Review: Trustfire TR-005 26650 Charger from Manafont

Thanks. I'd always assumed a hobby rig would vastly outperform a single/dual purpose charger like the TR-005. Now that I know that it still takes 3-5 hours to fully charge a 26650, I don't feel as bad about spending $40 on 4 TR-005s and $15 on the WF-188. I'd be hard pressed to build a hobby rig for as little as that and charging times apparently aren't that much different. I kinda wish I hadn't sold my other WF-188 though. Those adapters I made to charge the 32600s in the TR-005 are kind of a hack-job.

I does. On a hobby charger you can adjust the charge rate, i.e. you can easily change to a 2A charge rate and get a much faster charge time.

But 1A is probably best for the batteries.

I left some IMR cells on mine overnight and they tested at 4.22V the next morning.

Unfortunately most of the low end chargers over charge or trickle charge, the key here is to keep and eye on them and do not leave any battery on any charger charging over night, its not recommended and its the best way to avoid this, but 0.02 volt is OK it will not hurt the cell and the protection on protected cell's does not kick in till around 4.35 volt's.

Thanks alot everyone for your recommendations I bought two of these from Hank @ IO where I bought the king kongs also.

http://www.intl-outdoor.com/16340-to-32650-liion-battery-charger-p-306.html

The charger you linked only charge's at 0.65 amps thats a bit low and would be really really slow for charging 26650,s the one in this review charges at 1.5 amps and would charge 3 x 26650's in the time the charger you linked could charge just over 1 x 26650. Plus it look's like you would have to cut of the plug and add your own say if you need a EU or AU plug so it might only be suitable to US buyers. Not just use an old power cord you had sitting around your house and plug it into the charger like i did. It will take approx 15 + hours to charge a fully depleted 26650 with the charger you linked. Do not leave any charger on over night or unattended.

Hey Benckie, I like the charge current on this one. I've made note of it in case I feel I need something to charge faster than what I have. Thanks.

No problem

This might be another contender 2 bay 1 amp each bay, Manafont have confirmed this.

TrustFire Dual Channel Li-ion Battery Charger For 26650/25500/26700/18650/16340 - TR006 (US Plug)

It should fit the protected trustfire 26650 batteries since its made by trustfire.

I'm in for one. I'm thinking of selling that 2D Mag mod I just did along with the two 26650IMR cells. This charger will complete the set nicely.

Ive been using this a lot to make sure it is good enough to give to my old man as a gift, did not want to give him a dodgy charge, but ive been very happy with the charging time and performance for the price. So IMO it is ready to gift and ill go back to using my hobby charger the icharger 106b+.

Could I charge 14500's with this one, or 1500mA is too much and will damage the battery?

1.5 amps is way to high for 14500's. 18650's is about the smallest battery i would use it for and even then i only charge high end 18650's with mine.

SO I can charge my TF flame 18650 & 26650 with this one, and for the 14500's stick with my WF-139...

Yes, i would not charge any battery smaller then a 18650 with this charger as it has a high out put.

What disadvantages are there for a charger like this one versus one that does cc/cv type charging?

True cc/cv is better, most of the cheap chargers do not use cc/cv or it is a ruff form of cc/cv.

Ordered mine form DX 09/05/12. Received 10/10/12.
Mine also came with USA power cord only. There was smoke on my first charge, probably from grease. Disassembled it and cleaned everything, it’s working ok now. It runs hot until battery reaches ~3.5V, then it starts to cool down. According to my DMM it’s charging at 1.22A.

I just tried testing current on anything for the first time. I'm not happy.

The TR-005 from Manafont is doing 0.79A.

The TR-005 from Fasttech is doing 0.85A.

This is a lot lower than the claim. Would someone test their charger so I have results to compare against?

I used HKJ's method called "Charge current" near the bottom of the page. Notable variables/differences: Aluminum foil came from a disposable dish. I'm using the leads that came with the multimeter, a Mastech MS8268. Batteries were brand new King Kong flat top ICR26650's from Fasttech. Initial voltage for the cells in the chargers from Manafont and Fasttech were 3.80V and 3.81V, respectively.

Here's his image that I replicated.

Try starting with empty cells.

The described method has some voltage drop and the charge current will be reduce earlier with the measuring circuit added.