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Post by bigtone on Mar 5, 2007 4:51:53 GMT 1
 www.hobbypeople.net/gallery/158374.aspThe Prodigy II charger has a whole host of advanced features, and is an ideal all-round charger, being capable of charging and discharging Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Lead Acid (PB), Lithium Ion (LiIo) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries. With a variable charge rate of up to 5 Amps and an output voltage high enough to charge 14 cell NiCd & NiMH and 5 cell LiPo battery packs, the Prodigy can be used to charge Tx/Rx packs, electric flight/boat/car packs, turbine ECU packs, etc, etc. Features: • Microprocessor controlled charging/discharging system • Capable of charging/discharging Nickel Cadmium (NiCd), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH), Lead Acid (PB), Lithium Ion (LiIo) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo) batteries • Delta Peak fast charge termination (NiCd & NiMH) • Constant current/constant voltage charge method for LiIO, LiPo and PB batteries. • 2 Line, 16 character backlit LCD screen • Selectable setting programs for 3.6 and 3.7 volt LiIo and LiPo batteries • Charge/discharge 1 to 14cell (1.2 to 16.8v) NiCd & Ni-MH batteries • Charge/discharge 1 to 5 cell (3.6 to 18.5v) LiIo and LiPo batteries • Charge/discharge 2 to 12v PB batteries • Variable charge rate 0.1 to 5.0 Amp • Variable discharge rate 0.1 to 1.0 Amp • Cycle modes (charge/discharge & discharge/charge) (NiCD & Ni-MH) • Reverse polarity protection on both input and output. |
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Post by swampfox201 on Mar 5, 2007 5:24:03 GMT 1
Looks like a good charger at a good price. Is this the charger you use? The only option I wish it had is AC/DC input.
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Post by bigtone on Mar 5, 2007 9:05:06 GMT 1
Yes, this is the charger I use, I got it off of ebay for $66.00 shipped. I can charge a 8c 1000mah pack on 2.0 amps less then 20mins. It can charge at 5.0 amps if needed. I thought about the lack AC/DC power but, this thing is great. I charged over six packs and one was a 9c and it was faster then charging one 8c on the stock wall charger. The charger comes with 2 removable gator clips that have female banana clip inserts. I stopped by the auto parts place and picked up a dual outlet cigarette lighter adapter and cut one of the female tips off. I then Soldered 2 female banana clips to the end. This way I could charge and use the radar detector while driving. A-1222 Dual Outlet - Dual 12-volt outlet with flexible lead wires. (car use)  The charger could work with a AC to DC wall adapter along with 2 female banana clips Soldering mod. (Home use) Read the reviews on this page below! There are two more, a 12v 1500ma and 13.5v 1000ma also. www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2049714&cp=2032056.2032136.2032153&pg=2&parentPage=family&parenLike Mr. Mugen did on this link! (home use) supercubclub.proboards78.com/index.cgi?board=chargers&action=display&thread=1171210729&page=1#1171298992 |
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Post by swampfox201 on Mar 8, 2007 2:34:10 GMT 1
Anyone know why the input voltage on the power supply is 240volts when it looks like it has a standard plug?
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Post by bigtone on Mar 8, 2007 3:30:28 GMT 1
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Post by swampfox201 on Mar 8, 2007 5:25:39 GMT 1
I had the high bid until the last few minutes but the power supply in the picture looked like the 240v so I didn't bid anymore.
Thanks anyway for posting bigtone
Todd
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Post by bigtone on Mar 8, 2007 14:19:16 GMT 1
Just a word to the wise, I alway bid at the last min or sec before the bid ends. With the max I'm willing to pay, that's the only way to win what you want sometimes. Good luck on the next one Todd!
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Post by dlabrie on Mar 9, 2007 16:38:56 GMT 1
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Post by ttvpaul on Jun 21, 2007 12:51:47 GMT 1
What a useful forum for me!
I have just purchased the prodigy II charger. It sees to perform very well, though I am still a novice and do not really know how to set it up!! Can anyone help me please?
I use 8.4v / 9.6v 1000maH 8 Cell NiMh batteries. What would you reccomend i use as the charge and discharge voltages please?
The supercub stock charger is set to 1.5maH should I do the same with the Prodigy? If i lower the amps does the battery take longer to charge? Do you think that lowering the charging amps increase the life of my batteries?
Regarding the discharge, I really do not understand how this works, it says in the manual to set it to 1v per cell. Is this correct please? If you set this to over / under 1 volt per cell what impact does this have please? If i select over 1 volt, will I get more flight time?
Your help would be very much appreciated.
I am also thinking of buying a car lighter adapter so i can use the charger inside the car. Is the center PIN always positive connection (red cable) on the charger?
Also, does anyone know of a cheap option to use the charger with domestic 240v PSU, or the spec of PSU i will need to run the Prodigy from the mains? (i understand that the prodigy has a 12v input, how many amps does it require)
I know i have asked quite a few questions, so your time in answering would really help me.
Many thanks
Best regards
Paul - UK
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Post by bigtone on Jun 22, 2007 5:01:02 GMT 1
I charge my 8 and 9 cell pack on 1.8 to 2.0 if you go any higher it could kill the batteries life span. I discharge at 0.55 until it hits 9.0 volts. Not matter were you set the dicharge amps it levels off at 0.55.
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Post by ttvpaul on Jun 25, 2007 9:29:03 GMT 1
Hi Bigtone,
Thanks for your comments, much appreciated, So even if i set my discharge rate to 1.0 amp it will still discharge (level off) at 0.55a?
So, will the battery be more discharged using a 0.5amp setting than my 1amp setting? Is this betetr for the battery?
How does this affect the discharge, what actually happens to the battery?
I always thought that when you charge/discharge a battery you are increasing/decreasing the voltage so these amps are confusing me a little.
Any ideas?
Cheers for now
Paul
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Post by bigtone on Jun 25, 2007 17:26:11 GMT 1
My Charger levels off at 0.55 even if I set the discharge at 1.0. Some chargers have a safe discharge rate set for different types of packs. After you set the discharge rate you will see what the charger's discharge level is at on the bottom left. Some people discharge to get the max power from there battery after it's charged. If you run your packs down until the SC's low voltage power set stops the prop. You can get at good charge without using the discharge on your charger. I charge my 8 and 9 cell packs on 1.8 to 2.0 if you go any higher it could kill the battery pack's life span.
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