Review: XTAR MP1S multi size li-ion charger USB

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

XTAR MP1S multi size li-ion charger USB

Rating: Excellent


This is the latest incarnation of the popular XTAR MP1 charger. This sample was provided free of charge althrough i paid for all others MP1 i had. Reviewed here long time ago. Anyway, new version so what's new? In short, spacers. Yep, a better packaging (text) a nicer manual and 3 usefull spacers to facilitate charging of varous sizes such as: 10440, 14500, 14650, 17670, 18650, 18700. I t woudl probably charge anything li-ion based if 4.2V is the voltage max range and has a capacity of at least 500mA. Well since charging current is around 450mA i would strongly suggest to not charge batteries with a lower capacity than 600mAh with this one. Most 14500 and 16340 will do fine enough. I would just rather not try 10440 form factor as the current provided is above the max safe for this type of cell. Concerns about using flat top cells are nonexistant it does accept them easily even the slightly longer 18650/18700 with ease.

Being a unit rated CC/CV for charging algorythm this one appears to not follow it correctly 100%. It does it pretty close anyway so this is a non issue.

What makes this little charger so appealing?


PROS:

- Small size

- USB powered

- Good charging capabilities with wide batter size options

- Terminates at 4,21V or 4,22V depending on battery quality or calibration of the unit itself so charget to the rated max safe voltage

- Is able to revive batteries whose protective PCB was tripped hard and not reset (open circuit votage did not raise above the protection PCB treshold) (usefull if you have a microswitch flashlight like UF-H3D whose switch can drain your battery a litle below the PCB protection scheme)

- Very inexpensive for the quality provided

- Well built, both internally and externally.

CONS:

- Does not follow exactly the CC/CV charging algorythm

- If you plan to use it on mains an (inexpensive) adaptor mains/usb or car/usb host adapter must be purchased along (often already bundled by many online retailers)

Pictures:

For 16340 4 spacers should be used. I got only 3 and found with a little playing with them charging a 16340 can be done. 4 spacers is better and looks more decent. :)

Althrough the unit is very lightweight the added rubber pads below keep the unit in place rather well.

Termination voltage on test candidates:

Trustfire "flame" 14500 wPCB -4.22V

Trustfire "flame" 16340 wPCB - 4.21V

XTAR 18650 3100 mAh wPCB - 4.22V

XTAR 18700 2600 mAh wPCB - 4.22V

Sony 16850 flattop unprotected (scavenged from HP laptop battery and 3y+ old) - 4.21V

Due to the lack of resolution from my DMM and the declared tolerances from the unit all batteries probably terminate pretty close to each other. I will probably need a lab DMM with many samples to make it 100% accurate but it's beyond the actual needs we have.

I cannot stress it enough, this is one of the best (for me it is still the best) budget charger available in the market. I liked it before and i still do. Spacers are the real novelty here and are quite handy. At the price asked (usually around 9usd online by random retailers) is an excellent deal. I'm using MP1's for over a year and found them very reliable (20+ units) and safe. It is very reckless i know but i left batteries (forgot) in this charger for over a day with no rise on voltage on them. It's verstility to power a battery on a laptop pc or car (with suitable adapter) is also a nice feature i have used a few times. This unit has a place on my PC case and i use USB ports on my pc to charge batteries 95% of the time. Build quality is much higher than any budget offering i have seen. Make no mistake tho... this is a budget offering but i believe it can compete easily in the higher (out of budget segment) price range.

Yes i got it for free as some like to point a finger to those who cannot be objective recieving something for free or keep it quiet if they do. My verdict has not changed in more than 1 year. It is still an excellent unit. Highly reccomended to anyone looking for a single bay charger. Worth checking out also for the WP2 version 2 of the charger. It's supposedly even better, with emergency charging usb devices and featuring dual independent charging bay.

It's a short review i know, but there is not much more to say that hasn't be said already before or it is common knowledge already.

2

Thanks very much for the review Budgeteer! Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.

3

Thank you for the good review :)

One question about the charging time: How long does it take to charge an empty 18650 (for example a Xtar 2600mAh)? Does it charge all the time with 400-500mAh (also on the end)?

Has it any important positive features (not only the abiltity with the spacers), which the MP1 doesn't have (I have this one for some month and like it)?

I think, it's ok to get a free sample and write a review about it. Your review is objective (this is the important point) - if you pay for it or get it for free doesn't care.

4

Charging time is quite substantial. At around 4V the current starts to drop. At 4.18V needs roughly 15min to top the battery to 4,20-4.21V.

Not good with graphs and i've tried, just too dumb or tired to make one (suspect the former). Roughly like this:

Make that 4.12 to 4.21 :/ I need some sleep apparently.

It takes it's sweet time but otherwise gets the job done properly and safely. So a heavily dischaged 2400mAh battery need 4h roughly to 4V then another 1,5h to top off.

5

How many spacers will the retail one come with?

Did any of your batteries terminate at 4.20v or less?

Some of my chargers from DD terminated at 4.20v or less, yes the the ultrafire 501B and charger bundle we bought for $6. That came with a U.K adapter.

6

No clue how many, i suspect 4 as it would make sense for 16340 batteries.

Pretty consitent between 4.21-4.22. Might be proper 4.2V since i have a rather cheap DMM. It's within specs anyway. I tested with all batteries i have. Not many but still. Only XTAR's anmd sony in 18650 form factor and a few "trusties" for the more exotic ones. I don't own that many batteries. Did not try the XTAR 1800 mAh since it is pretty unpopular.

7

Hi,

Great review, thanks.

Where is the best place to buy this from? I have seen some on ebay but can't find this charger anywhere else?

8

Ask this seller if you like shipping within EU. No clue how much the postage is. I used DHL a few times. Beats for sure the no customs fee and other unneded epenses (within EU) for larger orders. KD stocks tem, so does manafont... no words for spacers tho...

Oh c'mon it was too easy!

1st hit on ebay:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-MP1S-intelligent-Charger-16340-14500-18650-18700-Battery-USB-cable-/150726056483?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2317f91a23

9

3 spacers are included.

10

@Budgeter - Great review. I'm glad to hear they are a good buy as I bought 10 of them at QCG to give away to family & friends before seeing your review.

They are to replace the cheap ones I bought at BIC as the springs keep breaking. I still use them with an elastic band to MacGyver the battery in the charger.

I always test the batteries and chargers I give away and the 6 MP1Ss that I tested, all the batteries have a resting voltage of 4.19 roughly 12-24hrs after charging.

I use the generic ipod USB to AC wall adapters that can be bought on ebay for USD1.31 a piece. Even though the output is 5V @ 1A, I figured it be ok since the ones suppliers including QCG sell with this also has the same output in their adapters. EDIT: The adapter QCG sells is 5V @ 750mA.

I haven't had it for a long time so can't confirm long-term durability. But from the reviews of other BLF members on the older model MP1 and the 20 to 30 batteries I've charged with mine, I recommend it as a good buy for a budget charger.

11

They come with four spacers. One already mounted and three in a small zip lock baggie

12

I’ve sold about 250 of these and only had 1 returned, ever.

Be careful though - XTAR started selling a version that comes without any included. So many users only charge 18650, the spacers go to waste.

13

Why do people recommend this sucky charger? It charges to 4.22v which is too high.

I ordered this one recently to have a charger to give to my father. So far it has overcharged every battery but one that terminated at 4.17v.

One time I pulled a battery which was at 4.22v and it was still charging with a red light! Unacceptable. Tried again yesterday with another battery and waited until the light was green, at 4.22 again.

Now I ordered the flimsy HuanGao USB charger instead which I originally passed over for the MP1S (actually I ordered the MP1 but got the MP1S instead).

14

4.22 volt is not to high, the specification says 4.20 volt +/- 0.05 volt, i.e. the charger may use up to 4.25 volt.

There is always a tolerance on the charge voltage, i.e. just because you find one that uses 4.20 volt, there is no guarantee that the next one from the same brand does.

15

Yes 4.242 is within 1% error, but it’s just not good enough since it stresses the battery and compromises safety.

16

Depending on battery manufacturer the tolerance is specified either as +/-0.05 volt or 1%

The stress and safety issues is within the allowable tolerances or manufacturers would not have specified that tolerance.

Putting a manufacturer down, just because you want something better than specifications is not right.

17

The charger doesn’t have to be good just because it’s performing within the specifications. And the life of the cell will definitely be shortened regardless if it’s within the manufacturers tolerances or not.

Many other chargers such as the WP6 has the same specifications but performs better, so why am I expected to accept 4.25 volts just for this charger?

18

Not only for this charger, all brands of chargers will have some copies that has a high or low voltage.

19

In theory, but it seems most of MP1S units charge too high. It’s also listed as a pro in this review…

20

My 3x MP1S:
4.17V
4.17V
4.21V