iMax B6 charger - starter guide
iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Following several requests on a thread about Deltang Rxs, I've put together what I hope is a useful introductory guide for people on using the iMax B6 charger.
http://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2017/05 ... arger.html
Sorry it's taken a few days to get this sorted out but I decided I needed to buy a new charger as the one I've been using is getting on for five years old and was a clone of the original charger, so I felt I needed to make sure the current batch of chargers work in the same way. As it turned out, they do - but it's handy having two chargers.
Anyway, I hope it proves useful. If you feel it lacks clarity at any point or there's something important missing, then let me know and I'll remedy it. Bear in mind though that it's not intended to be a comprehensive guide, just something to get folks started.
Rik
http://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2017/05 ... arger.html
Sorry it's taken a few days to get this sorted out but I decided I needed to buy a new charger as the one I've been using is getting on for five years old and was a clone of the original charger, so I felt I needed to make sure the current batch of chargers work in the same way. As it turned out, they do - but it's handy having two chargers.
Anyway, I hope it proves useful. If you feel it lacks clarity at any point or there's something important missing, then let me know and I'll remedy it. Bear in mind though that it's not intended to be a comprehensive guide, just something to get folks started.
Rik
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
I've just briefly flicked through, Rik, and it looks great so far. Thank you very much
Philip
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Well Rik, that you have bought a new charger, put all those words together and taken all those photos in a very short time is a great credit to you. They are great chargers, and have the ability to be used relatively simply, or as complicated as you like. Well done.
Grant.
PS Did yours come standard with the white Tamiya (Molex) plug? as mine has Deans plugs. When being plugged and unplugged regularly I find these a constant source of connection breaks, to the extent of making a small tool to re-roll the sockets to size.
Grant.
PS Did yours come standard with the white Tamiya (Molex) plug? as mine has Deans plugs. When being plugged and unplugged regularly I find these a constant source of connection breaks, to the extent of making a small tool to re-roll the sockets to size.
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Thank you Rik. A clear guide that I (at last) understand.
Regards,
John
Regards,
John
Regards,
John Smith
Harrogate
John Smith
Harrogate
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Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
One very important point to observe with this type of charger: Do not disconnect from the PSU or source battery if you are balance charging a lipo pack. This will cause the traces on the internal balance PCB to fry. It is repairable but requires disassembly of the charger.
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Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Well done for taking the time & effort to produce that guide Rik.
My understanding is that the Imax B6 is in fact a copy of the original Bantam BC6, so there are copies of copies, fakes, etc.
My Imax B6 is a 2008 model so no idea of its authenticity.
Do you use Auto mode for charging NiMh batteries? Like your guide I've just been using manual mode for charging NiMh batteries but do find it is not great at fully charging them (a known problem with early B6's). As I'm generally only topping up receiver & transmitter packs it is not really a problem.
I originally bought this charger for LiPo batteries, and it charged (& balanced) 1S, 2S & 3S LiPo's very well. The charged capacity read out was also very good, giving a good indication when it was time to replace a failing LiPo.
Chris Cairns
My understanding is that the Imax B6 is in fact a copy of the original Bantam BC6, so there are copies of copies, fakes, etc.
My Imax B6 is a 2008 model so no idea of its authenticity.
Do you use Auto mode for charging NiMh batteries? Like your guide I've just been using manual mode for charging NiMh batteries but do find it is not great at fully charging them (a known problem with early B6's). As I'm generally only topping up receiver & transmitter packs it is not really a problem.
I originally bought this charger for LiPo batteries, and it charged (& balanced) 1S, 2S & 3S LiPo's very well. The charged capacity read out was also very good, giving a good indication when it was time to replace a failing LiPo.
Chris Cairns
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
One small problem I find with the Imax, is that the fully charged voltage actually includes residual voltage ( required to cause flow) which is not the true voltage the battery has stored. During the charge process, particularly on Auto, the charge drops to zero every few minutes with a corresponding drop in battery voltage. The lowest value is actually the voltage stored. If you fully charge a battery, and then initiate charge several minutes later you will find a lower voltage, and depending on the age of the battery this can be considerably less.
Grant.
Grant.
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
The new one did (as in the pix), my older one (about five years old) has the red Deans plugs.
Rik
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Thanks for that - I think I'll add that info to the balance charge section if that's OK with you.Busted Bricks wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2017 11:12 am One very important point to observe with this type of charger: Do not disconnect from the PSU or source battery if you are balance charging a lipo pack. This will cause the traces on the internal balance PCB to fry. It is repairable but requires disassembly of the charger.
Rik
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Hi ChrisChris Cairns wrote: ↑Thu May 18, 2017 12:31 pm Well done for taking the time & effort to produce that guide Rik.
My understanding is that the Imax B6 is in fact a copy of the original Bantam BC6, so there are copies of copies, fakes, etc.
My Imax B6 is a 2008 model so no idea of its authenticity.
Do you use Auto mode for charging NiMh batteries? Like your guide I've just been using manual mode for charging NiMh batteries but do find it is not great at fully charging them (a known problem with early B6's). As I'm generally only topping up receiver & transmitter packs it is not really a problem.
I originally bought this charger for LiPo batteries, and it charged (& balanced) 1S, 2S & 3S LiPo's very well. The charged capacity read out was also very good, giving a good indication when it was time to replace a failing LiPo.
Chris Cairns
I'm not sure if mine is a genuine iMax - on eBay it says it was 'genuine' but I suspect that's just sales pitch - so it might be a 'genuine fake'. My old charger is a 'Tenergy' but works in exactly the same way.
I've never tried Auto mode for NiMhs - might give it a try to see if it makes a difference after what you've told me. I do find there's a small inaccuracy in measuring the voltages of li-ions between the charger and my meter - but not enough to lose sleep over.
Rik
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Hmmm..., not noticed this, but then not looked for it. Sounds as if Auto mode might be worth exploring a bit further.LNR wrote: ↑Fri May 19, 2017 1:33 am One small problem I find with the Imax, is that the fully charged voltage actually includes residual voltage ( required to cause flow) which is not the true voltage the battery has stored. During the charge process, particularly on Auto, the charge drops to zero every few minutes with a corresponding drop in battery voltage. The lowest value is actually the voltage stored. If you fully charge a battery, and then initiate charge several minutes later you will find a lower voltage, and depending on the age of the battery this can be considerably less.
Grant.
Rik
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
When I got my Imax it had a Hologram on the back that links to a website and confirms that it is a genuine Imax.
Grant.
Grant.
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
I got mine from HobbyKing and it never entered my mind that it might be some kind of rip off. I've just looked and it does indeed have a hologram on the bottom ( not back) which says "Scratch for security code". Pretty stupid place to put it, I've had the charger for several years but never had cause to turn it over and look underneath until now!
Philip
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Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Thanks Rik for going to all this effort to create the guide.
I have made it a sticky topic for future reference.
I have made it a sticky topic for future reference.
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Thanks Tom - never had a sticky before .......... (oooh .... errr .... missus!)tom_tom_go wrote: ↑Sat May 20, 2017 10:19 pm Thanks Rik for going to all this effort to create the guide.
I have made it a sticky topic for future reference.
Rik
Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
Just tried mine out and it's a dud.
When you press start charge the screen goes blank and it resets itself.
Grrrrrrr.
When you press start charge the screen goes blank and it resets itself.
Grrrrrrr.
If at first you don't succeed, use a bigger hammer!
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Re: iMax B6 charger - starter guide
There are a lot of cheap rip-offs of these chargers, best to buy from a reputable dealer who offers a money back guarantee.
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