Acceptable NiCad Chargers

[Ashton]

I've read a lot about taking good care of your batteries, and though the price tag of $150 - $200 is somewhat bewildering for me, I'm entirely willing to give it an honest go and get a good charger. I've done what research I can and so far I've figured out it'd be best to grab a "peak" charger that has a built-in discharger. But, in the end, I'd like something that is generally idiot proof and can take care of the two NiCad batteries (2300 mAh and 2400 mAh) I now have without frying them. I have no clue what the memory effect is, but I'm under the impression I'll need something that can deep cycle the batteries every 10 - 15 charges to avoid it.

Feel free to correct me if anything above is totally incorrect.

Regardless, I'm looking for suggestions on what a decent charger would be. I popped on to CheapBatteryPacks.com but everything they had looked far too complicated for my needs or lacked essential features listed above. RedWolf Airsoft was promising, but most of the idiot-proof chargers seem to be out of stock. The only promising lead I saw was this little piece of work, but I'm so incompetent with electrical stuff that I can't even tell if this is an AC charger, let alone if it's worth my money.

If anyone can suggest a more suitable choice I'd greatly appreciate it. I just can't understand half of the features listed on these things.

[ILLusion]

Top end chargers would be Systema Fuzzy Logic or the Eagle Force Premium Charger.

TLP is a decent brand, but the fans are known to fail prematurely.

But for what you get, the TLP ones are priced quite well.

If you're charging NiCads for airsoft use, you want something that can do at least 6 cells and up to 10 cells (7.2 - 12v), a discharging feature, adjustable output, LCD display is always a nice feature, cycling functions are a nice feature, or some type of programmed discharge - fast charge function, and you want a minimum charge rate no higher than 500mA.

If it has small adjustable steps for charge rate, that's also a great benefit to allow greater control on the charge rate.

[zone 69]

I bein useing this charger for the past three years for airsoft and its safe and easy to use.
http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/bb-batter...l-charger.html

Im allso looking at getting this one for my other needs and it will charge my airsoft batts aswell.
http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/bb-batter...r-mini-15.html

[Dart]

Originally Posted by zone 69

I bein useing this charger for the past three years for airsoft and its safe and easy to use.
http://shop.ehobbyasia.com/bb-batter...l-charger.html

wonderful charger. All you need to do is plug battery in, press yellow button twice... and let it work its magic.

Also love the fact that you can swap out the charge leads so easily. All three guns in my house have 3 different connectors and I use it to charge my RC cars as well lol. OH and the User guide that comes with that charger is always fun reading! Remember, "do not let alone while charger operation in motioning."

[Kuro_Neko]

The basic NPT smart charger you can get from bb bastard or from airsoftparts.ca is what i have and it's served me quite well. Alot more reasonable a price then a lot of the above mentioned chargers.

Kuro_Neko

[kalnaren]

Originally Posted by Kuro_Neko

The basic NPT smart charger you can get from bb bastard or from airsoftparts.ca is what i have and it's served me quite well. Alot more reasonable a price then a lot of the above mentioned chargers.

Kuro_Neko

Same. Been using it for 3 years.. hasn't failed me yet.

[Ashton]

Huh. The NPT Universal Smart Charger is what I already have. I was sort of paranoid it would kill NiCad batteries, but I suppose if it's good on them, no need to change just yet. Admittedly it's nearly tempting to get a Japanese one just to see the manual, though.

Thanks for the posts.

[Kuro_Neko]

The wall chargers that come with BNIB guns are the ones that will kill batteries. The NPT universal smart charger should do you just fine.

Kuro_Neko

[theguy]

I also have had no issues with my NPT charger from airsoftparts.ca

No special features, but the price is right, and it does its job