Today’s video is going to be about the various types of smart chargers available from ASG. I’m going to be using simplified terms to explain how they work. For a guide on batteries, watch last week’s video.
Smart chargers by design either stop charging when they detect your battery is full after a certain voltage. Some entry level airsoft guns might come with some generic wall charger or an unmarked one and these often do not have that feature. Having it stop exactly when it has two is important for two reasons: Leaving a battery charging nonstop and unattended is hazardous. Reason #2: the other reason is that you can do all the math to calculate how long it takes to charge on a cheap charger but you will never know if it is truly full or if you have a partially used up battery, you don’t truly know how much you used. Overcharging it will reduce the lifespan of the battery overall.
ASG A680: Best for Lipo and NimH
The most basic smart chargers we offer can be available separately or with your purchase of a gun from us as an addon. These simply charge nimh batteries and there is an indicator to let you know when it is fully charged, cutting off additional power or switching to trickle mode. The chargers might look different from time to time but the general function is the same. For a simple Lipo charger, you will get 2 or 3 LED indicators which tells you the individual charge of each cell.
Now if you are a serious airsoft player with a lot of batteries and you want to take the very best care of them, we now offer a high quality charging solution and these come to us from ASG.
The first option is the model A450 which is the middle option when it comes to battery chargers in this lineup. This can do Nimh, Nicad, Lipo, and Life batteries. This charger can charge at different amps which will reduce charge times compared to a lower end charger. You must read the provided manual carefully to select the correct amperage to charge the batteries properly. Using too many amps will reduce the lifespan of your battery greatly.
This charger is simple in operation. If you have a Nimh battery, choose your desired settings, then plug in the nimh plug. This can do small tamiya or deans plugged batteries. Whether you're charging a NiMH battery or any other type, the process involves selecting the correct settings and connecting the battery using either the small Tamiya or Deans plug. This simplicity, combined with its broad compatibility, positions the A450 as a reliable airsoft battery charger that enhances the charging process without compromising on performance or safety.
For Lipos, switch to Lipo mode and choose your preferred charge settings. Use the balance plug as well as the other plug on the battery pack for this particular charger.
Very simple and the lights flash continuously during charging. When the light turns solid, it is ready to go.
Now this is the top tier option: the ASG A680. This offers all the charging capabilities but also has advanced options such as settings to balance Lipo battery cells, storage mode, and more.
Holding the start button begins the cycle and when it is finished, you will hear an obnoxious tone to let you know it did its job.
Balancing your lipo cells once in a while when the numbers are too varied will help keep your Lipos performing well for a long time. Also storing your lipos at a safe voltage will also keep them longer. Putting your lipo batteries away at a practically full charge actually lowers the lifespan by a small amount for each day they are not lowered to a voltage suited for storage.
For nimh batteries, you can also select to discharge the batteries so you’re not storing them at their maximum charge.
This type of charger is not unlike what you can find online but what makes this one significant is it is being offered by a legitimate airsoft company. When you buy one of these products as opposed to one from say amazon or ebay, you are putting your money into an airsoft business which potentially comes back into the sport. Amazon won’t put a field in your backyard at the end of the day and it won’t help create work for knowledgable airsoft people to help you out with your airsoft needs. Shopping local isn’t just some slogan to repeat, it is putting the money where your mouth is and supporting good companies that will support you and your sport.