Hi
A have collected a bunch of these cells and it's frustrating to charge them with 2xCell charger.
Is there a multi charger for 18650 / 14500 cells so that it could charger more than 2 cell at the time ?
The only one I know of is the Xtar WP6.
Any hobby charger will charge up to 6 cells, and balance them while it is at it once you find a source of 18650 holders.
You can always buy more and a power strip. For example, the wp2 is about 1/3 the cost of a wp6, and you only gain flexibility.
Well, if that's a only option then i will buy bunch of cheap charger's from DX and charge with them all...
Only thing with those is that they are frighteningly poor quality. I'm afraid to use them overnight when i sleep.
There are reports that they have started a fire...
Hobby charger's seems interesting but yes, where the find holders ?
Check this thread. I have 5 of these and one of another type.
What would be a good hobby charger to use with those?
Maybe this one: http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=11060&Product_Name=HobbyKing_ECO6_50W_5A_Balancer/Charger_w/_accessories
Hmm...
and maybe use this one w/ hobby charger to charge 14500 cells ?
There are reports that they have started a fire...
You probably shouldn't believe all the BS some CPF members are known to dish out. They have an institutional prejudice against "cheap" chinese goods without really understand how things work.
It's quite possible that a hobby charger is actually more dangerous, because you're dependant on makeshift mechanisms that you conjure up yourself (no offense :)), instead of something that is mass produced.
If you want a "good" charger, just get the xtar wp2.
or buy a lot of trustfire tr 002's. I have never had a problem with mine. Charges quickly and stops at 4.2v. I also saw the warnings on cpf.
This is a single cell charger, but extremely inexpensive; you could get multiples. I have one of these from Meritline, and a very similar one from DealExtreme (KaiDomain also sells the same one). It'll charge just about anything (including NiMH and, in my experience, LiFePO4 ), and only draws 1.5-1.7 watts while charging. Does not trickle-charge at the end. Kind of undercharges lithium ion, leaving them off at 4.12 volts or so, but the upside is it's an extremely gentle charger all-around. I used to put it on an extension cord and keep it in my fireplace while charging lithiums... I've used mine long enough and am comfortable enough that I don't do that anymore (at least for Protected cells), but that's never a bad idea for lithium batteries. Aside from the slight undercharge (which I used to see as a positive, and still would be for a lot of people), I love mine. Both similar models I have behave almost identically.
These make idea first chargers for people just getting into lithium batteries too... or as a gift when you upgrade. But if giving to a non-flashaholic person, I'd recommend testing any lithium charger first, before gifting (or even just giving) it to them. And only buy protected cells (or, better yet, safer chemistry batteries) for your non-flashlight-enthusiast friends and family. Safe chemistries include LiMn (Lithium Manganese, or LMR, almost universally erroneously written "IMR") and LiFePO4 or Lithium Iron, but Lithium Iron only goes up to 3.8 volts. LMR goes up to 4.2v but has less capacity.
Multiple single chargers could be better than a single multi-charger if the multi-charger does not charge each cell individually. NiMH is a safer chemistry so those chargers often end up overcharging one cell while undercharging the other, or overcharging one to get the other up to the top. I would think a multi-lithium charger would be significantly more complex due to the safety issues involved. Although, with a protection circuit on the cell, things are much safer. Still, best to not 'have to' rely on the cell protection circuit.
Charging 10440s at 600mA is dangerously unwise. The charge rate is higher than I'd like for 14500/16340 and a bit low for 18650s where I'd like about 1.2-1.5A
The "Terminated Current" bit is terrifying. I hope they don't mean it still charges at 140mA once the cells are fully charged. This is a very bad thing.
What I hope this means is that it'll continue to charge at 4.2V until the current hits 140mA which sounds about right. No lithium ion charger that continues to charge above 4.2V can be considered safe.