is the perfect opportunity to do an initial
review. I have just started to explore all this
unit has to offer and am extremely
impressed at what I am discovering so far
This charger is packed with features! It
offers the ability to charge up to four
batteries of different chemistries on any of
the charging ports. Each channel operates
independently of the others, allowing you to
mix and match battery types. It will
accommodate NiMH, NiCd, LiPo, Li-Ion,
LiHV, and Pb batteries. All four channels
have balance inputs and can accommodate
temperature sensors which you can
purchase separately. It also includes a USB
charging port which is another thing I will put to use as
Jarvis (see the September 2016 issue of SERVO)
incorporates a couple of components that have this
It packs plenty of power-charging ability with a total
of 200 watts on AC and 300 watts when using DC.
Having the capability to use a DC power source to run the
charger can be especially useful when away from the
availability of a convenient wall plug.
I am very impressed on how well designed and built
the charger is. Little details such as the use of all four
sides of the charger for the various cable connections
shows how well thought-out the design is. This allows you
to spread your batteries out when charging — which is
especially useful if you are using all four ports.
The wireless feature is especially handy as the X4 AC
Pro can be controlled by your smartphone. Setup of the
app could not have been easier and was completed in a
couple of minutes. I think this will be something I take full
advantage of! You can also use the free software to
operate and monitor the charger from your computer.
The charger can store up to 10 separate charging
profiles for each channel. The ability to access this at any
time can be a valuable time-saver. The box also includes
two balance boards along with the various cables necessary
to get started charging your batteries.
The use of quality components shows the commitment
to provide a well constructed product that will hold up to
some serious use. Considering all the features provided by
this charger, I feel the price of $199 is extremely
reasonable. This unit should satisfy the charging needs and
budget of the DIY animatronic builder very well. The
chargers should be on the shelves by the time you read this,
so check it out and consider adding one to your
The ongoing chore of having to recharge and
continually swap out multiple batteries is a never-ending
process. Creating a deliberate charging routine will go a
long way to satisfying the continuous demands of your
batteries. Components always seem to run out of juice at
the most inconvenient times, which is something we want
to do our best to avoid. Remember that battery charging
takes time, so plan accordingly!
When troubleshooting a malfunctioning prop, my first
test is of the power supply. It is more often than not the
culprit! Replacing or recharging dead batteries or switching
out an inoperable power supply are easy fixes and are
frequently all that is required to get your character up and
running again. Be prepared and have spares on hand!
There are a variety of different cable connectors that
are available for attaching your power supply to your circuit.
I prefer to use ones that can simply be plugged in which
allows for an easy tool-less change-out if I need to quickly
replace a faulty power supply. If a circuit comes with only a
screw-in header, I attach an adapter (Figure 9) which
allows for a simple connection.
Noise in your circuits from your power source can
create havoc on your otherwise well planned design. This
can sometimes be resolved by using separate supplies for
each component. I find that isolating my servo or motor
power supply is especially helpful in reducing the feedback
to the rest of my circuit.
Beware of the danger of improperly storing 9V
batteries. Since both the positive and negative contacts are
side by side on the top of the battery, it is easy for a metal
SERVO 01.2017 35
Figure 8. The new Hitec X4
Pro battery charger.
Figure 9. A simple wiring solution.