I haven’t posted on here in a long time. So long in fact that I couldn’t remember my username and password so I had to sign up again!
I have always used CR123’s or AA’s in my lights but now I’m thinking of getting some more lights and want to try the rechargeables. The first thing I did was go to Amazon. I found the Nitecore D2 Digicharger (bundled with car charger/adapter & battery Box for 2x 18650 batteries for $19) and I was impressed by the very high rating’s (4.8 stars with 895 reviews) so I went to the Nightcore website. That’s when I learned about the new i4 which seemed to have everything I needed except for a discharge feature which I’m not sure if I need. Since I have a lot to learn my next stop was to come here to the most awesome source for information there is. I have read about a dozen threads tonight and I thought I narrowed it down to the i4, the GOLISI L4 Intelligent Digi Charger or the XTAR VC4. Although I think I may have ruled out the XTAR VC4 after reading a thread about problems with some units and XTAR’s customer service. My biggest concern with Nitecore is it sounds like the batteries get very hot. I haven’t read enough yet to decide if the Golisi would be my best choice, but from the reading I have done so far I’m starting to realize that after all this time it appears recharging lithiums (& in some cases maybe even NiMh) is still not very safe.
All I want is a simple, easy to use SAFE charger that can handle any Lithium rechargeable type and NiMh batteries that I’m likely to ever need for a hunting or EDC flashlight which I’m guessing would may include Li-ion/IMR/LiFePO4 14500, 16340(RCR123), 18650 & maybe 26650 along with Ni-MH. I’m thinking 1.2V, 3.6V, 3.7V, 4.2V & 4.35V should cover it, but I’m not sure. Can you guys help guide me in the right direction?
The Opus BT-C3100 is a quite popular all-arounder. It uses a noisy cricket (fan) which some people complain about its reliability, so I'd first install a dab of screen mesh on its intake (can get cheap replacements easy; a little brush/oil may also be of help).
LiitoKala Lii-500 is all the rage too. Doesn't supports LiFePO4, but it's so affordable that you can also buy a Lii-100/Lii-202 (which do LiFePO4s) and still pay less than for a single BT-C3100. No noisy cricket to worry about.
The Enova Gyrfalcon All-44 is the new badass boy in the neighbourhood. Supports down to 100mA charging current, pretty nice for small cells.
I bought one of these and when I realized how good it is I bought many more for my family (much better than the dummy chargers they had and now I can give them 18650 flashlights).
Hope this helps.
I think the Xtar issues have been solved but I could be wrong. Generally they are also good chargers. I use a VC2 and have used their MC1 happily with no problems. Like with lights, there are lots of good choices so you need to set some parameters on what you require to narrow the choices down or you’ll simply be overwhelmed by the available options.
Thanks guys. I really appreciate everyone that is willing to help. The people here are so helpful and so friendly.
Even though I wanted one charger that will do it all I have decided that I will be getting two. I still don’t know what multiple bay battery charger I’m going to get, but the little Liitokala Li-100 seems like a great little charger that will be quite useful and it’s surprisingly inexpensive as well so I will be getting that.
I read somewhere that a discharge function is a good function to have for a couple reasons, but I can’t remember exactly why so if someone wouldn’t mind refreshing my memory that would be much appreciated.
Also, I’m going to read up on batteries, but if anyone would like to throw in their opinion of what they think is the best quality battery and the best bang for your buck in batteries please feel free to do so. :sunglasses: I’m thinking about getting 18650, 14500, CRC123’s and AA NiMh if that helps any. I don’t have an 18650 flashlight, but I’m thinking I may try to find an inexpensive infinitely variable light from GB before I order.
Regarding the concerns on VC4 reliability, it needs to be remembered that the more people that own a product will result in more people reporting problems with it on the internet. Thus Internet forum based opinions need to be taken with a pinch of salt. Generally XTAR have a relatively good reputation, and country specific warranties (depending on country and seller). If you have issues with an Opus or Liitokala, you may have a lot of trouble getting a fix or replacement. That said, I personally try to avoid devices that require USB power supplies.
If you are paranoid, then make sure you purchase protected li-ion cells to provide an extra layer of redundancy e.g. If charger failed to terminate. It’s better to be paranoid than complacent.
Thanks, I was just looking at the Panasonic NCR18650B Protected 3400mAh for the ThorFire VG15 I’m about to order. I’m trying to decide if the cells on GearBest are quality batteries made in Japan, made somewhere else or just plain fakes because they are so cheap ($4.79). I have never bought from them before and I’m still learning about these rechargeable batteries. Any suggestions?
If you don’t want to worry about safety at all, then you might want to consider going with rechargeable NiMH cells. Eneloops are the best, and provide the high discharge needed for high-output lights that work on AA cells.
You can get 1xAA lights that output as much as 500 lumens (Zebralight SC5, Manker T01), so they’re about half as bright as lithium-ion 18650 based lights, but in a slightly smaller form. To get to 1000 lumens, you typically need a 4xAA light, so it will make for a bit more bulky light than a 18650 design.
The upside is you never have to worry about safety. NiMH cells will not explode or catch fire. And with all your extra Eneloops you buy, you can use them in anything that runs an alkaline AA or AAA battery. They’re very versatile.
However, I understand the interest in lithium-ion cells. More power in a smaller package. Just make sure to stick with quality genuine cells, such as Panasonic, that are wrapped in a protection circuit. Or go with a safer lithium-ion chemistry, such as LiFePO4 cells (but they’re less energy dense, so you’re always giving something up for more safety).
IMO, most flashaholics are OCD enough about batteries that lithium-ion will be safe for them. Get a voltage meter to measure voltage and check that your charger is doing a good job. Just don’t lend your lithium-ion lights to dummies, and certainly not to small kids.
I have owned an Xtar VC4 for a few weeks now - it seems to reasonably (not too quickly) and reliably charge all my different size Lithium 16340, 18350, 14500, 18650 to 26650, as well as AAA and AA eneloops, and AA energizer NiMH low self-discharge cells. Very happy with it, and @stephenk, you are correct, those of us that are content or happy with a product that performs as advertised are less likely to “review” a product than someone who has had a less than positive experience, so reviews are inherently skewed in that respect.
I considered and read up on safety for a while before jumping into Li ion flashlights, but if you know what you are doing, the risks can be reduced if not totally eliminated. Buy cells and chargers from reliable sources, don’t let people unfamiliar with proper use of Li ion use the lights or charger unsupervised, and I check and monitor each cell through it’s first charge on my charger to watch for high internal resistance, overheating, or overcharging - it’s kinda like working on home electrical wiring - sure it can kill you, and you can never TOTALLY eliminate the risks, but you can certainly minimize those risks with knowledge and good practices (yes, a bit of OCD helps, too)
and by the way, my Nitecore EA45s (4xAA) puts out about the same amount of light that my BLF A6 (single 18650 Li ion) does, and probably for the same or better runtime (I have not tested, just a hunch here), with safe NiMH batteries, so if you are risk averse, light can be made in abundance even without Li ion batteries.
Even if you don’t buy from him RMM from Mtnelectronics has a large variety of cells to compare and choose from with good descriptions of each and if you do buy from him you can count on genuine cells and fast delivery. The right choice really depends on how you will use them.
I have an Opus charger, seems to work well. $32 I don’t regret spending, and I just bought a 8-bay GYR-88.
Oh yeah, +1 for Mountain Electronics. Not the cheapest, but the customer support cannot be beat. I think they’re tied with Illumination Supply for great customer service.
I already ordered the Thorfire VG15, but the BLF A6 sounds like a great deal for a nice light. I will have to think about it. I have plenty of Christmas shopping to do yet and I could see myself ordering more flashlights. I’m looking for one for my dad’s girlfriend right now & my brother, but I’m not sure if anything I order from Banggood would get here in time. I have never ordered from them before.
