I’m a little confused about the difference between Opus BT-C3100 v2.2 and the XTAR VC4 in the context of LiIon charging methods, and the ability to fully charge, leave the batteries overnight, and life expectancy of the LiIon batteries.
HKJ’s review Opus BT-C3100 v2.1 / 2.2 looked really good, but he prefers CC/CV over the pulse charging of the Opus BT-C3100.
I would use the chargers for NiMh AA, AAA, 18560 LiIon. I may get a 2S2P box for 18650’s for a bike light, so being able to check discharge capacity and match them seems reasonable … but I have no experience in that real. I will need a new charger this month, and these 2 popped up on my radar.
If I charge 18650, using the Opus BT-C3100 at .5 A, compared to the XTAR VC4 at a .5 A charging rate, is the charged capacity going to be the same between the two chargers, and is there a significant reduction of LiIon battery life or what with the Opus charger?
The Opus seems to be superior in functions and display, so in layman’s terms, why wouldn’t I buy the Opus?
Ok, I’m a little embarrased, just ran across 4 threads asking the same questions… but did run across this and haven’t found what the bad behavour is yet:
With the BT-C3100 I have tested/reviewed 3 versions, the one I am referring to Chloe's review is the first version.
With pulsing the charger is always charging with 2A (The current regulation is because the charger is not doing it 100% of the time), this may me acceptable for 18650 and AA cells, but is doubtful for smaller LiIon cells.
So the BT-C3100 (any version) has 2 amp pulses, even when setting the charger to .5 amp, just shorter so averages out to .5 amp?
( 3rd review 2.1 )
Yes, I see the 2.2 available, still with the 3 amp brick, but looks like they fixed something:
“2. Charging voltage is regulated to 4.7V instead of 5.0V, thus loading on power adapter when batteries are flat is less. 5.0V charging voltage has problem in regulating the correct current level due to this over loading current on power adapter, which lead to Panasonic brand Li-ion batteries showed wrong charging capacity value (+25 percent). With 4.7V charging voltage, the load on power adapter is greatly reduced and thus can make all types of batteries are charged properly.”
The current is to high, charging two 10440 simultaneous will help (I do not like that solution). The D4 is better , because you can select low current.
In my reviews there is a table to show what cells I recommend for the charger.
I came across that conversation and i was a little bit confused about that two smartchargers and the issue that the charger peaks at 2A…
Let me allow to continue the conversation without opening a new one .
I recently acquired an Opus BT3100 v2.1 (with a reall noisy fan) and i thought that was the best charger for NiMh and Li-ion money can buy…
And now i’m a little concerned by the reliability and lifespan of the cells i have…
Xtar VC4 is also cheaper so a bit frustrated aslo |( let’s that i spend good money on my cells eneloop and Li-ion and this charger (which remains at the same price obviously , i.e the most expensive one) and learn that a cheaper one has the same function and take much more care of the batteries…
Do you think i have to switch to a VC4? and i’d like to know if ABitDark had finally choose his charger….
Thx
ps: i am not a expert,but i see also that VC4 can select pulse ou continuous mode for charging the cells :S
Nope, still vacillating. The cost of the VC4+really good charger, doesn’t seem to be significantly lower than the Opus, seems to be a better charger for the cells, but HKJ says ok. I wouldn’t worry about that too much, unless you are using small cells.
The Opus has a better wall wart and car charger option, better display (IMO), and discharge-test option.
The Nitecore Digicharger D4 appears to be the best charger, just slow, charging 4 cells at .375 amp.
The Opus is said to be OK. And by that I dont mean just OK, HKJ has stated the v2.1 is a good charger so I wouldnt be concerned. We can all second guess this and that but in the end he is the one doing the serious testing. Myself, I would replace the Opus supplied PSU with one capable of 8-10amps, which negates the lack of PSU (not charger as mentioned above) re: the XTAR VC4.
So if youre buying now, I would not let the lack of PSU on the VC4 put me off it. The VC4 just needs a phone wallwart which most people have anyway.
I would buy a VC4 before an Opus 3100, but its personal preference. I will buy an all in one, pop and go type idiot proof charger like the Opus when its finally made, just it wont be an Opus. If I already had the 3100 (as you do) I wouldnt be changing to the VC4 just because of what I read here. Its not that critical.
i have duracells and eneloops AA, AAA and Sanyo Li-ion 18650 , and i was seriously considering a 10440 Li-ion but since i saw that was not recommended … (too bad)
What’s wrong with the wall wart of the OPUS?
One of the features that makes me buy that charger (the opus) was that it can recover “injuried” batteries … the VC4 does it also…
the drawback of the VC4 is that it has a weak USB power supply… (but since it’s commonly admitted charging batteries slowly was good for the health of the latters(althought i see a research that say the contrary but ok… ))
The screen is better on the Opus, +clearer +let say, but the vc4 is “sexier” while the opus is bulky (not very an argument for me)
There almost 10 bucks of difference beetween them + the wall plug but hope you have a smartphone … or better a tablet…
But after all, maybe i am only trying to convince myself that a spend money on a charger worthing it, not just a crap that would f* my cells up…
I have the Opus 3100 v2.1 and I have lostthe confidence that the charger is giving me the real capacity of the batteries.
I have purchased 4 Duracell Ion core 2400mAh batteries and the charger is not charging them to their capacity.
I have a topic opened in the other forum for it.
I believed that the batteries were defective but I am now seeing the same issues with brand new black Amazon basic AA 2400mAh.
I believe the charger is reporting the batteries as full way too soon.
Coud it be the power adaptor? I have the US version but I am not sure, the charger does report the battery as full.
Its just curious that I am seeing this problem with these LSD high capacity cells.
Other tests show that these are good batteries and my Lacross Bc9009 confirms that.
I am not seeing this issue with my older batteries or the eneloops 2000mAh.
Could the US power adaptor be the problem here? Should I get a 6A one?
Im not sure, I got the same results charging at 200mA.
How about putting a DMM on the batteries to see what the charge termination voltage is? Sounds like you have done plenty of comparison tests with the BC-9009. Need to go back to HJK’s review thread to check on his concern of weaker cells and the PWM style of charge current.
HKJ himself should stop the worshipping aspect and come “clean” about “pulsing 2A” into the rechargable when that PWM phase is doing the current injection. Regardless of how “Da Chinese” designers are totem-pole-ing their “Opus”, a tester should be frank and not let the worshipping do the gambling for some unfortunate sod’s rechargable.
Should any Hallelujah wishes to gamble, let him do the gambling and not ask The Other, ignoramus or not, take the gamble. “Hey Joe, 2A injection @0.xyz sec is AOK”, so sez Da Maverick. Why? Becuz Dem Chinese Designer are confident that of all the gazillions batteries charged via their Opus, a 1% [or whatever] hit is AOK - just like the poor sod who was sent to his Happy Hunting Ground by a bus but is otherwise “compensated” by The Bus Insurance Company is most definitely AOK about it. Either that or this 2A PWM current injection matter is inconsequential to the “argument” becuz in reality, it is really nothing to talk about because the %-ages is so low. Talk about “Collateral Damage”.
” …… you don’t like 2A-injected pulse charging??..”
Not wishing to sound rude other than being what you seemed to be, RU a “Convenient Tool” for HKJ or merely a worshipper extraordinaire?
A 2A PWM means the intended rechargable is momentarily getting a 2A current charge. As mentioned by HKJ and those who are of a questioning nature, some batteries won’t be able to withstand this over the charging period. And it looks like, neither would you if you are merely a worshipper of a rechargable battery.
A forum is neither for insults parroting as mere sqwark nor for vacuously parroting worship other than to expand-on or clarify facts. Should I be mistaken, then enlighten me, be that near-insulting or not. It will be accepted.
