18650 batteries and recharging station recommendations

[Tre_Asay]

Wow, the D4 looks popular, I have been using a D2 (same charger with 2 ports) to charge 18650, AA NI-MH, and a 16340. It works well but it takes hours to charge high capacity cells due to the limit of 500mA per bay.

 

[HorizontalHunter]

Cannot go wrong with the Nitecore D4 and Keepower 18650s. They have 3500 mah capacity now available at Illumn.

That is what I decided to go with.

Thank to all for your responses and suggestions.

Bob

 

[seery]

My preference is the Nitecore D2 (2015) charger and KeepPower 3400mAh batteries where both the protection circuit and cells are made in Japan.

 

[MX421]

I have both the Nitecore D4 and the Xtar VC4 (i think that is the model). Both of them charge Li-Ion and NiMh. I like both, but i like the latter better as i have been trying to track capacities and the Xtar displays that whereas the Nitecore does not. I have a few good batteries (Keepower 16650s and 18650s as well as some Fenix brand) that have high capacities, but i mainly use the free batteries i salvaged from Li-Ion power tool and laptop batteries (thus the capacity interest).

 

[freefly]

For a 4-bay charger, the Liitokala Lii-500 has a pretty good bang/buck ratio. Or the Xtar VP4. Personally, I run 2 Xtar VP2 chargers, as they have the capability to charge up 4.35V cells, as well as Li-POs. They also come with an A/C adapter, so no extra USB wall warts needed. If there are no budget concerns, the SkyRC MC3000 is probably one of the best out there.

For batteries, it depends on what your preferences are (output vs. run-time, etc.), and the lights you will be using. For lights with FET and/or high-amp drivers, my current favs are the (unprotected) LG HG2 and Samsung 30Q.
For most stuff pulling 3A and below, the newer KeepPower 3500mAh protected 18650s (Sanyo NCR18650GA cells) are great. Lately, I've been using Samsung and LG 4.35V laptop pulls with good results as well.

 

[hyperloop]

I personally like the Xtar VC4 as it can charge my Nimh as well as my Li-ion cells.

 

[supastar]

I purchased an OPUS BT-C3100 from Gearbest a few months back and can't speak more highly of it. It supports multi-chemistry, so it's versatile, and have found it very quick to charge my Panasonic NCR18650B 3400mAh (can charge 2 bays at 2A).