The brand new ToolkitRC Q6AC LiPo charger is a game-changer for individuals who must cost a number of batteries concurrently. With 4 impartial charging ports, it presents the comfort of parallel charging with out the widespread security issues. This highly effective, do-it-all good charger has compelling options which have led me to think about making it my each day driver.
New to FPV? Try our charger purchaser’s information and suggestions: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/
The place to Purchase?
Get your ToolkitRC Q6AC Charger from these distributors:
Specs
Right here’s a fast rundown of its key specs of the Q6AC:
- Twin enter choices: AC (400W) and DC (1,000W).
- Helps a variety of battery sorts: LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, LTO, NiMH, Pb.
- 4 charging channels for 1-6S LiPo/LiHV/LiFe/Lion/LTO, 1-16S NiMh, 1-10S Pb.
- Most charging energy: AC 100W per channel (4 channels) / DC 300W per channel (4 channels).
- Most charging present: 250W per channel.
- Customizable energy provide output: 1-28V, 5-15A.
- XT30/XT60 compatibility.
- USB and USB-C ports for charging units: USB-A (30W), USB-C (as much as 65W).
- Prime-mounted wi-fi charger.
- 3.5-inch huge ISP show with 480×320 decision.
- Automated fan velocity management for noise discount.
- Plug choices: EU, US, UK, AU.
- Enter voltage: AC 100-240V MAX 100W 5.0A, DC 7.0-30.0V @MAX 50A.
- Steadiness present: 800mA @ 4.2V.
- Discharge energy: 250W @MAX 15A (Recycle mode), 12W@3A (Regular mode).
- Helps a number of charging protocols: PD, QC, PPS, AFC, FCP, SCP, PE, SFCP.
- Dimensions: 220mm x 113mm x 82mm.
- Weight:
1120g1126g. - Package deal dimensions: 260mm x 220mm x 120mm; weight: 1600g.
- Helps a number of languages and voice packs.
- Upgradable firmware.
Notable Options
- Environment friendly Charging: The flexibility to cost as much as 4 batteries concurrently is a game-changer with out utilizing a parallel charging board. Be taught extra about parallel charging right here: https://oscarliang.com/parallel-charging-multiple-lipo/
- Versatile Energy Choices: The Q6AC incorporates a built-in 400W energy provide, permitting you to plug instantly into an AC wall socket for comfort. And when you’re aiming for the complete 1000W expertise, simply hook it as much as a appropriate exterior energy provide. This flexibility is ideal for all charging situations, whether or not at residence or within the discipline.
- Extensive Compatibility: This charger isn’t just restricted to the widespread 1S to 6S LiPo and Li-ion batteries we use in FPV, it additionally helps all kinds of battery sorts.
- Additional Utility: Past charging, the Q6AC doubles as an influence provide, including to its versatility.
Design and Options
At first look, the ToolkitRC Q6AC charger presents a daring design that humorously jogs my memory of the Tesla Cybertruck. It’s noticeably bigger and heavier than the favored Hota D6 Professional and ToolkitRC M6DAC, largely attributable to its built-in 400W energy provide.
This four-port charger, with dimensions of 220x113x82mm and weighing in at about 1.1kg, feels strong in hand. Its measurement and weight are justified by the highly effective 400W built-in energy provide, enabling direct AC wall socket connection for comfort. Alternatively, for individuals who choose, it can be powered by a big battery or an exterior energy provide by way of an XT90 connector.
When related to AC energy, the Q6AC delivers a complete of 400W. Switching to DC energy ramps up its functionality to a formidable 1000W. For almost all, the 400W supplied by AC energy shall be greater than sufficient, although the DC choice provides versatility for discipline charging.
A useful on/off swap and AC enter are positioned on the left facet.
On the precise, you’ll discover the DC enter (XT90 connector) alongside twin USB outputs (USB-A and USB-C) for charging units like GoPros and smartphones.
Every channel is supplied with an XT60 connector and steadiness port supporting as much as 6S. The 2 channels on the edges even supply each XT60 and XT30 connectors. This considerate design helps a wider vary of battery sorts and sizes, eliminating the necessity for adapters.
The charger’s interface features a CH/Exit button, and a scroll wheel, which is typical for ToolkitRC chargers. It’s a consumer pleasant design. The colour show is evident and straightforward to learn, exhibiting detailed information on the battery and charging progress.
A standout characteristic is the 15W wi-fi charger on the highest, which provides the comfort of wirelessly charging supported units.
Moreover, two giant followers on the again effectively cool the gadget throughout operation.
Person Interface and Expertise
Working the Q6AC is simple. Its consumer interface is impressively intuitive. The show isn’t a contact display screen, navigation is completed by way of the scroll wheel which is straightforward. You’ll be able to monitor and alter settings for every port, together with battery kind, charging mode, voltage, and present.
The Q6AC is appropriate with a variety of battery sorts, together with LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, Li-ion, NiMH, and Pb, and presents charging, discharging, and storage functionalities like most good LiPo chargers in the marketplace.
One cool characteristic is the array of entrance LEDs indicating the charging standing of every channel – pink for charging and blue for standby or charged batteries.
Within the system setup menu (enter by holding down the scroll wheel), you’ll be able to alter enter settings, safety limits like temperature and battery capability, and different preferences reminiscent of backlight brightness and buzzer quantity. I respect these small touches that improve the general consumer expertise.
The Q6AC additionally serves as a bench energy provide, which is a good addition. This perform will be accessed by deciding on “Energy” underneath the “Battery Kind” menu, the place you’ll be able to choose the output voltage and present restrict.
Charging Efficiency
Earlier than beginning the charging course of, you’ll be able to set parameters reminiscent of battery kind, cell rely, activity (together with cost, storage, and discharge), finish voltage, and present.
Even higher, if you’re charging the identical batteries in different ports, you’ll be able to choose these ports on the backside. The identical settings shall be utilized to these ports once you begin the charging course of.
Throughout charging, the Q6AC retains you knowledgeable with real-time knowledge on battery voltage and charging present for every channel.
If you would like extra in-depth info you’ll be able to choose a particular channel, which is able to present you the mAh charged, particular person cell voltages and output energy and so on.
It’s additionally doable to examine the interior resistance of your batteries whereas charging—a key indicator of battery well being.
One essential facet of any charger that always goes missed is its steadiness present. Chargers with superior balancing efficiency can full the charging course of extra rapidly, significantly when your LiPo battery’s cells are out of steadiness.
The Q6AC solely presents as much as 0.8A of steadiness present (per port), which is significantly decrease than the 1.6A of the D6 Professional and S6, or the SkyRC D200neo’s 1.5A, but it surely’s on par with the M6DAC.
To place the charger’s efficiency to the check, I related a bunch of 6S LiPo packs to the charger, and see if the Q6AC actually delivers 400W of energy when powered by way of AC (since this might be my foremost approach of powering this charger sooner or later). Throughout the charging course of, the fan kicked into gear instantly. The utmost output energy peaked at 380W and hovers round 375W, fairly near the rated 400W however not fairly. The output energy is distributed evenly throughout the ports which is nice to see.
Impressively, the charger was additionally in a position to pull 250W on a single channel when powered by AC.
Stopping the charging course of is simple—simply press the scroll wheel and select the channel you want to cease (or select the “all channels” choice).
Discharging Efficiency
The ToolkitRC Q6AC doesn’t simply cost – it additionally comes outfitted with discharge capabilities. The interior discharger’s most present is 3A per port, which is perhaps on the slower facet for discharging bigger or a number of batteries rapidly.
When discharging on all 4 ports, every achieved a most discharging energy of 12W, aligning completely with its specs. It’s doable for sooner discharging by utilizing the “Recycle Mode” mode.
Voltage Studying Accuracy
To make sure the accuracy of the Q6AC voltage readings, I double checked the voltage measurements in opposition to a calibrated Digital Multimeter (DDM). The readings are fairly correct and I’m very pleased with it. The most important error I encountered was solely round 0.01V – it’s so small it’s negligible and shouldn’t be an issue in any respect for hobbyist use.
| Supply | Charger | DDM |
|---|---|---|
| Enter XT90 | 19.22V | 19.22V |
| CH1 XT60 | 23.12 | 23.10 |
| Cell 1 | 3.847 | 3.846 |
| Cell 2 | 3.849 | 3.849 |
| Cell 3 | 3.844 | 3.849 |
| Cell 4 | 3.847 | 3.849 |
| Cell 5 | 3.843 | 3.845 |
| Cell 6 | 3.846 | 3.851 |
| CH2 XT60 | 23.11 | 23.10 |
| Cell 1 | 3.848 | 3.846 |
| Cell 2 | 3.849 | 3.849 |
| Cell 3 | 3.846 | 3.849 |
| Cell 4 | 3.846 | 3.849 |
| Cell 5 | 3.849 | 3.845 |
| Cell 6 | 3.846 | 3.851 |
| CH3 XT60 | 23.11V | 23.10 |
| Cell 1 | 3.848 | 3.846 |
| Cell 2 | 3.848 | 3.849 |
| Cell 3 | 3.844 | 3.849 |
| Cell 4 | 3.848 | 3.849 |
| Cell 5 | 3.841 | 3.845 |
| Cell 6 | 3.853 | 3.851 |
| CH4 XT60 | 23.11 | 23.10 |
| Cell 1 | 3.847 | 3.846 |
| Cell 2 | 3.849 | 3.849 |
| Cell 3 | 3.844 | 3.849 |
| Cell 4 | 3.852 | 3.849 |
| Cell 5 | 3.843 | 3.845 |
| Cell 6 | 3.850 | 3.851 |
Do you have to ever discover the voltage readings approach off, calibrating the charger is an choice. Merely maintain down the Scroll Wheel whereas powering on the charger to enter guide voltage calibration mode.
Q6AC vs HOTA F6+: Key Variations
Evaluating the ToolkitRC Q6AC to the HOTA F6+ reveals some attention-grabbing contrasts. Although the F6+ boasts a touch stronger AC energy provide and a better steadiness present, my choice leans in the direction of the Q6AC for its superior consumer expertise. The mixture of a scroll wheel and bodily button simplifies operation considerably. Moreover, the Q6AC’s show isn’t solely brighter but in addition increased in definition, complemented by a extra intuitively designed menu that’s simpler to navigate. One other edge the Q6AC has over the F6+ contains its extra strong USB output and the comfort of a wi-fi charger. Nonetheless the Q6AC is bigger and heavier.
| Specification | Q6AC Charger | HOTA F6+ Charger |
|---|---|---|
| Enter Voltage | AC 100-240V / DC 7.0-30.0V | AC 100-240V / DC 6.5-30V |
| Max Cost Present | 15A per channel | 15A per channel |
| Cost Energy (AC) | Max 400W | Max 500W |
| Cost Energy (DC) | Max 1000W | Max 1000W |
| Discharge Energy | Inner: 12W @3A; Exterior: 250W @MAX 15A | Inner: 12W x 4; Exterior: 250W x 4 (1000W) |
| Battery Kind | LiPo, LiHV, LiFe, Lion, LTO, NiMh, Pb | LiHv, LiPo, LiFe, Lilon, NiZn, Nicd, NiMH, Pb |
| Cell Depend | 1S-6S | 1S-6S |
| Output Connectors | XT60 & XT30 | XT60 |
| Steadiness Present | 800mA | 1000mA |
| USB Output | USB-A (30W), USB-C (as much as 65W) | 5V / 2.1A |
| Wi-fi Charging | Sure | No |
| Show | 3.5-inch ISP, 480×320 decision | 2.8-inch IPS, 320×240 colour show |
| Dimensions | 220mm x 113mm x 82mm | 115mm x 126mm x 87mm |
| Weight | 1120g | 935g |
Conclusion
The ToolkitRC Q6AC stands out with its distinctive design and highly effective charging capabilities. It’s to date essentially the most highly effective charger from ToolkitRC I’ve examined.
Its potential to cost quite a lot of battery sorts, mixed with user-friendly options and extra functionalities like wi-fi charging, positions it as a best choice for these within the FPV and RC communities. It’s going to interchange the M6DAC as my new each day driver any longer.
Get your ToolkitRC Q6AC Charger from these distributors:
Nonetheless, it’s necessary to notice the considerably restricted steadiness present and the potential for slower charging occasions, which may very well be an element when you’re typically in a rush. Nonetheless, the built-in AC energy provide considerably simplifies the charging setup, providing appreciable comfort.
A tip I’ve discovered invaluable is activating the “Battery Choice” characteristic within the system menu. This lets you setup as much as 5 presets – this may velocity issues up loads if you’re at all times charging the identical forms of battery.
Contemplating Getting Two Hota D6 Professional?
The HOTA D6 Professional has been a well-liked selection within the FPV world, identified for its affordability and energy. It’s a dual-port charger, resulting in the query: would shopping for two D6 Execs be extra advantageous than one Q6AC?
Pricing two HOTA D6 Execs would whole roughly $283, in comparison with the Q6AC’s sale worth of $240. (costs lasted checked on RDQ, Feb sixth, 2024).
With the HOTA, there are solely XT60 ports and no XT30, which means you would need to get additional adapters/cables when you ever wish to cost smaller batteries with XT30.
Dimension clever, two HOTA models are solely marginally smaller in all measurements, however they require additional wiring which might make setup a bit extra sophisticated and messy.
So, in case your purpose is to cost 4 batteries concurrently with out utilizing parallel charging boards, the Q6AC is perhaps a extra streamlined and cost-effective resolution.
