Test/review of Vapcell S4+ fast charger

[Havok]

@TimMc

Sometimes the voltage displayed while charging in Charge mode is 4.20V when it’s actually 4.07V when measured on a UT210E. Even though it might show 4.20V, it also displays >90% and keeps charging. If I take the cell out and put it back in, it then shows 4.07V and gradually goes up as it charges.

I just bought the original, and I have a 21700 cell that does something like this.

I put my cell in slot #4, charged it at 1000mAh… and it would charge up to what it claimed was 4.20V, but my meter always read 4.07V.

So, just for laughs, I took that cell, put it in Slot #1 and set it to 1500mAh. Oddly, it seemed to realize it wasn’t full. Screen displayed 4.20V, 99% the whole time. I terminated the charge early after 25mins…. was too worried the cell would grenade.

Off the charge… with my meter it now states 4.11V

Not sure if it’s a slot, or charging current issue (on my part). I’ll have to try it again in slot #4 at 1500mAh next time.

[TimMc]

Is the S4+ meant to be able to automatically select 250mA when charging 10440 cells?

I noticed the S4+ charging my Vapcell INR10440 cell at 500mA in auto Charge mode. It was around 4.07V. I quickly took the cell out and switched the S4+ to manual mode and charged the cell at 250mA until full.

To see whether it would automatically select 250mA to charge 10440 cells, I discharged two Vapcell INR10440 cells to around 3.96V (measured with DMM). I then put them in slot 1 and 4 using auto Charge mode. They started charging at 1000mA.

It seems like 230-270mA is selected automatically when the 10440 cell is near 4.20V in auto Charge mode. But a higher current is used if the cell voltage is less than or near 4.00V. The current is reduced when the cell is nearly full.

[d_t_a]

@TimMc

Is the S4+ meant to be able to automatically select 250mA when charging 10440 cells?

I noticed the S4+ charging my Vapcell INR10440 cell at 500mA in auto Charge mode. It was around 4.07V. I quickly took the cell out and switched the S4+ to manual mode and charged the cell at 250mA until full.

To see whether it would automatically select 250mA to charge 10440 cells, I discharged two Vapcell INR10440 cells to around 3.96V (measured with DMM). I then put them in slot 1 and 4 using auto Charge mode. They started charging at 1000mA.

It seems like 230-270mA is selected automatically when the 10440 cell is near 4.20V in auto Charge mode. But a higher current is used if the cell voltage is less than or near 4.00V. The current is reduced when the cell is nearly full.

Per my observation, the S4+ uses the battery resistance measurement to determine charge current when set to Auto mode.
This would mean a low-resistance small battery may be charged at possibly too high current… although I’m not sure how this would look like in actual (eg. what are the cut-off resistance values versus the automatic charge current applied.)

[contactcr]

Can confirm. Put in two vapcell 10440s. Resistance was in the mid or high 80s. Both at 500 on auto. I changed it by long pressing in auto mode.

[TimMc]

IR was about 67mOhm for the 10440s when they started charging at 1000mA and started with 3.96V.

[GDF]

I bought this a few months ago and I generally like it. I noticed that it will charge smaller batteries like a 10440 at a higher charge rate than expected in auto. It also displays voltage at 4.20 when the battery is at 90% and charging. It would nice if the firmware could be updated somehow.

[TimMc]

I removed the piezo speaker from my S4+ with some insight from oweban.

While removing the speaker, I noticed a date 2020-5-28 printed on the PCB.

It would be nice if Vapcell added a switch to turn the speaker on/off.

[gchart]

It would make a nice on/off slide switch

[niajef]

@contactcr

I’m guessing this only applies to the “upgraded” model since no one mentioned this before now. Here’s slot 1-3 which never complete Cap Test and slot 4 still discharging. Shows 100% on first three slots but all are below 3V

and here’s a video of what happens. It “beeps” indicating it’s done then just counts up to 100% and stops:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US8JA_BOvLM

does anybody know if vapcell updated the firmware version to fix this issue reported by contactcr? and also is there a way we can check firmware versions?

[Garageboy]

Also, if you had an older one, can you get the FW updated?

[ChibiM]

Does anybody know if this will fit a Fenix ARB-L21-5000U with USB-C port without stressing anything?

the cell is about 77mm long

I know that HKJ measured 76.9mm, and I just want to hear from somebody with experience that this battery will fit normally without stressing, bending or anything.

[richbuff]

76.9 is charger length, according to Lygate information.

The cell is 76mm, according to Fenix website info. You should have almost one mm spare in the length department.

I was so happy that the Vapcell S4 Plus charger fits my 21700 protected, usb chargeable Imalent and Nitecore cells, that I bought four of them.

For me, its multiple flashlights per room, and multiple fully extra long 21700 chargers per room, too. But no S4 Plus chargers in the kitchen or bathroom, yet.

[ChibiM]

@richbuff

76.9 is charger length, according to Lygate information.

The cell is 76mm, according to Fenix website info. You should have almost one mm spare in the length department.

I was so happy that the Vapcell S4 Plus charger fits my 21700 protected, usb chargeable Imalent and Nitecore cells, that I bought four of them.

For me, its multiple flashlights per room, and multiple fully extra long 21700 chargers per room, too. But no S4 Plus chargers in the kitchen or bathroom, yet.

lol.. not in the bathroom? That's the only place I need one ;)

I actually bought the UMS2 a while ago, which fits cells up to 80mm. But still thinking about this one...

[Sirstinky]

It seems like Vapcell mostly fixed the issues with it. I’ll pick one up next month. This is about the best charger available now.

[d_t_a]

@ChibiM

@richbuff

76.9 is charger length, according to Lygate information.

The cell is 76mm, according to Fenix website info. You should have almost one mm spare in the length department.

I was so happy that the Vapcell S4 Plus charger fits my 21700 protected, usb chargeable Imalent and Nitecore cells, that I bought four of them.

For me, its multiple flashlights per room, and multiple fully extra long 21700 chargers per room, too. But no S4 Plus chargers in the kitchen or bathroom, yet.

lol… not in the bathroom? That’s the only place I need one

I actually bought the UMS2 a while ago, which fits cells up to 80mm. But still thinking about this one…

80mm long? Does that mean it accepts long batteries like the 26800?

[Fescron]

@niajef

@contactcr

I’m guessing this only applies to the “upgraded” model since no one mentioned this before now. Here’s slot 1-3 which never complete Cap Test and slot 4 still discharging. Shows 100% on first three slots but all are below 3V

and here’s a video of what happens. It “beeps” indicating it’s done then just counts up to 100% and stops:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=US8JA_BOvLM

does anybody know if vapcell updated the firmware version to fix this issue reported by contactcr? and also is there a way we can check firmware versions?

I would like to know this too

[Cochise334ever]

@gchart

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.

I am guessing it will only be able to charge 2 X 26650? Is that correct?Would they be the outside bays only?

Not being able to charge 4 X 26650 is a disappointment .My Folomov A4 could but Two of them had Display failures after just 6 months.

[d_t_a]

@Cochise334ever

@gchart

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.

I am guessing it will only be able to charge 2 X 26650? Is that correct?Would they be the outside bays only?

Not being able to charge 4 X 26650 is a disappointment .My Folomov A4 could but Two of them had Display failures after just 6 months.

Vapcell S4 Plus can only fit 2x 26650s on the outer bays (bay 1 & bay 4).

Some chargers that can fit 4x 26650:
Liitokala Lii-600
SkyRC MC3000 (can fit 2x 32650 on the 2 outside bays)
Xtar VP4 Dragon (can fit 4x 32650 or 4x “D”-size batteries) = this is the widest 4-bay charger I’ve seen yet.

[Cochise334ever]

@d_t_a

@Cochise334ever

@gchart

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.

I am guessing it will only be able to charge 2 X 26650? Is that correct?Would they be the outside bays only?

Not being able to charge 4 X 26650 is a disappointment .My Folomov A4 could but Two of them had Display failures after just 6 months.

Vapcell S4 Plus can only fit 2x 26650s on the outer bays (bay 1 & bay 4).

Some chargers that can fit 4x 26650:
Liitokala Lii-600
SkyRC MC3000 (can fit 2x 32650 on the 2 outside bays)
Xtar VP4 Dragon (can fit 4x 32650 or 4x “D”-size batteries) = this is the widest 4-bay charger I’ve seen yet.

In post # 45 Tatasol Confirms it can take 4 X 21700? Is this true? HKJ sent.me pictures disputing this.Maybe that was version 1?

I can deal without 4 X 26650.If it can not do 4 X 21700 this is a No go.

It is shame my version 2 of Folomov A4 had 2 failures due to Display completely malfunctioning.That version 2 could accommodate 4 X 26650 and 4 X 21700.

Again these questions are for Updated version 2.

Thanks

[Cochise334ever]

@d_t_a

@Cochise334ever

@gchart

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.

I am guessing it will only be able to charge 2 X 26650? Is that correct?Would they be the outside bays only?

Not being able to charge 4 X 26650 is a disappointment .My Folomov A4 could but Two of them had Display failures after just 6 months.

Vapcell S4 Plus can only fit 2x 26650s on the outer bays (bay 1 & bay 4).

Some chargers that can fit 4x 26650:
Liitokala Lii-600
SkyRC MC3000 (can fit 2x 32650 on the 2 outside bays)
Xtar VP4 Dragon (can fit 4x 32650 or 4x “D”-size batteries) = this is the widest 4-bay charger I’ve seen yet.

Thanks.

I do not think there is a charger that exists can do the following: Especially be able to be purchased in USA.

Accomodate 4 X 26650 and 4 X 21700.

Must be able to do at Least 4 X 2Amp in each slot and preferably 2 X 3A in 1 and 4 slots.

Be able to see ALL info in 4 slots at once.

The only one I know is Folimov A4 and its version 2 has Too many issues primarily the Display Completely failing in Two.of them in less than 6 months.

I think the Mi boxer can do it but can not be bought in USA and is shipped from China by Amazon…no thanks.

EDIT- The SkyRc MC3000 may be able to do that. It’s way too expensive and I don’t need another analyzer. Not sure if you can read all four displays at once. Even so, I wouldn’t want it for $100. I want a simple charger like the Folomov A4…but it has to be relaible and not fail like 2 of the 4 I got.

Final conclusion…there is not one that will meet my requirements other than A4 which I will not get again because of issues already mentioned.