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RC CAR ACTION: Racers Edge PRIME CUBE200 4 Port Multi-Chemistry Balance Charger

Discussion in 'News' started by GPS, Apr 10, 2013.

  1. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Read more and see photos via the source link.

    Source:
    http://www.rccaraction.com/blog/2013/04/09/racers-edge-prime-cube200-4-port-multi-chemistry-balance-charger/
    GPS, Apr 10, 2013
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  2. Nexus

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    It looks like a nice charger, but why in the world is it that most chargers are DC-only? Is it just a cost issue? Does it cost too much to put an AC/DC converter inside the case? Does everybody except me already own a DC power supply?
    Nexus, Apr 10, 2013
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  3. GPS

    GPS Registered

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    Maybe because good high amperage AC to DC power supplies are expensive.

    eFuel 60 amp power supply:

    http://www.hobbypartz.com/26p-efuel-60a.html

    Attached Files:

    GPS, Apr 10, 2013
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  4. Nexus

    Nexus Registered

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    I bought a DC-only Novak Millennium charger (back at the beginning of the millennium) and didn't think ahead. I didn't have a power supply. I took apart an old PC power supply and used a voltmeter to determine which wire(s) were +12V = poor man's power supply (with a fan!).
    Nexus, Apr 10, 2013
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  5. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    There really isn't anything new about this charger. It is the same as my iMax Quattro, purchased more than four years ago. It even includes the same accessories (the exact same) that came with my charger. It has the same 200w output, and even uses the same blue-backlit displays and control/program boards. The only difference is the case it's all enclosed in and the aluminum case to carry it. I paid $129 for my charger four years ago. Cheap copies (like this) are selling on other sites for $69 to $99. Throw in a $25 aluminum carry case and this charger is still way over priced.

    Nexus - yes most chargers come as DC only because power supplies with enough juice to power these types of chargers (30 amps and up) are expensive as GPS states. There are, however, much less expensive alternatives as you touched upon in your last post...

    For an AC to DC power supply I use a pair of HP server power supplies. The ones I am using are rated at 88 amps each and I can connect them in series for 24v, 88a outputs, or in parallel for 12v 176a amp outputs depending on how much power I need for the given charging setup. There are a number of great threads over at RCGroups. Start with this one,

    http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1292514

    as it has links to most of the other threads about this topic as well as hands-on wiring/connection notes/pics.

    BTW - I paid $47 for BOTH my powers supplies, including shipping!!! A little bit of knowledge goes a long way :)
    Golden Child, Apr 10, 2013
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  6. w00d

    w00d Registered

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    w00d, Apr 11, 2013
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  7. Golden Child

    Golden Child Moderator Staff Member

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    Wow, I had forgotten about that thread :-[ Thanks for the reminder w00d! BTW - the PSU's I'm using now put that first one I posted about to shame.
    Golden Child, Apr 11, 2013
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  8. w00d

    w00d Registered

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    Re: "the PSU's I'm using now put that first one I posted about to shame" ... [​IMG] [​IMG] [​IMG]
        Sweet, more POWER and in CAP Letters, can't get enough AMPs, more AMPs to the world ...

    These couple of posts actually inspired me MOD my original post with better images
        but it also motivated smea into updating or making better my posting .:  HERE :.
            where I also included your RCGroups Tutorial Link URL thingy-me-bob  ;) LOL

        [acronym=EYE See! To w00d's Photo Musings, my pages][shadow=grey,left][size=1em]w[/size][size=1.25em]00[/size][size=1em]d[/size][/shadow][/acronym]
    w00d, Apr 11, 2013
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  9. w00d

    w00d Registered

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    Most or it's quite common for hobbyists to re-charge their LiPos in the field using their 1:1 automobile 12v battery.
    ... This way we can get in a whole day of fun with minimum batteries ;)

    But yes "costs"
    ... For those who charge in the field who don't want/need AC/DC Chargers, DC only chargers are simply cheaper.
    ... Those that want/need AC charging it's only a matter of adding it

    Alternately, suppose we need allot of batteries charged!?!
    ... Therefor we could run many DC Chargers of one AC/DC (high AMP) Power Supply.
    ... Charging in this fashion is also very common amongst hobbyists ...


    w00d, Apr 13, 2013
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