UK chargers

If you have a tank query and you can't find the answer anywhere else, post here. (TIP - Check for answers in FAQ, use the 'search' facility or even check this board before posting here).
Forum rules
If your question is electronics related please post it in one of the relevant boards here: viewforum.php?f=31
Post Reply
aikmanmosquito
Recruit
Posts: 43
Joined: Wed Aug 10, 2016 1:53 pm

UK chargers

Post by aikmanmosquito »

Purchased my Taigen Tiger from RCtankde, it came supplied with a European spec charger. Upon querying this I was assured all I needed was an adapter, so bought one from B&Q. Anyhow after an hour of charging the charger got very hot and some of the casing started to melt. Unplugged it straight away. Speaking to an electrician he stated these adapters are only really designed for shavers etc and possibly the charger was drawing in to much power? (I'm not an electrician) anyhow he advised that I try and get a UK charger, who sells these for the taigen tanks?
User avatar
jarndice
Colonel
Posts: 8403
Joined: Mon Sep 03, 2012 11:27 am
Location: the mountains of hertfordshire

Re: UK chargers

Post by jarndice »

I usually use these people for batteries, chargers, adapters, and so forth.------
www.componentshop.co.uk
Shaun.
I think I am about to upset someone :haha:
User avatar
Tiggr
Staff Sergeant
Posts: 819
Joined: Wed Jul 13, 2016 6:19 pm
Location: North Wales near Chester

Re: UK chargers

Post by Tiggr »

Melting ?
My charger(s) get very warm after a two hour charge of the stock 2000 mah battery, but not dangerously so.

I would never leave the house while a battery was charging........
Tiger 1 Early Taigen,
Tiger 1 Mid Torro,
Tiger 1 Late Taigen,
King Tiger Taigen (P)
Jagdtiger Torro
King Tiger (H)
King Tiger Torro (H)
Tiger 1 late Torro
Panther G Taigen
User avatar
wibblywobbly
Major
Posts: 6396
Joined: Fri Oct 17, 2008 9:30 am
Location: South Wales Valley
Contact:

Re: UK chargers

Post by wibblywobbly »

If the casing on the charger got hot and melted I would suspect a faulty charger, rather than the EU adapter.

I used to live in France and used to run all sorts through the adapters without any problems. The EU plugs are very plasticky and fragile but I still have one stuck on the end of a UK 5 plug socket strip, it allows me to use UK plugs when I am abroad. They are rated for 230v so are ok for 240v.

The charger is pulling very low amps, so if it overheated it would indicate an internal problem, such is life with Chinese 'lectrics! :/
Tiger 1 Late
Panther G
King Tiger
M36 B1
User avatar
43rdRecceReg
Major
Posts: 6295
Joined: Fri Jul 31, 2015 11:38 am
Location: North West Highlands, Scotland

Re: UK chargers

Post by 43rdRecceReg »

aikmanmosquito wrote:Purchased my Taigen Tiger from RCtankde, it came supplied with a European spec charger. Upon querying this I was assured all I needed was an adapter, so bought one from B&Q. Anyhow after an hour of charging the charger got very hot and some of the casing started to melt. Unplugged it straight away. Speaking to an electrician he stated these adapters are only really designed for shavers etc and possibly the charger was drawing in to much power? (I'm not an electrician) anyhow he advised that I try and get a UK charger, who sells these for the taigen tanks?
Ordinary shaving adapters are not up to the job. You need something like this:

I bought two, and they have a robust feel. After considerable use, I can report that I didn't end up medium-rare (as per products on 'Fake Britain')...nor did they produce any unhealthy clouds of toxic smoke! 8O
Like, Shaun (Jarndice), I also use the Componentshop. I bought a 7.2v dc power supply/ battery charger from them, made by Vapex. It works very well and, unlike the typical charger (European two pin or Uk three pin), this one has an LED
that lights up when the battery pack is fully charged. :thumbup: Normally, you get no indication, and thus you have to calculate how many hours the battery needs (4-5 hours typically for a 7.2dcv 2000 maH niMH battery pack), and hope you have enough juice for wild tanking session....
Last edited by 43rdRecceReg on Thu Sep 08, 2016 9:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
"Get your facts first, and then you can distort them as much as you please"- Mark Twain.
User avatar
silversurfer1947
Lieutenant
Posts: 3337
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2015 9:54 pm
Location: Bristol, UK

Re: UK chargers

Post by silversurfer1947 »

B&Q sell two different 2 pin adaptors. One is for UK shaver plug conversions. The other is the UK equivalent of a travel adaptor for people from the EU. They have very different specifications.
Richard
Tamiya Tiger 1, Taigen FlakPanzer IV,Torro M16 half-track, Tamiya Panther,WSN/Torro T34,Taigen M41 Bulldog,H/l/Taigen Sherman M4A3,H/L T90, Haya M3 Grant, Metal Origins 234/2 Puma, Nashorn by Alwyn. I was only going to have one tank - honest! :D
Post Reply

Return to “General Questions”