8S offers a efficiency enhance over 6S, though 8S expertise is nonetheless in early levels as a consequence of restricted supporting {hardware} as mentioned in my put up. With only some 8S appropriate chargers available on the market, we’ll take a look at the most affordable possibility, the HOTA T8 on this overview, to see whether or not it’s an excellent selection for FPV pilots looking for affordability and excessive performance in an 8S charger.
Be taught extra about selecting an FPV LiPo charger right here: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/
The place to Purchase
You may get the HOTA T8 from:
Within the field comes with the T8 charger, a USB cable for firmware updates, and a consumer guide.
Specs
Enter Voltage: DC 7.0V to 35.0V @ MAX 27A
Max Cost Energy: 22A
Discharge Energy
- Regular Mode (Inner Discharger): 0.13A at 20W
- Recycle Mode (Exterior Discharger): 0.1–22A at 650W
Steadiness Present: 1000mA @ 4.2V
Display: Shade 2.8″ IPS, 320×240 decision
USB-A Output: 5V @ 2.1A
Supported Battery Varieties
- Lithium Batteries: Good Battery / LiHV / LiPo / LiFe / LiIon / LiXX / LTO: 1-8S
- Nickel-based Batteries: NiZn / NiCd / NiMH: 1-20S
- Lead-acid Batteries: PB: 1-12S
- Different: Eneloop: 1-20S
Measurer
- PWM: 880us-2200us @ 20-400Hz
- PPM: 880us-2200us x 8CH @ 20-50Hz
- SBUS: 880us-2200us x 16CH @ 20-100Hz
- Voltage: 1.0V-5.0V @ 1-8S
- Inner Resistance: 1-99mΩ @ 1-8S
- ESC: 1-20A @ 1-35V, MAX 650W
Output
- PWM: 500us-2500us @ 20-1000Hz
- PPM: 880us-2200us x 8CH @ 50Hz
- SBUS: 880us-2200us x 16CH @ 74Hz
- Energy Provide: 0.5-22A @ 1-35V (CC+CV mode)
Bodily Dimensions
- Dimensions: 97mm × 69.5mm × 34mm
- Weight: Roughly 194g
Design
The standout function of the HOTA T8 is its 8S compatibility, making it one of many few inexpensive chargers able to dealing with 8S LiPo batteries. It’s additionally geared up with stability and discharge features, normal options in trendy sensible chargers.
The HOTA T8 has a compact, light-weight rectangular design, although it may possibly solely be powered through a DC 7V to 35V enter by means of an XT60 connector. This setup permits for energy from a battery or PSU (energy provide unit), however the lack of a USB-C (PD-compatible) enter could restrict its portability.
New to PSU for charger? Try my tutorial right here: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/#Selecting-the-Proper-Energy-Provide-for-Your-Charger
On one aspect, you’ll discover the XT60 enter connector and a 5V 2.1A USB output.
On the opposite aspect are the XT60 output and stability port, together with two servo connectors for sign era and measurement.
The consumer interface is simple, with an “Exit” button and a scroll wheel for menu navigation. The menu design is intuitive and just like different sensible chargers from HOTA and ToolkitRC. The display is obvious and shiny, readable even in direct daylight.
The T8 additionally measures inner battery resistance throughout charging, which is helpful for monitoring battery well being and efficiency.
Right here’s the underside.
Learn how to Use the T8
The included guide is fairly ineffective, nevertheless it’s not tough to make use of this charger.
To start utilizing the HOTA T8 charger, join it to an influence supply by means of the XT60 enter, then connect your battery to the XT60 output and the stability port.
Set the charging settings as wanted, and also you’re prepared to begin charging. It’s easy and environment friendly.
The T8 will also be used as a voltage checker. If you plug a battery into the XT60 output with out powering the charger itself, it shows the battery voltage. Be aware, nevertheless, that connecting solely the stability lead received’t energy the charger.
Extra Options
Like many different sensible chargers from ToolkitRC, the HOTA T8 is flexible and doubles as an influence provide, sign generator, and measuring instrument.
In Energy Provide Mode, you’ll be able to set an output voltage between 1V to 35V, with currents from 0.5A as much as 22A.
In Sign Generator Mode, the T8 outputs SBUS, PWM, and PPM indicators. Whereas these indicators have gotten much less widespread within the passion, PWM indicators are nonetheless helpful for testing servos, notably for fixed-wing fashions.
In Sign Measuring Mode, the T8 detects SBUS, PPM, and PWM indicators, useful for troubleshooting receivers utilizing these indicators, although they’re changing into out of date.
Moreover, the T8 features a USB output (Sort A) for charging units like a GoPro or smartphone. Nevertheless, it’s restricted to 5V output and isn’t Energy Supply (PD) appropriate.
Charging Accuracy
After totally charging an 8S battery, I measured the voltage of every cell to confirm whether or not the HOTA T8 undercharges or overcharges. The outcomes indicated a slight undercharge, with cells ending up about 0.01V beneath the goal voltage— a minor discrepancy that leans on the secure aspect and isn’t a priority. Moreover, the T8 means that you can regulate the tip voltage increased or decrease, which is a pleasant function for fine-tuning. For instance, to compensate for the under-charge, I would set the tip voltage to 4.21V.
| Whole | 33.57 |
| Cell 1 | 4.191 |
| Cell 2 | 4.193 |
| Cell 3 | 4.192 |
| Cell 4 | 4.188 |
| Cell 5 | 4.183 |
| Cell 6 | 4.190 |
| Cell 7 | 4.199 |
| Cell 8 | 4.197 |
Voltage Studying Accuracy
To make sure the accuracy of the T8 voltage readings, I double checked the voltage measurements in opposition to a calibrated Digital Multimeter (DDM). The readings are fairly correct and I’m very proud of it. The most important error I encountered was solely round 0.01V – it’s so small it’s negligible and shouldn’t be an issue in any respect for hobbyist use.
| Supply | Charger | DDM |
|---|---|---|
| Enter XT60 | 23.9V | 23.97V |
| CH1 XT60 | 30.66 | 30.62 |
| Cell 1 | 3.830 | 3.824 |
| Cell 2 | 3.829 | 3.824 |
| Cell 3 | 3.829 | 3.824 |
| Cell 4 | 3.829 | 3.822 |
| Cell 5 | 3.832 | 3.823 |
| Cell 6 | 3.830 | 3.825 |
| Cell 7 | 3.827 | 3.825 |
| Cell 8 | 3.826 | 3.824 |
Testing Max Energy and Cost Present
When charging a big 6S battery, I set the present to the utmost 22.0A, in concept the ability ought to go as much as 530W when voltage reaches 4V per cell. Nevertheless, the charger solely managed to achieve 19A, capping out at 495W. Whereas it didn’t meet the total specs, that is nonetheless ample energy for many FPV pilots, particularly contemplating that parallel charging six 6S 1100mAh batteries at even 2C (fairly aggressive charging), calls for solely about 13A, round 300W.
For many who don’t parallel cost, the ability necessities are even much less. Charing an 8S 1000mAh battery, for example, usually solely requires round 30W to 60W, making the T8’s efficiency greater than adequate for lifelike charging wants.
Conclusion
The HOTA T8 is probably the most inexpensive 8S LiPo charger out there, delivering stable efficiency in a compact design. Whereas the T8 didn’t fairly attain its said most output (hitting 19A and 495W as a substitute), that is nonetheless greater than adequate for many hobbyist wants. The user-friendly interface, exact voltage readings, and correct charging make it a worthwhile possibility, particularly for anybody seeking to future-proof for potential 8S battery use whereas nonetheless being appropriate with 1S to 6S batteries.
You may get the HOTA T8 from:
My favorite LiPo charger for 6S and decrease is the Q6AC: https://oscarliang.com/toolkitrc-q6ac-lipo-charger/
My favorite transportable charger is the SkyRC B6Neo: https://oscarliang.com/skyrc-b6neo-lipo-charger/
The T8 would profit from a USB-C PD enter to make it extra appropriate for travelling. Because it solely has an XT60 enter, it is best to get an exterior energy provide that’s highly effective sufficient to your charging wants. For assist in selecting the best energy provide, you’ll be able to try this information on LiPo charger energy provides: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/#Selecting-the-Proper-Energy-Provide-for-Your-Charger