iCharger S6 Review - The Best RC Battery Charger for the Money?
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- Опубліковано 30 тра 2024
- Is the iCharger S6 the best RC battery charger for the money? If loads of charging power in a small package with the quality & features iCharger is known for, along with a very low cost to power ratio are your measuring criteria - the answer is a definite YES!
The small palm sized S6 as the name suggests, can charge up to 6S LiPo packs. The S6 boasts an amazing power handling ability up to 1100 Watts, and a maximum charging current of 40 Amps. All the major rechargeable battery chemistries are supported including a couple less used ones (LTO & NiZn).
In my review of the iCharger S6, we'll go over the basic layout, powering requirements, connectivity, features & menus; finishing off with a maximum charge cycle to see if the S6 can really charge 6S at the claimed 40 Amps... Spoiler alert - yes it can.
In short, the power, performance, size, features & quality of the iCharger S6 makes it one of the best RC battery chargers for the money.
Links:
- iCharger S6 1100W, 40 Amp RC Charger:
www.buddyrc.com/products/icha...
- iCharger S6 Manual:
cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/026...
- V3 Para-Board - 40Amp Fused XT60 x 4:
www.buddyrc.com/products/safe...
- XT90 Power/Charge Cable:
www.buddyrc.com/products/xt90...
- iCharger 4010 Duo 2000W, Dual 40 Amp RC Charger:
www.buddyrc.com/products/icha...
- RC Charger Power Supplies:
www.buddyrc.com/collections/p...
- Why is Internal Resistance Important:
www.rchelicopterfun.com/lipo-...
- Choosing The Best RC Battery Charger for You:
www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-ba...
Video Chapter Index:
0:00 Intro
0:30 Unboxing
1:12 iCharger S6 Features
4:02 S6 Connectivity
6:55 Basic Operation
11:00 Charging Operation
16:14 Maximum Charge Current
19:09 Final Thoughts
DISCLAIMER: Links included in this description might be affiliate links. If you purchase a product or service with the links that I provide I may receive a small commission. There is no additional charge to you! Thank you for supporting RC Helicopter Fun.com & my channel which helps me keep creating content.
Please consider giving a thumbs up & subscribe if you enjoy the content - thank you & thanks for watching :) - Наука та технологія
iCharger S6 Manual: cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0262/4746/2998/files/S6_User_s_Manual_en.pdf?v=1601652532
iCharger S6 1100W, 40Amp RC Charger: www.buddyrc.com/products/icharger-s6-1100w-40a-6s-balance-battery-charger?ref=-ptdbz6d-llb
Choosing the best RC battery charger for your specific needs: www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-battery-chargers.html
August 2022 one year update: The S6 is still working great and got lots of use over the past year. No problems with it yet.🙂
My 1200 watt power supply died over the weekend and my 4010 duo has a burnt wire smell coming from it whenever I use it. Time for a new icharger and power supply. Lasted me 7 year or more of hard use. I got my money's worth.
Love ichargers. Been using them for over a decade.
Just bought it. Super happy with it .Great price vs quality ! Thank you !
@1983dmd - Nice 🙂 Better not watch the video that I'll be publishing tomorrow showing how I had to fix mine after a dumb mistake. Haha. Still, they are great little charger.
Awesome looking charger, I have the 206B. From years ago . Still going strong. Might have to add this new one with a new power supply 🤔
Great vid. Best I’ve seen of it’s type by far, but I sure wish you’d amend this to cover regen features!
Noted. Regen, is a feature I never use myself.
Hi John. Thank you for making this video. Lucky that I got the notification and watched it. I have HOTA D6 Duo and Htrc touch. Thinking very soon I will buy this. I owe you a lot regarding your help on Devil505 with H1 built.
Glad it helped
Great video and resources. Thanks 👍
Thanks for watching
If you hold the wheel down while highlighting lipo you can edit the charge parameters permanently. For example i have mine set for a 20amp charge on my 2s sticks so doesn't require adjusting each charge.
Yes. I however rarely if ever need the same current setting with each charge cycle. Of course, the benefit of programable chargers like these is both charge current setting options exist, along with the ability to program many more custom charge programs to suit the individual user's needs.
Can you plug this into solar charger? Meaning substitute the battery for the icharger since it will have battery on the output?
Ive got the 306B. Still going strong and does all I need. Id like to see how this small form factor stands up to use especially when charging \ discharging multiple packs.
Yep, time will tell.
Great video!! When using the charge board with 4 outputs in parallel, you had 4 batteries charging at once... they looked like 6s batts? Which cells is the balancer on the charger actually showing? And will each pack have its individual 6 cells balanced, or should they be balanced after? Thanks!
The charger is showing all 6 cell voltages in each 6S battery pack because they are all hooked together in parallel. You don't balance the individual packs after charging, they are all being balanced at the same time while balance charging because they are all hooked together in parallel (voltage is the same across all cell branches as per Ohms law as it applies to parallel DC circuits). To understand how parallel charging works (it's an advanced charging method and there are several critical precautions that must be followed), I have full page on my website going over the process in detail: www.rchelicopterfun.com/parallel-lipo-charging.html
I got a spektrum 2100 when I got into rc 4 weeks ago. At an indoor track I just found it seems like most of the regulars are running ichargers. How much fo an improvement would one be. I'm trying to see if the price is justified or not.
The S2100 is a lower power (200W) entry level charger with built in power supply. The iCharger S6 like all of iChargers' on the other hand, is much more powerful (1100W), doesn't' have any built in PS, has way more features, but doesn't support battery option limiting SMART battery technology. In other words, iChargers are generally used by experienced hobbyists who want lots of charging power & quality for the dollar, that is why you see lots of them. As whether or not an iCharger purchase is justifiable to you at this stage in the game totally depends on your charging needs (how much power you need), what features you want in a computerized charger, and how you plan on powering your computerized charger/s. If you are curious about what features to took for in a charger and how to get the right one for your charging needs, power requirements, etc. my RC charger pages covers all this in much more detail: www.rchelicopterfun.com/rc-battery-chargers.html
Can I cycle a 2s lipo battery at 40amps discharge and charge?
Hello Mr. Salt
I purchased a eachine e 160 v2 a couple of weeks ago. Hovered it at least 15 times. I am beginner, On the very last time, i hovered for 6 mins landed and as the blades were spooling down, I hear a loud snap/ pop and then i was staring at a single blade heli. The was no other damage to the heli, just that one of the blade and blade grip was missing. after looking at the damage, all it looked like was the screw, unscrewed? Im just glad that it didnt happen in 4 foot hover! i ordered replacement parts. My question is could that of been preventable, what should i look for in future helis, I looking to build a Tarot 450 pro here soon.
Thank you
Sincerely,
Chris
Yes, very preventable. Part of all RC heli maintenance, just like full size is checking screw/bolt/nut torque on regular intervals; especially in the head and tail systems where vibrations are the highest and most likely to cause loosening. Also, never ever trust any prebuilt heli to have proper/adequate fastener thread lock applied. Thread lock compound as I recommend in my setup & tips eBook in the maintenance section has to be used in these locations or blades and blade grips will coming flying off with little warning (as you now know) 🙂
Hello, can iCharge 4010 charge the hybrid cells of a Toyota Prius because I saw the nameplate NI MH? Thank you
No
Awesome review 👏 thank you so very much!!!! I made sure to watch all commercials all the way through on your video so they (youtube) can pay you more for your awesome review! So I'm looking at getting one of these for my 40ah yinglong LTO cells they are 2.3v nominal voltage and can charge upto 2.8v per cell which i will be charging at 15.9v but i built them in a 6s configuration of 8 banks total so its a 320ah bank she is good for 45,000 watts of discharge at a 10c rate and bursts of 90,000 watts. I built for a car audio application the bank it self can support 2800amps of current constantly at a 10c rate and a max burst of 5800amps at a 30c rate I currently have the bank charging at 14.8v but want to bring it upto 15.9v + balance slowly, see internal impedance, seeing the temperature of the cells and just all around get a better detailed visual of the bank it self so I'm not worrying. Also what type of power supply are you using to power the charger?
I mostly use modified DPS 600PB server supplies with my higher power chargers - full article on my website: www.rchelicopterfun.com/dps-600pb-build.html
Really depends on how much power I need. When charging smaller packs with lower power demands, I'll often just use a small 12V 5A Meanwell supply.
@@Rchelicopterfun OK awesome I'll check that out. So question about the power supply won't it need to be big enough to support what the icharger puts out? For instance if the power supply only puts out 5amps dc current won't that restrict the output of the icharger like if I'm trying to get her to put out the full 40amps worth?
If you are pulling more power out of the charger, yes you need a powerful enough supply. Exactly why I stated "when charging smaller packs with lower power demands, I'll often just use a small 12V 5A Meanwell supply".
Hi John! Great video. I have the 406DUO in a charging box with the Meanwell 1500W-24 power supply. I'm parallel charging 12S 5000mAh stick packs. My max charging configuration is to charge 2 5000mAh packs at 20A on one channel (2C), and 4 packs in parallel at 30A (1.5C) on the other channel. In doing so, the charger is delivering 554W on one channel, and 832W on the other. The charger is limited to 1000W per channel with a total capability of 1400W. I'm thinking about replacing my power supply with the 2000W Meanwell to drive 2 S6 chargers. Looking for the max amount of charging capability in a smallest package. Will this work? Your thoughts?
I personally wouldn't want to power two chargers from one single supply. I would much rather have two 1000W 24V supplies. It should work however, provided you are hooking it up to a large enough power outlet. A normal 15A 120V outlet won't have enough power to drive a 2000W supply at full capacity. You will blow the breaker around 1500W (80% of 15x120). You will need a 20A outlet (assuming 120V).
@@Rchelicopterfun I'd be running this off my Honda 2000EU portable generator. I think it has a 20A outlet.
Hi John. Partly because of your UA-cam tube channel, I'm going to fly again after 25 years, at the time with e gliding and NiCa ..now I've accepted the challenge and bought the m2 evo and the gensace ImarsIII PRO.. when I charge my lipo's the go over 4.20< as 2.24-2.26 .. So I wonder if it is a good charger, and won't break my new batteries .. Mvgr Rudolph Franken (Netherlands)
@rudolphfranken1446, I cover this question in detail on my "Best RC Battery Charger" page on my website: www.rchelicopterfun.com/best-rc-battery-charger.html
On that page I cover what to look for in a good charger, features, and recommendations based on budget, charging features, power output and powering requirements.
for the whole anit spark thing, what if the last thing you plugged in was the power supply to wall? wouldnt that make anti spark plugs a moot point
Of course that's the case, but if you power from a battery out at the field, you will get electrolytic cap spark when you plug the battery in. Nice for iCharger/Buddy RC to include the anit-spark XT90's in other words to cover all powering bases for a little extra connector pin life, but they certainly are not required; just a welcome attention to detail addition.
I have an S6 charger and have recently experienced a problem. I have a strong electrical burning smell coming from the fan area and will no longer charge. Do you service chargers that were not purchased thru you? If not can you direct me to someone who can? No longer under warranty. Thank you for your help,
Mike Piekarski
I'm not an iCharger repair technician. Buddy RC is an authorized iCharger Service Center: www.buddyrc.com/?ref=-ptdbz6d-llb
With the para board can it charge a 2s and 3s at the same time?
No - only same cell count: www.rchelicopterfun.com/parallel-lipo-charging.html
I just bought a brand new icharger s6. From buddy rc. I dial it up to 40amps. And only get 15 out of it. My input voltage is 26volts. Any ideas?
Without knowing what cell count/voltage packs you are charging along with the exact power specs of the power supply you are using (voltage, current, watts), I'm completely in the dark. Regardless of charger, the only way to get the maximum rated capacity and power out of them is to feed them with the maximum rated voltage and current they can handle, in the case if the S6, that would be a power supply outputs 32V @ 45 Amps (1440W).
@@Rchelicopterfun so I'm charging a 280ah. Lifepo4 cell. For solar at 3.6volts. My input is a another battery pack that I built. That's a 100ah Lifepo4 battery two 12v in series for 24v. So I put them in parallel and still get the same output current. 15amps. What type of power supply input voltage. Would you recommend?
Hi John, I am interested in purchasing one of these ichargers but on the X6 model, how is the charger calibration? Is it good?
I see that the charger is constructed of plastic, or is it aluminum?
I come from using a Graupner Ultra Duo Plus 80, how good would be the change?
The construction of the Graupner is really good...
This is a review of the S6 so no idea on the X6 calibration over and above I would expect it to be bang on like all of iCharger's chargers are. X & S, 4010/308/406 duo series use plastic enclosures. I have no idea how it would compare to a Graupner product since I'm an iCharger user.
the X8 is the best model of that chargers also the X12 exist is the newest but is bigger and not worth extra money
what are these used for mostly?
As clearly shown in the video and stated in the title, they are used to charge and maintain RC batteries.
Can this run a cycle to reset the IR?
If you are asking if you can perform cycle charge to discharge or discharge to charge cycles, yes this computerized charger like most has that feature. I don't know what "resetting the IR" is? You can't "reset" the internal resistance of a battery cell.
Why is the 306b still more expensive than the new ones?
Don't know. Full metal case & more costly components within maybe?
What kind of power supply do you have
I have several. If memory recalls, I was using my Meanwell 24V 1000W supply (SE-1000-24) in this review video. I also often use modified computer server supplies in either series or parallel - fully covered in my server power supply mod page on my website: www.rchelicopterfun.com/dps-600pb-build.html