucel-6_50W_5A_Bal/Chrg_(USA_Warehouse)[/link]
You need an AC power source for charging indoors. I modified a PC Power supply to use with mine. I'm quite happy with it and for the price, you can't go wrong.
03-10-2009, 09:29 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
Hey rcbartra,
Yep, you got it...in fact 2 of them...
(The EFLC 4030)
They work perfectly with the C505, 12 volts, 3 amps, they will be all the C505 needs...
I only have one, but I use a stock charger for my stock B400 batteries when I get "backed up" with a lot of batteries to charge, with a car battery, then, I finish them off with the C505...it usually adds another 75-80 millamps to the packs, and does a better job of balancing them too..
It's hard to go wrong with the C505....never had an issue with mine at all...very sturdy too, the cat knocked it on the floor from the table, and it didn't miss a beat...lol
Good luck with whatever you choose...anything beats that stock B400 charger....it's just a basic unit to get you going out of the box...
Glenn
Yep, you got it...in fact 2 of them...
(The EFLC 4030)They work perfectly with the C505, 12 volts, 3 amps, they will be all the C505 needs...
I only have one, but I use a stock charger for my stock B400 batteries when I get "backed up" with a lot of batteries to charge, with a car battery, then, I finish them off with the C505...it usually adds another 75-80 millamps to the packs, and does a better job of balancing them too..
It's hard to go wrong with the C505....never had an issue with mine at all...very sturdy too, the cat knocked it on the floor from the table, and it didn't miss a beat...lol
Good luck with whatever you choose...anything beats that stock B400 charger....it's just a basic unit to get you going out of the box...
Glenn
03-12-2009, 04:19 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
The Thunder Power [link=http://www.horizonhobby.com/Products/Default.aspx?ProdID=THP610]610c[/link]
is a great charger. I am convinced that the original B 400 charger killed two of my packs. When you spend $ 70 per pack, it does not pay to scrimp on a charger. The TP 610c is great for all of my packs and lets you know what is going on with them. It even revived one of my 800ma 3c packs that I though was dead.
is a great charger. I am convinced that the original B 400 charger killed two of my packs. When you spend $ 70 per pack, it does not pay to scrimp on a charger. The TP 610c is great for all of my packs and lets you know what is going on with them. It even revived one of my 800ma 3c packs that I though was dead.
03-12-2009, 05:53 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
I'll probably go with the eflite chrgr, the only thing now is I got a little set back: My B400 nosed into the ground yesterday (from hover) due to servo failure for the second time. Now I need replacement parts and I am upgrading all my servos. the first time, i managed to land it, I should've done it then. Stock servos = NO GOOD [
]
]
03-12-2009, 06:03 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
rcbartra,
Sorry for the setback...[]
I know where you are coming from, my first B400 had a bad elevator servo on it's 3rd battery out of the box...[>:]
I don't trust those Eflite servos a bit...some people swear that they don't fail until you crash with them, but mine was bad with no crashes, just plugged the battery in, and the swash was tilted WAY backwards...
Yup, time to upgrade the servos...
Got any ideas on the servos you might use?
Hope the damage wasn't too bad...[X(]
Glenn
PS, how do you like the T-28, BTW?
Sorry for the setback...[
]I know where you are coming from, my first B400 had a bad elevator servo on it's 3rd battery out of the box...[>:]
I don't trust those Eflite servos a bit...some people swear that they don't fail until you crash with them, but mine was bad with no crashes, just plugged the battery in, and the swash was tilted WAY backwards...
Yup, time to upgrade the servos...
Got any ideas on the servos you might use?
Hope the damage wasn't too bad...[X(]
Glenn
PS, how do you like the T-28, BTW?
03-12-2009, 07:32 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
I have the Icharger 1010B and love it. It is about 179.00 but 300W 10A, I charge and balance 3-3s 2200 Zippys in 57 minutes. The have a smaller version it is the 106b I think it is 250W 10A as well.
I do have a brand new E-flite charger that came with the Blade, 20.00 shipped in the usa.
I do have a brand new E-flite charger that came with the Blade, 20.00 shipped in the usa.
03-12-2009, 08:30 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
Im thinking of hitec, don't know which one yet, I have to do a little research. any sugestions?....The crash wasnt that bad (yea, right! ) main rotor blades, shaft, blade holders and thrust bearings, feathering shaft, flybar, tail boom, FRONT SERVO (not stripped or seized, just wont move), and who knows what else.....the whole rotor head separated from the shaft. Hopefully will be back up in a couple of weeks.
You asked about the trojan, let me tell you, I love it. Great looks, Fun & easy to fly, easy to fix, and the best thing, it uses the same batt & radio. ( $169 for the PNP version)
Hope that answers your question.
Carlos.
You asked about the trojan, let me tell you, I love it. Great looks, Fun & easy to fly, easy to fix, and the best thing, it uses the same batt & radio. ( $169 for the PNP version)
Hope that answers your question.
Carlos.
03-12-2009, 09:55 PM
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RE: Blade 400 charger upgrade
Hey Carlos,
OUCH on the crash damage![X(]
Sounds like most of the normal stuff....you'll get pretty good at rebuilding it after a while...LOL, I know I have...
I used the JR DS 285MG servos, metal gear, super tough, have had a couple of really ugly crashes, and no issues with the servos at all...never even think about them...
They are a bit pricier than the HiTecs, but are digital servos, and have been great to me!
Plus, they slip right in, the HiTecs take a slight bit of fitting with a dremel tool to get them in there...not bad though, from what I have heard...
Thanks for the input on the T-28....definitely thinking on one....esp for the reasons you mentioned, takes the same battery and radio...very nice!
Good luck on the rebuild!
Glenn
OUCH on the crash damage![X(]
Sounds like most of the normal stuff....you'll get pretty good at rebuilding it after a while...LOL, I know I have...
I used the JR DS 285MG servos, metal gear, super tough, have had a couple of really ugly crashes, and no issues with the servos at all...never even think about them...
They are a bit pricier than the HiTecs, but are digital servos, and have been great to me!
Plus, they slip right in, the HiTecs take a slight bit of fitting with a dremel tool to get them in there...not bad though, from what I have heard...
Thanks for the input on the T-28....definitely thinking on one....esp for the reasons you mentioned, takes the same battery and radio...very nice!
Good luck on the rebuild!
Glenn
