Need A Replacement Charger for Opus BT-C3100

It is not perfect, but unless you wanna splurge on a SkyRC MC3000, the Opus bt-c3100 is still probably the best choice in that price range.

Oh yes, the Opus’ feature of having fully-independent slots of 4 is so versatile that it can get you spoiled, as I seldom use the same mode on all 4 bays at once, but almost always a combination of modes.

On the other hand, someone in CPF reported his MC3000 goes up to 70C or 158F discharging 4x18650 @ .7a I believe…and he put a laptop bottom fan just to bring down the temperature to 60C! For me that’s poor thermal management and can be scary if something goes wrong with the fan but goes unnoticed.

If something with the fan goes wrong it will get noticed though, as the mc3000 has thermal monitoring for system & batteries.

Though I believe something that costs this much should have been re-designed after thermal issues have been reported for quite a while already, yet….it’s just too hot for my taste.

The fact that HKJ uses he MC3000 himself is a strong indication of it being a good choice.

I have not seen any thermal issues with the MC3000 and it is very unlikely that any will happen. It has sensors that will reduce power long before it gets too hot.
That the sensors works was shown in the first batch where the fan was pulling air down past the heatsink, that could not always remove all the heat from a 4 cell LiIon discharge and the charger would reduce the discharge current to avoid any issues. In later the models the fan has been turned around and blows air up over the heatsink, this improves the airflow slightly and the charger can usual discharge at full current (This will depend on the ambient temperature).

I am recommending the liitokala lii500 for you since you’re on a budget

Oh well, issues like this would now have been avoided if “due diligence” (for a charger/analyzer costing that much) have been done right from the start, and even then, with the current model, I don’t have a problem with my Opus even with an ambient temperature reaching 38C in my country, easily discharging 4 x 18650 @ 1A each, even from the time of the 2.0 version.

Technical superiority should have been coupled with excellent functionality.

Happy are those who have the latest versions, but for the rest of us, I rest my case. :person_facepalming:

Opus do not have a temperature protection and because it gets much hotter it can handle the same power with less cooling.

Some of the replies say their charger “Never gets hot”………how do you know? (for those of us who don’t own those chargers)

That’s very subjective. What is “Hot” ?

I’ve seen my MC3K get to 122F (system temperature). Would you consider that as “hot” ?
BTW…my new MC3K was only $79.95 :slight_smile:

I wish you guys that generically said “my charger never gets hot” would have posted the max temps you’ve seen with your LUC and OPUS chargers. That might have been more helpful. Or…maybe those chargers don’t tell you the system temp…so you would have no idea? Are we guessing? (maybe they do)

Just sayin

I believe the System temp. is the heatsink temp and 122F/50C is fairly cool for a heatsink. As far as I remember the limit is 176F/80C and even that is not hot for a heatsink.

Awesome!
Ya know…I like to keep my cool so I use a mini desktop cooling fan just for extra measure. I usually have a system temp of 82F (27.7C) when charging or discharging.

I have to admit, as much as I’m not happy with their warranty process, I really like the MC3K and at the price I paid it was an easy decision.
This thing is so far above all the others it’s in a whole different class.

+1

Good point, if I remember right he even wrote that it’s not a charger for everyone.
But I don’t think he would be using it if it wasn’t good.

Wait the opus doesn’t have tempature protection? When I got my 2.2 the instructions say something about reducing current at one temp And then if it reaches a certain internal tempature the unit shuts off until tempatures drop below a thresehold

Then it probably have and I have just not warmed it enough up to trigger it.
But it do not change that it runs hotter than the MC3000, the 80C temp. limit is fairly low.
Look at this review for electronic that runs hot (Some of it a bit too hot): Test/review of Load resistor Juwei 2.5-5-10ohm

Well….the OP did say he wanted a charger “Packed with features”.

Thanks for all your hard work and reviews HKJ!
I partially based my decision to buy the MC3K on your reviews and reading threads here. BEST decision I’ve made in this hobby.
By reading and learning, from you and others my knowledge has increased a good bit. (still a LONG way to go)
but with all the great info here I’m really enjoying this hobby.

I’m sure the OP will buy whatever charger he feels works best for him. And it will be the correct choice for him no matter which one he chooses.
(At least until his knowledge increases……as mine did)

Here is my Heat sink for my Fenix ARE-C2! I am VERY pleasantly surprised in how well it works. My Fenix charger gets hotter than any other I own or have owned.It gets warm at best now!

This is Not rocket science. It is simple, creative and Very effective! I never claimed to be mechanically inclined nor do I excel in the science behind electrical components and how they operate.

This slab of steel is L=6”, W=1.5”,H=1” and weight is 3.3LBS/1.5KG

It almost looks like that “slab of steel” was made for the ARE-C2. It is the same length as you will see in the pics. below!

I have heard that HEAT is the enemy of L.ion cells. I do not doubt that. I will say that my first ARE-C2 is over 3 years old and my Orbtronic 18650 are 4Y 3M old w/ over 430 cycles.75% of those cycles have been charged in my ARE-C2.I have other batteries that have been charged in the ARE-C2 their entire life and are still going.With that said,eliminating heat is definitely beneficial for the charger and also the batteries.

I am a simpleton. “It is the ”Simple Things in Life” that make me happy!

Really? No harm intended there my friend.
Your post just got me thinking of how many times I’ve referred to HKJs’ posts and his website and I really feel he knows his stuff.
You may be right. If so, please accept my apology.
Regards.
Z

PS…
If you’re offended, please tell me how I can change the post to suit you. :slight_smile:

It’s probably more of a getting “old and forgetful” thing :weary: