RC Bashers

I'm looking to go lipo. I'm very leary of giving up my tried and true NIMHs. I've read over the safety aspects of using lipo batteries, and I'll have to admit I'm very cautious if not aprehensive about converting. I'm leaning towards the Onyx 230 or the Duratrax ICE. I want a charger that does not require a external power source, so ac/dc is a must, and is VERY easy to use. So I need some advice. I'm trying to stay around $50-$60 for the charger alone.(used obviously) Do any of you guys have anything good or bad to say about either of those two chargers? Are there any other chargers out there that will fit my needs that I'm overlooking here?

Also, concerning the lipo packs. I know that the higher the MAH rating, the more power I'm going to have. But what does 1S, 2S, 3S mean? I think it stands for the amount of voltage the pack puts out, and in turn how long I can run that pack but I'm not sure. For some reason I also have in my mind that it also determines how big the actual pack is too.

What is a balancer for? Is that something that I, as a back yard basher, needs?

I'll definately be picking up some charging bags. That much I have learned from watching videos. But I'm lost as to the rest of the questions above.


Last question...anybody have a setup for sell in my price range?

well i dont have a lot of knowledge in this department because i was mainly a nitro guy that has slowly gotten into this part.

i dont have anything for sale since im just getting into this. i had a review somewhere on here about my onyx charger i bought. i do find it rather simple to use and like you i also wanted ac/dc and didn't want to use a separate power supply. i did pay around a 100 bucks for mine. but in your quest you might be able to find a good used one somewhere around different forums you visit.

now im not totally sure on the 2s,3s crap but i do know the higher the s part is i believe is more cells.

what is the balancer for? and do you need one? yes you need one. its for when you charge your batterys it properly charges the cells equally.

most chargers you buy will include one.

now i was like you and was very uncertain about going from nimh packs to lipo because of all the hype of them blowing up and so on. but after talking to several people about what steps to take and precautions it eased my mind. just use your lipo bag and dont leave them unattended when you charge them. i also store mine in a old ammo box when not in use. just in case one should swell and decide to go boom.

as for putting a battery in your crawler, ive got a 1800mah 2s in mine and love it! i get around 30-40 min run time out of it.


heres a linky to my review. if it dont work its right about this thread in new post. http://www.rcbashers.com/viewtopic.php?f=69&t=1183

Pretty much gone over this I think in the chat but ice is a dc only charger also, here is another I seen several that own and like
http://www.hobbypartz.com/skychb6chdup.html
Dont let the unknown name on things get you I was like that but you find they are pretty the same thing as the name brand stuff just different sticker and much less. I might even see this charger tonight got a old friend stopping by and he has one and says he loves it, I would get one if I didnt already have a power supply.

I found reading more and more on the lipos exploding stuff made it harder to convert so just stop reading those consider this your reading someone elses opinion and as the saying goes everyone has a asshole and most on the forums are just ignorant and stupid and dont know wtf they are doing or just like to hate and put stuff down like they have nothing better to do...I will say I jumped probaly around 3 yearsa go or so ran ones for minis to my 1/5 savage, 2s from 4s and never never had one explode I dont even use a bag just a clay pot its way cheaper. The S means the cell amount similiar to nihm so simple 2s is 2 cells and each cell is 3.7volts so just keeping adding up as you go but for your stuff id say nothing more the 2s is fine but my buddy says he runs 3s on his crawlers their like $8 at hobbyking! 1500mah 3s turnigy. As you go up in mah also the size will increase and size will increase as you go up in cells why the crawler guys use the lower mah but they get 40min+.

Know you like used but unless you seriously know the person I never buy used electrics bought to many that die after use then your dead in the water, with hobbyking you might as well buy it new.

Make sure to read up on em. It took me 2 chargers to get it right.lol Then was forced to buy a power supply to even be able to use the charger I got.lol I am by no means educated on Lipo's and chargers since I am like Ford and am an old nitro head and all. I got a Losi charger for $79 and a PS to run it for another $40. Now the charger comes witha PS to run it.Lots of people are happy with the Chinese stuff but I try and support mt LHS when it come to electronics and stuff I get that stuff from them just for the support.Happy shopping and wish I could be more help.

I'd like to support my LHS, but the guys a real jerk and his prices on everything except replacement parts are at least double what the sell for on the web. I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money to support someone who isn't appreciative of my business. Being in sales, I'm all about supporting ther local community, but I'll wait a month for it to come from Honk Kong before I buy from that guy.
So at this point I have it narrowed down to this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/iMAX-B6-AC-B6AC ... 1c1f43a5ff

http://hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh ... oduct=6478