Test/review of Vapcell S4+ fast charger

That is a pretty cool app… what is the name of it?

But its a cellphone so the accuracy is probably not the best.
Dont you have another power adapter that you could try?

It’s called Spectroid. It’s the first time I’ve ever used it. I can’t speak for it’s accuracy, but it does represent what I’m hearing.

I thought about that. I need to dig around and see if I can find a similar one lying around from LED strip installs or something. Sure, I can replace it but it feels like that shouldn’t be necessary on a brand new device :frowning:

That is fairly common on modern switch mode supplies. The actual switching is way above the audible range, but there often is a regulation running at a lower frequency, usually the sound will vary with the load on the supply and often only be audible at certain loads.
The solution is either to use another supply or place the supply out of hearing range (Wrapping it in sound isolating stuff is a bad idea, it need cooling).

Kinda figured, thanks for confirming! :+1:

So this sounds like a very good charger, for 18650 ,21700 and some envelopes. This or a skrc? I love my klarus single cell charger, miboxer c4 new two button has been replaced already so I don’t trust it. Charge , test, discharg.

I’ve been meaning to test out this Vapcell S4 Plus charger for a very long time, but was only able to order one at a reasonably good price lately, and coupled with worldwide lockdown situation, my order arrived 4 months after I purchased it (ordered Feb 2020, arrived June 2020).

I haven’t gotten to test all the functions yet, and am perusing the manual, but some details (eg. discharge current) doesn’t seem that clear to me.

I have some questions:

  • regarding “capacity test” mode: what is the discharge current used?
    (I understand that slot #1 & #4 max discharge current is 1A and slots #2 & #3 max is 0.5A)
    does discharge current depend on the selected charging current (when “manual” mode)?
    or is it automatically set to 1A or 500mA or is it it based on some other parameter (eg. IR)?

Can this charger charge 4 X 26650 and 4 X 21700? From the looks of it it does not look like it can do 4 X 26650

I just tried 4x 26650 the other day and it was a no-go. I don’t have 4x 21700 to test with, nor am I near my S4+ ATM to try it.

It can handle 4 x 21700s, no problem.

Is there a July 2020 upgraded version of the Vapcell S4+ charger?

EDIT: Linjuan Lau posted an update in Nealsgadgets FB group. I received some screenshots in Chinese and English via AE. Confirmed that a new version is available on AE and ordered. I’ve tried rewriting the English translation below. :slight_smile:

#1
OLD: The display turns off automatically after 8 seconds.
NEW: The display is always on. Press DISPLAY for 5 seconds to turn the display off.

#2
OLD: Press CURRENT for 5 seconds while charging in manual mode. Current will refresh and display. But the displayed current doesn’t change automatically in manual mode.
NEW: This feature has been removed in manual charging mode.???

#3
OLD: When a battery is fully charged, the Current “0mA” and Battery Capacity is displayed in turn.
NEW: Current “0mA” is no longer shown. Instead, the Battery Capacity “mAh” is clearly shown when fully charged.

#4
OLD: While using a CC/CV charging mode for Lithium batteries, the cut off current is 100mA for all supported cell sizes. This is a bit too high for small cells like 10440, 16340, 14500 etc.
NEW: The cut off current is now 50mA when using a charging current of 250mA or 500mA.

#5
OLD: When using Cap Test mode, NiMH batteries are only charged to 50% after discharge.
NEW: NiMH batteries are now fully charged to 100% after discharge when using Cap Test mode.

#6
Needs clarification?
OLD: A charging current from 250mA to 3A may be selected.
NEW: To improve safety and battery cycle life, the charger selects an appropriate current to use and let’s you choose two slightly higher values. For example, insert a cell, it defaults to 500mA. You can then select 500mA, 1000mA or 1500mA.

Actually there are NINE item changes but the pdf I received lack complete translation to English in items 7, 8 and 9.

Anyway, I am confident an official announcement of the changes will be forthcoming.

Anyway we can update the old ones?

I have some long 21700 batteries (protected, with USB port) and would like to know if anybody else has problems fitting i.

HKJ nicely states the max length it accepts, is 76.9mm. And the battery I'm measuring is around that exact length. Just curious if it would a hard fit, or still easy and without problems.

BTW, is this the new one?: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000614094561.html

Yes… I hope :stuck_out_tongue:

I asked Vapcell Store on AE the other day if the new upgraded version was available. They confirmed that it’s in their store and that all S4+ listings in their store are for the same charger. They also provided some screenshots of the upgrades.

Ugh, the pain of being an early buyer. Don’t get me wrong, I love my S4+. But some of these things that have been changed (especially #1 and #5) bug me a lot.

Same I would like 1,3.

So I bought the new one with the “upgrades” but the DC power brick it came with died in a day (good thing the PS is separate I guess?)…

Anyone have suggestions on a higher quality 12V 5A brick or are all these $10-15 ones basically the same with different cord length? Is it a crapshoot?

Vapcell S4 plus upgraded version arrived today!

I’m keen to try this out on my 18650, 18350 and 10440 cells. :slight_smile:

The 12V 5A power brick makes a high pitched noise when using Charge mode. It’s less noticeable in Cap test mode.

In regards to the new charger build and firmware update, @TimMc, can you actually charge NiMH cells at currents over 1A?

No. Not sure what gave you that impression but it seems it is still 250,500,1000 only for NiMH