Advice on today’s “best” charger.

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

Hello and thanks for reading.

I realize that the word best is entirely in the eyes of the beholder but I am looking to upgrade to a new charger and would love everybody’s input.

My needs are predominantly LiPo flashlight cells (probably 25 18650, some 26650, a couple 14xxx’s) as well as a ton of eneloops. Rechargeable batterys: 26650,21700,18650,18350, 20650,14500, AA, AAA, etc.

—Desired specs;

1. Good easy to use interface yet enough customization… ? Yea, there is an oxymoron. This is a use-not-often tool, not a daily thing I’ll develop muscle memory on.
2. Charge, test, analyze, and STORAGE mode
3. Comes with ac plug/power block
4. Better than good enough sliding rails to accommodate all the various cells in the market.
5. Cost effective??? I’d rather pay 50-60 than 160! But man those bells an whistles are cool…

I have a nice Fluke DVM, so internal resistance probes may be a nice to have, but not required.

I would say the biggest challenge I’m having right now is finding a charger that has both AC input (or at least comes with a power block), and has a dedicated storage mode.

I’ve looked at:

1-Opus BT-C3100 v2.2 4 Bay Digital Battery Charger - The unit has 5 selectable modes including Charge, Discharge, Test, Quick test, and Refresh… MISSING STORAGE… yes I could voltage monitor and stop at 3.7 or so, but I don’t want to monitor, and am really looking for a dedicated cycle.

2-SkyRC MC3000 - just too complicated, ( they do make great hobby chargers, although I don’t have theirs) - as a side note, I fly Rc Heli ( biggest is 550 size if that means anything to anyone … 550 mm rotors) and play with big 6S battery cars so know a bit about LiPo chargers and batteries but am FAR from an expert)

3. XTAR DRAGON VC4 Plus -

What’s Cool ( copied from a web site…)

LCD display shows status of charge as voltage for each channel
Analyze the usage of Li-ion and NiMh cells with TEST mode
Eliminate NiMh memory effects with REFRESH mode
Compatible with all sizes of cylindrical lithium-ion batteries ranging from 10440 to 32650
0V activation can bring dead batteries back to life
Automatically detects battery power status and selects the appropriate voltage and charge mode
Automatically stops when charging is complete and prevents batteries from being over-charged
Features reverse polarity protection if you accidentally insert a battery the wrong way
Capable of charging 4 cells, an 11.1V battery pack and USB devices all at the same time!

BUT, I’ve read it’s buggy and doesn’t come with an ac power block so there would be that additional expense, plus the PITA specifying and sourcing… I could find an old PC PS, but I’d worry about polarity and having the correct size connector

4- ISDT C4… THE INTERFACE I WANT, but no sliding rails, so very limited on battery options.

5. LiitoKala lii-500S No storage mode…

6. Eizfan Lux S4 LCD Touch Screen Smart Charger… LOVE the UI, but $$$ and no storage mod4 again.

7. A whole host of others….

Am I simply crazy wanting a dedicated storage mode?
Am I crazy thinking about basically spending $100 extra for the cool Exifan UI?

I have prob 15 flashlights that I use occasionally, store batteries in more than 8 at a time, and want to easily exercise these regularly as well as put my dozen plus extras into safe storage.

Yes I’m on the new BLF charger thread but that charger is a ways off. I’m ready to purchase a new charger this week, not in 2021!

That’s it kids, let the discussion commence.

2

Bump

Should this thread be in a different area?

3

wishiwereaskibum, the Opus BT-C3100's termination voltage can be set via a switch located inside, it allows selecting 4.35, 4.2 and 3.7 V. The latter figure is meant for LiFePO4 batteries but can also be used for what you aim to. Sources: Opus BT-C3100 v2.2 Review and Discussion @ Second Life Storage, Opus BT - C3100 "secret voltages" work pretty much as expected @ CPF. As someome says in the CPF thread, you can drill a hole in the case and move the switch with a toothpic.

Fri, 01/24/2020 - 01:23

4

What Barkuti said.
Cut a hole in the bottom to access the switch, then it’ll do most cells just fine.
Not sure it’ll do 21700. I don’t have any but the specs should clear that up.
Internal resistance on pretty much anything with a slider is not going to be very accurate due to the highly variable resistance. It’ll get you ‘in the ball park’ if you are careful and persistent. Better than nothing.

[Capable of charging 4 cells, an 11.1V battery pack and USB devices all at the same time!] You don’t ask for much, do you?

5

The Xtar Dragon does a great job charging cells and just about everything you need, according to the most detailed reviews - but by the time you buy that and the power block you want, the price is high enough that you might as well buy the MC3000 and get everything you want. I just bought a MC3000, and I can assure you it isn’t too difficult to learn how to program it and use it. The forum members and their various old threads have helped me a lot.

You have several very specific requirements that aren’t going to be met with a low-priced Charger you hope to keep for years. I think you’re going to find that a higher quality, more versatile charger is a better value for you in the long run.

6

The Opus BT-C3100 I had was totally F—d … if I hadn’t of been aware that the unit was possibly going wrong as the display got a bit “flakey” … I think it would have burnt the house down.

If someone gave me a brand new one of these for free it’d go straight in the bin … you wouldn’t give it to your worst enemy!

7

Any electronic device can have problems. Sorry yours did but I don’t think that necessarily is an implication on all models of that charger.
The newest charger ‘fad’ in BLF seems to be the Miboxer series, having forsaken the once sought after Lii-500. but it seems like a good number of those Miboxer chargers are having problems. I wouldn’t buy one. And I think my Opus is overall my most useful charger and been so for 4+ years.

I’ve seen this problem with a number of electronics. Success can lead to a small organization being overwhelmed with orders, followed by a decrease in quality assurance as they try to keep up with demand, and cannot.
Then the crowd goes in search of the next unsuspecting victim.

8

I recently got this Vapecell charger but I haven’t had a chance to play with it yet. I’m also on the GB list for the BLF charger

9

I don't have a BT-C3100, my above advice was meant to enlighten wishiwereaskibum with regards to what he found missing on it. A recommendation it wasn't.

10

I had a Opus BT-C3100 (version 1.0 I think). Ran great for years. I had to upgrade the fan, and the plastic posts that hold the springs for each bay broke. But after that it was great. For the price, and a few draw backs, its a great charger.

I then upgraded to the SkyRC MC3000 and couldn’t be happier. The initial setup took an hour or so (just having to set each program for what you want it to do). But it’s a solid charger and you can charge 4 26650’s side-by-side, which my Opus couldn’t do.

If the Opus was on sale, I wouldn’t mind getting another one. But if my MC3000 ever breaks, I’m buying a new one instantly.

11

From what I’ve checked, the Xtar Dragon VP4 Plus package does come with an AC power block. The unit doesn’t have storage mode though.

I think very few chargers at this time have storage mode, I only know these ones:

SkyRC MC3000 (I use one and I love it, just need to learn to program it once then save the programs and use each for your different battery types). (I’m more of a technical person though, so I love the configurability and am not intimidated by the potentially-confusing UI for people who prefer easier UI)

Xtar VC4S = has capacity test and storage mode, but uses micro-USB power input, non-configurable charging current (the auto charge current may be too high for small-capacity but low-resistance battery types)

Xtar VC8 = as capacity test & storage mode, but uses USB type-C power input (QuickCharge 2.0 9v for best performance), it improves on the VC4S by allowing manually changing the charging current, and will fit protected 21700 batteries.

12

The Vapecell S4 Plus has storage mode. You just have to set the termination voltage at 3.7V for Li Ion. It also comes with a power brick.

13

I know! It’s hard to find the storage mode without the hobby charger highly advanced UI. I’m really leaning towards the skyRc, save a few programs and just be sure to THINK before charging. But, I’m really looking for a place and go charger that ou kids won’t burn the house down with if they think they’re smart and try and use it. I’ve shown them a bunch of videos about LiPo batteries burning up and really hot and have kept them away from my hobby chargers, but this feels different. Round cells don’t require balance cables, choosing the right connector, sequence of starting a PS, then a charger….

I’m going to continue to think hard about my needs. I’m still leaning towards simpler controls for ease of use reasons, but torn. I’m not keen of the 8 slot 3A VC8 as it seems like small current per cell, but if I only use 4 slots, it’s 50% more current available then the VC4.

Suck it up and get the SkyRC and deal with a bit of setup each time I charge? I see a potential pire with one small mishap!

With the SkyRC, what happens if you tell it the capacity is 3500 mAhr but the cell only has 2500 of capacity? Is it smart enough to shut down at 4.2v? I guess I have more research to do, but all of your comments are appreciated and please keep this thread moving forward with more comments.

Thanks!

14

“Am I simply crazy wanting a dedicated storage mode?”

No, I’m in the same boat right now. Illum was selling LG batteries and I stocked up. I want them stored at a storage voltage (they came at 3.6V measured, so worries about them) but I have more batteries and I feel the same way.

Looking forward to BLF charger https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/57498 but know that things like this can appear tantalizingly close but still be a long way off.

15

For storage mode check Xtar VC4S

16

Thank you guru HKJ! Your réputation and advise is highly regardes!

However, I’m really not liking that charger because:
1- it seems to charge at high charge rates , non-selectable
2- it will not fit any 18650 protected cells

Is this information I have still accurate?

Can anyone point me towards a good SkyRC MC3000 “ho to use” video? I’ve seen a bunch, most are good, but what I’m seeking is how to set up say 8 profiles.
1- storage of 18650
2- storage of 27650
3-4. Charge of above
5-6 cycle of above
7-8 charge of eneloop AA or AAA

Perhaps using both advanced mode and dummy mode?

I can’t be unique in my need to EASILY “place and go” batteries most of the time while having the ability to do deep analysis upon occasion to see where the battery is in life cycle. Currently I basically use my DVM to check internal resistance and use that as the main gauge of a cells health.

Thanks
Merci
Danke
Orbigado
Gracias
Dank je
Grazie

17

just arrived!!

18

1- yes, that’s a bit of an issue, especially for cells smaller than 18650.

2- it fits cells up to 70mm long, so most protected 18650 cells should fit fine.

19

Rethinking everything now… I have enough eneloop branded simple chargers to take care of all those cells ….

20

I did not say it was perfect, it is very hard (aka impossible) to find a charger that is.
You have to weight things: What do I need, user interface, price, how many chargers to full fill the requirement, etc.
My best chargers are the SkyRC MC3000, but that do not mean I use them for everything (I do not like the user interface).