Overview
The Corally Ultra-X 80 AC/DC Balance Charger represents professional and effective charging technology in a compact housing, making it an essential addition to any RC enthusiast's workshop. Whether you're running brushless RC cars, electric RC buggies, or maintaining a collection of different battery chemistries, this microprocessor-controlled universal fast charger delivers the versatility and performance you need. The Ultra-X 80 is a modern, efficient and powerful charger that handles lithium batteries from 1 to 6S, NiCd and NiMH batteries from 1 to 15 cells, and lead acid batteries from 2 to 20V, making it the only charger you'll need for virtually all your RC hobby requirements across multiple platforms and vehicle types.
For RC enthusiasts in the UK who take their hobby seriously, investing in a quality balance charger like the Corally Ultra-X 80 ensures your batteries maintain optimal health and performance throughout their lifespan. The 80W charging power delivers fast, reliable charging without the safety compromises that come with cheaper alternatives. This is the charger serious RC car UK competitors, weekend bashers, and hobby pilots choose when they want dependable performance without complications. The compact design measures just 138mm x 131mm x 56mm and weighs only 435 grams, making it perfectly suited for storage at your RC track, field, or workshop without taking up valuable space.
The Ultra-X 80 employs advanced microprocessor control technology to deliver intelligent charging across multiple battery types and cell configurations. Its "Easy Button" operation means even beginners can operate the charger confidently, whilst advanced users appreciate the granular control over charge and discharge parameters. With a real-time LCD display providing constant feedback on your charging status, you'll always know exactly what's happening with your batteries. Multiple safety protections work behind the scenes to protect your valuable battery investments, including low input voltage protection, over current protection, reverse polarity protection, a safety timer, thermal protection, and audible alarms to alert you when charging is complete.
Key Features
- Dual Input Power — The Ultra-X 80 accepts AC power from any standard UK household socket (100-240V AC at 50Hz) or can be powered from a 12V DC source (11-18V DC input), giving you flexibility to charge at home, at the track, or in your workshop van without requiring additional power adapters.
- Universal Battery Compatibility — This single charger handles LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, and Li-Ion lithium batteries from 1 to 6 cells, NiMH and NiCd batteries from 1 to 15 cells, and lead acid batteries from 2 to 20V, eliminating the need to purchase multiple chargers for different battery types commonly used in RC vehicles.
- 80W Maximum Charging Power — With 80 watts of charging capacity distributed across a maximum charge current of 0.1 to 8.0 amps, the Ultra-X 80 delivers fast charging performance that respects battery chemistry and cell health, significantly reducing charging times compared to slower chargers whilst maintaining safety.
- Integrated Balance Function — The built-in balance charging feature with 500mA balance current and 2-6S XH balancer connector automatically equalises cell voltages across your lithium batteries during charging, which extends battery lifespan, improves performance consistency, and prevents individual cell damage that can occur with unbalanced packs.
- Discharge Capability — Beyond charging, the Ultra-X 80 can discharge batteries at currents up to 2.0 amps with a maximum discharge power of 5W, allowing you to safely store batteries at storage voltage levels or completely discharge old packs before disposal, a critical feature for responsible battery management.
- Real-Time LCD Display — The 2-line, 16-character LCD display provides constant, real-time feedback on voltage, current, capacity, and charging status, so you can monitor your batteries throughout the charging process and catch any anomalies immediately rather than discovering problems later.
- Multiple Safety Protections — The charger incorporates comprehensive safety features including low input voltage protection to prevent operation from insufficient power sources, over current protection to prevent damage from short circuits, reverse polarity protection so connecting batteries backwards won't destroy the charger, a safety timer to prevent overcharging, thermal protection to shut down if the charger overheats, and audible alarms that notify you when charging is complete.
- XT-60 Output Connector — The standard XT-60 connector is widely used across the RC hobby community in the UK, meaning most modern RC vehicles, chargers, and batteries will connect directly without requiring adapters, making the Ultra-X 80 compatible with the vast majority of contemporary RC equipment.
- Easy Button Operation — Despite its advanced capabilities, the Ultra-X 80 employs intuitive "Easy Button" operation that simplifies the charging process, allowing users of all skill levels to confidently operate the charger without extensive manual consultation or complex menu navigation.
- Compact Design — At just 138mm long, 131mm wide, and 56mm tall with a weight of only 435 grams, the Ultra-X 80 fits easily on any workbench, in a toolbox, or in your RC vehicle transport case, providing professional charging capability without the bulk of larger bench-top chargers.
Technical Performance
The Corally Ultra-X 80 represents a significant step forward in portable charging technology for RC enthusiasts who demand both versatility and reliability. Built with microprocessor control at its core, this charger intelligently manages power delivery across multiple battery chemistry types including lithium polymer (LiPo), lithium high-voltage (LiHV), lithium iron phosphate (LiFe), lithium-ion (Li-Ion), nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), nickel-cadmium (NiCd), and lead acid (PB-SLA) batteries. The engineering supports lithium batteries from 1 to 6 cells with voltage ranges from 3.7V to 22.2V, making it suitable for everything from small indoor racing drones and compact RC cars to larger scale RC vehicles requiring multi-cell battery packs. For traditional nickel-based chemistries, it accommodates 1 to 15 cells ranging from 1.2V to 18V, whilst lead acid support spans 2 to 20V for those maintaining older RC vehicles or emergency power systems. The 80W power output is intelligently distributed across a charge current range of 0.1 to 8.0 amps, allowing users to select slow trickle charging for maintenance and storage, or rapid charging up to the full 8-amp capability for getting back to action quickly. The discharge function, whilst limited to 2.0 amps and 5W maximum to prioritise safety, provides essential functionality for battery storage preparation and safe pack retirement. The 500mA balance current ensures that multi-cell lithium packs maintain perfect voltage balance across all cells, which is critical for maximising battery lifespan and preventing the catastrophic cell failure that can occur when individual cells operate outside their ideal voltage range. All of this capability is packed into a robust housing measuring 138mm x 131mm x 56mm, weighing just 435 grams, making it genuinely portable whilst maintaining the engineering standards expected of professional charging equipment.
What's in the Box
- Corally Ultra-X 80 AC/DC Balance Charger (C-51025-EU)
- Power cord for AC input
- User manual (multilingual)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is the Corally Ultra-X 80 suitable for RC car UK beginners? — Absolutely. The Ultra-X 80 is specifically designed with "Easy Button" operation that makes it accessible to newcomers whilst providing the advanced features experienced RC enthusiasts demand. The real-time LCD display shows exactly what's happening during charging, building confidence as you learn proper battery management. The comprehensive safety protections mean you can charge with confidence even as you're developing your skills in battery care and maintenance.
- What battery types can this charger handle? — The Ultra-X 80 is a truly universal charger handling LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, and Li-Ion lithium batteries from 1 to 6 cells (3.7V to 22.2V), NiMH and NiCd batteries from 1 to 15 cells (1.2V to 18V), and lead acid batteries from 2 to 20V. This comprehensive compatibility means you can retire your collection of single-chemistry chargers and use the Ultra-X 80 as your primary charging solution across multiple RC vehicles and applications.
- Can I use the Corally Ultra-X 80 in my RC vehicle workshop at the track? — Yes, the charger's dual power input makes it flexible for any location. You can use standard UK household AC power (100-240V), or power it from a 12V DC source (11-18V) such as a vehicle cigarette lighter, portable power station, or workshop battery, giving you charging capability wherever your RC hobby takes you. The compact 435-gram design fits easily in your RC carrying case.
- What makes the balance charging function important for my RC batteries? — Balance charging equalises the voltage across individual cells within multi-cell battery packs during the charging process. This is critical because unbalanced cells degrade at different rates, with over-charged cells failing prematurely whilst under-charged cells cannot deliver full power. The Ultra-X 80's 500mA balance current through the 2-6S XH balancer connector ensures all cells reach identical voltages, directly extending your battery lifespan and maintaining consistent performance across all your charged packs.
- Does the charger work with modern RC racing batteries? — Yes. Contemporary RC racing vehicles typically use LiPo or LiHV batteries in 2S to 6S configurations, all of which the Ultra-X 80 supports perfectly. The 8.0 amp maximum charge current allows rapid charging of racing batteries without compromising cell safety, and the integrated balance function ensures race-day consistency by preventing voltage drift between cells that could affect handling and acceleration characteristics.
- What safety features protect my expensive batteries? — The Ultra-X 80 incorporates seven layers of protection: low input voltage protection prevents operation from insufficient power sources; over current protection detects shorts and excess demand; reverse polarity protection stops damage if batteries are connected backwards; a safety timer prevents overcharging beyond safe duration limits; thermal protection shuts down if the charger itself overheats; audible alarms alert you when charging completes; and the microprocessor continuously monitors all parameters to detect and respond to anomalies instantly.
- How long does it take to charge a typical RC LiPo battery? — Charging time depends on battery capacity and your selected charge current. Using the maximum 8.0 amp charge rate with an 80W power budget allows charging a standard RC battery significantly faster than with smaller chargers, typically allowing most small to medium RC batteries to charge completely within 30-60 minutes depending on their capacity. You can also choose slower charge rates for maintenance charging or when you want to maximise long-term battery health.
- What does the discharge function do and why would I use it? — The discharge function allows you to safely reduce battery voltage to storage levels (typically 3.0V per cell for LiPo), which dramatically extends battery lifespan during periods when batteries aren't in use. The 2.0 amp discharge current handles most RC batteries, and the maximum 5W power limit ensures safe, controlled discharge. You can also use the discharge function to fully deplete old batteries before disposal, ensuring they're completely inert and safe for recycling.
- Can I charge multiple batteries at once with the Ultra-X 80? — The Ultra-X 80 features a single XT-60 charge output, so it charges one battery at a time rather than allowing simultaneous charging of multiple packs. However, the fast 80W charging power and up to 8.0 amp charge rate means individual batteries charge quickly, minimising downtime between charges during busy RC sessions.
- What connector types does the Ultra-X 80 use? — The charger features an XT-60 output connector, which is the industry standard across modern RC vehicles, ESCs, and battery packs in the UK hobby market. It includes a 2-6S XH balancer connector for the balance charging function specific to lithium batteries. Both connectors are industry-standard, so compatibility with contemporary RC equipment is assured.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the CORALLY ULTRA-X 80 AC/DC BALANCE CHARGER / DISCHARGER C-51025-EU today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.