Advice on a new 18650 charger.

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

Now that I have a couple of lamps that take 18650 batteries, I’m in the market for a new battery charger. I did get an Xtar VC4, it’s OK, but it does not have a discharge function, and the function for measuring the mAh capacity only works by charging the battery, which to my mind, does not sound as accurate as measuring the actual discharge. If I had realised that the Xtar did not have a discharge function, I would not have bought it. :frowning:

I would appreciate your advice and experiences. I have two candidates for my next charger, the Liitokala Lii - 500, and the Opus BT - C3100 V2.2.

On the plus side for the Liitokala, it is a bit cheaper (at GearBest), and comes with a lead for a car cigarette lighter as well as a mains plug. It is not clear if the Opus can be used in a car.

Whilst both chargers seem to have more features and charging options than the Xtar VC4, on paper the Opus BT - C3100 V2.2 has the most options, including lower and higher charging currents, and an option to charge 4.35v type high voltage batteries, which I find very attractive. I would like to try the “LG 4.35v 18650 D1 3000mAh batteries, which sound like they have very good performance, and the Opus BT is the only charger I have seen that looks like it can handle them.

I am leaning very heavily towards the Opus BT - C3100 V2.2 (from GearBest), but would like to hear your opinions and advice before committing myself. This includes any other chargers you would recommend.

2

I will suggest that you start by checking my reviews of the chargers, then you will have a good idea what they can do and what not.

3

That would be found here: http://lygte-info.dk/

or (individually) here: http://budgetlightforum.com/forum/batteries/chargers/reviews

BTW, great work HKJ! 0:)

4

Nothing to add!

that should be sticky on top of some subforums :wink:

5

+infinity

6

@ HKJ

Thanks for pointing out your reviews. I can’t really understand the graphs much, but I do appreciate the comments and conclusions.

Initially I was leaning towards the Opus BT - C3100 V2.2. Now my opinion of the Liitokala Lii - 500 has gone up to the point where I am totally undecided between the two chargers. It sounds like the Liitokala does a good job of charging and measuring the capacity’s of 18650 batteries, and those are the two most important points to me. Only the 4.35v option on the Opus stops the balance from tipping decisively to the Liitokala. But then I ask myself, will I really feel so impoverished and underprivileged if I have to live without 4.35v charging? Probably not. It’s just a newbies desire to have all the bells and whistles.

7

Bear in mind though to charge at 4.35v, you have to open up Opus casing as the switch is inaccessible from outside.
I don’t have experienced with the Liitokala but my mainncharger is the Opus, with Xtar VC4 and Nitecore i4 v2014 collecting dust in the drawer.
I reckon either the Opus or Liitokala will serve you fine, or maybe yiu can wait for thr SkyRC MC3000 charger? :stuck_out_tongue:

8

Thanks for the advice akhyar. I take your comments as a vote of confidence in the Opus.

I don’t think I will wait for SkyRC MC3000. I would feel stupid phoning my charger, if I want to communicate with it, I will write it a letter. :wink:

9

I have an Opus BT-C3400 and a Nitecore D4. I get more consistent charge readings with the D4. The only time I use the Opus is when I need something charged really quickly. For some reason the Opus likes to terminate the charge too early.

10

Thanks for your input djburkes. Does anyone out there have the Liitokala Lii – 500, and wan to put in a kind (or not so kind) word for it?