Test/Review of Charger Xtar VC4

Oh crap. Looked everywhere but none of the 2A recommended wall chargers by HKJ can be easily obtained or obtained at all! Anybody knows where I can get a good 2A USB wall charger?

Ok Here are 3 I found after quite some reading and googling :smiley: Which one?
(tested ok by HKJ)
https://www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002574/1191200-4-ports-usb-ac-wall-charger-adapter

(Not tested but looks good)
http://www.gearbest.com/usb-gadgets/pp_70688.html

(Not tested and looking quite cheap :smiley: )
http://www.gearbest.com/usb-gadgets/pp_164731.html

I also like that it can charge 32650 batteries, but it takes a fair bit of time.

I got the first one from these that you mention, tested by HKJ, from here

http://intl-outdoor.com/ioncell-4-usb-2a-power-adapter-p-328.html

I also bought an Ioncell charger from Intl Outdoor store, on the strength of HKJ’s review. The Fasttech versions were, at the time, not described as “authentic” Ioncell, and I seem to remember a FT comment that they weren’t original. That comment seems to have disappeared, but I didn’t risk buying what looked like a fake.

I see FT still don’t use the Ioncell name in their description, which seems ominious.

Sorry to go somewhat OT.

While NiMH charging is nice I really question their decision to use a USB input. For a noob-proof charger it’s likely to create a lot of confusion, especially since it doesn’t include a matching power supply. Considering it requires a power supply to output above 5.1V under load if I’m reading the charts right, then it’s likely that most people will get degraded charging speed with all bays occupied.

This reeks of some product manager getting involved and specifying that the charger must have USB input (buzzword compliance?).

Leaving aside the power supply issues, for people using matched cells in series the voltage display is pretty useless (by the time your cells are at .1V from each other after removing them from the light, it’s too late).

As I’m in the market for a 4-bay Lithium charger, it seems like the VC4 is a bad buy considering the more predictable VP4 is only a few dollars more and that the NiMH advantage of the VC4 comes with a lot of caveats.

The problem with voltage is to some degree due to cables and connections, the charger works down to 4.7 volt. Using a power supply slightly above 5 volt improves the handling of cable and connection resistance while the charger draws full current. I do not see the usb power as a big problem, but you need a good charger, then you can power charger and other stuff from it.

When you charge cell in the charger when will be balanced to much better than 0.1 volt, if you look at my curve there is not more than 0.01 volt difference when the charger terminates.

The main difference between VP4 and VC4 is that VC4 shows the charged capacity and VP4 shows voltage with high resolution. For car usage the VP4 can be directly powered from the car, the VC4 needs a usb adapter.

So if my only use will be for lion cells, Nitecore I2, VP2 or VC4? Price wise I’d prefer to save bucks and I will be charging only 2 lions at any point in time.

Would something like this be ok for this charger using either the 1.0A port or the 2.4A?

http://www.i-tech.com.au/products/177455_Winstars_4_Port_USB_AC\_\_SAA_approval.aspx

As long as the specification are correct, it would be fine.

The 1A and 2.4A ports might be in parallel, if that is the case the VC4 will use full charging speed on all ports.

I am not sure if they are in parallel.

Then you have to use the 2.4A ports, but there is a high probability that they are in parallel.

Hi again HKJ. Can you please comment on this feature of the Xtar chargers

“0V activation function which rescues your overly discharged batteries when in most cases the batteries must be discarded. With our chargers you can bring them back to life.”

Most Xtar chargers have this. You do not include this test when testing chargers. Does this feature really work? Can it not be ‘tested’? Nitecore i4 chargers does not advertise this feature.

I do not directly test it, but in the list of various measurements I usual list current at different voltage. I it chargers from 0 volt with some current it has the function.

BUT it is not really a recommended function, LiIon manufacturers always says that you must discard cells when they are below a certain voltage (Usual 1.5 to 2 volt), Laptop cell protection will permanently disable a pack if it happens.

Thank you for the review HKJ

It is too bad that this charger does not come with a power supply, especially if one considers that at the moment it sells for ~ USD 30 / 30 euros (without the said power supply). Personally (for LiIon) I would buy a VP2 at this price -oh wait! I already have a VP2 :)

FT does show the Ioncell label on their picture, so … who knows.
They often don’t really know what they’re selling there, unfortunately.
A “review” at FT claims HJK reviewed “this charger”— is that true?

(relevant to this VC4 review thread, would this Ioncell (if only one USB port is used) power the VC4 correctly?

https://www.fasttech.com/forums/1336202/t/1053121/it-is-a-original-ioncell-product/1
EDIT —- no, FT admits it’s a fake charger in their discussion thread
“This is not advertised as an brand name item.

Thank you
FastTech ”

Just got mine from Banggood……it charged 18650 PF was at 2.8v with 3100ma and the second one at 2.9v for 3040ma
Compapred to VP2( whitch i also have) it charged them slower, in spite of i used that Samsung PCU on the pic above
The display is kinda dim looked at the angle, also the charge indicators
Cant charge either LiPo and 4.35v ones

I am kinda disapointed from this charger,and it seems the PSU is kinda week for him, have to look for another one
If you have VP2 like me, dont even think of getting this one, if you plan getting a new charge just get VP2 or Opus

Actualy a VP2 + Nitecore I2( which is extremely cheap atm) is a great all arround combo

Hi,

You don’t mention if you can use a standard DC adaptor…I have one with multiple ends that I can change and I can set it to 5V and it has 2A current. Would that work?

Also, if I use a standard 5V 2A adaptor, cut the wires on both the adaptor and the USB input cable, would that work also?

Many thanks HKJ!

When the input says 5V 2.1A it means you can use any stabilized power supply that delivers 5V and enough amperes, your adapter will probably be fine.

The main caveat's are actual voltage from the adapter and cable length, the voltage must be high enough at the charger or it will reduce the charge current.

After reading many of HKJ’s review, asking questions here and there, I finally settled for a VP2 :slight_smile: Just a waiting game now to get it :slight_smile:

Welcome to the Forum! :beer: