Although there are different types of RC vehicles, they have one thing in common: batteries. These batteries all require charging for them to operate and for that to happen, you need to get an RC battery charger. It is imperative to have a good RC battery charger for your RC vehicle to function perfectly.
Some of the RC battery charger options you have are River Hobby 500mA NiMH AC Charger, HPI 8.4V NiMH AC Charger, and G.T. Power B3 2-3S LiPo Charger. Some RC battery charger recommendations are Tenergy Universal RC Charger, Spektrum Smart Battery Charger, and Venom Pro Duo Balance Charger.
It is always a struggle trying to get the best RC battery charger for your RC model. Some RC models come with a battery charger, while others do not. This article will enlighten the types of RC battery chargers and the best you should get.
Types Of RC Battery Chargers
If you are new to the RC world, you might think that all RC battery chargers are the same. This thought will occur because you have yet to understand RC vehicles and the different types of batteries fully. There are two main types of RC battery chargers; smart or intelligent chargers and time-controlled battery chargers.
Smart RC Battery Chargers
Smart RC battery chargers are also called intelligent chargers; they are the popular type of RC battery charger on the market. These chargers are equipped and designed to detect missing voltage in a battery through examination of the peak voltage left in each battery pack they are charging.
This RC battery charger custom charges the batteries placed in them. This means they charge the battery as required, so they do not undercharge or overcharge a battery. Using a smart RC battery charger will prevent your RC battery from getting ruined, and you do not have to worry about the charge status of your batteries. However, this type of battery charger is very expensive.
Time Controlled RC Battery Chargers
The time-controlled RC battery chargers are old-fashioned; they are designed with an in-built shut-off timer. This time is preset at the factory level, so when a battery is placed into it to charge, it charges for the preset time and stops charging the battery when the timer goes off. So, all batteries will charge for the same length of time.
This type of RC battery charger is not designed to detect the charge left in a battery. So, all batteries, regardless of the amount of charge time they need, will get the same charge time. Although this charger is inexpensive, it is not a good idea as it will either undercharge or overcharge a battery which can damage it.
RC LiPo Battery Chargers
There are different types of RC batteries; NiMH, NiCad, and LiPo batteries. Each of these batteries differs in size, voltage, and capacity. LiPo batteries are considered the best battery to get for your RC model. It is best to always use an RC LiPo battery charger to charge an RC LiPo battery for better results. Let us look at some of the RC LiPo battery chargers you can get.
Hobbymate D6 Dual Port
Hobbymate D6 Dual Port is one of the best RC LiPo battery chargers on the market; it comes in two types: the DC-only version and the AC/DC version. This charger has dual-port charging and supports up to 325 watts in each port. It takes DC voltages of 6.5 to 30 volts and AC voltages of 100 to 240 volts.
The charging current for each port of this charge is 15 amps; it charges LiPo batteries that are 1 to 6s. This RC LiPo battery charger is 4.13 inches long, 4.33 inches wide, and.5 2.95 inches high. It is a pocket-size battery charger, so you can carry it everywhere you go. It has a big color display screen with characters that are easy to read, so operating it is easier.
ISDT Q6 Pro
ISDT Q6 Pro is a good LiPo battery charger for beginners; it is affordable. It is very small and can fit into your pocket. This battery charger is a single port charger that accepts 7 to 32 DC volts and a maximum charging current of 14A. It can charge LiPo batteries between 2 and 6s.
The ISDT Q6 Pro requires an external power source to function as it does not come with its power supply. It uses a one-key shuttle control, has a 2.4 inches IPS display, and supports different languages like Spanish, French, Japanese, German, and Chinese. This battery should be operated in a well-ventilated area and kept away from flammable objects.
Best RC Battery Charger
Every RC model battery requires a battery charger to function; there are different brands of RC battery chargers. Some chargers are better than others in quality, functionality, and versatility. Some are also expensive, while others are relatively cheap. Let us look at some of the best RC battery chargers.
Traxxas 2970 EZ-Peak Plus Fast Charger
Traxxas 2970 EZ-Peak Plus Fast Charger is one of the best RC battery chargers; its status is not surprising because it is a Traxxas product. It is perfect for charging LiPo and NiMH batteries, and it has several smart features that make charging easier. However, this charger can only charge one battery at a time.
This charger can charge 5 to 8 cell NiMH batteries and 2s and 3s LiPo batteries. The RC battery charger has an in-built cooling fan that prevents overheating and maintains the charger's temperature. This is a very portable battery charger that weighs 0.8 pounds and is 6 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches high.
Tenergy Universal RC Charger
Tenergy Universal RC Charger is one of the best and a very popular RC battery chargers. It is a good choice for charging heavy-duty batteries as it accepts a voltage range of 6 to 12 volts. It also supports a current output of 1 to 2 amps and comes with a year warranty. The warranty period assures that you can always return it in case of malfunction.
This battery charger is very portable with a weight of 0.52 pounds, a height of 2.4 inches, a width of 1.5 inches, and a length of 4.7 inches. This RC battery charger is a smart charger that has two charging options. It will detect the voltage of your battery and supply it with the charge it requires.
RC Battery Charger Recommendations
There are several RC battery chargers on the market; most of these chargers are high-quality and high-performance chargers. However, not all of them are suitable for you, so you must know which battery charger to get. Below are some recommendations on the RC battery charger you should get.
Spektrum Smart Battery Charger
This RC battery charger can charge different types of batteries like LiHV, LiPo, and NiMH. It uses smart technology and has a one-button interface; it also has an in-built cooling fan that maintains a safe temperature when in use. It can accept a current output of 0.5 to 5 amp and has a fixed voltage of 4.2 volts. It has an excellent charging speed.
Other RC battery charger recommendations include Venom Pro Duo Balance Charger, Aiqx Universal RC Battery Charger, Haisito Universal RC Battery Charger, ToolkitRC M8 DC 300W, G.T Power A3-Pro Smart Charger, and SZ Wisechip RC Battery Charger.
Final Thoughts
Getting an RC battery charger is necessary if you own an RC vehicle. However, you must be careful and wise when purchasing an RC battery charger. You should look out for the charger's voltage, warranty, and current. The type of battery charger you use for your RC vehicle can either make it last or damage it, so precaution is essential when selecting an RC battery charger.
Also read: How Long Does a GoPro Battery Last? Tips for Longer Life
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.