Overview
The SPM Charge Lead with Balance Extension 24 inch IC3, 2-6S from Spektrum is an essential accessory for anyone serious about LiPo battery management and charging flexibility. Whether you're a competitive RC racer, a weekend basher, or an enthusiast exploring the world of RC cars UK, having the right charging equipment is crucial for maximising battery life and ensuring safe charging practices. This 24-inch balance extension lead is specifically designed to give you complete freedom in where and how you charge your batteries, whether that's in a dedicated LiPo bag, at the charging station, or anywhere else you need maximum reach and convenience.
Spektrum is recognised as the leader in spread spectrum technology and RC equipment, and this charge lead reflects their commitment to quality and reliability. The extended length of 24 inches means you're no longer confined by short factory balance leads—you can position your batteries safely away from your charging equipment, inside a fireproof LiPo charging bag for added safety, or at a comfortable working distance from your charger. This makes the balance extension particularly valuable for anyone using ready to run RC vehicles or custom builds who wants to follow best practices for lithium polymer battery charging.
Compatible with a wide range of 2S to 6S LiPo battery packs fitted with IC3 connectors, this charge lead works seamlessly with both Spektrum G1 Smart batteries and the newer SPM G2 Smart battery technology, as well as non-Smart batteries from other manufacturers. The dual connector design—including both male and female connectors—gives you maximum flexibility for how you integrate this lead into your charging setup, making it an indispensable piece of equipment for any serious RC enthusiast in the UK.
Key Features
- 24-inch Extended Length — The generous 24-inch length of this balance extension lead allows you to position your LiPo batteries safely away from your charger, which is particularly important when using fireproof LiPo bags or when charging multiple batteries in a battery management area, giving you the flexibility and safety distance that's essential for responsible battery charging.
- IC3 Connector Compatibility — This charge lead is specifically designed for batteries equipped with IC3 connectors, ensuring secure and efficient connections that won't come loose during the charging process, which is critical for maintaining safe charging conditions and protecting your valuable battery packs.
- 2S to 6S Battery Support — Whether you're charging compact 2S packs for lightweight RC vehicles or larger 6S packs for high-performance brushless RC cars, this balance extension works across the entire range, making it a versatile addition to any RC enthusiast's charging setup.
- Dual Male and Female Connectors — The inclusion of both male and female connectors provides maximum flexibility in how you integrate this lead into your existing charging infrastructure, allowing you to connect it in either direction depending on your charger configuration and battery pack setup.
- G1 and G2 Smart Battery Compatibility — This balance lead works with both Spektrum G1 Smart batteries and the newer SPM G2 Smart battery technology, ensuring you have full compatibility whether you're using first-generation or latest-generation Spektrum intelligent battery systems.
- Non-Smart Battery Support — Beyond Spektrum's own Smart battery technology, this charge lead is fully compatible with non-Smart LiPo batteries from other manufacturers, making it a universal solution for anyone with multiple battery brands in their collection.
- Grey Smart Wire Integration — The dedicated grey Smart wire is specifically designed for use with SPM G2 Smart batteries, ensuring a secure and efficient charging process that maintains full compatibility with Spektrum's advanced battery management technology.
- Standard JST-XH Balance Plug Design — Using the industry-standard JST-XH style balance plug connection means this lead is compatible with a huge range of chargers and equipment, and integrates seamlessly into existing RC setups without requiring any special adapters or modifications.
Technical Performance
The SPM Charge Lead with Balance Extension 24 inch IC3 represents a carefully engineered solution to one of the most common pain points in RC battery management. At 24 inches long, this balance extension is significantly longer than standard factory balance leads, eliminating the frustration of having your battery positioned awkwardly close to your charger. The construction utilises industry-standard JST-XH connectors for the balance plugs, which are recognised across the RC industry for their reliability and secure connections. The lead accommodates 2S, 3S, 4S, 5S, and 6S LiPo battery configurations, making it suitable for everything from small brushed RC cars through to high-performance brushless RC vehicles. The inclusion of both male and female IC3 connectors at the main charging end provides exceptional flexibility, allowing you to use this lead with virtually any charger configuration. The grey Smart wire specifically included for SPM G2 Smart batteries ensures that users of Spektrum's latest intelligent battery technology can take full advantage of advanced features like remaining capacity display, cycle counting, and internal resistance monitoring. Whether you're managing a single battery or a fleet of multiple packs, the extended length combined with dual connector support makes this an indispensable upgrade that transforms your charging workflow and enhances safety by allowing you to keep batteries at a safe distance from your charger, particularly important when using fireproof LiPo charging bags as part of best practice RC battery safety.
What's in the Box
- SPM Charge Lead with Balance Extension (24 inches long)
- Male IC3 connector
- Female IC3 connector
- Standard balance lead for G1 Smart and non-Smart batteries
- Grey Smart wire for SPM G2 Smart battery compatibility
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is this balance extension suitable for all LiPo batteries in my RC car collection? — This charge lead is compatible with 2S to 6S LiPo batteries fitted with IC3 connectors. If your batteries use different connector types (such as XT60 or XT90), you would need a different balance extension. However, if your batteries have IC3 connectors, this extension works with both Spektrum Smart batteries and non-Smart LiPo packs from other manufacturers, making it a universal solution for most IC3-equipped batteries.
- Why would I need a 24-inch balance extension rather than using the standard lead on my battery? — Factory balance leads on batteries are typically quite short, which forces you to position your battery very close to your charger. A 24-inch extension allows you to place your battery safely inside a fireproof LiPo charging bag, position it at a comfortable working distance, or keep it away from your charger for safety reasons. This is particularly important for responsible battery management and for following best practice RC charging procedures, especially when you're charging high-capacity packs.
- Will this work with my G2 Smart battery and charger? — Yes, this charge lead includes a dedicated grey Smart wire specifically designed for SPM G2 Smart batteries, ensuring full compatibility and allowing you to use all advanced features of Spektrum's latest intelligent battery technology, including capacity monitoring and cycle counting.
- What's the difference between the male and female IC3 connectors included in this lead? — The charge lead includes both male and female IC3 connectors, giving you flexibility in how you connect it to your charger. Depending on your charger's configuration, you can use whichever connector orientation works best with your specific setup, eliminating the need for adapters or additional purchases.
- Can I use this with non-Spektrum brand LiPo batteries? — Absolutely. While this lead is optimised for Spektrum Smart batteries, it works equally well with non-Smart LiPo batteries from other manufacturers, provided they have IC3 connectors. This makes it a universal balance extension for anyone using IC3-equipped batteries regardless of brand.
Why Buy from RC Model Shop?
RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the SPM Charge Lead with Balance Extension 24 inch IC3, 2-6S O-SPMX-1011 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.
