Fastest V-Mount charger

[emil_h]

Hey guys any suggestion on who makes the fastest V-Mount charger? I currently own the Switronix version and it's slow as balls.

 

[Brian D. Goff]

problem is not the charger, but you can not charge normal V-mount batteries faster than 2-4h or you kill the cells in the battery.

 

[emil_h]

problem is not the charger, but you can not charge normal V-mount batteries faster than 2-4h or you kill the cells in the battery.

What do you define as normal v-mount batteries? Are there any that don't fall under that category? Also, I've been told that there's definitely a large difference between say a 200 vs a 1000 dollar charger in terms of charging speed.

 

[Mark van Coller]

I know this wont help you but these look very intresting
http://www.reduser.net/forum/showthread.php?157011-HyperChargeBattery

 

[Todd T]

For any useful answers it would help to know what size batteries you are using and some other reference to quantify "Slow as Balls"...:thumbsup:

 

[emil_h]

For any useful answers it would help to know what size batteries you are using and some other reference to quantify "Slow as Balls"...:thumbsup:

Ha touche.. I have a handfull of switronix hypercore ranging from the slims to the 190.

 

[Neil Dearman]

I like the Blueshape and Red Brick Charges (both Owned by Red and work like a champ) Also try the IDX quad charger it charges 4 batts at the sametime very quickly

 

[Richard Luke]

Core SWX 3A Dual charger is very fast. New design too.

 

[Thai Christen]

I use Swit Heavy Duty Digital Battery pack and Swit 2ch fast charger.
6A dual channel charging (charging two batteries with 6A at the same time) which is much faster than most others.

For a day shoot I get by with 2x 160wh. 160wh, I get roughly 2h15min shoot time.
Charging time from 20% discharged to 80% in about 1h20min. Full in 2h20min.

Side note: you can take max. 2 spares of 160wh into flight cabin.

 

[Brian D. Goff]

What do you define as normal v-mount batteries? Are there any that don't fall under that category? Also, I've been told that there's definitely a large difference between say a 200 vs a 1000 dollar charger in terms of charging speed.

My research has lead to the conclusion, that almost all manufactures use the same cells (Panasonic/Sanyo). And now that they are cramping the hell into the little packs, it narrows it down to the Panasonic Cells - If you look at the white paper on these cells, you will see that you:

-Can not charge them to fast without killing them
-they lose capacity steady after the fist few charge/discharge cycles
-if you charge them with normal rating, you lose 20% capacity after only 500 cycles

A more expensive charger will defiantly handle you're battery with more care - you should change amp input during charging in order to assure you get the 500 cycles life out of them.

 

[Brian D. Goff]

For a day shoot I get by with 2x 160wh. 160wh, I get roughly 2h15min shoot time.
Charging time from 20% discharged to 80% in about 1h20min. Full in 2h20min.

This is typical for most cine batteries - some manufactures even limit the % of discharge / Charge status (20/80%) in order to pretend your battery ist charged fast..... but in the end your 160Wh battery really only has around 110Wh USABLE Watts

 

[Thai Christen]

This is typical for most cine batteries - some manufactures even limit the % of discharge / Charge status (20/80%) in order to pretend your battery ist charged fast..... but in the end your 160Wh battery really only has around 110Wh USABLE Watts

I am not sure I understand. 20%/80% is just an example. I can discharge to 10% if I want. However, it is not recommended to go below 10% for sure. Concerning charging, usually I let it charged until full at 100%. But there are times, charging to 80% is sufficient if you know the next shoot cycle does not require full battery.
So 160wh is roughly 145wh. Or I am missing something?

 

[Brian D. Goff]

That's why it is recommended to use the charger advised from the batterie manufacture - the charger is usually programmed in a way to get the max life out of your cells. Depending on the actual cell used in the battery, ambient temp, ect,ect. You get more or less out of your battery. For example, most batterie Cells don't like charging below 10°C and charging them to the last 100% sometimes also shortens Cell life.....

 

[emil_h]

That's why it is recommended to use the charger advised from the batterie manufacture - the charger is usually programmed in a way to get the max life out of your cells. Depending on the actual cell used in the battery, ambient temp, ect,ect. You get more or less out of your battery. For example, most batterie Cells don't like charging below 10°C and charging them to the last 100% sometimes also shortens Cell life.....

I could be wrong but I feel like a lot of this applies to cheaper batteries. For instance more expensive batteries don't slowly drain if you don't use them.