After some advice please

[juger0]

I'm looking to buy an E-maxx 16.8v and was wondering which route to take on batteries and chargers, without going too extreme in cost.

What is a good battery set-up for the E-maxx, something with a good run time and what charger would suit them?

What is a balancer and is it needed?

Thanks.

[Jeff P]

Since you dont want to go too extreme, I would recommend the Super Brain 977 (http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXLCJ6&P=ML) cant go wrong for that price and what it does. I have one myslef and it has been working flawlessly. As for a battery it depends what kind of run times you are looking for. Seeing how the evx-2 esc can handle upto 16V, you can go to a 4s lipo pack. But you will have to decide how many mah are needed.

[Racer40]

I would recommend the MRC Super Brain 989, excellant charger for Nicd, NiMH and LIPO batteries without a huge price tag. A balancer is used on LIPO batteris to balance the voltage of each cell. The closer the cell voltages match the better the perfromace of the battery.

[Jeff P]

I would recommend the MRC Super Brain 989, excellant charger for Nicd, NiMH and LIPO batteries without a huge price tag. A balancer is used on LIPO batteris to balance the voltage of each cell. The closer the cell voltages match the better the perfromace of the battery.

+1.............

[Bones]

I would recommend the MRC Super Brain 989, excellant charger for Nicd, NiMH and LIPO batteries without a huge price tag.....

+1 on the 989. Superb do it all charger.

[juger0]

I would recommend the MRC Super Brain 989, excellant charger for Nicd, NiMH and LIPO batteries without a huge price tag. A balancer is used on LIPO batteris to balance the voltage of each cell. The closer the cell voltages match the better the perfromace of the battery.
Do I need a unit that balances and/or discharges? Looking to buy the "EP 4600 1.27+ 7 Cell Flat 16.8V E-Maxx Pair" and want something that will charge both batteries at the same time, but I know nothing about the balancer and discharging side of batteries???

[TylerOwenby]

I have heard alot of people say that there LiPo's have blown from using the MRC chargers. I do not recall which one but MRC and LIPO's do not mix. My friend now has a $170 paper weight... Dont charge lipo's with it.

[auto2]

which MRC charger screwed up his battery?

[glbobo]

It is probably pre 969. I use 977 and have talked with Tim@MRC about this. Team orion so called "self balancing" and the older MRC had an issue with cut-off voltage... No problems with 977 or 989 and lipos. You must use balancer to protect the cells for longer life span but that is true with any charger with lipo's.

[TylerOwenby]

It may have been the old charger but once one charger punts a lipo im not going near any others.

[Bondonutz]

I bought my Mutiplex 3 years ago and it's still working Fantastic ! I charge 4s 3700 &5000mah and 9000mah 2s lipo with no probs. I have to use a seperate balancer but not a prob.
It will charge Nica,Nmhd,Lipo,li-Io. It also cycles batterys too.
It is a 12volt power source, but it works for me. I bought a 12volt battery jumper box. I can charge RC batterys at home or in route on the way to the track.

http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wti0001p?&I=LXKSY1&P=FR

[Rick Jenkins]

MRC chargers do not blow up lipos!!!! only the operator dose if they do not put the charger on 2cell or 3 cell. That is the lipo mode