1. HYPERION, the only way to charge!
2. EOS0610i Duo, I think it sells for around $270 or $300, needs a power supply but can do 2 packs at 10 AMPS EACH. Is capable of charging NiCd, NiMH, LiPo, LiFePo4, Lead Acid.
3. SMC packs are capable of being charged at 3C. This does reduce the life span of the pack. We personally charge at 2C, which still decrease life, just not as drastically. If you want to protect your purchase for as long as possible, then charge at the recommended 1C. Incase some of you don't know yet...1C is 1 Amp charge for every 1000mAh capacity of your packs...2200mah = 2.2Amps...6000mAh = 6.0Amps
4. We charge at 2C every time and balance charge every time. Our owner Danny doesn't require balancing every time but at least once every 8 charges. I personally balance charge each and every time b/c the Hyperion IS A balance charger, not external balancer needed. It's one of those things that if you do it all the time, you should never forget!!!
5. I'll have to get back with you on this one as we are soo busy that I'll start my packs then go back to doing my normal work, then get a pnone call, then an email, then the UPS truck arrives, then another phone call...haha So, I need to just sit down 1 day and charge 3-4 different mAh packs at 1C and see what their charge times are like. Remember that if you purchase an SMC pack, we put about 30% storage charge into the pack before it leaves the building. What this means is that your 1st charge will not take as long as all subsequent charges. Some people call freakinbg out that it only took 20 minutes, or 30 minutes, but this is perfectly normal. Just make sure that each cell is at 4.20v or close to that, some may be 4.19 or 4.18, but the pack as a whole fully charged should read around the 8.40 mark!!!
6. Just like in #1...HYPERION is the way to go. There are several different levels of Hyperion chargers, ranging from $130 being AC/DC to $300 with dual battery charging capabilities but needing a power supply. This is one of, if not THE top line of chargers on the market. I HAVE HEARD OF ZERO NEGATIVE COMENTS WITH THIS BRAND!
Bryan @ SMC