XTAR WP2 II- Please Help!

[Frank1967]

I am getting confused googling if I can safely charge AW Protected RCR123 batteries and AW IMR 18350 with the spacers provided on my Xtar WP2 II. IF you know I would love an answer. If I can't could anyone suggest the best charger.
Thanks,
Frank

 

[Bumble]

what concerns have you about the "safety" ?? the wp2 can charge both rcr123 and imr 18350 cells. i use spacers to charge these cells and heres some important info.. DO NOT use the 1 amp setting if you want to help the life-cycle of the cell . 500 charging rate is enough for the rcr/18350.

EDIT get yourself a volt-meter to check the voltages of the batteries before and after charging if you dont already have one. have a quick look here http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...ice-required&p=4185569&highlight=#post4185569


heres my take on rechargeable lithium batteries.. look after them and they look after you . im going to have a guess as to the safety aspect your concerned about.. is it that the .5 amp charging current is a little on the high side ? if so an xtar mp2 which from memory uses a .250 amp charging current, maybe this is what you want if you want to be even "kinder" to the batteries.

 

[Frank1967]

Thank you! Nowhere on the box for the XTAR WP2 II does it say it charges specifically 18350 or RCR 123. I was nervous using it. I did find info finally confirming using it at .5 amp will work. As long as charging at .5 is safe I will stick to this charger. If anyone disagrees please let me know.

 

[TEEJ]

I use the 6 bay version of that charger for RCR and IMR 16340's all the time....never a problem.

I do use dummy 123 cells as spacers, and also have the included knobby-screw spacers it comes with. I prefer the dummy cellls though, as its faster to swap cells back and forth, as I typically am charging 18650's, 17650's, 16340's, etc, on a daily basis...and the screw in/out spacers are slow to take on/off.

 

[Bumble]

Hi, lets look at the AW rcr123 in particular. heres a good review http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-Test-Review-of-AW-16340-ICR123-750mAh-(Black) as you can see the actual capacity is around 550 not the 750 which is labeled on the cell. (aw are excellent cells and dont let this put you off in anyway).. so charging at 500 is nearly 1C charging current. some members will say that this is a little high. from memory im sure AW recommends a 0.7C charge current to be used on his rcr123 , so that would mean a .385 amp charging current approx. your going to get some members agree with a .5 amp charging current...and some will say its a little high. all i can see personally happening is that a .5 amp charge is going to be a little harder on the cells maybe taking away a few charge cycles from the battery life. as i mentioned above the xtar MP2 charges at .250 so this maybe a good option if you have any doubts.

 

[Frank1967]

I use the 6 bay version of that charger for RCR and IMR 16340's all the time....never a problem.

I do use dummy 123 cells as spacers, and also have the included knobby-screw spacers it comes with. I prefer the dummy cellls though, as its faster to swap cells back and forth, as I typically am charging 18650's, 17650's, 16340's, etc, on a daily basis...and the screw in/out spacers are slow to take on/off.

Thanks TEEJ!!

 

[Frank1967]

Hi, lets look at the AW rcr123 in particular. heres a good review http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...-Test-Review-of-AW-16340-ICR123-750mAh-(Black) as you can see the actual capacity is around 550 not the 750 which is labeled on the cell. (aw are excellent cells and dont let this put you off in anyway).. so charging at 500 is nearly 1C charging current. some members will say that this is a little high. from memory im sure AW recommends a 0.7C charge current to be used on his rcr123 , so that would mean a .385 amp charging current approx. your going to get some members agree with a .5 amp charging current...and some will say its a little high. all i can see personally happening is that a .5 amp charge is going to be a little harder on the cells maybe taking away a few charge cycles from the battery life. as i mentioned above the xtar MP2 charges at .250 so this maybe a good option if you have any doubts.

Thanks Bumble!!