Yes it would be nice! Any suggestions anyone??
Woa what happened here. I was relying to what I thought was a one page thread and then my browser updated to many many pages discussion?
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Consumer Li-Ion "cradle" charger roundup...
- Thread starter mdocod
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Yes it would be nice! Any suggestions anyone??
Woa what happened here. I was relying to what I thought was a one page thread and then my browser updated to many many pages discussion?
45/70
Flashlight Enthusiast
Not sure what sort of navigational infraction occurred there Double, can't help you.
As for Dhart's suggestion, if you simply wanted to have a selection of charge and discharge rates to charge Li-Ion cells, or determine their capacity at different discharge rates, hobby chargers work well for this purpose. They require a better understanding of the care and maintenance of Li-Ion cells, some additional hardware and so on to use, but they are pretty nice.
As for a C9000/BCxxx(x) type charger for Li-Ion cells, aside from the selectable charge/discharge rates, most of the additional functions these chargers offer, are specific to NiCd and NiMh cell maintenance, and not really useable with Li-Ion cells. For example there would never be any need to "Break in", "Refresh", or "Cycle" Li-Ion cells, unless you were just trying to wear out cells in an attempt to see how long they lasted, or something to that effect.
Dave
mdocod
Flashaholic
When my DSD worked (I fried it accidentally awhile back)... flashing back and forth between green and red meant that the charger was detecting an open circuit condition, or no cell installed. Red meant "charging," green meant "finished charging."
If your charger is doing something that does not match the description I have given you, then either A: It's not working right, or B: your charger has a different behavior than the DSD I tested, and there is nothing I can do to help.
DMMs are cheap. You can find out exactly what you want to know about your specific charger if you go buy one and learn how to use it. I can not guess from afar, sorry 🙁
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For others paying attention, I have added the WP6 and WP6 II to the original post.
Roood
Newly Enlightened
What is an alternative battery for SureFire? 18650 won't fit so is their another type of battery aside from CR123?
if you're on 2xCR123, a 17670 will fit.
Pardon the strange question (I have not read the whole thread), but it seems that the DSD is being recommended, even though it is clearly labelled "infamous" in the first post - why? What is it infamous for? Does it tend to blow batteries up, or is it just a little to easy to improperly charge with it?
It's infamous for the HUGE variety of quality across the line. You buy one, it might work fine, it might work sporadically, it might work only once in awhile, it might work once, it might be total junk and not work at all. If you have one that works fine, Congrats on having Lady Luck not just smile on you, but sit in your lap while letting you get a good look down her dress. You've pulled off a small miracle by getting a DSD that actually works properly.
Roood
Newly Enlightened
Thanks! But...
I'm using a C2 LED Centurion with KX4 head and a Z59 tailcap. How's the run time and output? And hows the fit inside the C2 body?
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Any 17670 should fit inside without being too snug when it comes to the body of a SureFire C2.
Someone else will have to chime in with regards to output. But expect runtime to be less compared to two CR123 primaries in place.
Someone else will have to chime in with regards to output. But expect runtime to be less compared to two CR123 primaries in place.
peterharvey73
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Messages
- 1,005
Just received my Pila charger.
It is beautifully built. Superb quality of manufacturing, fit and finish.
Still waiting for my AW LiNiCoO2 3.6V 2900 mAH flat tops and 16340 spacers to arrive.
Apparently Pila will recharge 3.6V batteries just fine, just like their 3.7V counterparts?
It is beautifully built. Superb quality of manufacturing, fit and finish.
Still waiting for my AW LiNiCoO2 3.6V 2900 mAH flat tops and 16340 spacers to arrive.
Apparently Pila will recharge 3.6V batteries just fine, just like their 3.7V counterparts?
mdocod
Flashaholic
Hi Peterharvey,
In most cases, 3.6V and 3.7V cells are going to have the same charging requirements, a CC/CV to 4.20V, however, there are some li-ion cells that should only be charged to 4.10V, in some cases, they are labeled 3.6V cells. The AW 2900mAH 18650s can be charged to 4.20V just fine, the Pila will work great.
Eric
In most cases, 3.6V and 3.7V cells are going to have the same charging requirements, a CC/CV to 4.20V, however, there are some li-ion cells that should only be charged to 4.10V, in some cases, they are labeled 3.6V cells. The AW 2900mAH 18650s can be charged to 4.20V just fine, the Pila will work great.
Eric
Hi Eric
Also looking for a goos value for money charger so I've seen a few good things mentioned about the XTAR WP2 Mark2. Do you have any thoughts on it as a safe decent charger...? (Don't know if you rate it the same as the WP6 in your first post so I'm asking anyways).
Also looking for a goos value for money charger so I've seen a few good things mentioned about the XTAR WP2 Mark2. Do you have any thoughts on it as a safe decent charger...? (Don't know if you rate it the same as the WP6 in your first post so I'm asking anyways).
Would you happen to still have your DSD and if so can you post a copy of the 'innards' (circuit)? Just bought a DSD style charger off eBay, and when it red lights it's still trickling at 40-70mA. The one I have uses a MC34063A chip internally.
lightliker
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2011
- Messages
- 123
Great review!!
Nice to see that it's better to spend a bit more money for quality and a better battery life!
Do you have some info about the I4 charger that is availale at the site here below:
http://blackforce.stores.yahoo.net/i4charger.html ??
Nice to see that it's better to spend a bit more money for quality and a better battery life!
Do you have some info about the I4 charger that is availale at the site here below:
http://blackforce.stores.yahoo.net/i4charger.html ??
mdocod
Flashaholic
For some reason i can't seem to keep a subscription to this thread active, lol.. anyhow..
Hello Zenbaas,
I have note tested a WP2 so can't comment. While I hate to speculate, it would not surprise me if the WP2 Mark2 was the same as the WP6 II internally but with only 1 shared circuit rather than 3. I know I saw a good review with plotted graphs done on a WP2 around here somewhere. Try to find that for more insight.
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The DSD I have was from many many years ago. I suspect the innards have likely changed over the years.... I'm looking at this thing, trying to figure out an easy way into it. Looks like it would take a hack saw to open it up.. Hmmm...
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Sorry, never tested one.
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Eric
Hello Zenbaas,
I have note tested a WP2 so can't comment. While I hate to speculate, it would not surprise me if the WP2 Mark2 was the same as the WP6 II internally but with only 1 shared circuit rather than 3. I know I saw a good review with plotted graphs done on a WP2 around here somewhere. Try to find that for more insight.
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The DSD I have was from many many years ago. I suspect the innards have likely changed over the years.... I'm looking at this thing, trying to figure out an easy way into it. Looks like it would take a hack saw to open it up.. Hmmm...
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Sorry, never tested one.
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Eric
Thanks Eric. I have ordered one in the meantime. If nothing else it seems like quite a "safe" charger. I'm now waiting for the new "Jeatbeam i4 intellicharger " to be reviewed. It looks quite promising.
45/70
Flashlight Enthusiast
Hi kaj. The Pila IBC and the 4Sevens Single-Bay Smart Charger, are the only two "consumer type" cradle chargers that follow the recommended CC/CV charging algorithm. All of the others have various shortcuts that have been taken which results in them approximating a CC/CV algorithm, rather than actually using one. Some are much better than others. XTAR for example has taken the time to actually improve their products, but IMO, they're still not quite there. Others have made no attempt to improve their product line, as they sell like "hotcakes" anyway (think UltraFire).
If you want to venture into using Li-Ion cells, I would start with a proper charger, and then go on from there. There are many members here that have done it the hard way, myself included, and started out with less than the best, and then end up buying it anyway in the end. So, my advice would be to do it right the first time.🙂
Dave
peterharvey73
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Apr 12, 2011
- Messages
- 1,005
http://www.jet-beam.com/links/accessories/i4.aspx
Hi Eric, do you know anything about the all new Jetbeam Intellicharge i4?
It has 4 independent recharging bays, and it can recharge all battery types including NiCad, NiMH and Lion.
It seems to have a spring loaded "slider", not sure what you call it - so that it can take differenent battery sizes without the need for spacers etc.
It's half the price of a Pila charger too.
I just invested in a Pila Charger and AW spacers, but it only recharges 2, and Lion only???
However my RRT-3 uses 3x18650's, and my Fenix HP11 uses 4xEneloops.
So could this Sysmax Jetbeam charger be good for both my 3xAW 18650's and 4xEneloop AA's?
Is there anyway you can include the Intellicharge i4 in your page 1 reviews?
Hi Eric, do you know anything about the all new Jetbeam Intellicharge i4?
It has 4 independent recharging bays, and it can recharge all battery types including NiCad, NiMH and Lion.
It seems to have a spring loaded "slider", not sure what you call it - so that it can take differenent battery sizes without the need for spacers etc.
It's half the price of a Pila charger too.
I just invested in a Pila Charger and AW spacers, but it only recharges 2, and Lion only???
However my RRT-3 uses 3x18650's, and my Fenix HP11 uses 4xEneloops.
So could this Sysmax Jetbeam charger be good for both my 3xAW 18650's and 4xEneloop AA's?
Is there anyway you can include the Intellicharge i4 in your page 1 reviews?
