The ToolkitRC MC8 is a LiPo battery voltage checker with servo/ESC tester built-in along with SBUS, PWM and PPM input and output. If you do lots of repairing and troubleshoot with RC models, then you will probably find the MC8 a fantastic tool to have around.
Where to Buy
- AliExpress: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeM8LWH
- Banggood: https://oscarliang.com/product-xvyw
- RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-u0aj
- Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ya60Mi
- GetFPV: https://oscarliang.com/product-qsxn
What Can MC8 Do?
The ToolkitRC MC8 is a compact and light weight device, and it has 5 main features:
- Battery voltage checker
- Balancing LiPo battery cells
- Measures PWM/PPM/SBUS signals
- Outputs PWM/PPM/SBUS signals
- USB-A and USB-C outputs for charging other devices
It can also balance the cells in a LiPo battery. However it does it relatively slowly at only 60mA, but it’s good to know that you can just leave it until it’s done.
Specifications
- LCD Resolution: 2″ IPS 320×240
- Dimensions: 68x50x15mm
- Weight: 50g
- Main Input port: XT60 7.0-35.0V
- Balance input: 0.5V-5.0V LiPo 2-8S
- Signal port input: <6.0V
- Balance current: MAX 60mA @2-8S
- Balance accuracy: <0.005V @ 4.2V
- USB-A output: [email protected] firmware upgrade
- USB-C output: 5.0V-12.0V @MAX 20W
- USB-C protocol: PD3.0 QC3.0 AFC SCP FCP
Measurer (Input)
- PWM: 880-2200us @20-400Hz
- PPM: 880-2200us*8CH @20-50Hz
- SBUS: 880-2200us*16CH @20-100Hz
Generator (Output)
- PWM: 1000-2000us @20-1000Hz
- PPM: 880-2200us*8CH @20-50Hz
- SBUS: 880-2200us*16CH @20-100Hz
Closer Look at the MC8
The ToolkitRC MC8 features a bright 2″ IPS display and roller menu button. The screen is easy to read and visible even under sunlight.
There are LiPo balance port on the side (supports up to 8S), as well as a 3-pin servo connector.
When you plug in the balance port, it actually powers the device and reads the voltage of the battery, so it doesn’t need additional power source.
You might be wondering what the 3-pin servo connector is for? Well, you can test servos with it. As mentioned, the MC8 can output PWM signal, and there’s a slider on the other side that can change the PWM value in real time.
You can also connect a radio receiver to the servo connector, and the device can read the value(s) of the incoming PWM, PPM or SBUS signal. That’s quite handy to have for troubleshooting. When testing SBUS signal, it even shows the Failsafe flag (Fail) which is absent in most signal testers out there.
There are both USB and USB-C outputs on the MC8 Multi-Checker, with the ability to discharge a LiPo down to storage voltage while charging a USB device (cells are not balanced during discharge by the way). It outputs 5V 1.0A and it’s handy to have so you can charge your phone and cameras on the field, and not waste the energy left in a LiPo.
In fact the M7 Lipo charger from ToolkitRC has similar capability besides being a charger, so that’s something you can consider.
Downsides
If you are checking voltage of a bunch of batteries, it’s probably more efficient to use the “Cell Meter” (product page: GetFPV | Banggood | Amazon). It’s been around since I started FPV almost a decade ago, a simple, tried and tested device.
The MC8 is slightly slower, because it takes a couple of seconds to turn on when you plug in a battery, while the Cell Meter just shows you the voltages almost right away. Also I wish the balance port is on the right hand side of the device, so I can use my dominant hand instead of my left to plug in the cable.
Honestly these are not really deal breakers. Overall I still think the MC8 is a more powerful and feature-rich product, the design and build quality are just so much better than the Cell Meter.
How to Update Firmware
When you turn on the device by plugging in a LiPo, you should be able to see the current firmware version number on the startup screen.
You can find the latest firmware here, scroll down to “Download/Firmware”.
Connect the MC8 to your computer using the USB cable provided. You need to connect the cable to the USB-A port, the USB-C doesn’t work!
Open “My Computer”, you should see a new removable storage appear.
Unzip the firmware file, inside there should be a “app.upga” file. Copy that file to the drive. Once the file transfer is complete, the upgrade is done. Simply unplug the USB cable.
3 comments
This is a quick read for me after going thru your review on iSDT BG8S. How does the MC8 compare with iSDT BG8S? So many choices to consider :-)
I’m looking at the same, didn’t consider the M7, but I’m looking at that too. ?
Any options for checking 1S batteries? I haven’t found anything.