This isn’t a review as I don’t have all the gear to properly test this but mine arrived yesterday and first impressions are it’s great.
It’s a chunky beast compared to the OPUS chargers I’ve got but the bonus is that it is nearly silent. There is a good amount of mass to dissipate heat and the only noise you can hear if the room is really quiet is the occasional charging circuitry changing.
I was charging 4 × 18650’s last night and noticed that they were all charging at 2000 (1997)mAh each. The product description shows its 3A max per channel OR 6A total output. What is going on here? Is it jumping slot to slot?
I’m tempted to get 8 cells all the same, drain them down to the same voltage then charge them all at “full speed” on the Opus and the SC4 and see which one is the fastest.
A couple of comments about the charger though are that the display is very easy to read. I was wary about the lack of information for each cell but it’s okay as you just press to jump cell to cell for more information.
The resistance check seems like a nice addition. It showed me that one of my “rescued” cells was actually knackered as I first expected.
I’ve not tried restoring dead cells but I’m hoping to find where I placed those cells in the next few days.
I did charge a 26650 cell at 3A and was pleased to see the cell didn’t get warm and over half an hour the display told me that it had charged it by 1482mA which makes sense.
All in all its a nice charger from my very limited time with it, I’m just confused about the 4 × 2000mAh being displayed yet a max output of 6A
A few reviews:
Baofeng UV-6R | ThorFire TK4A | HaikeLite MT07 Buffalo | Thorfire VG15S | Klarus XT12GT | Imlent DN70 | Amazon stuff
does it measure or test the capacity of the cells? that’s the reason I’m resisting to buy it
Hi,
The manual can be found here: http://charger.nitecore.com/pdf/SC4_UM_EN.pdf
It doesn’t look like it’ll discharge and recharge the cells. I purchased this because of the faster charge rate and the fact it is silent. Sometimes I want to charge my cells in a quiet environment and the pair of Opus chargers I’ve got are simply too noisy for that.
A few reviews:
Baofeng UV-6R | ThorFire TK4A | HaikeLite MT07 Buffalo | Thorfire VG15S | Klarus XT12GT | Imlent DN70 | Amazon stuff
The charger only counts the mAh charged to the cell, there is no discharge capacity test
[Reviews] Miboxer C4-12, C2-4k+6k, C2, C4 / Astrolux K1, MF01, MF02, S42, K01, TI3A / BLF Q8 / Kalrus G35, XT11GT / Nitefox UT20 / Niwalker BK-FA30S / Sofirn SF36, SP35 / Imalent DM21TW / Wuben I333 / Ravemen PR1200 / CL06 lantern / Xanes headlamp
[Mods] Skilhunt H03 short / Klarus XT11GT, XT12GTS / Zebralight SC50+ / Imalent DM21TW / colorful anodisation
[Sale] TA based drivers NarsilM or Bistro OTSM 17-22mm, S42, L6, Q8, MF01, SRK, TN42 / Narsil based buck driver for 20-30mm MF01/02, TN40/42, GT, MT09R / Remote switch tail DD board with FET
Yeah, that’s odd. The manual clearly states 4 × 1500mAh. You might want to shoot Nitecore an email and ask about it. They’re usually pretty good about responding in a timely fashion.
mAh is the capacity mA is charging current
[Reviews] Miboxer C4-12, C2-4k+6k, C2, C4 / Astrolux K1, MF01, MF02, S42, K01, TI3A / BLF Q8 / Kalrus G35, XT11GT / Nitefox UT20 / Niwalker BK-FA30S / Sofirn SF36, SP35 / Imalent DM21TW / Wuben I333 / Ravemen PR1200 / CL06 lantern / Xanes headlamp
[Mods] Skilhunt H03 short / Klarus XT11GT, XT12GTS / Zebralight SC50+ / Imalent DM21TW / colorful anodisation
[Sale] TA based drivers NarsilM or Bistro OTSM 17-22mm, S42, L6, Q8, MF01, SRK, TN42 / Narsil based buck driver for 20-30mm MF01/02, TN40/42, GT, MT09R / Remote switch tail DD board with FET
Of course. I goofed. Thanks for the correction.
It was my bad. I was lazy when I was typing it earlier
the video will flip round a bit laterA few reviews:
Baofeng UV-6R | ThorFire TK4A | HaikeLite MT07 Buffalo | Thorfire VG15S | Klarus XT12GT | Imlent DN70 | Amazon stuff
Any update?
How does it compare to your Opus chargers?
I love it. Best bit about it is the silence. I use it all the time now.
A few reviews:
Baofeng UV-6R | ThorFire TK4A | HaikeLite MT07 Buffalo | Thorfire VG15S | Klarus XT12GT | Imlent DN70 | Amazon stuff
Thanks. What did you have before and how does it compare?
So I’m still not sure…this is a 4 channel 2A (per channel) charger, so 8A over 4 channels?
But if you have 2 26650’s in the 2 outside slots it’s 2 bays at 3A each?
Has HKJ done a review on this yet ??
Not that I have found, and I was looking for an HKJ review too. Someone probably has to send him a unit so he can do what he does.
It’s either in HKJ’s queue, or it’s on the shortlist to be added to the queue. See here:
http://budgetlightforum.com/comment/778183#comment-778183
I’m looking forward to a Nitecore F2 review myself
I’m excited for HKJ’s review of both this and the Miboxer C4-12 (3A over 4 channels)
The C4-12 is not on my schedule or in my queue yet , the SC4 review will be published in about two weeks.
My website with reviews of many chargers and batteries (More than 1000): https://lygte-info.dk/
The heavy discount is today only if I understand it right.
Is there a reason to avoid it?
“My collection”: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/10711?page=4#comment-700139
Regular charging of LiIon works very well, but not everything is perfect, you will have to wait for the review to see what the problematic areas are.
My website with reviews of many chargers and batteries (More than 1000): https://lygte-info.dk/
Thanks for the preview!
“My collection”: http://budgetlightforum.com/node/10711?page=4#comment-700139
Is this worth the premium over the Lii-500?
The 500 is an analyzer, the SC4 is not, but the SC4 can charge slightly faster and handle more chemistries.
What do you need most?
My website with reviews of many chargers and batteries (More than 1000): https://lygte-info.dk/
I have had mine for about a week. I have only used it on the default settings. I have charged Lithium Ion (protected and non protected) 18650, 14500, 10440, 18350, 26650, RCR123A, Eneloop and Eneloop Pro AA and AAA and Amazon Basics AA and AAA. All has worked great until tonight when slot 4 ceased to work with any type/size of cell. With a battery in slot 4, it would not be recognized and I could not use the C button to tab over to slot 4 and I could not adjust the charging rate for slot 4. I tried unplugging the SC4 and trying again but with no luck. I have just sent an email to info@nitecore.com and I will see what they have to say. This was purchased from Banggood
Any suggestions?
Thanks
Do you have slot priority turned on for slots 1 and 2 by any chance?
I really don’t know. I just plugged it in and started putting batteries into it. How can I check that?
Thanks for the suggestion
There is a section in the owner’s manual called “Charging in Priority Function”. Take a look at it.
I believe it is off by default.
I will check when I get home
Thanks so much!
Also having the 1900ma across all four slots at the same time. Have not been able to find the answer yet. Noticed that the unit doesn’t correct tally the amount of mah when the charger is kept cool and not allowed to get really warm.
Based on what I read here and elsewhere, if all 4 batteries are occupied (being charged), then some stuff may operate differently:
- the mAh capacity reading will only be correct for slot#1, while slots#2-4 will have very low capacity readings
- the actual charging rate is half the selected (displayed) charging rate
However, the batteries should be fully charged fine (if you overlook the wrong capacity readings and the lessened charging rate).
— I’m wondering if NiteCore would be able to fix these 2 issues (wrong capacity reading when 4 slots being charged; plus showing the “correct” actual charge rate if the “paired slots” are being used.
When using my SC4 chargers and charging 4 batteries using all 4 slots, (from memory) the mAh reading for all slots are consistent (similar) and seem OK.
Best Regards,
George