**Cheapest** Li-Ion charger...

[grndslm]

I thought I had found it in this sub-$5 charger -- DX SKU 14885
-- BUT IT DOESN'T even charge my protected cells, which is all I've got, really.

Back to the drawing board. I was able to score some awesome flashlights and batteries for cheap, but I still need a cheap charger to go with them.

What is the CHEAPEST Li-Ion charger that works with protected cells????

$25 is the absolute maximum allowed price range. Something in the $10 to $15 range would make me much happier.

Do Not link directly to sales web sites - Norm

 

[901-Memphis]

Yes you can get a good charger for that price. You want to google

xtar WP2 II

You can buy it from "SB Flashlights"

 

[LiteTheWay]

I have found this to be a very good TRAVEL charger - and I have three of them. I had a fourth which was a dud and was replaced by DX no worries. I would not use this charger on a routine basis however. For travel - can't be beat - small, universal but you may need to check a couple of them out to get a 'good' one.

I thought I had found it in this sub-$5 charger --

-- BUT IT DOESN'T even charge my protected cells, which is all I've got, really.

Back to the drawing board. I was able to score some awesome flashlights and batteries for cheap, but I still need a cheap charger to go with them.

What is the CHEAPEST Li-Ion charger that works with protected cells????

$25 is the absolute maximum allowed price range. Something in the $10 to $15 range would make me much happier.

 

[grndslm]

Yes you can get a good charger for that price. You want to google

xtar WP2 II

You can buy it from "SB Flashlights"

That is a pretty sweet charger. I really like that USB charging feature. That's pretty slick in its own right.

Searching for that one, I actually ran across another charger that reminds me of why I bought the $5 "smart" charger.... because it worked on ALL batteries without interference from me. This other one works on Li-Ion *and* NiMH batteries. It says that each of the 4 charging bays work "independently", plus it lists a lot of other safe specs. Check it out and tell me what ya think...

Bugout Gear
i4 Charger V2
Item# JB-i4V2
Regular price: $40.00
Sale price: $25.00


I think I'd be content with either one of them. They're both just different. I just really appreciate this Li-Ion *and* NiMH charging feature, because people aren't as knowledgeable and patient as myself.... and they might just like to charge their batteries with my charger when I'm not around. That kinda thing. If there's features I like more than most other features, it's the ones that make it "fool-proof".

I have found this to be a very good TRAVEL charger - and I have three of them. I had a fourth which was a dud and was replaced by DX no worries. I would not use this charger on a routine basis however. For travel - can't be beat - small, universal but you may need to check a couple of them out to get a 'good' one.

I hear ya. But I've seen another review of a similar "smart" charger, and the thing just doesn't work on protected cells. Maybe 1 out of 4 of these "smart" chargers will actually work with protected cells, but I'm not going to take the chance. In order to get a refund, store credit, etc... I would have to ship this back to Hong Kong and wait for a month or more to get results. I will consider this a $5 loss to the DX gods, which doesn't go down quite so poorly with my five new AA/14500 lights and four protected 14500 cells. 9 outta 10 ain't bad!! Don't want to rile up the gods with stupendously long waiting times.

Two months for a "replacement" charger is just unacceptable. I will definitely be buying this next one from an American vendor.

 

[grndslm]

Nevermind, I bought the xtar charger that 901-Memphis recommended.

$18, which includes the car adapter, 2 spacers, and free shipping. [

eBay Item number: 230740909236

Will be here before the end of the week. Good deal!

Thanks for the tip, 901-Memphis...

As already stated in your opening post, Do Not link directly to eBay - Norm

 

[901-Memphis]

I don't think you can do a whole lot better than the xtar WP2 II for the price. If you want the best for the li-ons i wouldn't go any cheaper.

 

[subwoofer]

The charger you (the OP) mention looks too good to be true. It charges every battery type under the sun, for less than $5. Hmmm, methinks it may be too cheap.

I have used the SKU 3499 early on in my use of li-ions. It worked perfectly and combined with a multimeter and never leaving it unattended was trouble free.

Now I would consider the xtar WP2 II a minimum starting point. It is a very good charger and was not much more than the popular but not very good WF-139.

 

[901-Memphis]

If its too good to be true..... well you know what they say.

In any event it charges 3.6v batteries at 230 mah. Would be way too slow for a 3100 mah 18650 or anything bigger.

 

[DIΩDΣ]

Which one are you implying about being too good to be true? I've been debating getting the ZL H600w / XTAR WP II / and Eagletac 3100's from illuminationgear, seemed to be good price plus the cpf discount which I think applies to the batteries/chargers too.

 

[901-Memphis]

DX SKU 14885 is on the avoid list IMHO, cheap made in China junk

I did some reading and just bought 2 new Intl-Outdoors panasonic 3100 mah cells, apparently they are nearly identical to redilast 3100s and only $13.96 each + free shipping.

You can't go wrong with Eagletac 3100s either if you wanna pay their price. (Not sure about shipping charges)

 

[qwertyydude]

I've been really happy with my DX 6105 chargers, also known as the HXY Charger. At DX it's only $6.90 It charges my protected cells just fine, when the light turns green, I get 4.18 volts on each battery.

 

[901-Memphis]

Seems to good to be true $7 for a charger? I'm wondering if you can build and profit from a reliable charger at that price. Does that mean the pila ibc is a huge ripoff? Or does it just mean that the cheaper ones can be more dangerous?

 

[Sintro]

Just buy the Shekor Charger, it's $10 and I haven't heard anything bad about it on these forums.

 

[qwertyydude]

I've been using 2 of them for 2 years. These aren't smart chargers though so they do trickle charge a half a milliamp or so after the light turns green but basically don't leave the battery in all week and you'll be fine.

 

[Danielight]

From illuminationGear's website, consider:

MP1S - Compact/Travel Charger Set
Includes AC/DC/USB Cord/Power Plug
(includes 4 threaded spacers)

$12.99

I bought one to charge my 18650 and 14500 batteries. This charger will only do one battery at a time, but that's all I need to do. I just plug it into a USB port on my PC, and watch for the green light to indicate that the charging is finished. Check the battery with a multimeter just to be safe, and that's it. ;)

 

[jabe1]

I think buying a cheap Lithium Ion charger is like buying a cheap motorcycle helmet.

Not recommended.

 

[901-Memphis]

I think buying a cheap Lithium Ion charger is like buying a cheap motorcycle helmet.

Not recommended.

I agree with that and will add that if you do choose a cheap charger you need to be more attentive to make sure it's unplugged after charging is finished as cheap chargers have been known to trickle charge after the light turns green which is a huge no no with lion

 

[Sintro]

Well, someone did a test on the shekor, and found out that once the voltage gets to about 4.17, it stops charging completely. No power at all going to battery UNTIL it drops below 4.08 or something, then it just charges up to that 4.17 again. Great reviews on it here http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...arger-for-18650-17670-18500-17500-14500-16340

 

[Sintro]

I've also heard good things about the http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028, it's about 22 bucks 20 at most places.