JST-XH Balance Leads: How to Balance-Charge LiPo Safely
A JST-XH balance extension lead adds 20 cm of 22AWG wire between your LiPo battery and the charger, so the short lead on the battery never strains. Pick the lead that matches your pack: 1S through 6S, from $7.37. Connect the main lead and the balance lead together, check every cell on a checker, and balance-charge at 1C.
Quick facts
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Lead length | 20 cm of 22AWG wire |
| Pack | 5 leads |
| Sizes | 1S, 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S, 6S |
| Price | From $7.37 to $10.65 |
| Checker | 1-8S, 6-pack for $29.99 |
| Discharger | 3-in-1 checker, balancer, discharger for $12.00 |
What is a balance lead?
A LiPo battery with more than one cell has two connectors: a main discharge lead and a smaller balance lead.
The balance lead lets the charger watch each cell and keep the cells even while charging.
The connector is JST-XH, and you can read the cell count from the wire count: a 5-pin lead means a 4S pack, and a 7-pin lead means a 6S pack.
Why extend the balance lead?
Battery balance leads are short, so plugging straight into the charger strains the battery lead and the charger balance port.
A 20 cm extension puts the connection where you can reach it, with no pull on the battery wiring.
The pack holds 5 leads, so one pack covers the bench and the field bag.
How do you match the lead to the battery?
Match the lead to the cell count: a 3S battery needs the 3S lead, and a 6S battery needs the 6S lead.
The 1S lead costs $7.37, the 2S lead costs $7.77, the 3S lead costs $8.09, the 4S lead costs $8.77, the 5S lead costs $9.97, and the 6S lead costs $10.65.
A wrong-size lead will not fit the balance port, so check the cell count on the battery label before you order.
What do you check before and after charging?
Plug the checker into the balance lead to read total voltage, each cell voltage, and remaining capacity.
The 6-pack checker reads 1-8S packs in LiPo, Li-ion, LiMn, and Li-Fe chemistries, and its low-voltage buzzer sounds before a weak cell turns into a damaged pack.
After flying, use the 3-in-1 unit to check, balance, or discharge packs for storage, with the LCD showing cell voltages and the front-panel buttons switching modes.
What did we check on the bench?
We checked the listing states 20 cm, 22AWG, a pack of 5, and options from 1S to 6S.
We counted 1 image on the balance lead listing, 1 on the checker listing, and 1 on the 3-in-1 listing.
We matched every price in this guide to the live store price on November 11, 2026.
How the options compare
| Lead | Cells | Wires | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1S lead | 1 | 2 | $7.37 |
| 2S lead | 2 | 3 | $7.77 |
| 3S lead | 3 | 4 | $8.09 |
| 4S lead | 4 | 5 | $8.77 |
| 5S lead | 5 | 6 | $9.97 |
| 6S lead | 6 | 7 | $10.65 |
How do you balance-charge with an extension lead?
- Read the cell count on the battery label and pick the matching lead.
- Plug the extension lead into the battery balance lead, then into the charger balance port.
- Connect the main discharge lead to the charger.
- Set the charger to balance-charge at 1C for your pack capacity.
- Check the cell voltages on the checker before and after the charge, and never leave a charging pack unattended.
Parts that fit this guide
Shipped fast and securely from our secure facility in New York, providing fast, high quality USA shipping.
JST-XH 1S-6S Balance Extension Leads, 20cm, 5 Pieces ($7.37)
JST-XH balance extension leads from $7.37. A pack of 5 leads in 1S to 6S sizes, 20 cm of 22AWG wire each.
LiPo Battery Voltage Checker 1-8S with Low Voltage Buzzer Alarm, 6-Pack ($29.99)
LiPo battery voltage checker 6-pack at $29.99. It reads 1-8S packs with per-cell voltage, total voltage, capacity, and a low-voltage buzzer alarm.
3-in-1 Battery Voltage Checker Balancer and Discharger ($12.00)
3-in-1 battery voltage checker, balancer, and discharger at $12.00. One unit checks pack voltage, balances cells, and discharges packs for storage, with an LCD and front-panel buttons.
Related parts: 2S-6S JST-XH Balance Charging Adapter Board: 2S-6S JST-XH balance charging adapter board for balance-charging through a board instead of direct leads..
Shop the full range: Batteries & Chargers at Quality RC Parts. See also: Related guide.
Read the companion version of this guide on MTSUAV.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which lead size my battery needs?
Read the cell count on the battery label. A 3S battery needs the 3S lead, and a 6S battery needs the 6S lead. You can also count the balance lead pins and subtract one.
Do I connect both leads to the charger?
Yes. Connect the main discharge lead and the balance lead together. The balance lead lets the charger watch each cell and keep them even.
What charge rate should I use?
Charge at 1C unless the battery maker states otherwise. 1C in amps equals the pack capacity in mAh divided by 1000.
What is the 3-in-1 unit for?
It checks pack voltage, balances cells, and discharges packs for storage in one unit, with an LCD display and front-panel mode buttons.
Sources
Last updated: November 11, 2026.