What charger/PSU should I get?

[Nutbar]

Hello, everyone! I currently have a Thunder AC680 charger. http://www.hobbypartz.com/73p-ac680-accharger.html It's a great charger. No complaints. However, with the acquisition of my Spartan, I find myself using larger batteries. I have a pair of 3s 8400mah 40c and a pair of 2s 12800mah 40c lipos. I would like to be able to separately charge each pair in parallel at a 1C rate. So, if I have done the calculations correctly, (12.6v x 16.8a = 212 watts, and 8.4v x 25.6a = 215 watts), I am going to need at least a 30amp/250watt charger/PSU. Price is not a major concern, but I still want good value.

1. What charger would you recommend?

2. What power supply would you recommend?

3. What web site has the best prices on good chargers/power supplies?

4. What about Hobbyking chargers/power supplies? Are those pretty good? FWIW, I live in the USA.

Thx in advance for all responses!

[HydroMike]

http://www.usastore.revolectrix.com/...PowerLab-8_394 this charger does it all and then some even the PL-6 would be fine. And it needs a great power station .

[LiPo Power]

This power supply will just do well:
http://forums.offshoreelectrics.com/...-HP&highlight=
or this one:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s..._.htmlCharger:
Charger:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...r_400w_V2.html
or this one:
http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/s...k_Charger.html

[96XP]

+1
I have two of the Turnigy Mega 200Wx2. They are fast, but need to be on a good deep cycle (so I've learned). Way quicker than the ac/dc Hitec I've got here at only 50/channel. <-----regret

Question: Can you bypass running the chargers from a battery, like, can I use a 70amp car booster/charger as a main power supply to feed the compact field chargers? It's just that I have a couple and can't see buying another power supply if they'll do the job.

[siberianhusky]

With a little work computer power supplies are great, can be wired in series or parallel if the ground is lifted on one, I got 3 used ones free for asking at a computer repair place, a 20 amper and 2 matching 18 amp ones. Can use the 18 amp ones as 24 volts @ 18 amps or 36 amps @ 12 volts.
My boating buddy John has a HP 47 amp server supply. Can easily run a pair of chargers off it. Think he found it on the swap here.
Computer places just toss them in the scrap metal bin to be recycled.
I'm assuming you have access to AC as you want to use your booster/charger. I'm not sure why but my big assed NAPA cart style booster/charger will not run a charger alone, works fine if I have it hooked to a 12v battery then connect my charger in parallel with the battery. The booster works great, I boost heavy equipment all winter with it but it won't run a battery charger alone, for some reason it seems to need the load of a lead acid battery.

[Jason4636]

Check these guys out.

http://www.progressiverc.com/chargers/charger-combos

[96XP]

"works fine if I have it hooked to a 12v battery then connect my charger in parallel with the battery. The booster works great, I boost heavy equipment all winter with it but it won't run a battery charger alone, for some reason it seems to need the load of a lead acid battery."

I have found the same. Thanks for sharing that as I wondered if others had tried.