RC India

after watching this video, one would certainly consider SAFETY while using "bomb" batteries... ;D ;D ;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dree0rTr1HM

SHIT, I just received 2 6S 3000mah 40c, ordered an icharger to be on the safer side. ;)

BTW, Anwar, which charger do u use? I think we should have a poll for chargers.

Been through multiple ones, current one is an Accucel 8.  An iCharger 6s one is on the way :)

Even mine is on the way. the 206B. Since I have 4 nos of 3Ah 6s 5C charge batteries. I wanted the finest charger to take care of it. I have also purchased the PSU suggested by our iCharger guru saurab  ;)

Oh Please Vinay... I am no Guru :) Anyway, Thanks for your modesty.  

BTW the new firmware 3.14 is now available for all ichargers ... Be sure to upgrade yours when you get it... I am pretty sure if will have 3.13f

With this upgrade, your charger will detect the no of Lipo Cells AUTOMATICALLY, eliminating the chances of wrong selection by the user. Pretty interesting !!!  ;)

http://www.rcgroups.com/forums/showthread.php?t=839657

Sure, will get it done.

And what would that PSU be ? :)

Meanwell S-350-24   OR Similar PSU available on ebay.com Just search for S-350-24 for 24 volts output or S-350-12 for 12V DC Output.

http://cgi.ebay.com/24V-DC-14-6A-350W-Switching-Power-Supply-New-S-350-24-/170457097168?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b008e3d0

This one.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120660321705#ht_5245wt_966

Its not mean well, some sellers put the photo of mean well, but put the words in fine prints saying - photo is illustration only.

Meanwell's are slightly expensive at 70$ + shipping around 15 USD.

I got mine for 36USD shipped. I got it confidently coz saurab has been using it. So worth a try.  ;)

True... I dont think there is a better deal than this. For $36 including shipping to anywhere in the world :) you get a 350Watt PSU.
Please dont compare this with Computer SMPS. Though the purpose and the technology is the same, this supply unit is actually rated at 350Watts compared to the much less output of the SMPS on the 12V rail.

And the quality... its just perfect. During my conversation with the seller, I was informed that the Meanwells are also made in the same factory. Infact, it is a meanwell only but without the label and the imprints. :)

believe me saurab. its not worth converting a comp SMPS into a power supply for a high watt usage. Lot of issues. And for the time wasted, I could get 2 more power supplies from ebay.

"S-350-24" search gets a lots of results, but sometimes hides good deals. For example, the one I got does not come up with the "S-350-24" search.

hey guys, I'm pretty new to RC modelling, but, I've a fair amount of experience in electronics. You say using a comp SPMS won't be suitable for this charger..
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028

I see that it is a 50W charger, so for a 12V from SMPS it won't draw more than 6A even in the worst case scenario. even a mid quality SMPS can deliver more than that easily. so could you please tell me why/what possible issues I could be facing ??

ps: I've myself blown up some Li-ion cells just to test their tolerance..

reas,
Have you ever look inside the computer SMPS. In most of common SMPS, 12 Volt rectifiers are made originally 3A rating diode, overpowered littlebit using heatsink to cathode. But The Diode Datasheet limits capacity to 3A and shows nothing for capacity enhancement.
So, whatever written over SMPS not correct for 400-500Rs. computer SMPSs.

  ??? So, may be this is the reason my friend gets his motherboard burned every 2-3 months... ;D ;D

@KALYANPRODHAN: I have a 450 rupees smps having this STPS30L40CW schottky rectifiers, checking the datasheet it seems it can handle 2 x 15A ;D easily, so, its workin for me.. just look around some other brands...
heres the link to the  datasheet.. (http://www.st.com/internet/com/TECHNICAL_RESOURCES/TECHNICAL_LITERATURE/DATASHEET/CD00003301.pdf)

 ;)