The making of the BLF UC4 charger: the start of a new venture, INTEREST LIST, UPDATE 7 (Well, ramping stopped :/ )

My interest is piqued! Consider me interested.

Added adjustable automatic current feature.

Perhaps I should do a UI chart for this. :slight_smile:

Longest 21700 i have is Rofis RF21700 at 76mm.

Added to the list of features.

interesting
I can ask some manufacturer

What an awesome idea. Yes, yes, yes, we need BLF ultimate charger :+1:
What about BT App? Since SKYRC is on the mouth, they are also (hmm…) experienced in incorporating BT module and Application. But I must say the one going with MC3000 is kind of primitive (sorry SKYRC). The good one could shake the market if the price is “friendly”.

(definitely subscribing this thread :smiling_imp: )

I’m all in. All my chargers are at most mediocre. I’d like to buy a high end one but there’s nothing that really suits my taste.

A few comments:

  • 100 mA minimum current is quite high for 10180, 50 mA would be better.
  • making the 2 outer slots larger (deeper, with a larger slot cutout diameter but without larger width) would enable 32650 support
  • 4.35 V cells are rare nowadays but I don’t think it would hurt to enable the top voltage this high
    • this could possibly be also used to overcharge regular cells to 4.2xV for that tiny output boost…with x depending on the precision of voltage measuments
  • I see no mention of capcity measurements. I suspect this is an omision. :wink:
    • discharge current should have high adjustment range, ideally the min would be 100 mA or so for 10180 and max 10A+ to test powerful cells
    • adjustable discharge terminal voltage would be useful as well, some would like 3V, some 2.5V, some probably different numbers as well
  • ISDT may be a good maker
    • they make good chargers
    • their UI rocks
  • USB PD input would be nice

Definitely interested.

If it has active cooling, how about putting one of those PWM controlled 120mm slimline fans in the bottom of the charger? It would be quiet and effective, sucking in air at the bottom and pushing it out at the sides/top of the charger.

I am interested.

Let’s move away from traditional black body colors for this charger.

Red, yellow, camo or any other body colors with color LCD display.

Just a suggestion.

Please include following safety feature which I think is crucial for a reliable charger:

non-automatic start / restart of charging ◄

Reason: If you have a multichemistry-charger (NiMH, NiZn, LiFePO₄, Li-Ion) you don't really want to work with a default chemistry, usually set to 3.7V Li-Ion cells. Most chargers immediately start to charge with this setting regardless if it's a 3.2V LiFePO or a 3.7V Li-Ion battery. Using these chargers with 3.2V cells is a big risk if you forget to change the setting while charging or - very likely to happen - if you encounter a short power disruption and the charger restarts with the default value while you are not watching it. So, in terms of safety both for your personal health and the battery's health I highly recommend to refrain from automatic charging but to require a button pressed manually to initiate the charging, just like with SkyRC's MC3000.

I would also like the BLF charger to have a "storage charge" mode, i.e. 3.6 - 3.7V with a flexible charge/discharge termination current just as the MC3000 offers.

Yes, great idea! I’m a new flashlight/batterycharger user and currently using a XTAR VC4S which does not have the option to charge 20700/21700 protected batteries. So yes, a ‘do-it-all’ would be welcome. I also support the idea of a non-black charger, and a nice big clear and understandable display (in color). The graphics used on the VC4S are too small and therefor not clear enough for me. (Yes, need glasses, I know)

I’m hardly interested in chargers because I believe that my batteries do not need the amount of TLC that is suggested in the specs. I see a charger as something that just has to charge my batteries and as a luxury my Opus provides mAh measurments, great. Also a charger is not a flashlight, that makes it a lot less interesting.

That said, I do believe in a charger that has a proper user interface, all my chargers are extremely clumsy to operate. A BLF charger does not need to be better than what I have, just easier to operate. There is a tendency by chinese manufacturers to stuff as much functionality in one button as possible so the charger must be operated by multiple clicks, first delecting a channel then multiple click another button. I believe that the operation simplifies enormously if each channel has its own set of physical buttons for the different operations. Similarly, chargers tend to have a display that toggles between the different options, I would like to see all parameters together permanent on display.

And please keep it silent, my Opus drives me crazy!

Maybe we could include a flashlight in it? Maybe package the charger as Q16 with a set of adapter sleeves / blocks for smaller cells so it’s actually a good flashlight?

Actually…I was thinking along the same lines. Normally I’d rather wait longer for a charge than listen to noise. But then - high discharge rates are likely to need active cooling.
And I sure think that some others would prefer faster charging to silence - that’s why I didn’t speak up before.

Definitely interested in a good charger. I hope this comes to reality :slight_smile:

price not over 30 dollar.please

Sounds very interesting…

Everything sounds great and I can’t wait for this idea to materialize! My only suggestion is to put a big high-quality fan on it, which must be quiet and cool the charger and the batteries. :smiley: :+1:

Not forlomov please, I used their Key.It is one big bug.

Another feature interesting to see, is wires (that can be conected to slot contact) to charge non standart batteries(cellphone, photo, and so on)

Subbing.

Didnt SkyRC have a bad track record with HKJ?

Actually the "wireless" capabilities of a device are much more likely to stop working, cause problems, than a cable. A cable is less 5exy but it is will be more trustable.
I've encountered enough problems with wireless devices.. (that need to connect with other things)

But interesting idea for doing a BLF charger. I'm with Djozz, keep the UI easy..