Who knew this elec. stuff was so complicated?! This stuff really needs to be standardized!!!! I've bought my first and last elec. plane for a long long while. I have a Hobbico Quick Field Charger Mk II. I have a 3S 10C 11.1V 1200mah lipo batt. Several questions
1. What does 3S mean?
2. What does 10C mean?
3. What number do I set my dial to on the field charger (mah) to keep from ruining or blowing up the batt.?
4. This batt. is wired for a balancer. If I charge it slow enough, do I need the balancer?
5. If the balancer is a "really good" idea, has anybody used the Equinox and how'd you like it?
PLEASE, feel free to add as much information or opinion as you want!

I was in the same boat as you, I'm still not a fan of electrics but am understanding them a bit more.

3S- How many cells it is which is why it's a 11.1v. If it were 2 cells, it'd be 7.4v. (least I think thats what it is)

10C is the output. Some guys said you can relate it to HP

The MKII will only allow you to max out at 1mah for lipo's.

A balancer is a very good idea. A really cheap but good one is the Astro Blinky.

I've got the MKII also, but have purchased a DN Charger/balancer.

3S = 3 cells in series

10C = 10 times that capacity in MaH or AMPS of the pack

Lipos should be chargerd at a rate of 1C or less

Use a balancer as often as is practical for you

Almost all of ther balancers available will work equally well

Good Luck...and I agree. There should be some standard, but there isn't going to be.

All of this info is correct, except for one thing, I'm sorry Jim, your MK II goes up to 2 amps. You will set your charger at NO MORE than 1.2 amps for charging.

I've never used "that particular" balancer so I have no opinion either way, however you should use someones balancer.

Originally Posted by Chase

3S = 3 cells in series

10C = 10 times that capacity in MaH or AMPS of the pack

Lipos should be chargerd at a rate of 1C or less

Use a balancer as often as is practical for you

Almost all of ther balancers available will work equally well

Good Luck...and I agree. There should be some standard, but there isn't going to be.

Okay, explain that 10C again in stupid layman's terms. I very stupid.

Originally Posted by Boulder

All of this info is correct, except for one thing, I'm sorry Jim, your MK II goes up to 2 amps. You will set your charger at NO MORE than 1.2 amps for charging.

I've never used "that particular" balancer so I have no opinion either way, however you should use someones balancer.

Equinox it is!! A balancer with different connectors included at a reasonable price is right up my alley. Thanks!!!!!!!!!!

Originally Posted by RADRICH

Okay, explain that 10C again in stupid layman's terms. I very stupid.

I've got it Chase,

the number of the C rating is the amount that the battery can "discharge" during normal use. Most packs will have a C rating then give you a burst rating, such as 10C with a 12C burst.

The 10, in 10C, means it can discharge at 10 times the mAh capacity, 1200 mAh X 10C would give you 12000mAh or 12 amps.

Let's equate this to power, your voltage will give you the RPM's the mAh's will give you power or torque. The higher the C rating the faster the mAh's can leave the battery and get to the motor. It doesn't do you a lot of good to have a lot of RPM's if you can't get it to pull the weight of the airplane. Just like in a car, all of the RPM's in the world won't do you a bit of good without the torque to get the vehicle moving in the first place.

Make sense?

Originally Posted by Boulder

All of this info is correct, except for one thing, I'm sorry Jim, your MK II goes up to 2 amps. You will set your charger at NO MORE than 1.2 amps for charging.

I've never used "that particular" balancer so I have no opinion either way, however you should use someones balancer.

I know it can, but for lipos it automatically self limits it to 1, so even it if you set it to 2amps it will still only charge at 1

Originally Posted by Boulder

All of this info is correct, except for one thing, I'm sorry Jim, your MK II goes up to 2 amps. You will set your charger at NO MORE than 1.2 amps for charging.

I've never used "that particular" balancer so I have no opinion either way, however you should use someones balancer.

I believe the MK II will only charge lithiums at 1 amp regardless if the dial is set to 2. It takes 2 hours to charge a 2100 with mine.

I don't know what plane you've got, but 10C isn't very good. What motor will you be running it with?

Who knew this elec. stuff was so complicated?! This stuff really needs to be standardized!!!! I've bought my first and last elec. plane for a long long while. I have a Hobbico Quick Field Charger Mk II. I have a 3S 10C 11.1V 1200mah lipo batt. Several questions
1. What does 3S mean?
2. What does 10C mean?
3. What number do I set my dial to on the field charger (mah) to keep from ruining or blowing up the batt.?
4. This batt. is wired for a balancer. If I charge it slow enough, do I need the balancer?
5. If the balancer is a "really good" idea, has anybody used the Equinox and how'd you like it?
PLEASE, feel free to add as much information or opinion as you want!

And that is just the batteries. I get confused trying to pair up a motor with planes. Each manufacturer has a different number on their motors. I am starting to get things a little more figured out though. I got an extra 260 from eflight for Valentines day and have a rimfire motor in it.

Originally Posted by JeeUm

I know it can, but for lipos it automatically self limits it to 1, so even it if you set it to 2amps it will still only charge at 1

Sorry bro, I wasn't aware of that. I stand corrected!! Dang, I hate having to do that...

Actually I never read the directions, I just looked at the dial and figured it worked for all three battery types.

Originally Posted by Boulder

Sorry bro, I wasn't aware of that. I stand corrected!! Dang, I hate having to do that...

Actually I never read the directions, I just looked at the dial and figured it worked for all three battery types.

And you call yourself staff...LOL

Originally Posted by RADRICH

And you call yourself staff...LOL

No kidding...I should be whipped...what a loser...never read the directions...off to my hole now...

Originally Posted by Boulder

I've got it Chase,

the number of the C rating is the amount that the battery can "discharge" during normal use. Most packs will have a C rating then give you a burst rating, such as 10C with a 12C burst.

The 10, in 10C, means it can discharge at 10 times the mAh capacity, 1200 mAh X 10C would give you 12000mAh or 12 amps.

Let's equate this to power, your voltage will give you the RPM's the mAh's will give you power or torque. The higher the C rating the faster the mAh's can leave the battery and get to the motor. It doesn't do you a lot of good to have a lot of RPM's if you can't get it to pull the weight of the airplane. Just like in a car, all of the RPM's in the world won't do you a bit of good without the torque to get the vehicle moving in the first place.

Make sense?

Yes...but 12C burst...?