Got a new charger-Miboxer C4-12, 4 slot X 3A/slot, total 12A output

[JasonWW]

@ZoomieFan

I check shortly after inserting. Certainly not 10-15 minutes. Then I’m gone again, draining another cell

Once I insert a cell I watch the display cycle. The first charge rate is usually too low, on the 2nd cycle it’s gets higher, then the 3rd cycle it typically sets. So maybe check it 30 secs after inserting to see what it settles on.

It also needs to see that low internal resistance to set at 3A automatically.

It also needs to be below 4v initially to use the “constant current” charging mode.

[JasonWW]

@FlashTom

@ZoomieFan

I check shortly after inserting. Certainly not 10-15 minutes. Then I’m gone again, draining another cell

Best would be to keep an eye on the internal resistance indicated in the charger. Make sure it is as low as possible by cleaning all contact areas before and by turning, re-inserting or dangling the battery in the charging slot until you get a reasonable number on the display. Once you have values of 200-999mOhms you don’t have to expect this charger to auto set the current to 3A. My C4-12 had real problems with button top cells and I got values between 320 to 999mOhms, i.e. a pre-selected charge rate of 0.00-0.15A.

That’s the same problem Mikeadoo had. It turns out the button tops were not welded securely enough. Removing the button tops an adding solder blobs fixed it. I suspect that soldering the button tops might also work, but I have not tried this yet.

[JasonWW]

@ZoomieFan

@JasonWW

@ZoomieFan

Can the user upgrade the firmware.
I really would like an upgrade that keeps the settings at 3A permanently. All cells I charge in it are 3500+ mAh.
Now I have to play with the settings every time I put in a cell.

No, we can’t alter it.

Why do you have to manually set it every time? Usually my Liitokala 26650 cells auto set to 2.90A or 3A anyway. Setting them manually is not that big a deal and is normal for all chargers.

It would not be considered safe to program it to automatically choose the 3A setting for every battery. No battery charger uses 3A as the default setting.

I bought this charger especially for 26650 cells, so they don’t take long to charge.
It was the 3A rating I bought this charger for, but when I put in a 26650 cell and check the amps it usually is charging with 0.7-1.5 amps.

Which Liitokala charger auto sets to 3A?

None, that would be too dangerous.

[pennzy]

My other charger gets the resistance right so it is not a button top problem.

[JasonWW]

@pennzy

My other charger gets the resistance right so it is not a button top problem.

It does seem to be related to button tops, though.
The circuitry and software in the C4-12 that determines the internal resistance is very finicky. Maybe more sensitive than other brands of chargers, hence why Miboxer might be doing these small software changes to improve this.

Also, I wouldn’t really say your other charger gets the resistance right, but that it gives a more stable and reliable reading then the C4-12. Accurate internal resistance is a very difficult thing to measure due to the tiny units we use, milliohms.

[pennzy]

I don’t know exactly what the right IR is but all my new cells were high in the Miboxer. They do need to tweak something .

[ZoomieFan]

@FlashTom

@ZoomieFan

I check shortly after inserting. Certainly not 10-15 minutes. Then I’m gone again, draining another cell

Best would be to keep an eye on the internal resistance indicated in the charger. Make sure it is as low as possible by cleaning all contact areas before and by turning, re-inserting or dangling the battery in the charging slot until you get a reasonable number on the display. Once you have values of 200-999mOhms you don’t have to expect this charger to auto set the current to 3A. My C4-12 had real problems with button top cells and I got values between 320 to 999mOhms, i.e. a pre-selected charge rate of 0.00-0.15A.

All I ever did is pushing/twisting cells until I saw the lighting symbol in the display.
So the reason it charges slowly could be twofold:

- Bad contact.

• It’s just working but I just have to wait a few more minutes until the intelligence of the charger ramps up the amps.

What’s a reasonable Ohm range?

[ZoomieFan]

@JasonWW

@ZoomieFan

@JasonWW

@ZoomieFan

Can the user upgrade the firmware.
I really would like an upgrade that keeps the settings at 3A permanently. All cells I charge in it are 3500+ mAh.
Now I have to play with the settings every time I put in a cell.

No, we can’t alter it.

Why do you have to manually set it every time? Usually my Liitokala 26650 cells auto set to 2.90A or 3A anyway. Setting them manually is not that big a deal and is normal for all chargers.

It would not be considered safe to program it to automatically choose the 3A setting for every battery. No battery charger uses 3A as the default setting.

I bought this charger especially for 26650 cells, so they don’t take long to charge.
It was the 3A rating I bought this charger for, but when I put in a 26650 cell and check the amps it usually is charging with 0.7-1.5 amps.

Which Liitokala charger auto sets to 3A?

None, that would be too dangerous.

I have Liitokala chargers that I can set to 0.5A, 1A and 2A.
At least the indicator light stays permanently on those values. Obviously that’s no proof the charger actually uses those currents. I never use such cells but 2A would cook 900mAh cells.

Anyway my question was a bit unclear I think.
Which Liitokala charger has 3A output? I haven’t found one above 2A. And that’s for all cells combined. So only if there is one cell in the charger it gets 2A.

[d_t_a]

@ZoomieFan

@JasonWW

@ZoomieFan

@JasonWW

@ZoomieFan

Can the user upgrade the firmware.
I really would like an upgrade that keeps the settings at 3A permanently. All cells I charge in it are 3500+ mAh.
Now I have to play with the settings every time I put in a cell.

No, we can’t alter it.

Why do you have to manually set it every time? Usually my Liitokala 26650 cells auto set to 2.90A or 3A anyway. Setting them manually is not that big a deal and is normal for all chargers.

It would not be considered safe to program it to automatically choose the 3A setting for every battery. No battery charger uses 3A as the default setting.

I bought this charger especially for 26650 cells, so they don’t take long to charge.
It was the 3A rating I bought this charger for, but when I put in a 26650 cell and check the amps it usually is charging with 0.7-1.5 amps.

Which Liitokala charger auto sets to 3A?

None, that would be too dangerous.

I have Liitokala chargers that I can set to 0.5A, 1A and 2A.
At least the indicator light stays permanently on those values. Obviously that’s no proof the charger actually uses those currents. I never use such cells but 2A would cook 900mAh cells.

Anyway my question was a bit unclear I think.
Which Liitokala charger has 3A output? I haven’t found one above 2A. And that’s for all cells combined. So only if there is one cell in the charger it gets 2A.

The only Liitokala charger I know that charges 2A is the Lii-402 only when used with single battery on the slot #4 and using a USB charger that can provide 2A.
I’m not sure of any others Liitokala charger that can charge at 2A… maybe someone can comment?

[ZoomieFan]

The charger has a 12v 5A input.
I’m looking for a cable so I can plug it in my car.
Any advise where to buy such a cable?

[JasonWW]

@ZoomieFan

I have Liitokala chargers that I can set to 0.5A, 1A and 2A.
At least the indicator light stays permanently on those values. Obviously that’s no proof the charger actually uses those currents. I never use such cells but 2A would cook 900mAh cells.

Anyway my question was a bit unclear I think.
Which Liitokala charger has 3A output? I haven’t found one above 2A. And that’s for all cells combined. So only if there is one cell in the charger it gets 2A.

I’m pretty sure none of the Liitokala chargers can do 3A. Why are you thinking they made a high amp charger?

[JasonWW]

@ZoomieFan

@FlashTom

@ZoomieFan

I check shortly after inserting. Certainly not 10-15 minutes. Then I’m gone again, draining another cell

Best would be to keep an eye on the internal resistance indicated in the charger. Make sure it is as low as possible by cleaning all contact areas before and by turning, re-inserting or dangling the battery in the charging slot until you get a reasonable number on the display. Once you have values of 200-999mOhms you don’t have to expect this charger to auto set the current to 3A. My C4-12 had real problems with button top cells and I got values between 320 to 999mOhms, i.e. a pre-selected charge rate of 0.00-0.15A.

All I ever did is pushing/twisting cells until I saw the lighting symbol in the display.
So the reason it charges slowly could be twofold:

- Bad contact.

• It’s just working but I just have to wait a few more minutes until the intelligence of the charger ramps up the amps.

What’s a reasonable Ohm range?

For an unprotected 26650 high drain battery, under 50 milliohms is good.

My cyan and black Liitokala 26650 typically read 30 to 40 milliohms.

[ZoomieFan]

@JasonWW

@ZoomieFan

I have Liitokala chargers that I can set to 0.5A, 1A and 2A.
At least the indicator light stays permanently on those values. Obviously that’s no proof the charger actually uses those currents. I never use such cells but 2A would cook 900mAh cells.

Anyway my question was a bit unclear I think.
Which Liitokala charger has 3A output? I haven’t found one above 2A. And that’s for all cells combined. So only if there is one cell in the charger it gets 2A.

I’m pretty sure none of the Liitokala chargers can do 3A. Why are you thinking they made a high amp charger?

Because I’ve misread your message….

Usually my Liitokala 26650 cells auto set to 2.90A or 3A anyway.

It’s about Liitokala cells being charged at 3A, instead of a Liitokala charger charging cells at 3A…

[JasonWW]

Okay, now I understand.

This C4-12 is the first charger I’ve seen with this much power, 12A. Maybe it will start a trend where other charger manufacturers will release high powered versions of their current models. Then we will have choices. :+1:

[XXX-Man]

Today my C4-12 decided to die…

I plugged it in and put two AAA cells to charge and it just went off.
Power supply is good.

Any suggestion what to look for on board?

[teacher]

:cry: . … If you can’t revive it, may it RIP. :+1:

Good luck fixing it.

[XXX-Man]

I hope I will be able to do it.

It only charged batteries 20-30 times before it died…so almost new.

[teacher]

/\ …. :+1:

[XXX-Man]

I just opened it up and I can say I’m lost…I don’t know what to look for.

Looks like it will rest in peace (or pieces).

It died after little use so I’m not sure about buying another, but I need charger like that.

[JasonWW]

@XXX-Man

I just opened it up and I can say I’m lost…I don’t know what to look for.

Looks like it will rest in peace (or pieces).

It died after little use so I’m not sure about buying another, but I need charger like that.

Since you opened it up, I guess you heard back from Miboxer and they said it’s out of warranty?