G+_John M Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I did the same ..ordered the phantom 3 advanced. I also ordered an extra battery and I agree $150 for just the battery seems so expensive . Are there any safe options to charge the battery out in the field and away from a 120v outlet ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I have my chargers hooked to a spare lead acid battery. Even a little lawn mower battery would probably work nicely. Your car also works, just don't kill your battery.? Then again, idk if the phantom chargers will run from 12v though. I'd imagine you could charge the phantom battery with any charger if you were creative. You could use an inverter as well, but thats a waste. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John M Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 Your using the stock charger that came with your phantom hooked to a car battery? That doesn't damage your phantom batteries? Can you be more specific how you did that safely. ..ie the phantom batteries need 120 v AC and a car battery is 12v DC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John M Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 How many charge cycles does a fully charged car battery give your phantom batteries? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 I dont have a phantom, im charging regular lipos with a 4 button charger. If you wanted to use the phantom charger, you'd probably need an inverter (i dont think that charger supports 12v in). Inverter will totally work, but adds inefficiency. If you can find a charger that runs on 12v, you'd be better off. Also, as far as capacity goes, lead acids are rated just like anything else (mah/ah). Every amp you put into your lipo is taken from the lead acid obviously, maybe add 10% for heat if youre charging with 12v. With an inverter, those numbers wont quite match up because of the inefficiency. of transforming 12v dc into 120v ac and back again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 You might be able to charge it with a simple 4 button charger if you know the capacity and number of cells. A lipo is a lipo. This guy is doing it: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John M Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 That's very helpful thanks...I can easily carry along a spare battery in my car. Any recommendation on the 4 button charger ? What brand are you using ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John M Posted January 15, 2016 Author Share Posted January 15, 2016 I just noticed your link...thanks very much Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 Hobbyking sells the Turnigy Accucell chargers. Mine have been nice. The new one charges at almost 7amps too. If you charged your phantom battery at 7amps, you could have it charged in 45 min or so. Then again, im not sure how much those batteries can take. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Larry Havenstein Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 The new phantoms use non-standard battery connectors so you can't use the generic chargers like Turnigy. You kind of are stuck with DJIs options. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Larry Havenstein Posted January 15, 2016 Share Posted January 15, 2016 how about using a dc inverter on the battery so you could use the normal DJI charger? The 12 volt battery that is. Its weird they don't offer the 12 volt charging cord for Phantom 3s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Carlton Dodd Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 You know DJI offers an official charger that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter/power port, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_John M Posted January 16, 2016 Author Share Posted January 16, 2016 I am thinking the best solution perhaps is to use a pure sine wave 12v to 120 v power inverter attached to your car battery or probably better even a spare car battery. That way you get clean 120 v power and just use the power charging brick that comes with the phantom 3 plugged into the inverter . I am thinking The power bright APS300 would be sufficient enough to charge a spare battery while your flying . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Fr. Robert Ballecer, SJ Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Good Question... I'll show you a few options in two weeks. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Taylor Graham Posted January 16, 2016 Share Posted January 16, 2016 Wayne Hobbins It would take 4-5 hours to charge a phantom battery at 1 amp. Im sure it can handle at least 1c. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
G+_Larry Havenstein Posted January 17, 2016 Share Posted January 17, 2016 According to DJI the cigarette lighter/power charger is for the Phantom 2 not the Phantom 3. I don't know why yet. I have a very modified Phantom 1 so have conventional batteries and haven't had to deal with the propriety stuff yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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