Which Charger?

[Blue Glow]

I almost bought a Pila charger, but I realized I can't quite afford it. I have an old charger, but it is possibly dangerous since I used it before and sometimes the rcr123a's got hot and leaked gooey stuff all over. :shakehead Maybe they were bad batteries? I did think I might be charging at too high amp rate, but not sure. I'm using the wrong AC/DC adapter with it, but it seems to work ok some of the time. I'll be getting some 18650's soon, and want as good a charger as I can get for $30. I have a multi-meter, but I don't know how to use it in testing the charger I have now...can anyone offer any help, or direct me on what to do next?

 

[Norm]

:welcome:

If your going to spend $30 on a charger, I'd rather wait until I had the extra $20 and buy the Pila, knowing the charger I've purchased is recognised as the best on the market and follows the recommended CC/CV charging profile. Your safety has to be worth the extra $20.

Norm

 

[Blue Glow]

lovecpfI was thinking maybe Turnigy Accucel-6 or the Cottonpickers charger. I found out my old charger is a DSD charger. The power supply part broke and so I took another one I had (12v 500ma) and plugged it into the old charger base. The base says 5.5v and 450ma, but I'm not sure if that means I need to input that into the charging base or what. As it is I've charged rcr123a's with the new power supply numerous times. I have only one battery left, and it looks like it is in some sort of fault mode since the charge LED turns orange when I try to charge it. I think I just shortened the life of the batteries, but I really don't know. Maybe I should just get the Pila, but might have to buy another charger later on. I do like to build lights (several projects laying around collecting dust), and if I ever get the money will probably do some HID stuff with battery packs. Yeah, safety is important. My life depends on my lights which depend on my batteries which depend on a good charger, right? Been searching for cool stuff on this forum for several days now, so probably should get some sleep.:tired:

 

[budynabuick]

[QUOTEBeen searching for cool stuff on this forum for several days now, so probably should get some sleep.:tired:[/QUOTE] Several days around the clock?

 

[Blue Glow]

I did take a break for food and I did sleep for a couple hours, so not exactly round the clock, but I did finally join the forum. I've been reading it every once in a while for years. Reading this forum is a good way to keep up with all the cool, new lights coming out on the market.:thumbsup:

 

[Stephen Wallace]

Two newer chargers that have built up a good reputation in a short time are the 4Sevens single bay cradle charger and the Xtar WP2 II. Both follow the CC/CV charge profile, though may terminate at a higher current than a hobby charger for instance (where charge terminates when the current drops to 10% of it's initial rate). Both are cheaper than the Pila.

The 4Sevens has the advantage of having a sliding terminal that caters for all cell sizes from 16340 to 26650, without any spacers being required. It'll cells up to 26mm width. It caters for LiFe, LiCo and LiMn cells, and has two charge rate settings to make it safer to charge small cells (use the lower charge rate). The obvious down side is that it can only charge cell at a time.

The Xtar WP2 II has sliding terminals, but these do not have the range of movement to cater for all sizes - you need spacers to charge 16340s. You may be able to get one 25/26mm cell in to the charger, though it wouldn't be held securely anyway - it's really intended to charge two up to 18mm wide cells at a time. You have two different charge rates to cater for smaller capacity cells, and you also have a USB output so that a charged cell can be used to charge another item connected to the charger via USB.

 

[snakyjake]

Check out 4Sevens and Xtar. You don't want to have a cheap and dangerous lithium-ion charger, same with cheap batteries. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the risks with lithium-ions too....it should be mandatory.

 

[Blue Glow]

Would buy the 4sevens charger, but the batteries I bought are unprotected Panasonic 18650 3.6v 3100ma. I figure the batteries are supposed to charge to 4.1 volts and not 4.2? Will the Pila or Xtar charge these well? If the Turnigy wasn't on backorder...confused myself to no end over chargers and batteries, good thing I'm not buying a pack for my homebrew LED headlamp yet.:shakehead

 

[Stephen Wallace]

The battery would probably last longer (more cycles) if only charged to 4.1v rather than 4.2v, but there is no harm in charging it to 4.2v - just a bit more wear and tear. The full capacity of 3100mAh most likely takes in to account charging to 4.2v.

 

[snakyjake]

the batteries I bought are unprotected Panasonic 18650 3.6v 3100ma.

I hope you know what you are doing with unprotected lithium-ion.
Unprotected = greater explosion risk if you don't know what you're doing.

 

[Derek Dean]

Howdy Blue Glow, and welcome to CPF,
Many of our newer members are unaware of the safety issues involved when using lithium-ion rechargeable batteries. I'm especially concerned that you are using unprotected cells. These new high capacity 18650 cells pack a LOT of power into a small area, so the potential risk also increases.

I highly recommend that you spend some time learning the proper way to handle and charge lithium-ion cells. Here is an excellent place to start:
Battery University:
http://batteryuniversity.com/

As to a charger, I'm very happy with my new 4Sevens single bay charger. It's VERY consistent and reliable, however, I do use AW protected 18650 batteries, and I think you'll find that many of the lower quality (less expensive) batteries just can't keep up with the current demands placed on them by these new high power lights.

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

I want/need to get a charger to charge 18650's, 14500's and RCR123's.

Ideally I'd love the best money can buy, but by bank account won't :duh2: So I've narrowed it down to 3 potential candidates, of which I'd love for you guys to tell which is the best and why, or the pro's and con's of each.



Option 1:

4Sevens Single Bay Smart Charger

This is 4Sevens own single-bay smart charger. It has a constant-current, constant-voltage (CC/CV) circuit. This means it will maintain a constant current to the battery until the terminating voltage (user selectable) is reached, then it will maintain a constant voltage; thus, the current is naturally reduced as the voltage approaches the terminating voltage.


Our charger can also be powered by USB and comes with a USB/MiniUSB power adapter!


Charger Specifications
Two user-selectable voltage settings:
3.6V / 4.2V
Two user-selectable current settings:
0.5A / 1.0A
Compatible with the following battery sizes:
14500 / 16340 (RCR123A) / 17670 / 18500 / 18650 / 26650


Primary Input Voltage: 12.0V, 1A
Secondary (USB) Input Voltage: 5.0V, 500mA
Wall/outlet Power Supply Input Voltage: 100-240VAC
Output Voltage: 3.6V~4.2V, 500mA~1000mA
Included adapters: wall/outlet power supply, car accessory port adapter, and USB-to-MiniUSB adapter

Option 2:

Sysmax Intellicharge i4 Charger

Excellent quality charger with four independent microprocessor controlled charging channels, allowing you to charge up to four batteries at the same time.


i4 automatically detects Li-ion, Ni-MH and Ni-CD type batteries and charges accordingly.


i4 is capable of charging different types and voltages of battery at the same time.


LED indicators for charging / charged status


Charges:
Li-ion - 26650, 22650, 18650, 17670, 18490, 17500, 17335, 16340(RCR123), 14500, 10440
Ni-MH/NI-CD - AA, AAA, A, SC, C




Features:


Cell Type 3.7v Li-ion, 1.2v Ni-MH or 1.2v Ni-CD batteries
LED Indicator LED indicators: Blue - Power, Triple yellow per channel indicating charge level and status
Further Info Auto cut off at full charge


Tested before shipping


Supplied with a fitted UK 3 pin plug


Caution For 3.7v Li-ion, 1.2v Ni-MH or 1.2v Ni-CD batteries only. Avoid water, high humidity, low or high ambient temperatures

Option 3:

Ultrafire WF139 Charger c/w R123 Spacers

The Ultrafire WF 139 dual bay charger is a versatile piece of kit capable of charging several different 3.6 / 3.7 volt lithium battery types thanks to its spring loaded contacts that allow for various length batteries.


When first turned on, both lights are green, turning red (flashing) while charging and returning to green once fully charged.


Charges 16340 (RCR 123 - with included spacers), 14500, 17500, 17670, 18500 and 18650 lithium battery types.


Fitted with UK 240v mains plug.
Features


Brand Ultrafire
Cell Type 16340 (RCR123), 14500, 17500, 17670 and 18650 3.7v lithium batteries
LED Indicator Red charging, Green charged
Further Info Two independent charging channels able to charge two different battery types at the same time


Auto cut off at full charge


PCB Protected batteries recommended for use with this charger


Caution Not suitable for 3 Volt Rechargeable batteries

____________________________________________


I've read some less than enthusiastic comments about the Ultrafire charger, so I unless convinced I think it'll be a no. However I've not managed to find anything else out about the others, so would really appreciate some help. They are all very similar priced, I just want to buy the best for my budget (£20-30).

Thanks.

 

[TEEJ]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

The 4sevens one can also do the 26650's if you need them down the road.

You would have to make sure you centered the smaller 18650's, etc, between the contacts, as I believe they would essentially be held by the contacts, floating within the bay.

 

[HKJ]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

I have posted reviews of all 3 here on cpf or you can find the reviews on my website.

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

Thanks.

So would it be a correct assumption to make that the Ultrafire and i4 aren't really worth bothering with unless you already have one?

It's a shame the 4Sevens one only does one battery at a time, but your review certainly seems to suggest it's the best actual charger.

Cheers for the reviews

 

[fvdk]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

I would consider the XTAR WP2 II as an alternative.
HKJ also has a review of it.

 

[Chicken Drumstick]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

I would consider the XTAR WP2 II as an alternative.
HKJ also has a review of it.

I did see that one, but I haven't found any UK retailers selling it sadly. Think I'll take a punt on the 4Sevens one as I could always buy a 2nd sometime in the future if I want to charge more than one battery at a time.

 

[troelskc]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

For dedicated Li-Ions I would reccon the Pila IBC. Probably the best you can get for your batts. I have it myself, and it's perfect! You need a spacer for RCR123 though, you can get it all from selected - light dot de. Competitive shipping prices to UK.

 

[HKJ]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

So would it be a correct assumption to make that the Ultrafire and i4 aren't really worth bothering with unless you already have one?

The i4 has some good points, you just have to watch a few issues, like never charge NiMH and LiIon at the same time and it might be a good idea to check the batteries with a DMM after each charge (Some people always does that).
I believe that they will release a new version in a few months, where these bugs are fixed.

It's a shame the 4Sevens one only does one battery at a time, but your review certainly seems to suggest it's the best actual charger.

4Sevens is shipping the V3 charger now, I have only tested the V2, but I would expect the V3 to be just as good.

 

[snakyjake]

Re: Help me out, which charger - choice of 3???

Process of elimination:

Sysmax Intellicharge i4 Charger: I've read safety problems about this charger.

Ultrafire WF139: Does not use the recommended charging algorithm (not exactly sure what this really means: lower voltage or safety risk).

4Sevens Single Bay Smart Charger: I've read of melting problems, but perhaps fixed with V3 (4Sevens will not respond to this, so I'm presuming it is unknown). I don't use multiple lithium-ion cells for safety reasons, so a single bay charger is sufficient. This is the one I'd buy if I knew the melting problem is fixed.

I've eliminated all these choices for a charger. There's a good amount potential explosion risk when using lithium-ion, so I'm willing to spend more money for safety. Which leaves a hobby charger or Pila. Another possibility is Xtar WP2 II.