Thats why Im trying to re-post this information in those threads discussing i4 V2 and i4 PRO.
During first days of owning i4 V2 it overcharged/overheated two of AA’s that were charging in it. It has never happened again, until couple of days ago one of AAA’s was so hot that I couldnt even touch it and had to put it into empty bath tub in a fear of it leaking or bursting, it was that hot!
I read most of this thread here, am interested in buying an i4 since ages, but now am confused which version from where is safe to charge 4x 18650s simultaneously for a good price (around 20 bucks).
Can somebody more enlightened recommend me something?
Not the jetbeam but they can be had from ebay for $19.95 & free shipping. I just recently bought 2. Search for Nitecore i4 v2. You might be able to find it for less, I’ve seen it Wallbuys instant kill for like $15 I think. Try this link:
My Jetbeam I4 failed the other day. Only a few months old. Said some batteries were full, despite being low voltage, and did not detected others. (WB handled the issue nicely though so I will get a Nitecore I4 as replacement.)
So far there have been zero issues with my Nitecore (although I have not used it for many months). Like the Jetbeam it gets hot too. I have always made sure it does not sit on carpet or anything. If charging 4 cells, I often put the wire under it so that there can be some airflow.
I have only used the chargers for li-ion batteries.
The bad thing about my Nitecore I4 was that the springs was quite crappy. There is a little fight getting the long batteries in. The Nitecore charger also had slightly less space for the long NCR18650B batteries. Combination of that and crappy springs did not help.
The Jetbeam I4 had some sort of high frequent noise that the Nitecore charger did not have. That could be a bit annoying. Springs were good though. Charging lights was not synchronized like on the Nitecore.
Due to the "noise" from the Jetbeam I preferred the Nitcore charger out of my two units. But they both had annoying flaws.
Charging four high capacitly li-ions takes a long time compared to my chargers with a 1amp charge current (or more).
I have not done any measurements (and they would suck if I did), but based on my use, I would rate both the chargers as mediocre. Considering the price, they are ok.
I just took a drop of oil on my finger and applied it on the plastic where the metal slider goes back and forth. Took the metal slider back and forth several times. Then wiped of any extra oil..
Edit: taking some silicone oil on a cotton swap and applying it with that would be easier and less messy.
Nice. I had a look at mine again and I think I’ll pull the metal slide back some and try a Q-Tip with a tiny little bit of silicone and see how that does. I just wanted to minimize any lubricant there not to have a mess and get on batteries etc. Don’t want to take it apart just yet.