Evaluate: BetaFPV HexaCharger Professional 1S LiPo/LiHV Battery Charger – Good Possibility for Whoops?

I like multi-channel 1S sensible chargers for my tiny whoops. Not solely are they easy to make use of, in addition they allow you to cost a number of batteries without delay and velocity issues up considerably. You get management over charging settings, and it’s also possible to use them to place batteries into storage cost. BetaFPV has made numerous nice whoops, however by no means an amazing 1S charger till now – introducing the HexaCharger! On this evaluate I’ll take a look at the professional model, and see the way it stacks up towards established fashions just like the Vifly WhoopStor V3 and GEPRC WooPower.

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Questioning deal with LiPo batteries correctly? Take a look at my newbie’s information: https://oscarliang.com/lipo-battery-guide/

The place to Purchase

Get the HexaCharger from:

It doesn’t include any equipment or a handbook — simply the charger itself.

Professional vs Non-Professional Model

There are two variations: Professional and non-Professional. They appear virtually an identical (aside from the colour). The principle distinction is most energy output and charging present.

Though the Professional model might be overkill for most individuals flying 65mm and 75mm whoops, the worth distinction is barely $5 and also you recover from 3 instances extra energy, so I believe the Professional model makes a number of sense. Nonetheless, you’ll want a extra highly effective energy supply for charging at max present (for instance, a 100W USB-C charger). For the non-Professional model, a 30W energy adapter can be adequate.

I’m reviewing the Professional model right here.

To energy the HexaCharger Professional by way of USB-C, you’ll want an acceptable energy adapter, such because the Anker 100W charger: https://amzn.to/46js6yc.

You too can use a high-output, PD succesful energy financial institution, which is what I used throughout testing. It’s extra moveable. My suggestion is the Anker:

Specs

Design and Person Expertise

The charger includes a good colour LCD display screen with good decision, a clear format, and well-designed graphics. All of the important data is displayed clearly on one display screen — enter voltage, battery voltage, charging present, and charging standing.

Nonetheless, it’s not as detailed because the GEPRC WooPower, which additionally reveals what number of mAh have been put into every battery — one thing that may be helpful for monitoring charging progress extra exactly (will be helpful for present sensor calibration too in Betaflight).

The display screen viewing angle is superb, barely higher than the GEPRC in my view.

I additionally like that each one the output ports are upward-facing. In contrast to the GEPRC charger, the place PH2.0 ports are on the edges, the whole lot right here is neatly positioned on prime. That stated, for most individuals this gained’t matter a lot, because the interest has largely moved away from PH2.0 and towards BT2.0 connectors.

Ports & Battery Compatibility

There are 6 ports, which means you possibly can cost as much as 6 batteries concurrently.

Nonetheless, you can not management every port individually. All 6 ports share the identical settings (i.e. cost mode and present). When you begin charging, the chosen settings apply to all ports. That is precisely how the Vifly WhoopStor V3 works as properly, and might be positive for most individuals. However if you wish to independently management every port, your solely possibility proper now’s the GEPRC WooPower.

Every port contains two connectors: BT2.0 and PH2.0 — that is fairly commonplace these days as a result of these are the 2 commonest 1S battery connectors in the marketplace.

When it comes to compatibility, I can verify the BT2.0 connector works flawlessly with batteries utilizing A30 connectors. The PH2.0 ports additionally work completely with batteries utilizing NX69 connectors, primarily based on my testing.

Batteries with BT2 & A30 Connectors.

Batteries with PH2 and NX69 connectors.

So many various connectors huh? Yow will discover out their variations on this evaluate:

Cost Present

For the Professional model, the cost present goes as much as 3.0A per port — extraordinarily highly effective for a 1S charger and greater than sufficient for many customers.

For these flying 65mm or 75mm whoops, that is arguably overkill, as non-pro model’s 1A is already lots. However for the reason that Professional model prices solely $5 greater than the bottom mannequin, I believe it’s value getting.

One limitation although, present adjustment is in 0.5A increments, and the bottom setting is 0.5A. When you religiously comply with the “1C cost fee rule”, this is probably not the appropriate charger for you. For instance, charging a 300mAh battery at 1C can be 0.3A — which isn’t potential right here.

That stated, many pilots within the interest usually cost 1S whoop batteries at larger currents. Charging a 300mAh pack at 0.5A is kind of frequent (truly really useful by BetaFPV), and a few even go as much as 1A. I assume BetaFPV selected 0.5A increments to make changes faster and easier.

I’m not suggesting what present it is best to use — do no matter you’re comfy with. However should you completely have to cost under 0.5A, otherwise you require finer changes, this charger isn’t otherwise you.

Enter Energy

The HexaCharger can solely be powered by way of USB-C. It doesn’t have an XT60 or barrel connector enter, so it’s much less versatile in comparison with the Vifly or GEPRC chargers.

Person Expertise

The HexaCharger could be very simple to make use of, and similar to the Vifly charger. Every little thing is managed with simply two buttons.

As soon as charging has began, you possibly can plug in or take away batteries at any time with out urgent buttons. That is glorious should you’re flying whoops in the home for hours — you possibly can hold swapping batteries constantly with out interrupting the charging cycle.

Charging velocity is first rate and constant. Charging a 1S 300mAh LiHV battery from 3.3V to 4.35V at 1A takes round 20 minutes on common in my testing.

The charger additionally helps discharging, however solely in storage mode when battery voltage is above 3.85V. Discharge present is 0.4A (not adjustable), which is cheap. For a completely charged 1S 300mAh pack, it takes roughly 20 minutes to achieve storage voltage.

One small quirk with storage mode: typically the charger seems to get “caught” at round 3.84V–3.85V for a really very long time and doesn’t need to end. I often simply unplug the battery manually at that time. It’s shut sufficient to storage voltage and not likely a deal breaker in apply.

Tips on how to Use It

Energy the charger utilizing a USB-C PD 3.0 energy supply, reminiscent of a 100W USB-C charger (for instance, an Anker 100W adapter), or a succesful energy financial institution.

Step 1: Choose Cost Mode

Press the Mode button to cycle by means of:

• LiPo Cost – stops at 4.20V
• LiHV Cost – stops at 4.35V
• Storage Cost – stops at 3.85V
  • If the battery voltage is larger than 3.85V, the charger will discharge it at 0.4A.

Step 2: Set Cost Present

Press the Present button to regulate the charging present.

• Adjustable from 0.5A to three.0A
• In 0.5A increments
• To mute the charger beeping, maintain down the Present button for 3 seconds.

Step 3: Begin/Cease Charging

Lengthy press the Mode button for 3 seconds to enter Charging Mode.

You are able to do this even with none batteries plugged in. As soon as the charger is in Charging Mode, you possibly can plug in batteries at any time and they’ll start charging mechanically. You too can unplug batteries at any time with out urgent any further buttons.

Every port modifications colour relying on standing:

• Blue – Charging
• Purple – Discharging
• Inexperienced – Charging Full

The charger additionally makes a beep when charging is completed.

To cease charging, both:

• Lengthy press the Mode button for 3 seconds once more, or
• Merely unplug the USB-C energy cable.

Efficiency Testing

Voltage Studying Accuracy

Notice that each connectors in every port (BT2.0 and PH2.0) are electrically linked, which means they learn the identical voltage.

I took a random battery, and measured its voltage utilizing a multimeter: 3.848V

I then plugged this battery into every port to match readings on the display screen:

• Port #1: 3.85V
• Port #2: 3.85V
• Port #3: 3.85V
• Port #4: 3.85V
• Port #5: 3.85V
• Port #6: 3.85V

General, voltage accuracy is superb.

Charging LiHV (4.35V)

Subsequent, I charged LiHV batteries in all 6 ports, and measured the ultimate voltage of those batteries utilizing a multimeter. Ideally, it ought to cease at 4.350V.

Outcomes:

• Port #1: 4.354V
• Port #2: 4.357V
• Port #3: 4.357V
• Port #4: 4.340V
• Port #5: 4.348V
• Port #6: 4.354V

The deviation is inside ±0.01V, which is greater than acceptable for interest use.

Storage Cost (3.85V)

Repeating the identical take a look at in Storage Mode (goal: 3.850V):

• Port #1: 3.855V
• Port #2: 3.848V
• Port #3: 3.845V
• Port #4: 3.841V
• Port #5: 3.847V
• Port #6: 3.847V

Once more, accuracy is inside ±0.01V. I’d take into account this very exact for a 1S charger.

Enter Voltage & Energy Accuracy

I measured how correct enter voltage and energy readings are.

Outcomes: Energy measurement seems to be correct, however the enter voltage displayed on the charger appears to be overestimated by virtually 2V in comparison with the determine on the facility provide. Not a significant concern for many customers, however value noting.

Most Energy Check

I set all 6 ports to the utmost 3.0A cost present to see if it might actually ship the marketed most output.

End result: it dealt with it with out concern. The charger efficiently delivered 72W – 3A on all 6 ports concurrently. The cooling fan kicked in inside a few minute. You possibly can hear it, nevertheless it’s not excessively loud or annoying.

Problem: No Reverse Polarity Safety?

Throughout testing, I plugged a 1S battery into one of many ports backward. Instantly, I seen a burnt odor — and that port stopped working correctly. It nonetheless detects voltage after I plug in a battery, nevertheless it now not expenses and stays caught at 0.0A. See CH5 on this picture.

Whereas 1S connectors are usually designed to forestall reverse insertion, they aren’t foolproof. It’s nonetheless potential to drive them within the flawed approach should you’re not cautious. Sadly, this charger seems to haven’t any reverse polarity safety on the output.

I actually hope BetaFPV considers including reverse polarity safety sooner or later, as this can be a primary security function that might stop everlasting injury.

When you plan to get this charger, ensure you verify battery polarity earlier than plugging it in. A small mistake can completely injury a port.

Ultimate Ideas: Do I Suggest It?

I genuinely like all 3 1S chargers I’ve examined: Vifly Whoopstor V3, GEPRC WooPower and HexaCharger. However which one it is best to get relies upon totally in your wants.

Prime: GEPRC WooPower; Mid: HexaCharger; Backside: Whoopstor V3

If You Need Most Management

The GEPRC WooPower is well probably the most superior 1S charger at present obtainable. It lets you:

• Management every port individually
  • Select totally different mode per port
  • Set totally different present per port
• Modify cost present in smaller increments
• You possibly can even alter finish voltage!

That degree of flexibility is unmatched, that’s why it’s at present my day by day driver.

If You Need Versatile Energy Enter Choices

Each the GEPRC WooPower and Vifly Whoopstor V3 help:

This implies you possibly can energy them utilizing:

• A USB-C wall adapter
• An influence financial institution
• A 6S LiPo or Li-ion battery

That versatility is extremely helpful. Personally, I usually energy my 1S charger with a big Li-ion pack (for my lengthy vary drone), which lets me cost anyplace in the home or out within the park with out being tied to a wall outlet.

The place the HexaCharger Suits

The BetaFPV HexaCharger Professional focuses on simplicity:

• Clear and easy-to-read display screen
• Very easy operation
• Inexpensive worth
• Sturdy charging efficiency

It’s a strong different to the Whoopstor V3 should you desire a contemporary UI and easy workflow.

Get the HexaCharger from:

Nonetheless, the most important limitation is that it solely helps USB-C energy enter. There’s no XT60 enter, so you can not energy it instantly from a LiPo battery. When you don’t already personal a succesful USB-C PD charger, anticipate to spend a further $20–$30 on a correct energy adapter.

When you worth portability and already depend on LiPo-powered charging setups, the USB-only enter could really feel restrictive. In that case, investing in a very good PD energy financial institution or a LiPo-to-USB-C PD set off adapter can be a very good possibility.

Take a look at my evaluations for: