M8S Smart Charger Intro
The ToolkitRC M8S Smart Charger is an amazing example of modern engineering. I recently got my hands on the M8S “battery charger.” ToolkitRC labels this device a battery charger because they had to call it something. In fact, it does far more than charge batteries. 
Overview
What separates the M8S from traditional chargers is the valued added functionality you do not get in traditional chargers. True, the M8S is a strong charger with output capacity of 400w@18a. It receives and outputs servo protocols PWM, PPM, SBUS. If that wasn’t enough, it also has a functional watt meter. And get this–it has a built in power CV/CC power supply supporting 1-30v @ 1-18a. There are three functional categories on the M8S – Charger, Measurer, Output.
This is a DC only charger. Consequently, you’ll have to supply your own input power. There is no option to plug this device into your wall outlet. You can use batteries or a DC power supply. If you haven’t bought a DC power supply yet, I would recommend a 24v 500w 20amp supply minimum. Anything higher than that is gravy, but the specifications above will be able to fully power the ToolkitRC M8S Smart Charger
Key Specifications
• DC Only Charger
• Input Voltage Range 7-30v
• Charge Output 400w at 18a
• Output Voltage 2s-8s
• Battery Types: LIPO, LIHV, LIFE, LION 1-8s, NIMH 1-20s, PB 1-12s
• Display 2.4″ TFT LCD 65k Colors
• Discharge Power 400w@18a Regen / 15w@3a Internal
• USB Charger 5.0v @ 2.1a
• Measurements: 98wx68lx35hmm
Operating the ToolkitRC M8S Smart Charger
Bench testing utilized a 6s5000mah Turnigy LIPO as the input power supply and 2 6s5000 in parallel on the output side. The M8S quickly jumped up to 17a and happily hummed along charging the 2x6s packs at 400w for the duration of the test. Since that worked out to a ~2c charge rate, and my input gas tank was half the size of the output gas tank, I only ran the test long enough to verify power. In the all important charger output power test, the M8S delivered. 
DISCHARGING
The M8S has a nice trick up its sleeve with regenerative discharging. As is the case with all small field chargers, the internal charge rate is quite low with a discharge specification a soft 15w@3a. However, in recycle/regen mode the M8S runs full tilt at 400w and 18a. Just make sure you only use recycle while connected to a battery on the input side and most importantly, do not use recycle while connected to a power supply or you run the risk of damaging the battery, the M8S, the power supply, or all three. You also need to ensure your input battery can take the charge from the discharging battery. So, do not regen discharge into a full battery and do not regen discharge a very large capacity battery into a very small capacity battery unless you love the smell of LIPO fires.
MEASURER
M8S has a measurer function allowing you to connect various devices for evaluation. One function I found particularly useful is the ability to connect an SBUS receiver to obtain visual verification of channel mapping and pulse range. Therefore, if you are not using SBUS servos, this tool gives you a simple and easy to use method of verifying SBUS operation.
In addition to servo testing functions, the measurer category features an IR test for your battery cells. There are many opinions about the validity of IR tests without high end equipment, so take this feature for what it’s worth to you.
The watt meter isn’t a watt meter in the strictest sense because it has an 18a limit and it is a bit awkward to use with the dial; however, it can be used to spin the motor which means you can verify motor direction and motor function. I see this as useful during a build. If you want to test your power setup, you should buy a normal watt meter.
OUTPUT
The M8S can also output PWM, PPM, and SBUS which is useful for setting up a model, testing servos, testing your flight computer and for any other reason you can think of to output those formats; however, the striking feature to me in the output category was the POWER SUPPLY.
Yes, the ToolkitRC M8S Smart Charger has a functional Constant Voltage/Constant Current power supply with a ridiculously configurable range of 1-30v and 1-18a. I’ve been on and off the fence for some time about adding a bench test power supply to my toolset, and now I don’t have to. The M8S is easily configured to output the voltage and amperage you want with a few spins of the jog dial. My initial tests indicate the power supply performs as advertised although I haven’t run any real current through it yet (I will).
SCREEN
I’ve watched a number of videos on various ToolkitRc devices and one thing that always bothered me was the resolution and appearance of fonts on the screen. It reminded me of 8bit gaming platforms from the 90’s. Well, no more. I guess ToolkitRC got the memo because the color screen on the M8S is perfectly acceptable. No more blocky characters for example. The screen looks modern and the fonts are smooth.
VERDICT
It is amazing to me how much technology has been crammed into this little box. Bottom line: I would buy this device again in a heartbeat and look forward to using it during my next build as I can just imagine how much time it will save me keeping track of all the other tools I use during a build.
• The charger performs at the stated max. So regarding the primary purpose of the device, the M8S gets an A+ from me. 400w@18a on a box slightly larger than a deck of cards is just amazing. All remaining features are just bonus add-ons so I don’t judge them too harshly.
• While the included watt meter is technically functional, its use is limited. You would probably not want to buy this device to use it as a watt meter. On the other hand, if you’re not running anything higher than 18a and you need a device to conduct basic testing, the M8S will do the job.
• All of the protocol testing options are handy to have in a single device: PWM, PPM, SBUS both in and out in one small box–excellent.
• Aside from the charger, the standout feature is the power supply. It is ridiculously convenient to be able to set your power requirements and supply power from 1-30v and 1-18a via a handheld device. You just have to imagine putting together a plane, or better yet a full-on FPV rig with flight computer, cameras, VTX, pan/tilt. This single box will help you get everything setup without the need for a handful of specialized individual tools.
• ToolkitRC claims they’ve updated the interface. As I have no other ToolkitRC products to compare, I cannot see what has been changed. What I do know is the user interface is a little unorthodox, but it is not too hard to figure out. You just have to be willing to spin that dial and press buttons. From a start, I had the whole interface figured out in about 10 minutes.
COUPON CODE!
If you’re interested in scoring one of these for your Toolkit (see what I did there?), I have a BG affiliate link and coupon code for you. Please use my affiliate link as I’ll get a small referral commission and it costs you nothing extra. Plus, you get to score an M8S for $39.99!
To take advantage of the ToolkitRC M8S Smart Charger RCVR Banggood Affiliate Startup Offer
Affiliate Link: https://www.banggood.com/custlink/KKKRJlHuKW
Coupon Code: BGToolkitRCM8S1 (Coupon Expires 9/6/2020)
Testing Objectives
- Does the M8S hit its stated Max of 400w @ 18a.
- Verify the charged battery peaked according to the value set on the charger and that the cells were balanced.
You can see the full details of this test on my YouTube Channel: RCVideoReviews.
