Cylindrical battery chargers range from a $15 basic slot charger to a $300+ professional analyzer — and the gap between them isn't just price, it's what the charger can actually tell you about your batteries. The SkyRC MC5000 (MAXBUSTER) sits at the high end of that range: a 4-slot charger and analyzer built for anyone who needs to charge, test, and maintain cylindrical cells across more than 10 battery chemistries. This guide covers the full specs, what each feature actually does, and who this charger is — and isn't — built for.
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What Is the SkyRC MC5000 (MAXBUSTER)?
- Manufacturer: SkyRC
- Product type: Smart battery charger & analyzer
- Design: 4 independent slots — charge, discharge, test, and maintain multiple cylindrical batteries at once
- Built for: power-users, technicians, hobbyists, and professionals working with more than one battery chemistry
Full Specifications at a Glance
Spec | Detail |
Battery chemistries supported | Li-ion, Li-ion HV, LiFePO4, NiMH, NiCd, eneloop, NiZn, RAM, LTO, Na-ion (10+) |
Cylindrical sizes supported | 44+ sizes, from AAA/AA to 32650 |
Slots | 4 independent |
Max charge current | 5.00 A per slot |
Max discharge current | 2.00 A per slot |
Total charging power | 80 W |
Total discharge power | 20 W |
Operating modes | Charge, Storage, Discharge, Cycle, Refresh, Break-in |
Display | 2.8″ full-color LCD with scroll wheel |
Connectivity | Bluetooth + SkyCharger app |
Extra output | USB PD 3.0, up to 65 W |
Safety | Internal resistance measurement, battery rescue/recovery mode, triple-fan cooling, short-circuit/over-temp/over-voltage/reverse-polarity protection |
AC input | 100–240 V, 50/60 Hz (international) |
Batteries included | No — cylindrical batteries only, sold separately |
Key Features Explained
Battery Chemistry & Size Support
The MC5000 supports more than 10 chemistries — Li-ion, Li-ion HV, LiFePO4, NiMH, NiCd, eneloop, NiZn, RAM, LTO, and Na-ion — across 44+ cylindrical sizes from AAA/AA up to 32650.
This range matters if you regularly work with more than one battery type, since a single-chemistry charger (like a basic Li-ion-only slot charger) can't safely handle NiMH or LiFePO4 cells.
Charging & Discharging Capacity
Each of the 4 slots charges independently at up to 5.00 A and discharges at up to 2.00 A, for a combined 80 W charging / 20 W discharge power across the unit. That's enough headroom to charge four different battery types at different rates simultaneously, without one slot limiting another.
Operating Modes — Charge, Storage, Discharge, Cycle, Refresh, Break-in
- Charge — standard charging to full capacity
- Storage — brings batteries to a safe voltage for long-term storage
- Discharge — drains a battery in a controlled way, useful for testing real capacity
- Cycle — repeats charge/discharge to condition or test a battery over multiple rounds
- Refresh — attempts to restore performance on batteries that have been sitting unused
- Break-in — conditions new batteries before their first full use
Display, Bluetooth App & Control
A 2.8″ full-color LCD with a scroll wheel handles on-device navigation, while the SkyCharger Bluetooth app mirrors that control remotely — useful for monitoring long charge or cycle sessions without standing next to the unit.
USB PD 3.0 Output
Beyond charging batteries, the MC5000 doubles as a USB PD 3.0 power source up to 65 W — enough to charge a laptop or fast-charge a phone directly from the unit.
Battery Health, Safety & Cooling
Internal resistance measurement gives a real read on battery health (not just voltage), and the battery rescue/recovery mode can bring back cells that have dropped too low to charge normally. A triple-fan cooling system plus short-circuit, over-temperature, over-voltage, and reverse-polarity protection cover the safety side.
What's Included in the Box
- SKYRC MAXBUSTER MC5000 Battery Charger & Analyzer
- Power cord
- Quick start guide / user manual
(Cylindrical batteries are not included — sold separately.)
Need cylindrical batteries to go with it? Check our rechargeable battery chargers
Who Is the MC5000 Best For?
- Hobbyists managing RC batteries across multiple chemistries
- Technicians and workshops that test battery health, not just charge
- Anyone needing 4 independent slots running different chemistries or currents at once
- Users who want app-based remote monitoring for long cycle/storage sessions
Not the right fit if: you only ever charge one battery chemistry (like 18650 Li-ion) in small quantities — a simpler charger like the LiitoKala Lii-S8 covers that at a fraction of the price. And if what you actually need to charge is a car or lead-acid battery rather than cylindrical cells, the MC5000 isn't built for that — see our FLA-20A automotive battery charger instead.
How to Get Started with the MC5000
- Connect the unit to power (100–240 V AC) using the included power cord.
- Insert your cylindrical battery into one of the 4 slots.
- Select the correct chemistry for that battery on the display or via the SkyCharger app.
- Choose the mode you need — Charge, Storage, Discharge, Cycle, Refresh, or Break-in.
- Monitor progress on the 2.8″ display or remotely through the Bluetooth app.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the MC5000 support LiFePO4 and NiMH batteries, or just Li-ion?
Yes — it supports 10+ chemistries including Li-ion, Li-ion HV, LiFePO4, NiMH, NiCd, eneloop, NiZn, RAM, LTO, and Na-ion, not just Li-ion.
Can I charge four different battery types at the same time?
Yes, each of the 4 slots operates independently, so you can run different chemistries or modes on each slot simultaneously.
Does the MC5000 come with a Bluetooth app?
Yes, it connects to the SkyCharger app for real-time monitoring and remote control.
Does this charger include batteries?
No — the MC5000 is for cylindrical batteries only, and batteries are sold separately.
Can the MC5000 charge my phone or laptop?
Yes, it includes a USB PD 3.0 output up to 65 W, which can power or charge external devices like phones and laptops.
Ready to manage your battery collection like a pro? Shop the SkyRC MC5000 or browse our full Batteries & Chargers range