SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO Multi-Function Charger Review and Easy Usage

This time, I'll be reviewing the SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO multi-charger, which can charge various types of batteries (I'm an electric airsoft gun user).

Before I give my review, let me introduce the charger I used in the past. It was a simple, common charger like the one in the picture below.

With chargers like the ones mentioned above, it's often unclear whether the battery is properly charged. Even if you think you've fully charged the battery, you might find that it's not charged at all when you try to use it in the field, or that the battery is damaged (this was especially bad with early nickel-metal hydride batteries).

These symptoms increased with each advancement in battery technology, from nickel-metal hydride to lithium-ion batteries (nickel-cadmium batteries were less powerful but more robust).

Batteries aren't cheap, so when they break, it's a big blow to my wallet (I've broken several).

LiPo batteries, in particular, require precise control during charging (charging current, voltage of each cell, etc.), so simple chargers would quickly damage the batteries (due to variations in cell voltage).

LiPo batteries can not only be damaged, but in the worst-case scenario, they can even catch fire, so extra caution is necessary.

Using inadequate battery chargers, battery checkers, or dischargers can damage batteries.

As a countermeasure, since I started using a digitally controlled charger compatible with the SKYRC iMAX B6, the number of uncharged and damaged batteries has drastically decreased, and the problem has been resolved (almost 100% no damage).

This type of charger allows for precise control of the voltage of each battery cell and setting the charging current, making battery management significantly more convenient.

While the price is a concern with digital chargers, the SKYRC iMAX B6 series is reasonably priced at 3000 to 6000 yen. Compared to the charger used in the photo above (which costs 2000 to 4000 yen), it's a bit more expensive, but the reduced battery failure rate and improved lifespan make it well worth it (reducing stress by avoiding sudden problems).

One drawback is that the operation is a bit complicated, but we will explain that in this article.

With these points in mind, let's review the latest model of the SKYRC iMAX B6, an improved version of the SKYRC iMAX B6.

Check the outer box and contents.

This is the outer box.

It has a simple outer box.

The sides and back of the box contain information about the specifications and included accessories.

Specifications are listed.

Genuine optional equipment is listed.

Description of features.

The back of the device indicates that it has Bluetooth functionality.

These details will be explained in more detail later.

Next is a list of the contents.

Let's take a look at the included cables.

The above is a list of the contents.

Unfortunately, in Japan, the included cable alone is not enough to use the device immediately (it requires power supply and a Tamiya mini connector for batteries commonly used in Japan).

We will introduce the necessary cables in detail later.

appearance

This is the front view of the main unit.

It has an LCD display and four control buttons on the front.

It's palm-sized, lightweight at 238g, and compact.

Let's take a look at the power port (INPUT) on the left side.

The power port has two types: an XT60 connector or a DC adapter power jack, as well as a data port and a micro USB Type B (2.0) port for Bluetooth. The Bluetooth module is a separate, genuine optional accessory.

Let's look at the output on the right side.

The output side has an XT60 connector, a balance connector for LiPo batteries, and a port for the genuine optional thermometer.

The back has a warning label.

Next, we'll turn on the power.

The SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO does not come with a power cable, so you will need to provide one yourself. I think this lack of user-friendliness is one of the reasons why it hasn't become more popular.

The required voltage is 11-18V, so select and prepare a DC adapter that matches this voltage.

DC adapter socket

The DC adapter I prepared is a general-purpose 15V DC adapter (a power supply for home appliances and PCs).

The adapter I'm using is 15V 5A, so a simple calculation shows that it has a power output of 15V × 5A = 75W, which exceeds the device's rated power of 60W, but there doesn't seem to be any problem. If you're going to buy one now, I think you should choose a 60W 12V 5A adapter.

The size of the DC jack isOuter diameter 5.5mm, inner diameter 2.5mm, center positive, outer diameter negative.This is the standard.

The size of this DC jack is quite tricky, and be careful because DC jacks with similar dimensions (outer diameter 5.5mm, inner diameter 2.1mm) will not fit.

Connect this to the DC jack on the main unit.

The device powers on when the DC adapter is plugged into a power outlet. There is no power button on the device; it starts up immediately when plugged in.

We will now proceed to the main menu.

The main unit is compact, but the power adapter makes the overall size quite awkward.

The display is easy to read and doesn't show unnecessary information, so I think it's easy to use.

- DC adapter compatible with IMAX B6: 12V 5A 60W general-purpose adapter with DC jack conversion included.
I recommend one with a 12V voltage, 5A (60W) rating, and a DC adapter jack. Having a DC adapter jack means you can use it with other appliances as well. It's surprisingly convenient.

User experience, specifications, functions

From here, we'll look at the basic operation, specifications, and functions.

The basic operation is done using the following four buttons.

The buttons, from left to right, are the ESC/STOP button, DEC button, INC button, and ENTER/START button. The buttons feel flimsy and not very good when pressed.

Next, let's look at the main menu.

After turning on the power and booting up, the default mode that appeared first was the 7.4V 2-cell LiPo battery charging mode.

I will now proceed to send you the menu.

Charging mode for 11.1V 3-cell LiPo battery.

Charging mode for 14.8V 4-cell LiPo battery.

After looking through the menu in this manner, I found the following items:

It seems that you can set No. 9 and No. 10 yourself using available memory. SYSTEM SETTING appears to allow you to adjust various initial settings.

According to the instruction manual, it appears that the following types of batteries can be charged, including this initial setup.

With this many charging modes, it seems like there's virtually no battery available in Japan that it can't charge. With this many modes, it looks like you could charge not only hobby batteries but also general-purpose batteries used in everyday life, as long as you can get a grip on the electrodes.

DC-DC converters can be quite useful, depending on how you use them, such as for breaking in motors.

Previously, having a separate charger for each battery type was much easier in terms of both cost and the hassle of installation (I now use only LiPo batteries).

Next, let's actually try charging the battery.

Connecting a LiPo battery, charging, and storage mode.

This product can charge various batteries, but I'll try charging my frequently used LiPo battery, a 7.4V 2-cell.

Connect the LiPo battery to the main unit.

The only cord included with the genuine product is an XT60-T type large conversion cord, so if your battery connector is a Tamiya Mini, you will need a separate conversion connector.

Since the connector on the main unit is XT60, you can use either an XT60-Tamiya Mini adapter or a T-type Large-Tamiya Mini adapter using the original connector that came with the unit.

• T-type large Tamiya conversion connector

• XT60 Tamiya Conversion Connector

The overall setup with the battery connected looks like the picture below.

With the battery connected to the main unit, pressing the DEC. and INC. buttons simultaneously will enter V-meter (voltage meter) mode, so let's try using it.

When you enter V-meter mode, the total voltage of the connected battery and the voltage of each cell will be displayed.

Voltage of each cell

It's quite convenient. This battery is in storage mode, so the total voltage is 7.65V, and the voltage of each cell is 3.83V and 3.82V.

Now that the preparations are complete, let's take a look at the charging modes for the LiPo battery.

LiPo battery charging mode

It seems there are a total of six charging modes for LiPo batteries.

A typical balance charging mode.

Next is the fast charging mode.

It had a total of six different modes, like this.

MODE6 appears to allow you to set various alerts, such as the maximum input current, maximum discharge current, and time during charging.

LiPo battery balance charging

Now we'll actually perform a balance charge on the LiPo battery.

This time, we'll be charging a 7.4V 2-cell battery with a capacity of 1200mAh.

Connect the battery to the main unit, set the maximum current to the basic 1C charging setting of 1.2A, and start charging.

The screen during charging displays the current battery capacity and total voltage, as shown in the photo below.

At the same time, the total voltage display automatically shows the current value as well.

Pressing the INC. button while charging will change the display and allow you to see the voltage of each cell.

Furthermore, pressing the INC. button will display the charged battery capacity and charging time.

The following photo shows the screen after waiting a while and completing the charging process.

The charging time and the charged capacity are displayed. Charging time is 38 minutes with a capacity of around 560mAh, which is fairly fast and quite good performance.

This display of various information allows me to understand the battery status, which is reassuring and convenient. Being able to monitor the battery status makes it much more reliable and safer to use, which is very helpful.

Next, we'll try charging multiple batteries simultaneously, which is only possible with a digitally controlled charger.

If they are the same type (same battery type, voltage, and number of cells), you can charge them simultaneously using a parallel charging board like the one shown in the photo below.

We will use a parallel charging board for charging multiple devices.

Connect multiple batteries to this and then connect it to the main unit.

In this case, the maximum charging current will be set to 1C, which is the lowest capacity battery among those connected.

From here on, you can charge them simultaneously by simply charging them normally.

During charging, you can see the voltage and charging capacity of each cell, just like when charging a single battery.

I believe this cell voltage is the average value of each cell in a multi-battery system.

This is how I use a balance board to charge batteries with the same cell type all at once. It's quite convenient.

Parallel charging board
Please select the connector that matches the type you have.

LiPo battery storage mode

Next, we'll try storage mode.

Connect the battery to the main unit and select storage mode, just as you would when charging.

Now, when you start storage mode, the capacity and voltage will be displayed, just like when charging.

The charging and discharging current is also displayed.

Similar to charging, pressing the INC. button will display the voltage of each cell.

Furthermore, pressing the INC. button will display the charge/discharge capacity and time.

If you leave it like this for a while, it will be completed.

The voltage has now reached the correct storage voltage for a 7.4V 2-cell LiPo battery.

Similar to charging, using a balance board allows you to put multiple devices into storage mode simultaneously.

Summary

Although I've only used a fraction of its many features (charging LiPo batteries, storage mode), I'm personally very satisfied with this charger.

While it's not really comparable to the simple chargers you often see, this is a completely different product with a wealth of features, detailed settings, and the ability to display battery status information, making it quite good.

As a LiPo battery user for electric airsoft guns, I appreciate being able to charge and store them in one unit.

This has drastically reduced the unintended issues of undercharging and battery damage that I used to be so frustrated with. Also, being able to charge multiple batteries at once using a parallel board is incredibly convenient.

Furthermore, since it can charge not only LiPo batteries but also various other types of batteries, I think it has a very wide range of uses.

The main drawbacks are that you need to prepare many items in addition to the main unit, and the operation is complex. However, I think it's not a problem if you prepare properly and learn how to use it.

The price is a few thousand yen more than the typical simple chargers you often see, but with the main unit costing around 5000 yen, the DC adapter around 1000 yen, and the conversion connector around 1000 yen, the total cost is under 1 yen, so I think it's quite affordable.

That concludes my review of the SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO.

Next time, I'll put together a detailed guide on how to use the SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO, mainly as a personal memo.

• SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO Balance Charger
It appears that stock levels in Japan are unstable. As indicated on this page, a separate power adapter and individual conversion connectors will be required.

If the SKYRC iMAX B6 EVO is completely out of stock, the older SKYRC iMAX B6 should be fine. The operation method is slightly different, but the basic functions are almost the same. As with the EVO, you will need to provide your own power adapter and compatible connector.

• SKYRC iMAX B6 Balance Charger
It's an older model, but it's a bestseller.