No, it’s only compatible with Spektrum SMART batteries. The “smart” batteries have a built in computer chip that communicates with the charger.Hey guys so I'm wondering if I can charge any brand of battery like Turnigy with the Spektrum S120 smart charger?
My information comes from here@Merv - so the comment on the store page that it can charge other batteries isn't true?
I view the DC charger as a pro, not a con. I have had more expensive 4 channel chargers. They worked great for several years. Then one channel failed & I was left with a 3 channel charger. Then another channel failed, now I'm down to 2. What I've found, the price you pay for something has very little to do with how long it will last.The Imax B6 and its clones usually don't offer AC charging unless you buy an additional transformer
I view the DC charger as a pro, not a con. I have had more expensive 4 channel chargers. They worked great for several years. Then one channel failed & I was left with a 3 channel charger. Then another channel failed, now I'm down to 2. What I've found, the price you pay for something has very little to do with how long it will last.
That's when I decided to go a different route. I'm currently running 8 iMax B6 chargers running off of 1 power supply. I know any of my chargers can fail at any time. When they are on sale, I pickup a spare or two. So that WHEN one does fail, I just swap it out. I view the ability to replace just one, as a pro, it's an easy fix.
Now, I'm not waiting ALL day to charge.
Yes I agree with that. To spend almost twice as much for smart tech that you won’t use while flying for maybe 10 minutes per battery is a total waist. Before I knew about FT and FB (about 3 years ago), I bought an RTF Carbon Cub S+ that did not have the Spektrum electronics which I’m thankful for ( the updated version, now called the Carbon Cub S2, uses Spektrums SMART electronics and battery). About a year later I got a good deal on a RTF apprentice with the smart technology. I regret that purchase because crashed happen and this was no exception. I love my cub and the scale detail but I wish I would’ve known about FB before dumping $260 into my first plane which has crashed multiple times and repairs aren’t cheap. To any newbie buying planes is not a good option. Wait till you have learned on cheap FB before considering scale models. With bought planes you can’t cut out a new wing to replace your broken one. Instead you have to pay about $50. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way. Sorry this got off topic. lol
I totally agree with about the "Smart" charger.Sounds like you’re not running the standard AC/DC transformer that most newbies are buying into, .......And I think both you and I can agree that the SMART chargers are not the way to go. 😁
1. OK1 - that was a thread highjack
questions for your situation
2 - does your charger have a 6s balance port? (search is failing me finding that charger)
3 - do your 3s batteries work correctly on a different charger? or have you tested the 3s batteries to make sure the individual cells are all good?
if all of that still points to that being able to help you, it could still be something internal to the charger and only by testing with a different break out cable would you be able to determine if that is the case.
Maybe. It's possible that you will bypass the problem with you charger. If the charger works with larger cell count batteries, then yes, there is a good chance it will work.so I think that it has something to do with the 3s balance port. If I buy this, then should that work
I guess I’ll toss my opinion in on “smart” technology. I bought the carbon cub s-2 rtf when it came out. It has smart technology however I get battery voltage telemetry whether I’m using a “smart” pack or one of my other packs. It’s super handy just to glance down at the transmitter and helps me bring it in at 3.8 v per cell every time. Also, I have two 2200 4s smart packs I use in my extra 300, and although they cost me more, they perform much better than the other 2200 4s packs I’ve used. Plus, $40 for a 2200 4s isn’t unreasonable - any decent pack that size will be running you a similar price. I don’t plan on touching the G2 smart packs though - no balance plug is a huge no-no for me.
I’m fine with the EC3 or IC3 battery connector (as long as it had a balance plug) but what I hate is when the esc comes with an EC3 or IC3 connector. Most my batteries are XT-60, and it’s happened too many times where I get to the field only to realized I forgot the stupid little adapter... And I don’t believe you can swap the connector out without voiding the warranty. That’s my least favorite thing about the horizon planes - other than that I’ve really liked the ones I have.The "no balance plug" is my biggest issue with them as well. Maybe the gen 1 batteries are good, but all I've ever seen in my hobby stores are the Gen 2 batteries, lacking the balance plug.
The other thing I don't like about them is that they're using the new proprietary IC3 connectors, as a way of replacing the EC3 connectors (which, while a male EC3 will fit into a female XT60, I STILL don't like them).