There is no charger which can charge 4x cells (18650) @2A for this price, and even for 20$ more. IMHO this is the best charger one can buy atm for the money, followed by Effest LUC V4.
But then you need like 4 different outlets or adapter……its much more convenient to use single unit imho. Also it doesn’t have 1A per cell which will be much faster. I’m not arguing here, clearly you are the expert, just thinking loud here.
My point was that the best charger, depends on what you prioritize. I am not going to use the BT-C3100 for regular LiIon charging, there I will use a charger with non-pulsing CC/CV, but if somebody ask me about a good analyzing charger, it is very likely it will be BT-C3100, especially if the updates works as described.
HKJ, after reading this aricle about pulse charging http://2bfly.com/knowledgebase/battery-chargers/charging/ isn't it better for a charger to pulse charge
Pulsed Charging
Pulsed charging does just that; pulses current to the battery in short bursts. Unlike “burping” methods (see above), there is no current reversal (discharge) involved but rather a rest period between charge pulses. These short rest periods allow for the cell chemistry to stay in synchronization with the rate at which the current is being fed. High charge rates can actually apply more current than the battery chemistry can absorb so pulsed charging allows for a stabilization period between pulses that helps minimize the formation of gas bubbles at the electrode and crystal growth (reduced capacity). The rest period between pulses can also allow the charger to sample the no-load voltage of the battery for safety and increased accuracy.
I would think this is why the BT-C3100 was designed this way to give accurate cell info and well as minimize the formation of gas bubbles and crystal growth. I am no expert in the battery field, but wouldn't the BT-C3100 be a good lithium ion battery charger as well as a battery analyzer, especially if the random spikes you have observed from your previous testing have been ironed out in the version 2.0 firmware update?
For NiMH is might be fine, but I have not seen any description that says it is fine for LiIon.
With puls charging you will have to use a higher current, if you want the same average charge current, this does mean more heat is created.
There is also the question about high current pulses into small batteries, how does it affect them?
[quote=blfdemigod]
I am no expert in the battery field, but wouldn't the BT-C3100 be a good lithium ion battery charger as well as a battery analyzer, especially if the random spikes you have observed from your previous testing have been ironed out in the version 2.0 firmware update?
[/quote]
Before I see a document stating that high current charging pulses are ok for small LiIon batteries I will rate constant current chargers as better.
There is also the minor detail about the CC/CV, with a pulsing charger it is simulated, not a real CC/CV, usual the practical difference will be minor.
The above comments does not make this a bad charger, it is probably a good charger.
Ok thanks. And by small li-ion do you mean 10440, 16340, 14500, 18350? For those batteries, couldn't we just change the charge current to 200mah on this charger, or would that still be high current pulses going to the battery?