The LiPo balancing
adaptors come in many
configurations and should
cover virtually any brand of
battery on the market. Bantam
also makes multi pack
adaptors that allow you to
charge two or three smaller
packs in series which makes
the charger very versatile.
PHOTO 2. The charger and
its main accessories.
Operating the
Charger
Power supply: The charger
will accept from 11 to 18 volts,
and it is suggested that you
use a power supply capable of
at least 15 volts and 35 amps
to avoid thermal shutdown or
slower than expected
charging. The fan will kick in
even at low charging currents
and the heatsink can get quite
warm, so be sure to allow plenty of
ventilation.
Closest Competitors
In this price range, the Triton
2EQ and the Thunder Power
TP1010C have similar features and
are worth looking at. The Trition
charger’s main selling point is a built-in AC power supply; it can charge
and balance up to 6S Lithium packs
and up to eight amps. It has a
power rating of 120 watts. Its
interface is possibly the best in the
business and it is a great choice for
builders wanting a single all-in-one
charger for smaller bots.
European models; my other Bantam
chargers have lasted for years and
this new model should too.
Expect to pay around $195 for
the basic charger. Balancing
adaptors are $12 to $15, depending
on the model. SV
Summary
Sources
This is a well made and capable
charger for larger packs. The quality
is somewhere between cheap Hobby
King chargers and the expensive
● The Robot Marketplace
www.robotcombat.com/
products/ 0-BAN-BC8HP.html
Completed Events:
May 10 - June 1
Maker Faire Bot Gauntlet was presented by California Insect
Bots in San Mateo, CA, on May
22nd and 23rd.
EVENTS
Completed Events
HORD Spring 2010 presented
by Ohio Robot
Club in
Brecksville,
OH, on May
15th. SV
SERVO 08.2010 37
