SkyRC iMAX B6 User Manual

SkyRC Technology Co., Ltd. 2014

Version 1.0

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION	01
SPECIAL FEATURES	03
WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES	05
PROGRAM FLOW CHART	08
OPERATION	09
OPERATING PROGRAM	10
CHARGING PROGRAM	13
BATTERY MEMORY SET AND CALL OUT	14
SYSTEM SETTING	16
BATTERY METER	18
BATTERY RESISTANCE METER	19
WARNING AND ERROR MESSAGE	20
USING THE CHARGE CONTROL SOFTWARE “CHARGE MASTER”	21
THE SET CONTAINS	21
SPECIFICATION	22
CONFORMITY DECLARATION	23
COMMONLY USED TERMS	24
WARRANTY AND SERVICE	25

INTRODUCTION

Congratulations on your choice of SKYRC B6 mini DC Input Professional

Balance Charger/Discharger. This unit is simple to use, but the operation of a sophisticated automatic charger such as SKYRC B6 mini does require some knowledge on the part of the user. These operating instructions are designed to ensure that you quickly become familiar with its functions. It is therefore important that you read right through the Operating Instructions, Warning and Safety Notes before you attempt to use your new charger for the first time. We hope you have many years of pleasure and success with your new battery charger.

SKYRC B6 mini is the upgraded version for well-known IMAX B6. Compared with B6, it is more accurate and stable and also has some new features and functions. Users could set the terminal voltage by themselves and connect it to PC for PC control and firmware upgrade. What's more, users could also use it as Lithium Battery Meter and Battery Internal Resistance Meter. There are Automatic Charging Current Limit, Capacity Limit, Temperature Threshold and Processing Time Limit which makes the charger safer than B6.

SKYRC B6 mini is a high-performance, micro processor control charge/discharge station with battery management suitable for use with all current battery types, with integral equalizer for six-cell LithiumPolymer

(LiPo), Lithium iron phosphate(LiFe) and Lithium-Ion (LiIon) batteries; maximum 6A charge current and maximum 60W charge power. It can be powered by 11-18V DC source.

Please BE SURE to read these INSTRUCTIONS, WARNING and

SAFETY NOTES before you use the charger for the first time.

It can be dangerous to mis-handle batteries and battery chargers, as there is always a risk of batteries catching fire and exploding.

B6 mini

01 ·

INTRODUCTION

Please read this entire operating manual completely and attentively before

using this product, as it covers a wide range of information on operating

and safety. Or please do use this product in company with a specialist!

PC Link

DC Input

Power Port

DC 11-18V

Temperature

Sensor Port

LCD Display

Balance Lead

Socket JST-XH

Ports

Output Charge

Lead 4mm

Banana Plug

Resume or Start

Charge Processes

Confirm Any Action

Alter Values

See the Status of Individual

Cells in Balance Charge Mode

Scroll Through the Main Menu

Stop Any Charge Processes

· 02

B6 mini

SPECIAL FEATURES

Optimized Operating Software

IMAX B6 mini features the so-called AUTO function that set the feeding current during the process of charging or discharging. Especially for lithium batteries, it can prevent the overcharging which may lead to an explosion due to the user's fault. It can disconnect the circuit automatically and alarm once detecting any malfunction. All the programs of this product were controlled through two way linkage and communication, to achieve the maximum safety and minimize the trouble. All the settings can be configured by users!

Battery Memory (Data Store/Load)

The charger can store up to 10 different charge/discharge profiles for your convenience. You can keep the data pertaining to program setting of the battery of continuous charging or discharging. Users can call out these data at any time without any special program setting.

Terminal Voltage Control(TVC)

The charger allows user to change the end voltage. (for expert user only)

PC Control Software “Charge Master”

The free “Charge Master” software gives you unparalleled ability to operate the charger through the computer. You can monitor pack voltage, cell voltage and other data during the charging, view charge date in real-time graphs. And you can initiate, control charging and update firmware from “Charge Master”.

Smart Phone Control via WiFi Module (both iOS and Android)

Finally, your charger gets its own apps. This charger can be controlled and operated by smart phones via WiFi module(option part SK-600075).

Internal Independent Lithium Battery Balancer

IMAX B6 mini employs an individual-cell-voltage balancer. It isn't necessary to

connect an external balancer for balance charging.

Balancing Individual Cells Battery Discharging

During the process of discharging, IMAX B6 mini can monitor and balance each cell of the battery individually. Error message will be indicated and the process will be ended automatically if the voltage of any single one cell is abnormal.

Adaptable to Various Type of Lithium Battery

IMAX B6 mini is adaptable to various types of lithium batteries, such as LiPo, LiIon and the new LiFe series of batteries.

B6 mini

03 ·

SPECIAL FEATURES

Fast and Storage Mode of Lithium Battery

Purposes to charge lithium battery varies, 'fast' charge reduce the duration of charging, whereas 'store' state can control the final voltage of your battery, so as to store for a long time and protect useful time of the battery.

Re-Peak Mode of NiMH/NiCd Battery

In re-peak charge mode, the charger can peak charge the battery once, twice or three times in a row automatically. This is good for making certain the battery is fully charged.

Delta-peak Sensitivity for NiMH/NiCd

Delta-peak sensitivity for NiMH/NiCd battery: The automatic charge termination program based on the principle of the Delta-peak voltage detection. When the battery's voltage exceeds the threshold, the process will be terminated automatically.

Cyclic Charging/Discharging

1 to 5 cyclic and continuous process of charge > discharge or discharge > charge is operable for battery refreshing and balancing to stimulate the battery's activity.

Automatic Charging Current Limit

You can set up the upper limit of the charging current when charging your NiMH or NiCd battery, it is useful for the NiMH battery of low impedance and capacity in the 'AUTO' charging mode.

LiPo Battery Meter

The user can check battery's total voltage, the highest voltage, the lowest voltage and each cell's voltage.

Battery Internal Resistance Meter

The user can check battery's total internal resistance and each cell's internal resistance.

Capacity Limit

The charging capacity is always calculated as the charging current multiplied by time. If the charging capacity exceeds the limit, the process will be terminated automatically when you set the maximum value.

Temperature Threshold*

The battery's internal chemical reaction will cause the temperature of the battery to rise. If the temperature limit is reached, the process will be terminated.

* This function is available by connecting optional temperature probe, which is not included in the package.

Processing Time Limit:

You can also limit the maximum process time to avoid any possible defect.

· 04

B6 mini

WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

These warnings and safety notes are particularly important. Please follow the instructions for maximum safety; otherwise the charger and the battery can be damaged or at worst it can cause a fire.

Never leave the charger unattended when it is connected to its power supply. If any malfunction is found, TERMINATE THE PROCESS AT ONCE and refer to the operation manual.

Keep the charger well away from dust, damp, rain, heat, direct sunshine and vibration. Never drop it.

The allowable DC input voltage is 11~18V DC

This charger and the battery should be put on a heat-resistant, noninflammable and nonconductive surface. Never place them on a car seat, carpet or similar. Keep all the inflammable volatile materials away from operating area.

Make sure you know the specifications of the battery to be charged or discharged to ensure it meets the requirements of this charger. If the program is set up incorrectly, the battery and charger may be damaged .It can cause fire or explosion due to overcharging.

Standard Battery Parameters

		LiPo	LiIon	LiFe	NiCd	MiMH	Pb
	Nominal	3.7V/cell	3.6V/cell	3.3V/cell	1.2V/cell	1.2V/cell	2.0V/cell
	Voltage
	Max Charge	4.2V/cell	4.1V/cell	3.6V/cell	1.5V/cell	1.5V/cell	2.46V/cell
	Voltage
	Storage	3.8V/cell	3.7V/cell	3.3V/cell	n/a	n/a	n/a
	Voltage
	Allowable	1C	1C	4C	1C-2C	1C-2C	0.4C
	Fast Charge

Min. Discharge

3.0-3.3V/cell 2.9-3.2V/cell 2.6-2.9V/cell 0.1-1.1V/cell 0.1-1.1V/cell 1.8V/cell

Voltage

Be very careful to choose the correct voltage for different types of battery otherwise you may cause damage to the batteries. Incorrect settings could cause the cells to fire or explode.

B6 mini

05 ·

WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

Never attempt to charge or discharge the following types of batteries.

A battery pack which consists of different types of cells (including different manufacturers)

A battery that is already fully charged or just slightly discharged. Non-rechargeable batteries (Explosion hazard).

Batteries that require a different charge technique from NiCd, NiMh, LiPo or Gel cell (Pb, Lead acid).

A faulty or damaged battery.

A battery fitted with an integral charge circuit or a protection circuit.

Batteries installed in a device or which are electrically linked to other components.

Batteries that are not expressly stated by the manufacturer to be suitable for the currents the charger delivers during the charge process.

Please bear in mind the following points before commencing charging:

Did you select the appropriate program suitable for the type of battery you are charging?

Did you set up adequate current for charging or discharging?

Have you checked the battery voltage? Lithium battery packs can be wired in parallel and in series, i.e. a 2 cell pack can be 3.7V (in parallel) or 7.4V (in series).

Have you checked that all connections are firm and secure?

Make sure there are no intermittent contacts at any point in the circuit.

Charging

During charge process, a specific quantity of electrical energy is fed into the battery. The charge quantity is calculated by multiplying charge current by charge time. The maximum permissible charge current varies depending on the battery type or its performance, and can be found in the information by the battery manufacturer. Only batteries that are expressly stated to be capable of quickcharge are allowed to be charged at rates higher than the standard charge current.

Connect the battery to the terminal of the charger: red is positive and black is negative. Due to the difference between resistance of cable and connector, the charger can not detect resistance of the battery pack, the essential requirement for the charger to work properly is that the charge lead should be of adequate conductor cross-section, and high quality connectors which are normally goldplated should be fitted to both ends.

Always refer to the manual by battery manufacturer about charging methods, recommended charging current and charging time. Especially, the lithium battery should be charged according the charging instruction provided by the manufacturer strictly.

· 06

B6 mini

WARNING AND SAFETY NOTES

Attention should be paid to the connection of lithium battery especially.

Do not attempt to disassemble the battery pack arbitrarily.

Please get highlighted that lithium battery packs can be wired in parallel and in series. In the parallel connection, the battery s capacity is calculated by multiplying single battery capacity by the number of cells with total voltage stay the same. The voltages imbalance may cause fire or explosion .Lithium battery is recommended to charge in series.

Discharging

The main purpose of discharging is to clean residual capacity of the battery, or to reduce the battery voltage to a defined level. The same attention should be paid to the discharging process as charging. The final discharge voltage should be set up correctly to avoid deep-discharging. Lithium battery can not be discharged to lower than the minimum voltage, or it will cause a rapid loss of capacity or a total failure. Generally, lithium battery doesn't need to be discharged. Please pay attention to the minimum voltage of lithium battery to protect the battery.

Some rechargeable batteries have a memory effect. If they are partly used and recharged before the whole charge is accomplished, they remember this and will only use that part of their capacity next time. This is a memory effect. It is said that NiCd and NiMH batteries are suffering from memory effect. NiCd has more memory effect than NiMH.

B6 mini

07 ·