Introduction to the RC Battery Charger.Fundamentals about purchasing or using your RC battery charger.
Your rc battery charger can be one of the most confusing items in your tool box. Plus one of the most important. You have invested a large amount of cash in your batteries and battery packs. Now how in the world do you take care of them? I know that you want to get the most out of battery and pack as possible. While at the same time learning how to use your battery charger. Again a rc battery charger can and will be a large investment for you. It can be a difficult task choosing the battery charger that best suits your needs. I am not going to endorse one specific rc battery charger. I am going to give you the best information possible to help you make your decision wisely. 
There are many different types and kinds of rc battery chargers and they vary greatly. From the simple no frills wall mounted charger. This rc battery charger just plugs into the outlet and your batteries, has no adjustments. You have no idea if your batteries are peaked or have false peaked. You are just hoping for the best. For some this type of battery charger maybe a good investment. They are relative inexpensive and may be your preference. These types of battery chargers usually have some type of indicator on when the charging cycle is complete. But, you are left in the dark if your batteries are at their peak charge. Again this depends on when you are looking for and the amount of money you want to invest. The options on RC battery chargers is almost endless. Some battery chargers only charge NiMH and NiCD cells. While a few battery chargers on the market can charge all the different types of batteries. That would be NiMH, NiCD, Li-Ploy and Li-ion batteries. One of the first things you need to consider when purchasing a rc battery charger, is how it is powered. Some battery chargers are AC only, can only be powered by using a 110v outlet. While other battery chargers are DC only. These require either a power supply or a 12v battery to power them. Some DC powered battery chargers include a power supply in the package. While some do not and a separate power supply needs to be purchased. To confuse matters even more, some battery chargers can use either AC or DC as their power supply. Keep this in mind when start shopping for your rc battery charger. One of the next things to consider, is do you want your battery charger do more than just charge batteries? Do you need to break-in electric motors, run a commutator lathe or a tire truer? Yes, some chargers have many more functions than just charging batteries. One more thing you need to keep in mind while you are looking into a new battery charger. Almost all battery chargers will have three basic settings, trickle charge, peak charge and discharge. With a control knob for setting charging amps. This is one area that is very difficult to explain, because each manufacturer approaches this a little differently. So, it would be a very lengthy decision about how each manufacturer lists these functions. I will leave it up to you to how each manufacture lists these settings. It will be easy for you to recognize how each one does it. Again this is an area the each builder approaches differently and uses names that are unique to their brand of charger. So, while doing your research on chargers if there is some verbiage on the charger that you do not understand. You can contact the manufacturer or your local hobby store and ask them. Another good source is the friends you are going to make in the hobby. Almost all of them would be glad to help you out. Or you can contact us here at Rc Truck n Car Tuning by using of our contact page. Send us your question and we will be more than happy to help you find the answer to your question. Analog battery chargers are you most basic battery chargers. They have no kind of capacity, charge rate or voltage read out. All voltage information is stored in a capacitor. Which will lose all information as time passes, usually in a very few seconds. They can be greatly affected by heat. This causes the charge rate to drift over time. Making it difficult for the charger to perform peak detection. Sidebar What is peak detection? Is when a battery or battery pack reach a full charge and the pack's voltage starts to drop. A charger that uses peak detection senses this drop and changes the rate of charge to a trickle charge or turns off depending on the type of charger. 
Digital battery chargers are a little more complex. The charging rate, capacity and voltage are all stored as a digital binary number. This number will not drift over time. Nor is it affected by temperature. Digital peak detection is the only way to achieve an accurate peak charge. Using a digital battery charger gives you a very good idea on how your batteries and battery packs are performing. They will give you the options of charging most all types of batteries and battery packs. Plus storing information on a large number of different batteries or packs. This type of charger is a small computer. Most all of them can analyze your batteries and packs. Giving you information on their performance. If there is any kind of problem with your batteries or packs. Another big plus on some computerized chargers is their ability to monitor battery and battery pack temperature. This is a very important option, because temperature is a battery's worst enemy. They can be very complicated learning how to operate. If you are thinking about using different kinds of batteries (NiMH, Li-ion or Li-poly). This type of charger will almost be a necessity. So, you will not need to have many different types of battery chargers. But, be forewarned they are the most costly. 
A word of CAUTION.Using any of these battery chargers can be dangerous. Please read and follow the instructions supplied by the manufacturer. Do not leave your charger unattended while charging. Do not charge at a rate greater than suggested by the cell's or charger's instruction. ALWAYS monitor batteries and battery pack temperature. Do not charge over 120°F. Batteries and battery packs can explode while they are being charged. This could be deadly or cause great bodily harm!!! Also, can start a FIRE. So, please be very safety conscious. Luckily no one was injurded when this happened check out the Rc Truck n Car Tuning swicki at eurekster.com
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For those of you that want to get the most out of your batteries. There is a huge selection of rc battery chargers to choose from. 
Computerized type battery chargers are the most sophisticated on the market. The charging rate, capacity, voltage and all other information is stored digitally. 
