Opinions on Duratrax Intellipeak Chargers

[GYro]

Hi,

I am looking to buy a new charger and upgrade to better batteries. I
have been looking into the Duratrax Intellipeak and was considering to
go for the Digital Pulse Peak Charger. I like the idea of the digital
readout on it for checking voltage, although not completely neccesary.
The Duratrax chargers seem like a good value for the money. Im not
really looking for an expensive charger, but dont mind paying up to $100
for one. If anyone has any input on any of the intellipeak chargers I
would appreciate any comments.

GYro

[Dirtnap]

I have one, it's the "Twin Pulse Charger"
First, some history...
I raced for a lot of years, loved my Tekin chargers.
Now I just bash and both Tekins are dead.
Thought the Twin would make sense.
Bought one from Tower and it works OK.
Just OK. I seemed to slightly over-charge my nickel-metal-
hydride packs.
It has a built-in cooling fan, it is all automatic.
I quickly outgrew it.
Now it sits on the shelf.
I do lots of airplane flying and the battery packs are around
ten cells or more.
Do you want to buy it?
About a year old, brand new condition.
Just asking...

John



"GYro" <gyro@lostinspace.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.192ecce74f5baff498968e@cnews.newsguy.com. ..
> Hi,
>
> I am looking to buy a new charger and upgrade to better batteries. I
> have been looking into the Duratrax Intellipeak and was considering to
> go for the Digital Pulse Peak Charger. I like the idea of the digital
> readout on it for checking voltage, although not completely neccesary.
> The Duratrax chargers seem like a good value for the money. Im not
> really looking for an expensive charger, but dont mind paying up to $100
> for one. If anyone has any input on any of the intellipeak chargers I
> would appreciate any comments.
>
> GYro

[Jeckler]

On Fri, 16 May 2003 11:26:41 -0400, GYro <gyro@lostinspace.com> wrote:

>Hi,
>
>I am looking to buy a new charger and upgrade to better batteries. I
>have been looking into the Duratrax Intellipeak and was considering to
>go for the Digital Pulse Peak Charger. I like the idea of the digital
>readout on it for checking voltage, although not completely neccesary.
>The Duratrax chargers seem like a good value for the money. Im not
>really looking for an expensive charger, but dont mind paying up to $100
>for one. If anyone has any input on any of the intellipeak chargers I
>would appreciate any comments.
>
>GYro

Get the Piranha Digital instead.Better features, IMO. I own an
Intellipeak Digital, and after having it for six months, I find I
don't use it for more than just charging. The discharge function is
useless for two reason, not enough amerage, and the threshold is way
to low. The PS failed on mine, so I built another using a PS from a
computer. The only thing it has over the Piranha is the 6.5amp rate.

The Piranha lets you select delta peak threshold[1], as well as the
ability to turn off trickle charging for Nimh's[1]. You can also store
10 different profiles in memory, for different capacities and types of
packs [1]. It only charges up to a 5amp rate though.
It can display voltage and amps, like the Intellipeak, and you can see
total charge time too. It also displays battery pack type on
screen[1].

[1] The Intellipeak Digital doesn't do this.
-
Jeckler
Losi XXCR
Tamiya TA-02
Tamiya M-02L VW Beetle
Kyosho Scale Car Series VW Beetle
Pick the booger to email me
-

[JerryO]

Every thing that Jeckler said and more.

The digital piranha is a $50 charger so I can understand some limitaions.

Like it doesn't boost battery voltage so chargeing 7 and 8 cell batteries is limited. Its internal power supply starts at 17 volts so it can charge tranmitter packs from AC, but probably not from a weak car battery.

And the trickle charge is an after thought. It only allows for 0, 100, 200 millamp trickle rates and then only has one setting for all the batteries when each memory ought to have its own setting. No information on trickle charge rate, time or accumualated mahr's of trickle charge are viewable.

But it is still an incredible value and mine has worked perfect during the last 4 months that I have had it. But that is with 6 cell subC, a glow driver, 4cell niMH receiver, and 8 cell nicad transmitter, all from AC.

[Johnfish]

I have one of these chargers and it seems to work pretty well. But if you are willing to spend up to 100-130 dollars I would consider one of the following.

Dymond super turbo charger available from dymond models
http://www.rc-dymond.com/


FMA Super Nova
https://www.fmadirect.com/site/home.htm


Or the Triton charger from tower hobbies
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXCJG7&P=7

All of these chargers will charge from 1 to 25 batteries. Condition or cycle batteries. Will charge NICAD NIMH and lead acid batteries.
It also discharges. These are the most versatile chargers you can find in this price range.

I have the Super Nova and I love it.