MRC 977 and Team Orion Lipo Battery?

[bigair78]

I'm thinking of getting this charger. I was also looking into getting this batter to try out. Would this be a good combo? The reason for the 977 is for the dual charger ability and it comes with a power supply. Thanks in advance

[aqualato1]

The charger is alright and the combo will work but if I were you I would spend the extra money and buy a Duratrax Ice. Yeah the dual charging compatability is great but if you buy a 8000 mah battery it will take like four hours to charge as this charger can only charge lipos at 2.5 amps where the Ice can charge up to 8.

[guver]

Can't the 977 charge lipo at 5 amps?

[aqualato1]

No, I bought it thinking the same but it can only charge Nicd and Nimh at 5 amps.

[chilledoutuk]

yeah the ice is the bomb i had to import mine but it was still worth it.

if your in the usa its got to be the best value charger around.

[SS Pede]

No, I bought it thinking the same but it can only charge Nicd and Nimh at 5 amps.
WHAT?????? Are you sure? That's really weird. :confused: I was thinking of upgrading my 969 to 977 software in case I wanted to charge Lipos in the future. Now I don't know what to do. I am spoiled by dual outputs. I like being able to charge 2 packs at once and just go out and drive for 30+ minutes. Most other good chargers like the ICE only have single outputs. My 969 is acting up on me so I'd like to at least upgrade to 977 specs and see if that helps. But this complicates things. Out of curiosity, any other dual output Lipo capable chargers?

[tcolesen]

There is a 4 port Lipo charger that can do up to 3amps per output, and up to 4s Lipo. It autodetects the number of cells in the pack. It's only $100!
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKAU0&P=ML

[SS Pede]

Hmm, interesting. 3 amps still seems low though...it would take a while to charge. I guess it would be better with smaller airplane packs. Plus, I haven't switched to Lipo yet and don't know when or if I will. That's why I like how the 977 can do both. Hmmmm. I guess since Lipos hold their charge so well I could just charge them whenever I had a chance at 2.5 amps and let them sit for however long until I was ready to run.

[chilledoutuk]

ss pede get a 2s 8000mah lipo charge at 8 amps finish in an hour and then drive for more than 30mins.
the ice can charge at 8 amps.

[guver]

another dual is the hobbico elite, is a very good charger.

[scnmt2]

Hey what about this one

ASTROFLIGHT 109 LITHIUM CHARGER/DISCHARGER
Take the mystery out of charging Lithium Batteries
Charges from one to nine cell Lithium Poly Battery Packs. Charge rate 50 ma to 8 amps.

http://www.modelelectronicscorp.com/

Only one output but it can charge any Li-Po you can get your hands on!

[tcolesen]

You can use that, but there are mixed reviews on it. It isn't a CC/CV charger (like more than 90% of Lipo chargers are), so in that sense it is different. Compared to the ICE, its screen hardly displays anything. On RC Groups, there have been several reported incidents with the AF109 possibly causing a Lipo fire. This charger, in one of its charge phases, auto detects the cell count and clamps onto it. If it chooses wrong, and you aren't there to catch the mistake, then it could cause a Lipo fire. Personally, for the reason just mentioned and the fact that it isn't a CC/CV charger I won't ever buy one. My ICE works perfectly fine, and I might be getting a Multiplex LN-5014 for my birthday (:)).

[aqualato1]

WHAT?????? Are you sure? That's really weird. :confused: I was thinking of upgrading my 969 to 977 software in case I wanted to charge Lipos in the future.
I'm 100% sure. 2.5 amps isn't that bad. I can wait 3.5 hours. But it would be nice to have a one hour charge. :rolleyes:

Anybody wanting to charge Lipos just spend the extra money and get the ICE. It is probably one of the best all-around chargers out now and has plenty of good reviews.

[guver]

I agree, I just tried mine and get 2.5, bummer the triton is 2.5 also.

Got Ice????? I agree. It does a great job.

[starluckrc]

The Hyperion chargers are also great and comparable to the Ice. I use the EOS7i that closely matches the Ice in specs but a lower capacity unit is also offered that is essentially the same as the Multiplex unit and under $85. The nice addition to the Hyperion chargers is the balancer for the nice Hyperion packs (can be added to other packs).

[schenck77]

I have the ice and the hyperion 7i. I prefer the ice because it goes up to 8amps instead of 7. It also discharges up to 10amps compared to 3amps. I also prefer the bigger lcd screen. With all that said if you are interested in a hyperion charger I have one with very little use. $85 shipped in the U.S (excluding alaska and hawaii)

[khyron]

The nice addition to the Hyperion chargers is the balancer for the nice Hyperion packs (can be added to other packs).

Okay potentially stupid question here, because I don't have packs and hardware in my hands yet and have been researching my first lipo purhcases recently - but can't the balancer from Hyperion be used in conjunction with any charger?

Also, when you say "can be added to other packs" you mean the Hyperion taps, right?

[starluckrc]

The balancer can work with most any cc/cv charger. It was designed and tested specifically with the Hyperion chargers, so that is the safest combination of use. I was refering to the taps.

I liked the features of the Ice, but having given up my 11 cell Schulze, I needed the 5 cell capacity of the Hyperion. I generally charge at about .7C for longevity, but my newer cells can supposedly take 3C charge rates. I'll stick with lower rates. I usually charge several packs for the day ahead of time anyway.

[bigair78]

So how long will it take the MRC 977 to charge the team orion 4800 pack? Also, where can I buy the hyperion chargers. What model would be good for lipos and my regular packs.

Also, it the team orion price point pretty standard or is there something less expensive?

[guver]

Any charger at 2.5 amps charges any battery at 2500 ma per hour. Li-po have a reduced rate at the end however so it is slower.

The 977 is not a CC/CV charger. My quick test indicates it chargeing to 4.3 v/cell and then trickle chargeing. May be ok, but not as accurate as a cc/cv.

[starluckrc]

I can drop ship you a charger and batteries from my distributor.

[bigair78]

I can drop ship you a charger and batteries from my distributor.


PM with some numbers.

[SS Pede]

Hmmm, difficult decisions. MRC has informed me that I could send in my 969 and get a brand new 977 for only 35 bucks. That's tempting, even if it isn't a CC/CV charger. Anyways, I don't run lipo yet and don't know when or if I will.

[guver]

That's a good deal if you need the high capacity power supply. They may even let you keep the stocker.

[tcolesen]

Hmmm, difficult decisions. MRC has informed me that I could send in my 969 and get a brand new 977 for only 35 bucks. That's tempting, even if it isn't a CC/CV charger. Anyways, I don't run lipo yet and don't know when or if I will.

Wow, that is tempting. I have a 969 that doesn't work on one of the channels. Still think I could get a 977 for $35? The power supply on my 969 also doesn't work...

[SpEEdyBL]

I myself own an Ice and I couldn't be happier about it. I think a high amp charge rate is valuable for the future when higher C packs become more available. In fact, there's word on some Li-ion cells that will be able to charge to 90% capacity in 5 minutes. Just think. You could be running non stop with two packs.

[tcolesen]

Yep, A123 cells. But, we need at least 3000mah capacity for most of our applications, and charging a pack like that in 5mins. would require 60amps during the CC phase!

[SS Pede]

tcolesen - I bet you could send yours in even if it has problems. The only way I found out about the trade in option was because I emailed MRC support with a problem! My charger's charge current drops off dramatically part way through the charge if I'm charging 2 packs at the same time. The fan speed fluctuates, current goes down to around 1 amp, and the charger beeps repeatedly. I emailed them with this problem and this is what they said (in part) :

"If you're interest, we have a trade-in program for the 969. If you send us
your entire charger (5 amp power supply and cables too) with a check or
money order for $35 then we can ship you out a brand new 977. Just put a note in the box requesting the trade-in with your name, address and phone number."

MRC
80 Newfield Ave.
Edison, NJ 08837


I may do that this summer if I verify that my power supply (a nice radio shack one) is not the source of the problem. I assume I could just make a check out to "MRC" and send it on in! The only potential problem is that I cut the alligator clips plugs off the input wires when I switched to an aftermarket power supply. I suspect they won't really care. :)

[tcolesen]

I'll email them and ask if I should send in my non-working stock power supply as well, and if the fee would still be $35. If worst came to worst, I could always sell the charger on Ebay for profit :).