Extensive Review: HTRC C240 Duo // AC/DC Dual LiPo Battery Charger

Amazon Link
amzn.to/2LAkIbE
Purchased on Amazon with Prime Delivery
Seems like a solid charger for bench or field
In review:
Unboxing
Confirmation of end balance voltage
4s highest charge rate on AC input
4s highest charge rate on DC input
Menu walk through
★ DUO CHARGER: Duo LiPo charger can simultaneously charge two different batteries with different voltages, AC input max power 150W(CH1+CH2=150W), 100-240V; DC input max power 240W(CH1+CH2=240W) 11-18V; charge current 0.1-10A*2; discharge power 10W; discharge current 0.1-2A*2; 1602 LCD screen.
★ PRACTICAL FOR VARIOUS BATTERIES: 1-6s LiIon/LiPo/LiFe/LiHV; 1-15cell NiCd/NiMH; 2-20V PB battery; Smart Battery I,II,III 5-27V,0.1-6A.(Only charge the rechargeable batteries which meet this specifications of this charger).
★ MULTI-FUNCTION: Charge, Balancer, Discharge, Terminal Voltage Control, Lithium Battery Capacity & Voltage Checking, Battery Internal Resistance Checking, Lipo Storage Mode, Data Storage and Memory Loading, Lipo Meter, Digital DC Power.
★ SMART CHARGER: This balance charger allows you to memorize up to 20*2 datas of your battery and do not need you set the proper value of your battery while charging and discharging again.
★ PACKAGE INCLUDED: 1 x HTRC C240 Lipo Charger; 1 x AC Power Cable; 2 x XT60 Plug 2 in 1; 2 x T Crocodile Clip; 2 x Balance Board with Pin Cord; 2 x T Banana Connector; 2 x Tamiya; 1 x User Manual.

[@FLSharkdiver]

How do you like thi charger? I will be just charging my 3s and 2s Lipos for my Sonicwake Speedboat and my Arrma Kraton 6S truggy?

[@SpaceExplorer2000]

Have you guys noticed that if you use the discharge function on channel 1 that it errors out it a couple of minutes with the message "OVER Int. TEMP CUTOFF". This continues every couple of minutes requiring you to restart the process. This exact discharge function fully completes successfully on channel 2 with exactly the same parameters and cables. I am assuming that this is not the same as the Ext. TEMP CUTOFF that you can set in the user settings. I have tested this on a couple of these chargers with the same observations. Tried multiple experiments, e.g. with/without temperature probes, default External Temp Cutoff as well as adjusting this parameter. Using new or used LiPo's give the same errors. Again, it works fine on Channel 2 but not Channel 1. Just want to see if anyone else experiences this.

[@PULSEmultimedia]

Thank you for review! C240 can discharge 2s(3s,4s....) battery without balance plug? Only via power cable +/-? Or need connect balance cable everytime? For example SKYRC IMAX B6 support charge/discharge 2-6s batteries without balance plug.

[@cdwag23]

have you had any problem with bank #1 not being able to put a charged batt3ery into storage?

[@peteohm]

I had one side quit working. Can only charge 1 battery at a time now. Error message says something like “ Charged Stopped one cell low” on every battery I try on charger 2.

[@aliitaly4374]

does this charger has a smart battery option to charge like t240?

[@patsjoholm]

Thanks for the review, I'm very interested in this charger. What amp rating were you charging those batteries at to get them completed in 22 minutes? 2 or 3C? Been charging at 1C and trying to see if higher is ok, as 1 hour is such a long time to wait. I have those same batteries too.

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

Patrick S I usually charge at 2c rate. If I’m in the field and need packs charged faster 3c rate is fine with quality packs in good condition.

[@patsjoholm]

@@MatthewBennettFPV thnx

[@DronemanJoeRc]

Just bought this charger and do you really like it?

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

Droneman Productions it’s done ok for me.

[@juliojairfpv6217]

Did you recommend this or the T240 (same price)?

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

juliojairFPV I like the C240 for simplicity of being able to see status of both packs at the same time. T240 requires pressing button to switch between each channel.

[@juliojairfpv6217]

I'm worried about the quality of T240 I saw on KZbin a lot of issues with ch1 not working, overcharging cells, calibration not saved,.. Is there a warranty if I buy on AliExpress or Banggood?

[@aerialvideo0007]

can you charge 2 4s 9200 mAh at 1c?

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

Aerial Photography Advance it wouldn’t get up to the 1C rate of 9.2 amps for that 9200 mAh pack. You could still charge at lower rate and be fine, it will just take longer.

[@chuckkissel2785]

Do you need to plug in the lead along with the Balance plugs inorder or charge a battery?

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

Chuck Kissel do you mean will it charge only through the balance connection? Both balance and main battery power leads need to be connected. I have some really cheap low current chargers that will do only through balance connector, but they are usually slow to charge.

[@chuckkissel2785]

Yes. I have LIHV battery packs that only have a Balance Connector. I tried to charge with a cheaper lipo charger with only a balance port and it does not fully charge the pack. All LiHV chargers have both balance and main lead connectors. So do i need to modify my LiHV with a main lead to charge it with a good charger?

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

Chuck Kissel what size and cell counts are the packs? You could make a special balance plug for it to work, you just wouldn’t want to charge at a high rate due to all current being passed through the smaller gauge balance wires.

[@chuckkissel2785]

Thank you for your replys BTW. I have 2S packs at 850mah, so pretty small. But what if i buy a charging board that has a built in lead connector that goes to the charger and the board only plugs in the balance port from the batteries like this one? www.amazon.com/dp/B078ZR15V3/

[@sd_rcfanatic157]

Set up to 8amps but it can only goes up to 5amps😬

[@MatthewBennettFPV]

Derek E it depends on the voltage. It will do 8amps on a 2s pack.

[@shingod700]

Also if you use the ac cord you can only use 150w, to use the 240watt you need a 240w dc power supply