Review of the charger ISDT PLUS Q6 , mini super versatile handheld charger and handy.
Finding a good versatile charger always a challenge and it is also a question that comes up regularly. 
ISDT will answer this recurring issue and our expectations to finally bring a mini loader while quite powerful!
It offers an impressive number of management of batteries (including LiPo HV - "high voltage") in a super convenient lightweight pocket size. 
Many settings are present and a late ripening parameters bring us freedom of quite impressive action.
OEM specifications
Input voltage: 7-32Vdc DC 
output voltage: 0-30Vdc 
load current: 0.1-14.0A 
discharge current: 0.1-3.0A 
Max Load capacity: 300W 
Max discharge capacity: 8W 
balancing current: 1A by cell 
supports the balancing of cells: 2 to 6s 
supports batteries LiFe / LiIon / LiPo (1-6s) / LiHv (1-6s) / NiMH / NiCd (1-16s) / Pb (1 -12s) 
Display: IPS LCD 2.4 "(320 × 240) 
operating Temperature: 0 to 40 degrees 
storage temperature: -20 to 60 degrees 
Dimensions: 80x80x33.5mm 
Weight: 119g
unboxing
Received in the traditional package type garbage bag with a layer of foam paper inside.

Out of the bag we discovered a small box that thine hand. 
The packaging is simple and well designed .. a glance we know what we have to do!

  
the box is opened and hidden under a card (paper) we discover the mini charger.

The detailed business card .. Just FYI!

There's nothing to say, everything is well signposted!

Under the charger cache XT60 taken to make its own cords IN and OUT connector.

Overview
Out of its box, charger our generous curves. 
Dressed in a glossy black plastic on the front and matte back (there is also a white model), to grip it feels this good quality printing equipment.

Left side view, the voltage input to power the charger. 
Unfortunately you will have to be fed by an external voltage source ranging from 7 to 32Vdc because it does not have built-in power ... In this small pocket size is not very surprising!
The input IN is the XT60 format remains quite handy if you want to charge batteries of small capacity using a large capacity battery .. just connect directly its XT60 battery in the charger and it will do the rest.
On the right of the photo is also distinguished a hole mini jack format, connects an update cable (not supplied)

Rear view with the fan behind the guard. 
The fan strength proper drainage of the air flow when the charger heats up or is highly solicited.

View of the right side, the output OUT to the XT60 format and the balancing connector. 
Note the direction of the balance connector for the pin - (negative or gnd) is on the left.

Small Zoom on the balancing connector, fortunately the alignment keys are there to not put the battery in the wrong direction.

Below, ventilation grilles full to allow good mixing of the air flow.

Small it fits in your hand! 
Small but tough because his inside we find an ARM Cortex processors 32 bit for speed and accuracy in calculations and measurements. 
This processor is used in many electronic assemblies, it is known to be powerful and stable .. in short it will make the job expected of it.

80mm long, as described in the manufacturer data.

80mm wide as informed by the manufacturer

32mm is a hair testicle nearly as manufacturer data (33,5mm)

125g excluding connectivity is 6g more than the weight informed by the manufacturer (119g).

Operation and menus
A power source is connected (for me an alim de15Vdc 10A) on the XT60 input and fart juice. 
The charger starts in a split second.

Once the boot screen disappeared one falls on the main display.
Its color LCD screen of 2.4 inches convenient enables us to see at a glance the selected parameters as well as monitor the proper implementation of the load.
Powered by "SCOs" the OS for smart smart charger allows for a clear management interface, convenient and colorful. 
An update via PC is possible via a dedicated cable (optional .. and says optional, says I have not tried).

A wheel blow down and some additional information is obtained. 
Input voltage, output voltage, charger temperature, stored power, ???, battery charged nmbre date.

Pressing the scroll wheel to enter the main menu. 
We move through menus with a wheel, we enter the submenus by clicking on the wheel.

Submenu of action to take (charge / discharge / storage mode)

Types of batteries supported.

Adjustable cell voltage to the load (basic 4.20V) minimum voltage that can be set per cell. Maximum voltage that can be set per cell.





Number of supported cells. 
Note that the charger will automatically detect the number of cells present on the battery, however this parameter to force in poor battery detection.

Minimum load current that can be set. 

Maximum charging current that can be set.

If you do not connect the balancing battery plug is known still loaded.
 
As soon as you connect LiPo with its balancing decision parameters are detected.
 
it is made its load settings and start by choosing "Start Task"

From the start of the load, the screen turns red. 
The first screen displays the current values in cell voltage.

The second display shows the internal resistance of each cell.

The third screen (moving the dial down) shows the input voltage (15V), the output voltage (12.6V now because it fluctuates depending on the state of charge), the charger temperature, total power placed in the lipo, ??? The total number of loads carried that day. 
In the big red banner include the current load current, the number of mAh already placed in the battery. 
Above all in the little darker red band, there is the charging time, the name of the shipper, a bar graph that shows the current charge status.

At any time, by clicking on the roulette wheel, you can change the charging current or stop charging.

Discharge mode, the settings change a bit. 
The minimum voltage can be adjusted to which we must bring down the cells, the cell number (automatic but can be forced), the discharge current.

The discharge current is adjustable from 0.1A to 3.0A


Once we start the discharge, the screen turns pink in this mode. 
The fan starts directly to drain the heat generated by the discharge. 
Note that the fan is quite loud, it makes the sound of a hair dryer would be lit in the next room. 
I asked 3.0A discharge current, practically I have never exceeded 0.4A ... 
Practically, the 4S 3700mAh I used for this test, I know not adjust the discharge current as 0 1A to 0.4A, 0.4A beyond the charger remains blocked discharge 0.4A even if I rule 3.0A
charger account the negative mAh saw that removes the current outside the when in battery is charged by "added".

As for the load at any time by clicking on the roulette can stop discharging or adjust the discharge current ... although it remains to 0.4A curious ... I'll have to investigate the above.

Access to the "storage" mode, adjusting the voltage at which we must place the cells (base 3.8V), the number of cells (detected automatically but can also force), the discharge current to reach the storage voltage "storage" (adjustable from 0.1A to 14,0A)

Once started, the screen becomes purple and displays the usual information. 
The fan starts directly to drain the heat generated by the discharge. 
Note that the fan is always noisy ... 
As in "Release" mode, the charger limit myself to discharge current of 0.4A and I do not know unload beyond even if I place 14,0A discharge! 
The charger account the negative mAh saw that removes the current out of the battery when in charge is to "add". As with other modes, at any time you can adjust the discharge current or stop the action.



Measures
Let's talk measures ...
Initially this will be the test of the current, in another time the test voltage (but the latter I have not yet done connector so it is postponed)
In the current test, I placed my FLUKE 115 in series between the charger and the LiPo. 
The purpose of this test is to verify that the current required to charge the LiPo is the one issued to the LiPo.

I started a load of Lipo requesting a 1.0A load current. 
It is noted that the charger performs its job. 
Virtually the current fluctuates from a few hundred mA, the charger checks the output current and corrects all the time depending on the voltage .. Calculated by the processor and past PID loop.

The battery is almost full, when they arrived to the end, the current go to zero.
Display follow the real outside information.

Then I changed LiPo battery by placing a larger capacity in order to send a higher charging current. 
In this configuration I asked a 4.0A load current. 
Note that despite the regulated 4.0A, the charger displays only 3,9A load but well 4A. 
With a 6,0A adjustment charge, the display shows me 5.8A while the meter reads 6,0A. 
With a 8,0A adjustment charge, the display shows me 7,8A when the meter reads 8,0A. 
Beyond (10A) and the display returns to normal when it says 10A, the meter reads as 10A. 
Nothing serious anyway, with such strong intensity it is not a few hundred milliamps close

The gap between confirmed 100mA output current and real.



For fun, some thermal measurements on the charger during a battery discharge. 
Note that the heat is concentrated on the right side of the charger (battery side). 
The base of the cables, the connectors also heated slightly.

Viewing in different color ranges
 

Conclusion
The more ISDT Q6 is a nifty little charger. 
It will answer many of your expectations and be able to match most of your batteries. 
It allows for fine adjustments and offers great freedom in those below. 
The measures and current / voltage output are quite respected, this being ideal for not having a rapid degradation of our batteries.
However, it has no internal power supply, has a rather noisy fan when it starts, a current discharge / storage flanged (which will surely be released in future updates) and its cable update is optional (but work already making a diy cable). 
Very satisfied overall this charger; it has already found its place in the car for my long sessions in the field.
Useful links
The  firmware update is on the site ISDT 
The user manual  in English is on the site ISDT
The charger ISDT Q6 more about banggood shop
A 220V supply to 12Vdc to power the charger

Review by Shunt Belua for Pimousse.be website

Hi @Pimousse,

I just bought this charger also and yes the fan noise is very loud like a hair dryer.

Have you manage to investigate why is the discharge and storage current remain at 0.4A even when you set the current higher? I'm having the same issue also.

(12-Jan-2018, 12:14 PM)mastasanuh Wrote: Hi @Pimousse,

I just bought this charger also and yes the fan noise is very loud like a hair dryer.

Have you manage to investigate why is the discharge and storage current remain at 0.4A even when you set the current higher? I'm having the same issue also.

The maximum discharge capacity is 8 Watts.

Current = Watts / Volts.

Nice review!! Got mine yesterday and already am in love with it!

(12-Jan-2018, 12:25 PM)unseen Wrote: The maximum discharge capacity is 8 Watts.

Current = Watts / Volts.

So it means we will never be able to discharge it with more than 0.4a for a 4s battery?
such a pain.
My old charger discharges with 1a!

Hi, ask ... is the power supply you recommend for the charger sufficient, how can you know the watts / Amp you need?

thanks.

The power supply that you need will depends how much watt you will use. Ex. if you charge a single 4S lipo 1500mah at 1C.
Watt = amp x voltage. 1.5 A x 16.8v = 25.2W.

If you parallel charge 4 of these packs, you will need a 100.8 W power supply. You will need the power supply that also puts out at least 7V.

(06-Mar-2018, 03:40 AM)voodoo614 Wrote: The power supply that you need will depends how much watt you will use. Ex. if you charge a single 4S lipo 1500mah at 1C.
Watt = amp x voltage. 1.5 A x 16.8v = 25.2W.

If you parallel charge 4 of these packs, you will need a 100.8 W power supply.  You will need the power supply that also puts out at least 7V.

gracias. Feliz Dia.

stupid question, what thermal camera are you using?