I have two of the cheap travel chargers that everyone sells. They are a great little charger, but one terminates at 4.17v and the other at 4.25v.
The question is: Is 4.25v too much or just right and is 4.17v leaving me a little short on capacity?
Thanks,
Marc.
You should be able to calculate how much less time you get when discharging at a certain rate if you’re starting voltage is 4.17. Depends on the type of cell as well.
Or just not worry and go about you normal life. 
I just want to make sure I am not over charging the cells.
Marc.
With 4.25V you overcharge the cell. 4.17V is more than enough and your cell will stay “alive” longer (more cycles I mean)
Ah Ok, thank you. I was not sure if it was a little too much at 4.25v.
Thanks,
Marc.
Have you measured using both chargers side by side? Ie, pop a cell in each (same batch of cells) charge to termination then measure using the same meter at the same time? It would tell if the 4.25v is an anomaly and nothing to worry about or if the charger is duff. My cheap meter reads high if the batteries are cold/going flat, use my decent meter and things are fine.
Are the chargers the type that plug into an adaptor then into the wall? If so, I’d consider an upgrade sooner rather than later myself, I just don’t like them and prefer a charger with a proper UK plug fitted.
Not trying to get on my high horse, just don’t trust the cheap “wall wart” chargers. 
Yes I have tried them side by side, Sanyo cell in each. One is 4.16 one is 4.25V. Is 0.05v that much of a problem do you think?
By the way they have always given the same result, it has not just started charging to 4.25v.
For what it’s worth I love these little chargers. They have never let me down, don’t get hot and do what they are suppose to. They were originally designed for camera batteries and have worked well for many years. I may upgrade in the future but for now, they’ll do.
Thanks,
Marc.
That’s ok, its eliminated the question of different results on different days. If your happy with the chargers don’t worry about the form, from advice I’ve had though, I wouldn’t want to charge to 4.25v unless your talking 4.35 cells (can’t remember if its Sanyo or Samsung who makes the 4.35v cells).
Usual a LiIon cell needs 4.15 to 4.25 as charging voltage, when charging is finished the cell will drop slightly in voltage, with a new cell it will only be 0.01 to 0.03 volt, with older cell it can be 0.1 volt.
I.e. 4.25 volt after charge on a new cell is overcharged, but only a very little bit.
What would you do HKJ? Would you keep using the charger or not, do you think?
Thank you,
Marc.
That would depend on the charge algorithm it uses, if it is a real CC/CV then I would keep it, but if it is a CC I would not.
OK how would I find that out?
It’s one of these:
Thanks,
Marc.
Measure charge voltage during charge, it must not go much above 4.25 volt (0.01 to 0.03 volt), even when the battery is nearly finished.
From my DMM guide:
Thanks HKJ, I will check now. You are pretty good at this! No wonder I read all of you battery reviews! :bigsmile:
Thank you again,
Marc.
i dont mean for this to sound rude but for less than 4dollars (bin it)is it worth the risk
You’re not being rude, don’t worry. But why should I bin it if it works so well?
Marc.
Ok, Iv’e checked. With a full cell it reads 4.24v. with no cell the charger shows 4.25v.
Marc.
i learn’t the hard way about two years ago i had just used a 3 cell rcr123a flashlight ,switched it off and placed on top of a bench .next thing a loud bang ,after i changed my undies i realised the bottom had blown completely off and made a nice dent in the wall.when i went to pick up the cell it was scalding hot i used a cloth and threw it in the garden,the flashlight was also red hot needless to say that went in the garden ,the charger went in the bin lol :8)
I forgot to say: Use an old battery to check with, a new battery will probably work fine.
In my first charger review, you can see how bad it goes with an old battery in a CC charger, it hits 4.35 volt!
‘after i changed my undies i realised the bottom had blown completely off and made a nice dent in the wall.’
You do mean the tail cap I hope? 
Marc.
P.S. Can I ask what brand of cells they were?