XTAR - CES 2014 - VP2 charger

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

Never mind speculations...

Here are some interesting fresh tidbits about forthcoming 2014 XTAR chargers models, straight from the horse's mouth
(Xtar "Marketing Department's mouth, actually...), recently posted on CPFMarketplace Manufacturer's corner:


OK, here is warm-up information for 2014:

VP2
Another XTAR VP1 plus USB output which could charge large size battery.

MC2
XTAR Two channels Charger with Voltage options

AND SO ON...

We need to test for thousands of times to release to the market. Hope you like them.
More from our website.


I am especially intrigued by the VP2 and wondering about additional new features added to improve upon the current VP1;
(such as a Charge Termination LED, perhaps ?)
Have asked XTAR for full specs with pictures...we'll see...

Stay tuned...

Cheers,

__philippe

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

And now Ladies and Gentlemen, ....a roll of drum, please...

Here is a VP2 sneak preview picture, specs included, to whet your appetite...

Notice the two new little red LED's ? :thumbsup:
Release expected around end-January 2014

More to come soon...

Cheers,

__philippe

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

oh man, the VP2 will have LiFePO4 and standard 4.2v and 4.35 volt charging capabilities? nice!

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

__philippe said:

And now Ladies and Gentlemen, ....a roll of drum, please...

Here is a VP2 sneak preview picture, specs included, to whet your appetite...

Notice the two new little red LED's ?

Release expected around end-January 2014

__philippe

Click to expand...

Great News Philippe. I was just looking to buy a new Xtar charger, but I I'll wait and see if they release this VP2 in a few weeks. I need 18650 & 26650 charging capability. This seems to be just what I was hoping for. :thumbsup:

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

tobrien said:

oh man, the VP2 will have LiFePO4 and standard 4.2v and 4.35 volt charging capabilities? nice!

Click to expand...

Where do you see that LiFePO4 are supported?

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

ToneDeath said:

Where do you see that LiFePO4 are supported?

Click to expand...

3.6 volt charge voltage.

LiCo has 3.6/3.7 volt nominal and 4.2 volt charge voltage.

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

ToneDeath said:

Where do you see that LiFePO4 are supported?

Click to expand...

Output: DC 3.0/4.35v
3.0v/3.2v LiFePO4 Battery Charger (Charges to 3.2v)
3.6v/3.7v Li-ion Battery Charger (Charges to 4.2v)
3.8v Li-ion Battery Charger (Charges to 4.35v)

http://illuminationgear.com/XTAR-VP2-Li-ion-Intelligent-Charger-w-AC-DC-Cords-XTAR-VP2.htm

XTAR - CES 2014

Wow, wow, wow. Awaiting HKJ review, of course, but the VP2 looks... perfect. It has every single thing that I've always wanted in a single charger. There's always been something missing: too much current for 10440, spacer required for 16340, can't fit 18700, can't fit 26650, can't do LiFePO4, ... The VP2 covers all the bases. Nice!

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

Just in case the "Gotta Have it!" itch is getting unbearable, here are a couple of instant relief therapy centers
offering immediate irritation remedy, over-the-counter (for a mere $49.00->$53.00).....

http://www.mtnelectronics.com/openc...ct/product&product_id=188&search=xtar+charger

http://www.xtar-store.com/searchquick-submit.sc?keywords=vp2

Cheers,

__philippe

Re: XTAR - CES 2014

Thanks for the input.

So I could pick up a Xtar VP2 & some LiFePO4 RCR123A batteries, charge and use them in my Elzetta Bravo with the Malkoff LED module. I'll send off my other Elzetta Bravo HO for boring and pick up some protected 18650 batteries when it returns. Do I need to be concerned about using rechargeable batteries and any damage to either the Malkoff M60 module or the Elzetta high output module?

TD

The VP2 appears to answer my needs, er, wants. In preparation for moving (eventually back to Germany), I am sorting thru my existing chargers and wish to dispense with nearly all of them to save space. I would rather eliminate chargers than lights! I constrained my 18650 acquisitions to whatever the lights contain, only 1 "spare". My currently favored approach was to employ in-light charging. However that meant that the cell balancing in multi-cell 18650 lights would be handicapped. I could limp along with the Klarus end-cap chargers that run off a USB port, but that is not very transferable to my extended family. They need something that they can identify as a charger. The VP2 also provides output to charge my cell phone - very necessary in Europe where a Mains outlet is commonly unavailable or very inconvenient to access. I am only waiting for a review as to termination voltage/currents before I purchase.

moldyoldy said:

I am only waiting for a review as to termination voltage/currents before I purchase.

Click to expand...

That will be some time, Xtar has not shipped one to me yet.
It looks like the first batch goes to dealers. Review copies are first send out from the second batch or maybe later.

__philippe said:

Taking a second look at the above picture (post #12),
I wonder if 4.16V is not a trifle low for correctly terminating the charge on a 14500 cell ?...

__philippe

Click to expand...

Not if they have been charging at 1A

HKJ said:

Not if they have been charging at 1A

Click to expand...

+1.

It is not well understood that the Li-Ion charge rate does influence the resting terminal voltage after termination of the charge at a voltage level determined by the charger. What makes this charge-rate influence more difficult to detect is the normal slight drop-off of the cell voltage after nominal charge termination while the cell remains in the charger. The latter phenomenon is visible at least to some extent in the wonderful charging graphs provided by HKJ! Thanks HKJ!

I forgot to add a THANKS! to Philippe for the early warning on the new XTAR releases, especially the VP2. That saved me some $$ as well as the potential frustration of purchasing some charger that maybe did not match up with the perceived needs as well.

HOLYMOLY this looks like a perfect charger...

Everything from 10440 upto 26650!!!! And Suitable chargerates!Love it!! Glad I did not spend on a VP1 and got a cheaper WP2, I now have a excuse to upgrade lol, and it has the Leds as well as a actual screen unlike the VP1, aswell as a powerbank feature, WOW! I think this charger providing there are no issues with it will be very hard to beat, even more so if it comes at a good price like most of Xtars stuff, they really have outdone themselfs I think here.

Only thing I think could beat this is if it has a 2A chargeing mode aswell, as even 1A takes fourever on a 3400 (And now the 3600) 18650s and I cant imagine how long a 26650 would take....