8S offers a efficiency increase over 6S, although 8S expertise is nonetheless in early levels as a result of restricted supporting {hardware} as mentioned in my put up. With only some 8S appropriate chargers available on the market, we’ll have a look at the most cost effective choice, the HOTA T8 on this evaluation, to see whether or not it’s a super 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 will get the HOTA T8 from:
Within the field comes with the T8 charger, a USB cable for firmware updates, and a person handbook.
Specs
Enter Voltage: DC 7.0V to 35.0V, MAX 27A
Max Cost Energy: 22A at 650W
Display screen: Shade 2.8″ IPS, 320×240 decision
USB Output: 5V at 2.1A
Stability Present: 1000mA at 4.2V
Dimensions: 97mm × 69.5mm × 34mm
Weight: Roughly 194g
Discharger Energy:
- Regular Mode (Inside Discharger): 0.13A at 20W
- Recycle Mode (Exterior Discharger): 0.1–22A at 650W
Supported Battery Varieties:
- Lithium-Primarily based: Sensible Battery / LiHV / LiPo / LiFe / LiIon / LiXX / LTO (1–8S)
- Nickel-Primarily based: NiZn / NiCd / NiMH / Eneloop (1–20S)
- Lead-Primarily based: PB (1–12S)
Output
- Energy Provide: 0.5–22A at 1–35V (CC+CV Mode)
- SBUS: 880us–2200us × 16CH at 74Hz
- PWM: 500us–2500us at 20–1000Hz
- PPM: 880us–2200us × 8CH at 50Hz
Measuring Functionality
- SBUS: 880us–2200us × 16CH at 20–100Hz
- PPM: 880us–2200us × 8CH at 20–50Hz
- PWM: 880us–2200us at 20–400Hz
- Inside Resistance: 1–99mΩ for 1–8S
Design
The standout function of the HOTA T8 is its 8S compatibility, making it one of many few reasonably priced chargers able to dealing with 8S LiPo batteries. It’s additionally outfitted with stability and discharge features, normal options in trendy good chargers.
The HOTA T8 has a compact, light-weight rectangular design, although it may possibly solely be powered by way of a DC 7V to 35V enter by way 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 might 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 facet, you’ll discover the XT60 enter connector and a 5V 2.1A USB output.
On the opposite facet are the XT60 output and stability port, together with two servo connectors for sign technology and measurement.
The person interface is simple, with an “Exit” button and a scroll wheel for menu navigation. The menu design is intuitive and much like different good chargers from HOTA and ToolkitRC. The display screen is evident and brilliant, readable even in direct daylight.
The T8 additionally measures inside battery resistance throughout charging, which is helpful for monitoring battery well being and efficiency.
Right here’s the underside.
The way to Use the T8
The included handbook is fairly ineffective, but it surely’s not tough to make use of this charger.
To start utilizing the HOTA T8 charger, join it to an influence supply by way 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 start out charging. It’s easy and environment friendly.
The T8 may 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. Word, nevertheless, that connecting solely the stability lead gained’t energy the charger.
Further Options
Like many different good chargers from ToolkitRC, the HOTA T8 is flexible and doubles as an influence provide, sign generator, and measuring device.
In Energy Provide Mode, you may 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 alerts. Whereas these alerts have gotten much less frequent within the pastime, PWM alerts are nonetheless helpful for testing servos, significantly for fixed-wing fashions.
In Sign Measuring Mode, the T8 detects SBUS, PPM, and PWM alerts, useful for troubleshooting receivers utilizing these alerts, 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 under the goal voltage— a minor discrepancy that leans on the secure facet and isn’t a priority. Moreover, the T8 permits you to regulate the tip voltage greater or decrease, which is a pleasant function for fine-tuning. For instance, to compensate for the under-charge, I’d 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 pleased with 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 succeed in 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 individuals who don’t parallel cost, the ability necessities are even much less. Charing an 8S 1000mAh battery, as an example, usually solely requires round 30W to 60W, making the T8’s efficiency greater than enough for reasonable charging wants.
Conclusion
The HOTA T8 is probably the most reasonably priced 8S LiPo charger accessible, delivering stable efficiency in a compact design. Whereas the T8 didn’t fairly attain its acknowledged most output (hitting 19A and 495W as an alternative), that is nonetheless greater than enough for many hobbyist wants. The user-friendly interface, exact voltage readings, and correct charging make it a worthwhile choice, particularly for anybody trying to future-proof for potential 8S battery use whereas nonetheless being appropriate with 1S to 6S batteries.
You will 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 moveable 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’s best to get an exterior energy provide that’s highly effective sufficient in your charging wants. For assist in selecting the best energy provide, you may 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