If you want to charge multiple LiPo batteries at the same time but don’t like parallel charging, you should check out the SkyRC E4Q – a low cost 4-channel LiPo charger.

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Get yours on Banggood: https://ban.ggood.vip/5s0

This review is written by Alexander Roelofs, edited by Oscar.

Multi-Channel LiPo Charger vs. Parallel Charging

Parallel charging is not everyone’s cup of tea.

First of all, you have to make sure every battery has the same voltage, and it can take time to check each one. Often the voltage difference is too large and you can’t charge them together. There is also concern over safety which we will not go into detail here.

An alternative for charging multiple batteries at the same time, would be using a “multi-channel” LiPo charger. You can charge multiple batteries regardless capacity, cell count, voltage level.

Multi-channel LiPo chargers are normally quite expensive. But finally there is an affordable option that was released only just recently, the SkyRC E4Q, and it immediately caught my attention.

Further Reading: How to choose a LiPo charger.

What’s Special about the SkyRC E4Q LiPo Charger

The SkyRC E4Q charger comes with 4x 50W charging outputs. All you need to do is plug in the balance cable from your lipo’s and hold own a button for 3 seconds to start charging. No, you don’t need to connect the discharge lead (XT60).

You can plug in batteries to the 4 individual ports, and charge them separately.

Here is the basic spec:

• $55
• Input Voltage: 11V – 26V (PSU or 3S, 4S, 5S, 6S LiPo)
• Adjustable charging current: 2A, 3A and 5A
• Input Connector: XT60
• Output Connector Type: XH Connector (Balance Lead)
• Dimension: 128x128x50.5mm
• Weight: 280g

You can power it with a LiPo battery through the XT60 input connector, it’s compact and lightweight, making it an ideal solution to take with you in your backpack for field charging!

SkyRC E4Q vs. ISDT Q6

The SkyRC E4Q Charger is in the same price range as the iSDT charger, so it’s definitely worth considering as an alternative if you don’t like parallel charging.

Here is my review of the iSDT Q6 Charger.

However there are some downsides to the SkyRC E4Q when compared to the iSDT chargers:

• It can’t handle 1S, 5S and 6S LiPo
• It doesn’t have a screen and menu, so you don’t have as many options; but some might consider the simplicity a plus
• You wouldn’t know how long the charging takes as there is no completion percentage shown. You are only alerted by the LED indicator and beeps when charging is finished
• You must charge only through the balance lead, and not the discharge lead… sometimes fast charging through the discharge lead can be proven useful, for example rescuing over-discharged battery

A Closer Look at the SkyRC E4Q

There are 4 balance port inputs on each side.

On the top of the charger, there is one button, two LED lights for indicating the charging current and charging status for each channel. It also has a built-in speaker.

On the bottom there is the ventilation. If you use it outdoor, make sure to put it on fat surface, high grass might block the fan.

You will also need a good power supply (PSU) preferably 200W or higher (since we have four 50W channels), for example this: http://bit.ly/2KkGV7x. Or you can convert a computer/server PSU yourself.

It’s Easy to Use!

Simply plug in the balance connector from your LiPo to the charger, and hold down the button to start charging. Press it again you can select a different charging rate which is reflected by the LED on the left.

During the charging process the status LED (LED on the right) changes color from red to green.

Once the LiPo is nearly fully charged, the green LED first blinks 5 times, and the charger beeps. When the battery is fully charged, the LED stays solid green.

When connecting a LIPO, and both LEDs are blinking red, this means there is an error. The possible causes are:

• Damaged connector?
• Bad connection between the balance lead and the charger
• Voltage of the battery is <3.0V/cell?

Pro’s

• 4 Independent ports can be used at the same time
• It’s small
• Easy to use (connect the balance cable and only 1 click needed to start the charging)
• Can be powered by a LIPO
• Input voltage 11-26.1V, supports also 6S lipo’s for power supply!

Con’s

• The Ventilation is located on the bottom which can be blocked by high grass when you use it outdoor. Make sure to put it on flat surface
• No LCD screen and lack of options
• Discharging LiPo is not an option
• The lowest charging current is 2A. When charging small LiPo’s, for example 4S 550mAh, 2A means we are charging them at nearly 4C, which is probably too much. I wish there is a lower current setting like 0.5A