The two chargers in their boxes.
Both chargers side by side to compare size.
My state-of-the-art (LOL) power supply.
A close up of the INDI 16x5's screen and controls.
A close up of the Millennium Pro screen and controls.
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(Click any picture to enlarge it)
The two chargers in their boxes.
Both chargers side by side to compare size.
My state-of-the-art (LOL) power supply.
A close up of the INDI 16x5's screen and controls.
A close up of the Millennium Pro screen and controls. |
Introduction
There's no getting around it, Nickel Metal Hydride (NIMH) batteries are the future of R/C racing. A new breed of chargers is now appearing, promising to get the most out of the new cells. I recently had the opportunity to test two of the latest generation chargers, the Integy INDI 16x5, and the Novak Millennium Pro. Features
Here's a quick comparison of the two chargers' features and specs:
First Impressions
The 16x5 is equipped with a pair of large battery clips on the input side and the usual alligator clips on the output leads. The output leads of the 16x5 are made up of the typical heavy gauge silicon insulated wire and a smaller pair of voltage sensing leads. The Millennium Pro comes with alligator clips on its output leads and no clips at all on the input leads. A large pair of clips is included in the package if you'll be attaching your Millennium to a car battery or power supply with big terminals. The first thing I did was to install banana plugs on the input leads of both chargers (my power supplies are set up with banana jacks.) I found that Novak's manual was clearer and easier to understand than Integy's. The 16x5 manual wasn't terrible, but it did take several readings to understand the charger's operation. In any event, both chargers are simple enough to use that most users would probably be able to use them without ever looking at the manuals, but I always like to have a clear set of instructions. On the Bench
I tested both chargers on the workbench using a pair of 2400 Sanyo NiCD packs, a pair of very used Panasonic 3000 NIMH packs, and a pair of almost new SMH 3000 Panasonics from B&T. All charges were run at 5 amps, with 10mv/cell threshold for the NiCD's and 3mv/cell threshold for the NIMH packs. Neither charger false peaked on the 2400's, and both packs took a good charge. Discharge numbers for both packs were very close, with perhaps a very slight edge to the pack charged on the 16x5. The numbers were so close that differences in the packs could easily account for it. Both my old NIMH 3000 packs false peaked early in the charge, each charger managed to complete the charge after one restart. Discharge numbers on the old 3000 packs showed the edge going to the Millennium Pro this time, but again, the numbers were close and the packs old enough to attribute the difference to the packs themselves and not the chargers. Both of my newer SMH3000 packs took a full charge without false peaking, with almost identical discharge numbers. At the Track
I used each charger for a race day, the 16x5 for the last asphalt race of the season at RC/Madness in Enfield, CT, and the Novak for the carpet season opener at Bruckner Hobbies in the Bronx, NY. Enfield was the first race day for my new B&T SMH3000 packs. The 16x5 performed perfectly, no false peaks and each pack was nicely warm but not hot at the end of the charge cycle. It was here that I noticed that the 16x5 switches to a 150ma trickle charge after the pack reaches its peak. There is apparently no way to disable this feature, if you don't want your pack to trickle, you must unplug it at the completion of the charge. I'd prefer it if the trickle was user selectable, but it isn't. I inquired about this on the Integy web boards, and I was told that a few minutes of trickling after the charge is okay. Still, I'd rather have the option of disabling the trickle. For each pack, I charged to peak once, disconnected, then re-peaked with an Integy Torpedo five minutes before the start of a run. All four packs ran strong, easily making the four-minute run time with a 9 double Ti motor. I noticed no fade, and there was plenty of runtime left when the packs were placed on a discharger after the run. The next outing was at Bruckner Hobbies' carpet season opener at P.S. 192 in the Bronx, NY. The carpet track was fairly large, with an open rhythm-type layout. The four SMH 3000 packs had been trayed down to .5V/cell and then stored like that for the week. I used the Novak's NIMH2 mode to charge all four packs. The first pack charged all the way to peak, showing around 3300mah delivered during the charge cycle. The pack was a bit warm, but again, nowhere near hot. The second and third packs both false peaked early in the charge cycle, at around the 550 mah point. Each of those packs went on to completion after restarting the charge, both ultimately taking around 3300mah in the end. The fourth pack went right to peak with no false peak. All four packs ran very well, I noticed no power loss during the run, and all four easily made the five-minute run time with plenty left over. Final Impressions
Both of these units seem to be high-quality chargers that get the job done well. In the end, the choice will depend more on what you're looking for than performance or quality issues. If you're looking for a complete battery management system, with the ability to charge, discharge, and cycle, then the 16x5 is the obvious choice. If you already have a means of discharging and cycling, the Novak with its built-in Pit Wizard functionality might seem the better pick, especially for anyone running a Novak programmable speed control. I intend to stay with the Novak, primarily because its after charge trickle can be disabled. While it's not all that difficult to unplug the pack from the 16x5 right after it peaks, I tend to wander away from my pit table and I prefer to not have to be there to unplug. I already have a Victor to discharge and cycle, thus the 16x5's discharge and cycling options aren't really a benefit to me. I don't think either of these chargers will be a disappointment to anyone. Integy INDI 16x5
Trips' Rating
Novak Millenium Pro
Trips' Rating
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