18650 charger for three batteries

[eusty]

I've an UltraFire WF-139 (new version) for charging my batteries, but the problem is now I've a Thrunite TN30 which takes 3 18650's.

I've been charging two, then the other one, but this takes ages as the WF-139 isn't the quickest of chargers.

The problem is that most 4 bay chargers I've looked at timeslice between pairs of bays. This means that one will charge quicker than the other two? Which I'm not sure will be a great idea as they will all go in the torch together.

Any ideas on a charger which can charge the 3 batteries identically? Or best to get a better 2 bay charger?

 

[itguy07]

I think the Nitecore Intellicharge i4 has 4 separate channels and does a good job charging.

 

[eusty]

Although it has 4 channels I think it also time slices :(

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[hellokitty[hk]]

What do you mean it time slices?
It charges 4 batteries independently, which means they'll all charge at the same rate and if they're similarly depleted, they'll all finish at the same time.

 

[itguy07]

What do you mean it time slices?
It charges 4 batteries independently, which means they'll all charge at the same rate and if they're similarly depleted, they'll all finish at the same time.

I think he means the "pulsing" it does. I don't have an issue with it as it's similar to what other highly regarded chargers (Maha C9000 I'm looking at you) do.

 

[eusty]

From what I've read. If the charger is rated at x amps and shares slots (usually 1&3 and 2&4) then the rating is x/2 amps.

Would this have the effect of charging the single battery (not shared) at a different rate to the two batteries (which are shared)?

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[robcope]

I have charged three 18650's in my i4 and they all finish at about the same time. With in maybe 10 minutes of each other. The charger does a good job in real world terms. I was charging mine in a cheap trustfire charger and they were only lasting about two days in my e-cig mods, now I get more then three days off a single 18650. I don't trust this charger with my eneloops, but it seems to do a good job with my 18650's.

 

[eusty]

Thanks :)

Seems my question is answered.

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[hellokitty[hk]]

Oh that's right it actually has 2 channels.

 

[Changchung]

I dont know about the ultrafire charger, but here you can find all the technical info about the nitecore i4 v2.

If you charge just one battery will be charged faster than 2 batteries put it in the bays 1-2 or 3-4

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=337187


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[eusty]

That's what I thought :(

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[Changchung]

That's what I thought :(

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What batteries you have?


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[eusty]

The three are Eagletec 3400, but I've also two Xtar 3100 and two AW 2600.

All protected ones :)

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[aspirina750]

Xtar WP6 II, 6 channels I believe.

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[eusty]

It has which I thought would be a bit OTT, but looking in detail it seems that it has paired channels.
So 6/2=3! As long as I charge on every other bay then they will all be charged identically :)

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[subwoofer]

As aspirina750 said - Xtar WP6 is the one to go for. If you space the cells out so there is a free slot between each, the WP6 has three banks of paired charging slots. Each cell is charged separately, but if two cells are in a single bank the charging mode is different.

 

[eusty]

I have just ordered one :D

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