WF-139 vs. WF188 Chargers?

[Bob96]

I have a couple ofWF-139 chargers and they seem to function well. All my various size cells end up between 4.16 and 4.18 volts. Does the newer WF-188 charger offer iny additional benefits over the WF-139 model? They do cost a few dollars more.

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

I'm about to order a couple of these(mostly to charge 26500's and AW's original C-size lithium's).I'd like to hear some feedback before I order.

 

[mvyrmnd]

I've just ordered one. I'll let you know.

 

[Bob96]

I was hoping that the new model would be more friendly to charging 26500 & 26650 cells. On the WF-139 need to use spacers - dimes - change angles - to get the red charge light with these. Also only one cell at a time per charger.

 

[The Coach]

I just ordered one because the new Redilast 18650's won't fit in my 139.

 

[applevalleyjoe]

I just ordered one because the new Redilast 18650's won't fit in my 139.

Is the 188 bigger?

 

[Moonshine]

Can anyone answer the initial question? What is the difference, and which is better?

I'd be using them on AW 18650 2900mAh 3.7V cells.

 

[Be-Seen Triker]

I don't know about the 139 but the 188 is my goto charger for daily recharge of my bike lights. I run it on the 300ma setting and my quality cells come out at 4.22V on both channels. I did do the wire mod recommended by others by hardwiring the sliding contact to the circuit board. I have not characterized the charger's algorythm. I just know it has been pretty reliable compared to other chargers I have. I do have my eye on the new XTAR offering though since I like the idea of a 1-amp quick charge. The 188 will take some pretty big cells though.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

The WF-188 has two charge rates, in order to cater for cells of different capacities, and two different termination voltages to cater for LiCo/LiMn cells and LiFe cells. These parameters are altered with two, two position slide switches.

You have two bay cradle for all cells sizes, and don't have the fake (not connected) side bays for 16340.

The cradle is open, and the charger wider than normal, allowing for the charging of larger cells than the WF-139 would accept - 25500, 26500, 26650, 32600, 32650 etc.

Those are pretty much the differences and benefits. Neither is a particularly good charger. Unless you really need a dual bay charger for 32600/32650, I'd be tempted to look elsewhere, though a better charger will of course cost more. There's the ever popular Pila charger, or the 4Seven single bay charger if you are ever going to need to charge 25500, 26500 or 26650 cells. That has gained itself a good reputation in a short time. XTAR charges are also gaining themselves a good reputation.

 

[Moonshine]

Ah, very informative reply, thank you!

 

[moderator007]

The wf-188 I had would fit a battery upto 70.5 mm in the bay. This was the max that it would except. The charger would terminate but it terminated early. Old 45/70 did a wire mod on the charger that he said seemed to help with the early termination. Read here.