SKYRC iMAX B6 V2 Balance Charger/Discharger, 60W, 6A, 1-6 Cells, Original

The SKYRC iMAX B6 V2 is a microprocessor-controlled charging and discharging station built to handle a genuinely wide range of battery chemistries: Li-ion, LiPo, LiFe (A123), NiCd and NiMH, all from one unit. Charge current runs from 0.1A up to 6A, with 60W of output power, covering packs up to 6 cells (6S) for lithium chemistries, and it balances each individual cell in a lithium pack during charging, a feature SKYRC notes removes the need for a separate external balancer.

Beyond straightforward charging, the B6 V2 includes a discharge mode for cycling a pack down, a storage charge setting that brings a LiPo pack to its ideal long-term storage voltage rather than leaving it fully charged between uses, a configurable time limit to prevent an unattended charge running longer than intended, and input voltage monitoring to watch the health of the power supply feeding the charger itself. It can also store settings for multiple different battery profiles, useful for anyone cycling between packs of different cell counts or chemistries regularly, and accepts an optional temperature sensor (sold separately) for an added safety check during charging.

It runs from an 11 to 18V DC input, with that power supply and the JST-XH charging plug both sold separately from the charger itself, so a compatible power source should be budgeted for alongside the unit if one isn't already on hand. The package includes the charger, a DC input cable, a Deans charging cable, a bare charging cable for custom connector work, and an instruction manual. At 115 x 84 x 31mm and 277g, it's a standard bench-charger footprint.

Hobbyists running a mix of lithium and NiMH/NiCd packs who want one dependable charger covering both chemistry families, with real individual cell balancing built in, will find the B6 V2 a well-proven, versatile choice.