Many modern electronic devices run on battery power. NiMH batteries are considered the most common power source, for which special chargers such as MAHA and La Crosse are purchased. Unfortunately, such devices have certain disadvantages: when charging batteries, they must be removed from the devices, other types of batteries do not charge, since they are suitable only for NiMH batteries. In this regard, many users are trying to purchase additional chargers or other types of batteries - Pb, Li-Pol, Li-Ion.
Using multiple chargers at once is inconvenient and inexpedient, and therefore it is advisable to acquire one, but universal. The selected device should be suitable for all modern rechargeable batteries. Their effective and long-term performance is provided by a controlled charge and discharge. The IMAX B6 Universal Charger is a microprocessor-based device capable of supporting the performance of various types of batteries.
Cost
The main disadvantage of the IMAX B6 charger is, unfortunately, its cost. In domestic markets, the price of the device is too high, when ordering from China, you will have to pay about $ 34.
Equipment
The IMAX B6 charger is supplied in the original box. Inside are:
- Charger;
- cables
- instructions for the charger IMAX B6 in English.
Appearance
The body of the device is made of high quality anodized aluminum. The charger is equipped with a two-line backlit screen and four programmable keys, with which all control is carried out. Sockets for connecting the battery, power source and balancing circuits are located on the side faces. The battery charger IMAX B6 can be connected to a personal computer using a special cable through the connector located on one of the side panels. Next to it is a temperature sensor.
Benefits of IMAX B6: Intelligent Management
The IMAX charger has undeniable advantages, thanks to which it significantly outperformed the existing analogues on the market.
Charger sensors monitor each of the programs. Settings settings have certain limitations. The occurrence of any malfunction is accompanied by an automatic termination of the battery charging process and the appearance of a malfunction message on the device display. All settings can be changed by the user. The control is easy and intuitive, all the necessary information is displayed on the display of the device.
Power
The maximum power of the IMAX B6 charger is 50 watts, which is a very good indicator. Using this gadget, you can charge and discharge up to 15 NiCd / NiMH batteries and up to 6 lithium batteries at a current of up to 5 A.
Stress balance
For lithium power supplies, a voltage balancer is built into the gadget. It is necessary for the correct and effective work with rechargeable batteries, which include from 2 to 6 LiFe / LiIo / LiPo cells.
Balancing of each element during discharge
The lithium battery cells are monitored by the IMAX B6 charger and balanced during discharge. The process stops if the voltage of at least one of the elements changes incorrectly. An error about a malfunction is displayed on the screen of the gadget.
Lithium battery support
To date, there are three main types of lithium batteries: LiFe, LiIo and LiPo. Each of them can be charged using the IMAX B6 device.
Several operating modes
Charging a power source in Fast mode is much faster than in Storage mode, since the latter is designed to prepare the battery for long-term storage.
Safety and reliability
After reaching 100% charge, the battery charging process automatically stops. The Delta Peak voltage difference monitoring function allows you to control the entire process. The current strength when charging Nickel batteries is set automatically.
The user can set in the settings the maximum current strength that will be achieved during charging of NiCd or NiMH batteries. This feature is most useful for NiMH batteries with low capacitance and internal resistance.
Capacity limitation
The battery capacity can be limited in the settings of the charger. The charge process will automatically stop when a certain value is reached, which is calculated by multiplying the charge time and current strength.
Temperature limits
The temperature sensor integrated in the IMAX B6 charger allows you to monitor the temperature. In the settings you can also set the automatic shutdown of the charging process after reaching a certain temperature.
Charge time limitation
In the device settings, the time can be set during which the battery will be charged.
Input voltage control
The microprocessor of the gadget regulates the input voltage of the device, which protects the car battery, which is often used as a power source for IMAX B6. Battery charging stops automatically when the input voltage decreases below the set limit.
Loading and saving data
In the memory of the charger there are five separate cells, in each of which you can save data on the charge and discharge of certain types of batteries. The stored information can be viewed and adjusted by the user at any time.
Cycler
NiCd / NiMH batteries can be charged and discharged sequentially using the IMAX B6 charger. The maximum number of such cycles is 5, which allows you to increase the battery capacity.
disadvantages
In addition to its advantages, the IMAX B6 also has some disadvantages. One of them is the uneven charge-discharge of two or more NiCd / NiMH batteries when connected simultaneously. All connected elements are perceived by the charger as a single battery. Such a disadvantage does not play a special role if new batteries are charged from the same batch. Otherwise, all batteries must be charged or discharged to the same level.
Users in their reviews of the IMAX B6 charger note such a drawback as the need to use an external power supply when working with the gadget at home. However, the disadvantage turns into an advantage when using the charger in the car. In the IMAX B6 AC model, the charger using an optional unit can be connected to a standard 220 V network. In addition, the charger can be connected to a computer power supply.
Another disadvantage of the IMAX B6 charger is the English menu and, accordingly, the programming process. Moreover, for each type of battery there are separate user programs that are installed once.
Despite the fact that IMAX B6 has certain disadvantages, it will give odds to many similar chargers designed to charge NiMH / NiCd drives. A huge advantage in how to charge the battery with the IMAX B6 charger is that it is not necessary to remove it from the gadget. An additional plus is safety and automatic shutdown after reaching 100% charge level. Using IMAX allows you to make a forced charge and training of batteries, charging car batteries. The gadget can be used in a car - it connects to the vehicle's on-board network and works from its battery. The protection system protects the car battery from short circuits and overloads. The IMAX B6 charger is ideal for those who have to recharge various types of batteries on a regular basis.
Some other IMAX charger models - for example, the B6 SKYRC - are equipped with USB connectors for connecting to a personal computer. This feature allows you to update the software of the gadget and track the battery charging process in real time.
The average cost of the IMAX B6 charger is $ 34, along with delivery, while the price of the original device is much higher. Despite the presence of some shortcomings, the gadget can make significant competition to similar devices.