One possibility: when you know you’re wrong, you do not try to argue otherwise you risk to get caught.
To answer your question, yes, I think I did. Several posters tried to address my specific concerns (thanks, y’all), and I am digesting and researching their responses/opinions and I think I am closer to a decision. Thing is, I like to collect flashlights but I don’t want to collect chargers (lol) so I would rather just buy one (more) that will do what I want.
I am not sure about threads stated by People Like Me (!) deteriorating into arcane discussions; I haven’t seen many threads here that got derailed as much as this one.
If my argument not informed you in your choices, and since you’re the instigator of this thread, you could ask the moderator to delete it. It is technical but I had to demonstrate what I said because we had two differents opinions.
I am trying to decide between these very two analyzing chargers. While I would love to pony up for the new holy grail charger - the MC3000, I simply can not justify the $100 expense. I have salvaged many 18650 batteries from laptops and I would like to be able to see what the capacities are for the ones that pass the initial “> 3.0v resting salvage voltage” pass / fail test. This thread has reinforced my thoughts that I will go with the Lii-500.
- HKJ prefers non pulse charging
- Lii-500 has battery bank capability
A plus for me for both of these chargers is that they take a 12VDC input voltage, which means that I can easily power them from a car battery for charging on the go or in the event of a power outage.
As for the rest, I will simply thank tatasal for patiently posting the results of your testing.
@IamMatt: I apologize for derailing this thread.
@gyzmo2002: new Charge Test photos (if these photos still cannot convince you, nothing else will)
Opus BT-C3100 v2.2
Samsung INR18650-30Q brand-new 3000mAh
1A charge/discharge rate
mode used: Charge Test
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What’s clearly shown below is that my Opus does not exceed the cell’s rating of 2900mah.
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Isn’t the Opus BT-C3100 the unit/model that has the pain in the A$$ fan noise failure issue? if so I would that this deserves to the added to the pro and con list?
And also how to they compare on price? It might be possible to buy two of one type over only one of the other? that might help address charge/capacity runtime issues?
No worries. I appreciate that you both were trying to help me with my question.
Did my Charge Test photos in post # 61 not convinced you yet?
Hi!
This is an old tread but here is my 2 cents.
I also get higher capacity ratings on both my Opus bt-3100 and my Liitokala lii-500. I have a project going to rescue some cells from dead laptop batteries and get some mesurements that are higher than their original capacity. (And almost all are higher than expected)
I use the “test” program on the opus that charges-discharges (and mesure this)-charge to 4,2V again.
The Lii-500 I use the “NOR TEST” that charges-discharges (and mesure this)- end (so it does not charge the battery back up.
Both mesures the discharge from 4,20-2,80V at a discharge of 0,5A.
When I get a cuple of cells that are 3-4 years old from defect laptop battery and have slightly higher (mesured on lii/opus) than original something is a bit off.
I will do more testing (have 4 lii 500, 2 Opus and 2 imax B6) to find the most realistic number. The B6 only discharge from 4,2-3,0V but I think the numbers I get from this is closer to reality.
Do any of you have a good thumb rule of what to take of the test numbers on the chargers to get the most realistic capacity?
Is 100-150mV around the right amount to discount from the capacity testing?
If I do remember correctly, HKJ pointed out that the way the Opus BT-C3100 consumes power (high current bursts) was probably the cause of the inaccuracy of its measurements, due to the fact that its power supply can't cope with these quite high input current demands without its Vin crumbling. Check this graph:
Has anyone tried to feed it with a proper 12V 10+A PSU, in order to see how it fares?
Cheers ^:)
I have an Opus and I’m feeding it 5A. I also have a Li-500 and an Accucell-6 hobby charger. They all give me different results but are probably within 10% of one another. Repeat tests on the same charger is more in the 2-5% difference, sometimes better.
The internal resistance measurement on my Li-500 is useless. On the Opus it’s pretty erratic but seems to at least be in some kind of ballpark.
Looking for a good charger that gives capacity reading and found this thread/argument. This gyzmo2002 dude is an arrogant tool to fight over a battery charger the way he did in this thread. :person_facepalming:
Interesting observation SSV…… 
Go with the Lii 500…. the OPUS does give “optimistic” discharge capacity readings. I have both & the Lii 500 is my go to charger for capacity measurement.
It is a bit cheaper also. 
Thanks man. Does it take hours to get the measurement, or can you insert and get it in a reasonable amount of time?
The Zanflare C4 should probably be thrown into the decision given the good review by HKJ.
Your welcome. It takes a while, but no longer than the OPUS.
I’ll check it out. Thank you sir!
the lii 500 at its maximum discharge current will take twice as time as the C3100. You have 500mA max discharge vs 1000mA discharge. So yes C3100 will discharge your batteries in half of the time if needed.
Discharging at the same current should obviously lead in the same discacharge time. And yes discharghing at 500mA a 3000mAh battery will take you about 6 hours (a bit less in reality since full capacity is less).
So at 1A with the Opus you will save 3 hours theoretically
An additional point: Storage charge-
On the bottom of the Opus main board after taking off the bottom (4 screws) is a switch: 4.2v/4.35v/3.7v. I cut a small hole so I could access it with a small rod. Tried out the 3.7v and it works! Now I have a charger that I can easily use to put cells in storage.
They do have to be below that voltage and be charged up.
Not sure any other non-hobby charge has this capability. If it has LiFe charging you can use that to get “close enough”.
Pretty sure that “3.7V” C3100 mainboard switch setting was intended for LiFePO4 charging, flydiver. 
I may end up assembling a fully current and voltage adjustable custom battery charger someday, there are plenty of parts and modules available to make it good, and a lot of handwork to be done if I aim for it to look at least minimally user friendly. 
Maybe it would be better not making it user friendly and equip it with electroshock safety measures against careless potential users (LoL!). 
Cheers ^:)