XTAR SP2s Charger Problems

[EngrPaul]

I bought a WP2s from MD-Lightsource mid-September, and am very disappointed in the quality of the unit.

First one delivered, the sliders would bind. It was delivered with the negative terminals stuck in two different down positions. To charge a 14500, I had to actually push the negative terminal up to the cell. Then to charge an 18650 the sliders would bind so much that one of the negative terminals became bent.

Mark agreed to take the unit back (I was required to pay postage) and send me another one after receipt. He said he would check the new unit before sending.

The second unit was received with a metallic rattle inside. The sliders were a bit more free, but continued to offer significant resistance when sliding. With use the condition got worse. This unit also did not have the 6 rubber feet on the bottom covering the screws, and the tamper resistant label was scuffed.

I didn't want to spend all my money shipping this unit back and forth. Being an Engineer in the electronics field, I decided to open the back, find the rattle, and lubricate the sliders.

First, I found that the loose screw rattling around was one of the two that holds the LED PCB to the front face. This is really bad, it could have caused a short during operation, so I’m glad I removed it. Evidently it was barely started into the hole and fell out. I installed it and it went snug.

Second, the return springs for the sliders were attached to the studs above the PCB instead of below it. The offset attachment does not stretch the springs straight, but instead at an angle. This causes the sliders to be cocked in the slots and this is what causes the binding. After moving the springs onto the region of the studs under the PCB, it works very smoothly (as reported by early owners).

I put the unit back together and it worked properly, electrically and mechanically. The only problem was I didn't have the rubber feet.

I wrote back to Mark where I bought the unit. I asked him to help me with the missing feet. He referred me to contact XTAR direct. XTAR initially responded to my email and promised to send the feet. Two months after my request, I still do not have them. I inquired twice to the same email address, but XTAR has not replied at all to either one.

Evidently, the manufacturing process took a turn for the worse. The retailer and manufacturer haven't made me happy. I did all the work to solve the problems.

I hope you have more luck than I did. If you have problems with the sliders, relocating the attachment points is easy. The worst part about my repair was getting access to the LED board to re-install the loose screw.

 

[shelm]

so what do you learn from this poor experience with

+ XTAR product
+ retailer
+ XTAR China

?

what's your point, your lesson.

And do you regret having dealt with

+ XTAR product
+ retailer
+ XTAR China

?

 

[EngrPaul]

I learned that life is a lot easier on both consumer and retailer when the job is done right to begin with.

I don't have a point. Just sharing some facts that may be useful to others who are dealing with a similar issue, or may be trying to select a quality charger.

so what do you learn from this poor experience with

+ XTAR product
+ retailer
+ XTAR China

?

what's your point, your lesson.

And do you regret having dealt with

+ XTAR product
+ retailer
+ XTAR China

?

 

[hiuintahs]

I haven't been impressed with the quality of chargers out on the market. I saw all the rave with the XTAR VP1 and so thought XTAR was THE go to company for chargers but I have bought two low end units..........a MP1S and another small unit that won't fit a 18650............and I was not impressed.

So I designed my own lithium ion charger. The biggest problem for me is coming up with the chassis and housing.

The coolest thing about the VP1 is the spring loaded socket. But like you said, it's sticky. So I was rather disappointed when I got mine.

There wasn't much to the electronic board in the MP1S and I wasn't impressed. I'm using the MP1S as the mechanical fixture but am putting my own electronic board in it. I think the housing is pretty good.

I guess the saying goes, we usually get what we pay for.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

I paid $50.00 plus shipping once for the Pila IBC and never looked back.

Probably the longest lasting and most valuable investment I've made in this hobby.

 

[a_aa]

I bought a WP2s from MD-Lightsource mid-September, and am very disappointed in the quality of the unit.

Was it a SP2 (as in the title) or a WP2?

I've bought two SP2s - one from China and one local (Norway) - with no mechanical problems whatsoever. Maybe an uneven distribution of luck in the universe when it comes to XTAR :) The only thing I would like improved, is the end state voltage on the batteries when using 2A, they seem to end up around 4.15V.

 

[hiuintahs]

...............The only thing I would like improved, is the end state voltage on the batteries when using 2A, they seem to end up around 4.15V.

That's normal with any charger.

The higher the charge rate the higher the voltage has to be on the battery to overcome the internal resistance such that you are forcing current into the battery, thus you end up reaching the termination voltage (4.20v) sooner before the battery actually is fully charged. Since the typical shut off is 10% of initial charge, you'll be shutting down the charge at a higher current than at lower charge rates. Even though you'd measure 4.20v on the battery while charging, as soon as the charge is terminated the voltage on the battery will drop back down.

If you want to get a full charge into the battery and have it at 4.20v when the charge is over, charge at the highest rate first. After that charge sequence completes do one with the next level down (won't take very long). Then switch to the lowest rate............then you'll see a full charged voltage on your battery.

I don't think I'd worry about not getting a complete charge. Actually that could be a good thing based on comments I've read on CPF. You just don't want to get an over-charge.

 

[a_aa]

Actually, for a true CC-CV charger, the CC-phase shouldn't influence much on the end state voltage. It's just the first phase. The CV-phase and the chosen cut off current at the end would be determing the end state.

And of course you're right - there is one benefit. Lowering the voltage, extends battery life in terms of charging cycles before the chemistry starts to really detoriate. So I rarely bother topping the charge :)

 

[RI Chevy]

I have an XTAR VP1 and I lubed the spring slides right out of the box as a precaution.
It has been excellent so far. I hope it lasts me like a Pila lasts!

 

[hiuintahs]

Actually, for a true CC-CV charger, the CC-phase shouldn't influence much on the end state voltage. It's just the first phase. The CV-phase and the chosen cut off current at the end would be determing the end state.......

Yes, its the cut off current value that determines how much total charge gets into the battery as long as the CV phase holds it at 4.20v. My understanding is the higher the charge rate the higher the termination point is set at. :)

 

[inetdog]

As another poster mentioned, a lithium chemistry battery will deteriorate (not just self-discharge) most when at or near full charge. If you have a standby type use pattern where the ultimate battery life will not be limited by the number of cycles AND you will not need a full charge when you use the light (emergency or shift use) then you should not try to charge it fully each time it is used.
Pardon the long sentence....

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