IMAX B6 Charger/Balancer and 7.4v LiPo Questions

[GODSPEED|seven]

Hi, I just purchased an IMAX B6AC Charger off of hobbyking.

I'm getting a hold of a G&P M4-style AEG soon and would like to use a buffer tube style 7.4v lipo battery. So far, I've got the right battery dimensions and the G&P models I am interested in are wired for deans/t-connector (not mini, just normal). I've done my research on the proper charging and the minimum it can be discharged and the signs that tell you it's close to it's discharge minimum.. not below some 3.xv or else.. problems, etc.. I'm getting the LiPo voltage reader as well.. AND a lipo safety bag for when charging.

I found some G&P EP Power 7.4v 1200mAh 20C for around 18$ each on ehobby.

airsoftparts has Intellect 7.4v 1300mAh 20C for 25$ each (pricing seems steep).

..and finally hobbyking offers some Turnigy nano-tech 1200mah 2S 15~25C for 5.55$ each!! Thing is, they are wired for Tamiya.. I can rewire to Deans I guess.

Now, going over the charger specs and all, I noticed that it mentions this:

This charger has a JST-XH charge plug, which makes it compatible with Zippy, HXT, TURNIGY and any pack with a JST adapter.

I know that LiPo batteries have 2 sets of wires.. the typical ones used for running your AEG (Deans, tamiya, etc..). That would be the discharge plug? right? and the charge plug would be the smaller 3-wire connector, right?

Are most of the airsoft lipo packs compatible with the JST-XH charge plug? but how about the discharge plug? it doesn't mention if the charger has the adapter for tamiya, deans, etc.. The online pdf manual shows a diagram where I have to plug both sets of wires to the charger.

I appreciate the help.. I don't want to get battery packs to find out they cannot be charged, or I have to buy adapters to charge them. :banghead:

[Fuji]

I use the larger connector with the tamyia or deans for charging and discharging and the JST-XH connector for balancing/monitoring. The imax b6 does not come with a tamyia connector. you will have to make an adaptor or convert the batteries to deans connectors. One of the most common balancing connectors is the JST-XH. To my knowledge, all airsoft lipos use the JST-XH connector.


Here's some info on the balancing connector that may help
https://sites.google.com/site/tjingu...ce-connectors/

[L473ncy]

You're going to get a "balance board" with the B6 (or maybe it's integrated). That is where you plug the JST connector into when charging. This provides cell by cell voltage monitoring.

Basically if you have a multimetre put the probes on the different smaller wires and you can tell your cell voltage one by one (it'll be 1 and 2 for "cell 1" and 1 and 3 for "cell 2") you don't need to do this but if you wanted to know your cell voltage you can get an output that way (otherwise the other way is to get a battery analyzer to pull cell voltage readings).

Anyways, get the hobbyking battery, I ordered 4 of those batteries just this morning (although they were the butterfly/split style batteries). They're honestly the exact same as the other batteries and you'll be able to figure out how your charger works intuitively (or at least it was intuitive for me and I'm an idiot).

[lurkingknight]

the B6AC has integrated balancer.

That small white plug is the balancer plug, you plug both wires into the charger and set the charger to lipo charging mode. You do not discharge lipos. Leave them with charge in them when you store them.

You WANT the nanotech batteries... they have a safety cutoff for low voltage so it's impossible to damage them by overdischarging the batteries. Always good to have another level of safety. The batteries will stop working when they hit the voltage cutoff to prevent damage. And for the price, you can't go wrong.

I run the exact same charger and several of the nanotech turnigy batteries.

[GODSPEED|seven]

Alright, that info is pretty nice.. and I thank you all for the valuable assistance!

BUT! I want to make sure I got everything right; (I'm a little confused between nachos, tacos, burritos... and cheerios - they all taste the same)

EVERY common li-po battery pack comes with the JST-XH connector (thats the wire dedicated to the charger; the one that looks like a motherboard fan connector)... maybe I'll try that instead.

For the more "common" set of wires (the ones I usually plug into my AEG); I should have them converted to deans because the charger uses a Deans plug?
(I hope my reading skills here aren't too low... you can slap me if I'm getting everything wrong!)

In conclusion... if I get the turnigy nanotech lipo packs, then I should also get a set of male deans connectors because they come with Tamiya connectors (instead of getting an adapter; g&p's already have deans connectors)?

..right?..

[lurkingknight]

the b6ac has changable charging leads. It charges through the battery's discharge wire, and I believe if you order it from HK it comes with a deans charger wire and a few others, but if not you can easily convert one just by soldering one on.

All you need to do is plug your lipo's 2 connectors into the charger and use the lipo balance mode to charge it, it's not complicated.

You need female ends for battery side when you convert batteries to deans. Male has prongs sticking out (male... duh :P) that could potentially complete a circuit and short... bad. Female ends on battery, male on device side.

[Stealth]

Originally Posted by GODSPEED|seven

EVERY common li-po battery pack comes with the JST-XH connector (thats the wire dedicated to the charger; the one that looks like a motherboard fan connector)... maybe I'll try that instead.

Yes.

Originally Posted by GODSPEED|seven

For the more "common" set of wires (the ones I usually plug into my AEG); I should have them converted to deans because the charger uses a Deans plug?

Yes, in order to charge the battery, you'll have to convert to Deans. The charger will come with several adapters but Deans is the most common connector in airsoft today besides Tamiya.

Originally Posted by GODSPEED|seven

In conclusion... if I get the turnigy nanotech lipo packs, then I should also get a set of male deans connectors because they come with Tamiya connectors (instead of getting an adapter; g&p's already have deans connectors)?

..right?..

You may as well buy a bulk pack of Deans connectors (male and female) and convert all your guns/batteries to Deans so as to avoid incompatibilities. There's no point in using adapters as they only introduce electrical resistance and rob power and performance, not to mention connectors are bulky.

[GODSPEED|seven]

PERFECT!

I love it, short concise & to-the-point answers.

By the way, did you guys know that now it is legal to import airsoft guns in canada? no clear body required, as long as it shoots above 366 FPS.. the CBSA has changed it's standards on what is a replica or not. Below 366 FPS, considered low velocity firearm. over 366 FPS considered an unregulated firearm.. meaning anyone can get one.

check out airsoftgi, they have a video about it. Also check the CBSA website, I've read it. Just a little thumbs up...

[horto]

Originally Posted by GODSPEED|seven

airsoftparts has Intellect 7.4v 1300mAh 20C for 25$ each (pricing seems steep).

This is my favourite lipo; it's tiny and fits anywhere perfectly. They also fit a crane stock no problem, so you don't need a lipo buffer tube.

Originally Posted by GODSPEED|seven

..and finally hobbyking offers some Turnigy nano-tech 1200mah 2S 15~25C for 5.55$ each!! Thing is, they are wired for Tamiya.. I can rewire to Deans I guess.

These lipos are for some reason longer thn the intellect/king arms buffer tube lipos and don't fit as nicely. They are a bit wider so you may need a lipo buffer tube.

I have made a few adapters, just get some extra charge leads or connector cables and cut them in half, solder the ends together and tape everything up nicely. Or save yourself the headache and convert everything to deans. If you are changing connectors on a lipo battery thought, be careful, and only cut one wire at a time. Make very sure you don't short out the lipo.

[GODSPEED|seven]

Anyways, topic is closed for me. Wish I could +1 all your answers..

Everything nowadays has a like / dislike feature. I wonder how many ppl like me or dislike me. I'll see about getting that included on my passport... hihihihihi!!!!

[GODSPEED|seven]

Originally Posted by horto

These lipos are for some reason longer thn the intellect/king arms buffer tube lipos and don't fit as nicely. They are a bit wider so you may need a lipo buffer tube.

G&P seem to mainly use buffer tube lipo's, and the turnigy packs are within the same size as the other packs of the same mAh rating out there. (+/- 2 or so mm.. and the buffer tube still has space to spare.)

[Fuji]

Originally Posted by lurkingknight

. You do not discharge lipos. Leave them with charge in them when you store them.

When I said discharge, i was referring to storing them. Never store a fully charged lipo. The charger will have a lipo storage mode, which will discharge the battery to a safe voltage for storage. This will make them last longer.