My Vapcell S4+ Analyzing Charger photos and observations

How annoying is the bell reminder when the battery is charged?
How well does the auto mode really works?

I have not tested to a fully-charged cell yet so I haven’t heard it yet. So far what I heard is soft, pleasant sound upon plugging, so I don’t know if the sound is the same or not.

Comparing this charger with my other charger that features an Auto mode (specifically the Miboxer C4-12)…most times with the C4-12 I get to change it into the Manual mode because it is very inconsistent in IR readings which run into the hundreds regularly. As you know with these Auto mode charger, the higher the IR the lower the charging rate, so low that it will only charge .3A.

The Vapcell S4 has so far not shown to have the C4-12’s usual inconsistent mistaken high IR readings and will charge at a much higher rate in Auto mode.

I know all about the C4-12. Worst chargers I have had in my hands.

Thanks for the clarification Tatasal. Might keep an eye on this one as a second (in reality 5th ; ) battery charger. Thanks for sharing.

In Auto mode does it use different currents other than 250/500/1000/1.5/2A?

I assume you are asking about Charging current:

In Auto mode, current is dependent on the cell’s IR…for example, the 25R I just tested had 21mohm and it chose 2.5A… it will go as high as 3A if a lower IR’d cell is used.

In my C4-12, the notice as the cell is going up in voltage, it IR goes down and as such, the charging current also goes up. I have not observed this yet in the S4 since I have not tested a cell from a fully discharged state until its full.

In Manual mode, current is adjustable from 250, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 and 3000ma. X 4 or any combination per bay/cell, as needed.

If it can’t be manually set to 3.7v to discharge and store cells, or charge to 4.35v, then I certainly wouldn’t consider it an upgrade to the Opus.

The S4 does not have a Storage mode, nor 4.35v termination voltage.

Actually, personally I don’t think getting the cell off a charger when it displays 3.75 voltage is a proper storage process. ( though it won’t hurt!)

Why? For people who also own a hobby charger like myself, when I use the Storage mode of my iCharger, the Storage process is done differently: Once the 3.75v is reached, the charger exists the CC stage and goes into the CV stage as the current steadily goes down till properly termination. The portion from CC to CV takes still takes quiet a long time still (IIRC perhaps 10min?) and keeps on adding more mAh until it finally terminates.

Last night I did a capacity test session and I can confirm that the high rates I earlier posted as Discharge rates were incorrect but are indeed the Charging rates chosen on the Charging phase of the Capacity test (charge-discharge-portion). Sorry about it.

It should be noted that when the Manual mode in Capacity test is chosen, if you want faster Capacity test process, the charging rates selection can go as high as 3A on all 4 bays during the Charging phase and when the phase goes into the Discharge phase, the S4’s default .5A is used, regardless of the number of bays used.

Is it a good choice for Ni-MH batteries?

Quoted from HKJ’s review:

” With NiMH it worked perfectly for charging. It can also discharge, test batteries and repair batteries, but there are a few inconvenience in some of these modes. A slide switch is used to select between manual or automatic current selection, I like this solution.”

It’s here:

Thank you very much for your review :+1:

Happy New Year everyone

I got mine a couple days ago.
It seems to be working good.

The beeping sound is very subtle and not disruptive. It can be used in a working environment with no issues imo.

The big criticism so far for me is the display. Without the backlight on its almost impossible to read.
But we do have to press a button to cycle between the cells so that will turn the backlight.

The IR readings is super fast and compared to my opus bc700 not too far off so that’s good news.

The minimum charging current is 250ma, I wish it offered 100mah.

It’s the first charger that offers wh (watt/hour) readings, I’m still trying to think how i can use it to determine when it’s time to dispose a cell??

Overall so far it’s working.

Re: watt-hour readings, the SkyRC MC3000 can also display charged and discharged capacity in watt-hours.
But that seem still rare in chargers. Haven’t gotten a Vapcell S4+ charger yet (they don’t ship to our country in economical shipping rate for now)…

deciding between this, and XTAR Dragon .

I was thinking of ordering this charger from liionwholesale for $35.99.

USPS Priority Mail shipping to Texas is $11.26.....a bit high shipping cost

Anyone purchase one there?

It’s $35 shipped from nealsgadgets.com with tatas4

Yes,shipped from China in about a month.I buy as little as possible from China.I give a domestic seller the 1st grabs at my wallet.

Free shipping really means it's already included in the price.

Nothing is free.

I’m confused. I thought you were trying to find a cheaper price. If you want to buy domestic, $12 to ship via USPS Priority is a pretty fair price. Priority Mail shipping prices have gone up a ton over the past 1-2 years.