Plug the power lead into the charger through an XT60 cable, then plug the balance lead into the balance port. The balance lead lets the charger read each cell and hold it at 4.20V. A 2S pack uses a 3-pin plug, and a 6S pack uses a 7-pin plug.
Extensions and adapters for 2S to 6S packs start at $5.99.
Quick facts
| Part | Use | Fits | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| JST-XH balance extension leads, 20 cm, 5 pieces | Adds 20 cm to a balance lead | 1S to 6S | $7.37 |
| JST to JST-XH balance adapter set | Adapts older JST plugs to JST-XH | 2S to 6S | $5.99 |
| 2S-6S JST-XH balance charging adapter board | One board for many pack sizes | 2S to 6S | $7.99 |
| XT60 extension cable, 14AWG | Extends the main power lead | XT60 plugs | $6.31 |
| XT60 parallel Y-splitter cable, 14AWG | Charges two packs in parallel | XT60 plugs | $8.49 |
What does a balance cable do?
A balance cable lets the charger read each cell on its own. A lithium-ion cell is full at 4.20V, and cells drift apart with age and use. Without a balance lead, the charger sees only the pack total and cannot fix a low cell.
Battery University advises charging energy cells at 0.5C to 1C, with a full charge taking about 2 to 3 hours.
Which adapter fits your pack?
Count the pins on the balance plug: cells plus one. A 2S pack uses a 3-pin plug, and a 6S pack uses a 7-pin plug. Most RC packs use JST-XH plugs, a 2.5 mm pitch connector rated at 3A with AWG 22 wire and 250V.
Match the plug to the balance port on your charger or adapter board. The adapter set here covers 2S to 6S for $5.99.
Extension lead, adapter set, or adapter board?
| Option | Use it when | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Balance extension leads, 20 cm | The pack lead is too short to reach the charger | $7.37 |
| JST to JST-XH adapter set | The pack plug does not match the charger port | $5.99 |
| Balance charging adapter board | You charge many pack sizes on one charger | $7.99 |
Buy the extension when the lead is short. Buy the adapter set when the plugs differ. Buy the board when you charge 2S to 6S packs on one charger.
All three use the same JST-XH standard, so one set covers most packs.
How do you hook up a balance charge?
- Set the charger to LiPo balance mode and the right cell count.
- Plug the XT60 main lead into the charger, using an extension cable if the lead is short.
- Plug the balance lead into the balance port or the adapter board.
- Check the cell count on the charger screen before you start.
- Start the charge and stay in the room while it runs.
- Unplug both leads when the charger reports full at 4.20V per cell.
How do you protect a balance port from wear?
Plug a connector saver into the charger port and leave it there. The saver takes the wear from daily plug cycles, and you replace the saver instead of the charger port. A 2S saver 5-pack costs $4.50, and a 4S saver 5-pack costs $4.50.
Use the Y-splitter only for parallel charging, and only join packs with the same cell count and a close voltage.
Frequently asked questions
Can you charge a LiPo through the main lead only?
The charger cannot see single cells that way. It can charge, but it cannot balance. Use the balance lead every time.
What happens if the balance plug has the wrong pin count?
It will not fit, or the charger will misread the pack. A 3S pack uses a 4-pin plug. Count the pins before you plug in: cells plus one.
Can you parallel charge a 2S and a 3S pack together?
No. Parallel packs must share the same cell count. They should also sit at a close voltage before you join them.
Why does the charger show one cell lower than the rest?
Cells drift with age and use. A balance charge evens them out. If one cell stays far off after balancing, retire the pack.
Parts used
- JST-XH 1S-6S balance extension leads, 20 cm, 5 pieces – $7.37
- JST to JST-XH balance adapter set, 2S-6S – $5.99
- 2S-6S JST-XH balance charging adapter board – $7.99
- XT60 extension cable, 14AWG – $6.31
- XT60 parallel Y-splitter cable, 14AWG – $8.49
- 2S JST-XH balance connector saver, 5-pack – $4.50
- 4S JST-XH balance connector saver, 5-pack – $4.50
- ImaxRC B3 Pro balance charger, 2S/3S – $15.99
- B6 80W digital balance charger, T/Tamiya/XT60 plug – $49.99
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Related guide: LiPo Chargers guide.
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Sources
Last updated: 2026-11-10.