Chargers and who's who @2020

That’s just depressing. I really liked the C8 and would have loved to see an updated version that had a higher total power rating.

I noticed in a few of the reviews (HKJ’s review thread), the Vapcell S4+ is a little bit buggy? Has there been any firmware improvements since? I’m torn between the Lii602, the Dragon VP4, and the Vapcell S4+

Vapcell S4+ has (from what I know), the earlier version and later version with some fixes. But it seems (based on reports), that they may have some issues, more specifically regarding the charging portion when doing a capacity test of NiMh batteries. But for other basic functions (eg. regular charging, capacity test for Li-Ion batteries), the (old & new) Vapcell S4+ seems good.

Liitokala Lii-600 still need more in-depth test review by people who can do in-depth testing (like HKJ)… I’ve tried out the Lii-600 and it appears to work good (it doesn’t seem to “overcharge” (not that much) unlike the Lii-500S where reports are that the Lii-500S tends to charge to 4.23-4.25v. On the Lii-600 I tested, it appears to just charge to 4.20-4.22v which is a very good result, but then that’s only 1 sample…) I haven’t tested much charging / doing capacity test with the Lii-600 so I can’t comment too much with this unit yet.

Xtar Dragon VP4 is an older model but charges very well, both Li-Ion & NiMh batteries. It doesn’t have as much informative display (I usually like to see voltage instead of percentage charged) and is a reliable charger. It’s also a bit more expensive.

I probably would pick the Vapcell S4+ given the 3 choices you mentioned… if you charge/test mostly Li-Ion batteries.
If you have more bigger batteries and “D” size NiMh, then the Xtar Dragon VP4 is the only charger that can fit 4x “D”-size NiMh at the same time (it’s the widest charger I’ve encountered in terms of individual width per slot…) Charging current is not too high (compared to the other chargers), but should be good enough unless often need to charge higher-capacity cells (eg. 21700/26650) more quickly…

Just my opinion though…

Thanks, I’m awaiting more reviews of the liitokala. I do a mix of nimh aa/aaa and li ions. Lots of almost perfect options…(example: xtar vc4s would be great, except it occasionally charges aaas at 2 amps)

Might be worth a shot to snag a 2 button version Miiboxer C4-12 while they’re still around. HKJ rated it quite well and it does multi chemistry well too. Only thing I don’t like or use on mine is the auto current selection which can easily be overridden. It also uses a 12v 5a laptop style power supply.


I'm not sure if HKJ reviewed the 2-button version Miboxer C4-12.. He did review the original 1-button Miboxer C4-12 that had a USB-out function.

The 2-button version Miboxer C4-12 actually has some revision in the later batch too.

Some noted difference of the earlier Miboxer C4-12 (2-button) v2 with a recent Miboxer C4-12 (2-button) v2.2 ("v2.2" is indicated in the manual only, not on the charger):
(the v2 and v2.2, both 2-button versions of C4-12s look physically the same)

I) Miboxer C4-12 v2 (2-button):

a) has A for automatic charge current selection, when cycling the charge current (ie. user-selectable charge current can cycle from 0.1A up to 3.0A, then the "A" (automatic setting) then back to 0.1A

b) automatic charge current selection appears to be solely based on the measured IR by the charger, so if it's a small capacity battery that has a very low IR, then it will automatically charge at higher charge current (as high as 3A if the measured IR is low enough) (user can manually select charge current, or go back to the "A" automatic setting)

c) the charger will display IR measurement even when the battery is at 4.20v


II) Miboxer C4-12 v2.2 (2-button):

a) when battery is first inserted, it uses Automatic charge current selection (appears to be based on the measured IR), but when user-selecting the charge current, it cycles from 0.1A to 3A, but not the "A" (automatic) setting

b) the automatic charge current appears to still be based on the measured IR, but now there is an upper limit of 2A (i;e. when the IR is very low, it will charge at max 2A automatically; user can still manually select own charge current)

c) the charger does not display IR value anymore when the just-inserted battery is nearly full voltage (ie. if the battery just inserted into the charger is at 4.16v or higher, then the IR display will just indicate "---", in contrast with v2, it will still show an IR value)

I found a C4-12 v2 and boy is it nice. Looks like they made the slots longer than those on my C8. Decided to let the wife use the C8 for all her AAs and AAAs and I’ll stick with the C4-12 for 18650,21700 and 26650s.

I generally like the auto-current of the MiBoxers as it doesn’t seem to overly-fast-charge cells to the point that they get hot…… and I’m lazy. :slight_smile:

FWIW I just ordered a backup MiiBoxer C4-12v2 from Aliexpress for $25 (on-sale). Couldn’t pass it up.

I was looking to see if anything interesting was on the horizon, but didn’t come across anything promising with 4x26650 or 4x3A(let alone 2A) capability.

I’m just learning about USB-C PD, It’s going to be pretty awesome if/when that standard is able to replace all barrel jack PSUs.

Miboxer C8 fits unprotected 21700 (can fit 8x 21700 at the same time).
What I like about the Miboxer C8 is that it auto-balances the charging current.

Although the max charging current is 4x 1.5A (fastest speed allowed), or 8x 0.8A (all slots populated), it appears the total charging current is at around 6.0A or thereabouts — and it auto-balances the charging current when one or more of the batteries is nearing full charge and is already charging at a lower current.

What I mean is, as an example:

  • let’s say there are 6 batteries being charged at the same time (all are not near full state, and have not-terribly-high-resistance (which will automatically lower charge current), so all 6 batteries will charge at 1.0A. Now let’s say the 6 batteries are different capacity or different state-of-charge. Now 1 battery is nearing 4.2v, so its charge current will automatically lower (CV stage), let’s say it’s now charging at 0.5A. The other 5 batteries that are charging (not yet near full) will increase to 1.1A (5x 1.1A + 1x 0.5A = 6.0A). The Miboxer C8 auto-balances the total charging current of the batteries.

In many other chargers that are not high-powered, the max charging current depends on the number of batteries inserted in the slots. Even when that slot battery has been charged to full (and not using any charging current), that “extra” charging power usually does not get transferred to the other slots that are still charging.

Miboxer C4-12v2 at $25? Care to point out to the store that carried that price? (the lowest I’ve seen before was around $29).

From what I’ve checked:
Miboxer C4-12/v2 accepts 4x 26650 and 4x 3A charging
Liitokala Lii-600 also accepts 4x 26650 and 4x 3A charging
SkyRC MC3000 also accepts 4x 26650 and 4x 3A charing (actually, MC3000 will fit 2x32650 + 2x 26650)
Xtar VP4 Dragon is the widest charger, it can fit 4x 32650 at the same time, although charge rate is 4x 1A when all 4 slots are occupied (Xtar Dragon can charge 2x 2A max)

I never considered the auto balance feature of the C8 when I was looking for another charger. That’s a compelling feature especially for something I may use with NIMH.

I bought the C4-12 v2 here It was a flash sale thing.

HKJ didn’t have a review of the LII-600 so I probably never looked at it/knew that it existed.
The SkyRC has had some reviews with weak/fatigued plastic and they seem to be prone to cracking/breaking.
I may have looked at the Dragon, but I wanted at least 4x 1.5A, 4x2A preferred. I don’t fast charge often, but I have a bunch of 26650s that I charge once a week and anything under 1.5A/slot would take too long.

True but they are a tighter fit in the C8 than in my new C4-12 which is why I said the slots are EVEN LONGER.

I recently bought both the LittoKala Lii-600 and the VapCell S4+. They both seem to do a good job. Not unexpectedly, the IR measurements each show is considerably different than the other. I have no idea which, if either is accurate.

One UI major difference that I’ve noticed is that the VapCell S4+ will not show the selected charge current once it’s locked in place. But it does show the actual charging current instead, which I like. The Lii-600 shows the locked charge current selected, but I don’t believe it shows the actual charging current. They will both charge at 3A each slot.

While I kinda prefer the visual display on the Lii-600, I prefer the data presentation (actual charging current) the S4+ displays. So far I’ve only used them to charge 18650 and 26650 button top protected cell batteries. At least I think the 26650 batteries are protected. They came with a Wurkkos TS70 flashlight. I have some flat top unprotected 18650 batteries coming (Molicel P26A).

Just some minor observations on my part.

Speaking of charge rates, what’s the current wisdom for best charge current? It used to be 1C… and I used to be really up on this stuff years ago when I was into drones and had a custom charging setup. But I’ve long forgotten everything I once knew after giving my stuff away and probably only know enough to be dangerous right now.

If 1C is good, then my 3000mA batteries should be safe to charge a 3A, right?

Is there a guide handy?

If you don’t have to fast-charge something (“I need it now now now now now!”), then don’t. Much easier on the cell in the long term.

Kinda like noon now, appointment at 3 that’s 15min away, and driving like an idiot to get there as fast as possible and then sitting for 2:45 in the parking lot.

Let it slow-cook if possible.

Ok. Slow cook meaning 500-1000 mA?

Yeh. If I’m in no hurry, I’ll default down to 500mA. NiMH can have issues with a too-low charging rate (ie, won’t sense voltage depression to tell when full), but Li-ion can be slow-charged just fine. Even better, as you’re lowering I²R heating.

Thanks!

When I was learning about charging and stuff about stuff I would always set my charger on the highest amp setting. Well I bought half a dozen little 1080 cells for my Lumintop GT-Nano and charges these little 80mah cells up @1.5A per cell. :person_facepalming: I still charge all my cells to 4.3volts. If one of my 50+ lights is like 4.05v I’ll recharge the cell/s up to 4.3v. I know I’m kinda ruining my cells but… my disorders are at bay for some reason knowing all my flashes are full to the brim. It’s bad but I can’t stop.

I’m assuming you mean 800 mAh cells and that you’re charging them at ~2C.

Any well-known brands and models of battery chargers that can charge 26800 cell?

I am interested in getting Astrolux FT03 with the 26800 tube and battery. But I am reluctant to place an order for it now, since I have not found any charger for the 26800 cell.

I am afraid using the FT03 built-in Type C USB to charge the big battery will take several hours to fully charge it.

There are several different models — eg. Olight UC, Folomov A1, Adeaska A10, Nitecore LC10, etc. — but these usually have relatively low max charge current, 0.75-1.0A max.

But aside from these magnetic chargers, I’ve also only noted the Yonii C2000 mentioned above.

I tried checking some chargers, and noted the Nitecore UM4 (and possibly other new UM series) can almost fit 26800 battery, but is just shy of fitting it.

In my test, the flat-top part of the 26800 battery can just barely touch the positive side of the UM4 rail. If I use a flat metal (eg. flat screwdriver) to serve as a short bridge, then the UM4 will detect the 26800 battery…