Folomov A4 Quick Charger

I received this charger free for review, but after using it I would spend $40 to buy another if needed. I found that once I bought a BLF Q8 that the 2-cell charger was no longer keeping up with my charging needs.
I have recharged a bunch of cells this week. It took all sizes that I own, and charged them quickly and safely. The Protected Keeppower 18650 - 3200mAh cell is long for some chargers, but fit fine. It states that it fits the 21700 cells, but I do not have any so I could not confirm this. It fits the fat 26650 cells in all four bays.

If I filled all 4 slots then plugged it in, I had to be quick to choose the rate of charge. I found I was not always fast enough and the fourth slot defaulted to the lowest setting. Double clicking the button put it back into select mode, then I could choose the rate.
The way I found I prefer to use this charger was to plug it in then add one cell at a time, starting with the outside slots. That way I could leisurely choose the fastest rate for each.
The picture shows 3 Samsung 30 Q button tops with the outside ones charging at 3 amps and another at 2 amps for a total of 8 amps. If you use all 4 slots then the most you can do is 2 amps each slot.

The two outside slots show 3000mAh which is three times faster than my Xtar VP2.

You can see that in this picture that I am charging two 26650 batteries at 2000mAh and two 18650 at 100 mAh. I could have done all 4 at 2000mAh.

What I like is that you can mix it up and do each slot a different cell type and a different rate.
Here I have one NiMH eneloop and a mix of protected and unprotected cells charging at different speeds.

What made me want this was the charging fast speed you are never going to get from a USB charger. I found that I just really like the simple controls: It always seems to know what type of cell I am using, but I can override it if I wanted to. There is one button over each slot and I can choose the speed I want, changing it mid-charge if needed.

In writing this review I read the others and I wanted to link to what I consider the definative review and the last word in testing. HKJ review of this charger:

Hmm, I think I want one.

I’m getting kinda tired of my Opus always getting heat stroke if I try charging/discharging 4 cells at more than 500mA each. Its fan sounds like an angry bumblebee trying to keep up.

Seriously? 6A total across 4 cells? I think I definitely want one, then. :smiley:

Actually, it’s 8A total across 4 cells. Not bad for $25.

Dam, where did you get it for 25$?

Current price on IMR: https://www.imrbatteries.com/folomov-a4-4-channel-battery-charger/

Shipping to Canada will probably kill a great deal for you, unfortunately.

FYI, I don’t own one. I’ve read some reports stating that the display can be flaky on this charger.

It is under $40 on Amazon, for those that are into that…

https://www.amazon.com/Folomov-A4-Charger-Charging-Current/dp/B07BQC3KKH?ref=ast_p_ep

Thanks for the review!

I just got it a few hours ago. It is Worth the $25 I paid for it. I still love my Fenix ARE-C2[I have 3 of them] but they are outdated a bit. Will always love my Opus BT-C3100 2.2.

I charged a few batteries @ 3A

Battery: Orbtronic 26650 5750mAh[Brand new]
Starting Vol…=3.62V
Finishing Vol.=4.21V
Time=1h 24m

Battery: VTC6[2 Years old]
Starting Vol.=3.58V
Finishing Vol.=4.17V
Time=45m

The end voltages were w/ my DMM which pretty much lines up w/ the chargers voltages.

I am estimating the charging is ~ twice as fast as the Opus charges at 2V

Now we will see how durable it is. Two of my Fenix ARE-C2 chargers are almost 4.5 years old. :+1:

Early in the game for Mr. Folomov,but I like it so far

In another review they mentioned the sliders were stiff . Mine are perfect. Just about every charger I have had , I needed to put some lubricant on them. Mine do not need it.

I LIKE the fact that it gives the batteries a FULL charge,my Fenix chargers certainly do that w/ voltages of 4.22/23/24 very common.

The VTC6 only charged to 4.17V. I expected that as most chargers will not charge older batteries to 4.20V.

I am bumping this thread because I see that IMR has this charger currently priced at $19.97 Can anyone add any additional feedback? I want a 4 cell charger and this looks like a good price. advice appreciated.

+1

I got this at IMR for $25,now they are selling it for $20?? My take is that they want to get rid of them!!!

I have had this about 6 weeks now.

I find that it is inconsistent on giving FULL charges. That can be expected for older batteries but not when they are new.

I have charged about 5 different new batteries and a few of them come off at 4.15/16v. My Opus and Fenix ARE-C2 ALWAYS give a full charge. So, I am not as impressed with it because I prefer a Full charge[4.20/21V].

Just my preference,some would not care about that 0.05/06v less of a charge,I do!

If your cells measure 4.21V after being removed from the charger, then they are being overcharged. 4.16-4.17V is fine.

The resting voltages are between 4.17v and 4.19v. I do not look at that as being overcharged. My Opus never comes off more than 4.20v.

My Fenix can be 4.21/22. I do not worry about 0.01/0.02v extra charge! I still have cells working well that are 5 to 6 years old and have been charged that way.

Bottom line it is ALL preference. I like full charges and my batteries have not suffered from that.

If you do not worry about being over by 0.02V, then why worry about being under by 0.02V? There is very little difference in terms of extra stored capacity there, AFAIK.

You need to read the numbers I wrote again. I said when they come off at 4.15/16v That is not a full charge, that is more than 0.02v UNDER.My math tells me that is 0.04/0.05v from a full 4.20v charge!Then they rest and lose more!

I said it is all about preference,we can argue this stuff forever!

Sure,0.02, 0.03v will not make much if any difference in performance. I like my batteries to have at least 4.17V AFTER resting for several days.

Finally,there is a thing called a psychological advantage!, same light, same tint……Joe’s light is 4850 lumens,Jimi’s light is 4977 lumens. Visually speaking will there be a noticeable difference? No,just psychological along with bragging rights.