B6/Original one Still worth to buy?

[Piotr J]

Hello to the author and the rest of the group.
I have a question. On aliexpress sales I saw that the prices of clones are terrifyingly low, but I also found one original used SkyRC charger for $30 and I wonder if it is still worth buying a charger of this type for conversion?

I don't have any charger, my son got an RC model for Christmas and I'm looking for a good solution.
Let's say I have $50-60 to spend, but I'm wondering whether these old designs are still worth attention or whether I should buy something new and more refined.

I saw that new chargers already support Lipo/LiFe, does this B6 also support LiFePo4?

Is it still worth buying a clone? Maybe some proven Aliexpress offers?

[Roberto Garcia]

Yes, it does. Great charger! 

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[juan66628]

Hello Roberto, you must keep in mind that an imax b6 clone is a clone never compared to the original, however in the market you find very good quality clones and I would not go for the lowest price unless it were a well-known merchant that makes some discount, signed chargers will be better than a good brand sky rc clone, on the issue of compatibility you must look carefully at the technical specifications of the product to be purchased since they all look the same but they are not the same

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[Roberto Garcia]

Good point.

Original gadgets never compared with clone ones but...

When we talk about clones, that is a big family . So, we found differences between clones !!! 

There are good clones and of course, very bad clones.

So, it is not fair to say that every clones as bad ones.

It is hard to tell what clone are we talking about... Pavel did some jobs trying to identify clones but, nothing related to what are good or bad choices.

I had the chance to work with 3 different clones of that big family...

And let me tell you, they work fine.

Now, very difficult to say what clone you are referring ... Probably you work with a bad clone, we don't know.

BTW, skyRC original works fine, that is what I said.

Maybe, It is to late to try to classify how many clones are there in the market ... 

Which are good ... And which are bad.

Clone type 4468

Clone type 4464

Classify by mosfet who measure current , for example....

/

[Piotr J]

I've found this clone
https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGDRFUV

Seller have with two variations Standard and AC supply. Both have Atmega 32L, now Ali have promotional codes, so finał price will be about 35$.

My questions is about Luck to buy good one, and do i really need Cheali? 

This is very popular and cheap now charger https://m.banggood.com/pl/ISDT-Q6-Nano-BattGo-200W-8A-Lipo-Battery-Charger-Colorful-Pocket-for-1-6S-Lipo-Battery-p-1663605.html - unfortunately without banana pług.

[Roberto Garcia]

The pavel's contribution to this Imaxb6 programming is outstanding.

That big contribution is not for all the users. 

Today, You find a lot of chargers based on the original Imaxb6. Some of you said that are clones but other insist that because of the brand printed in the case, they are not clones.

So, the problem is not the programming.

The problem is not the brand.

The problem is not the case.

The problem is not "that is a clone."

The main problem we found are the component used inside the charger.

But let me tell you something.

I have found that...

Good processor always has good quality component all around.

Unknown processor has bad and good guality component all around.

As you can see, it is hard to tell the quality of the charger till you open the box and also open the charger!!!!

So, if you are buying a charger that has a atmega processor inside, there is a big chance, you have a good charger.

Now,  if your expectation are to charge small  batteries up to 6s lipo and some sort of nicd or nimh, this Imaxb6 is the best choice but...

If you are thinking about charging big batteries with more than 6 amps, look for other brand.

IMHO , there is no need to flash your Imaxb6... It is very easy that you will have a "pain in the neck" charger if you know nothing about electronics.

/

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[Roberto Garcia]

OK... Sorry... You ask other things..

You found charger with source.

It could be a nice choice but I prefer handling separately charger and source.

So, it is always better to separate charger from the source. 

This ImaxB6 can handle up to 18 volts.

The Imaxb6 you found it works with a source laptop-like up to 12 volts ... Very convenient if you don't want to complicate your procedures.

But, to get the real power of this gadget, look for a Imaxb6 and a convenient source...up to 18 volts and 10 amps...

/

[Piotr J]

Yes, Youre right about power supply, second thing is possibility to fault and than can be problem.

This seller seems to have good clones makes by HTRC, i`ve found B6V2 in shop with STM32 chip but this one is not supported with Cheali probably.

I am an electromechanic after electronics school, professionally I maintain escalators and passenger lifts.

 I have several different programmers, already downloaded various flash memories and brought various devices back to life, so tinkering with the charger will not be a problem, but the question is whether it would be better to take the V2 version on the STM chip, despite the inability to use Cheali, it has many useful functions.

Is there a detailed list of functions in Cheali somewhere?

I don't know... I got a good coupon for Aliexpress and the B6 V1 with Atmega will costs $20 and the B6V2 STM version costs $24, so I'm wondering.

What would you do if you had so much experience in the world of chargers?

There`s interesting screenshots from Ali.

[Piotr J]

okay, i`ve found manual. So i probably buy First revision of B6. If there are true Atmega so i will be happy. id something can be done i will order Teemo`s Pcb and use it for build the maxxed out with B6 components. is that good way?

[Roberto Garcia]

 

There are "instructions" for the new program on the archives but nobody read before the flashing thing.

I could say that main problems that users reports after the fash, it is the calibration procedures. It could be confusing and frustrating.

At this time, my Imaxb6 charger is my auxiliary field charger. I got a hyperion 720i duo3 charger for my desk at home and is working without issues.

I charge all my batteries at home.

No way to charge on the field.

What is the problems with Imaxb6 ?

Most user don't read instruction manual.

Internet is full of user with broken Imaxb6 because bad practices.

Wrong polarity, wrong power source , bad charge cables, batteries with bad connectors ... At the end, a lot of Careless user.

What is the parts that fail every time ?

1. Reverse polarity mosfet on input.

2. Amps reading mosfet at output.

3. Discharge mosfet and resistance 0.5 ohm.

4. Amps reading resistance 0.05 ohm

5. Blow out traces because wrong connections.

At this time, I have a question...

Why should I flash my Imaxb6 ?

This is a question that every user have to make by themselves.

/

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[Roberto Garcia]

Wow... Teemo`s PCB?

You are talking big words here.

That is the heart of Imaxb6 and don't fail.

The discharge process also with careless users always ends with problems.

Most of users that came here  to flash always ask for "more power" for that tiny Imaxb6 charger. We know that is not a matter to select more power mosfet...

Some things most be done on the code but no flow chart for this code...

Good idea!

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[Piotr J]

I'm not looking for power, what's important to me is the universality of the charger.
I ordered this version with Atmega32L from Ali and as soon as I receive it, I will disassemble it and show you what's inside.

It occurred to me to modify the power supply to a more universal and handy one -  Power delivery with USB-C and here is my question.

There are converters available that identify the protocol and give a specific voltage at the output, but there are only 9V, 12V, 15V and 20V (5A) and I wonder whether 20V will not be too high a voltage, or I could use a resistor to limit the 18V range.

The maximum current for the Usb-C PD standard is 5A, so it is perfect for this charger.

https://pl.aliexpress.com/item/1005006018729093.html

[Roberto Garcia]

Well... Then it is going to be a good choice.

As you could see, brand new charger are still using same programming from Imaxb6... Even internal circuitry design...

Take a look on the squematics posted here.

There is a mosfet , AO4468 or 7764 on input that you can modify, running a 10 volts zener for better handling high voltages.

I read some issues when you use Switched-mode power supply that send a lot of noise to the charger... Running a resistance (9k?) in between can handle that noise...(?)... 

Check this link ...

https://ru-radio-electr.livejournal.com/1295897.html

I think you are going to love it...

Some translation from Rumania will need it.

/

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[Piotr J]

SO today arrived charger. Do You think it's good quality? I can rosk to flash?

Welcome screen says 80W.

[Piotr J]

[Piotr J]

[Roberto Garcia]

No... Don't do that yet...

Work with that charger.

Follow instructions manual.

Evaluate very careful why you need to flash this device... Then make the decision ...

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[Patrik Bachan]

If you decide for cheali, you should be fine with cheali-charger-Dual-Power-B6AC-80W-RC binaries.
Usually, there is no way back as original FW can't be read out due to active protection (dumps contain garbage)

Feb 7, 2024 22:09:30 Roberto Garcia <garc...@gmail.com>:

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[Roberto Garcia]

Good surface components.

LM7805 and irf44N are on the other side of the board.

I can't see mosfet type for inverse polarity at output and the other mosfet at input...probably below the screen.

No run to install a varistor between negative of balance board a negative from battery... Probably it is the same.

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[Roberto Garcia]

I see the multiplexor ... 

Lm324 maybe...

I couldn't see the transistor and resistance to control bright of screen.

Run to install the pins for future flash... :-)

El mié, 7 de feb. de 2024 2:33 p. m., Piotr J <belto...@gmail.com> escribió:

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[Piotr J]

I decided to use the original one for now, but I will order a development board with the Atmega32A soldered for parts and replace it without touching the HTRC software.

[Roberto Garcia]

Wow... You will be doing a new charger ... Nice projet.

Things to consider ..

1. Improve inverse polarity protection for very dummy user...

2. Improve multiplexor capabilities and easy to replace with socket.

3. Select better Lm324.

4. Modify circuit for dimming the screen, giving some contrast.

5. Take care of discharge mosfet temperature by running a proper fan.

6. Select better switching transistor (2 per mosfet) on buck converter and Darlington on balancing circuits.

7. Consider installing a varistor for more protection on inverse polarity.

8. Do more simple a routine for calibration for very ultra dummy user. Cheali charger is quite confuse.

9. Increase amps discharge on balancing resistance looking for less charging time.

Wow... That are the things I would consider to have a very cheap and strong charger.

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[Roberto Garcia]

Talking about the multiplexor ...

IMHO , some related problems while reading cells voltage are not because of calibration or something.

There is a cheap enemy right bellow the screen... That is the multiplexor.

HEF4051B

MSI

8-channel analogue

multiplexer/demultiplexer

This little creature works undercover and is the guilty of bad readings on balancing cell port but, it is not work alone...

There are also Lm324 that work with this little demon multiplexor.

So, check the brand of this little demons and base on your experience, change it for a better brand.

In resume, always is better to upgrade component changing for a better brand prior to decide to flash it.

It is very unhappy to flash your Imaxb6 and no taking care of bad or low quality brand components on the board.

BTW, I had two Imaxb6 .

An original one and a "clone".

At this time, both the two are working since 2010. I replace the irf44N , discharge mosfet on the two.

There are two resistor 0.05 ohm (for reading amps) and 0.5 ohms (for discharge with irf44N) that probably need to replace later on. (the resistance values depends on brands and clones)

Take care and enjoy your good Imaxb6 charger.

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