The XTAR VC8 Plus charger was sent to me directly by XTAR for review.
For the characteristics and technical data of the product: http://www.xtar.cc/product/XTAR-VC8-Plu ... r-176.html
For the characteristics and technical data of the product: http://www.xtar.cc/product/XTAR-VC8-Plu ... r-176.html
To purchase the VC8 Plus: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003303035530.html
Main features of the XTAR VC8 Plus:
• With DC input (12V 3A), max output 1A x 8
• Type-C power supply, QC3.0 3A fast charging
• Charges 8x21700 simultaneously
• Test the real capacity of the batteries
• Maximizes battery life
• Detect the battery type, select the best charging strategy
• Method 0 △ V and - △ V Precise control of the timing for the interruption of recharging of Ni-MH / Ni-CD batteries
• 3A / 2A / 1A / 0.5A / 0.25A for manual adjustment
• The VA LCD screen shows the charging status in real time
Specifications:
Model: VC8 Plus
Input: QC3.0 (5V-3A / 9V-2A), DC 12V-3A
Constant current: 3Ax1 / 2Ax2 / 1Ax4 / 1Ax8 / 0.5Ax4
Automatic charge cut-off (Voltage): 4.2 ± 0.05V / 1.45 ± 0.1V
Automatic charge cut-off (Amperage): ≤150mA
Temperature of use: 0-40 ° C
Dimensions: Length 194mm x Width 137mm x Height 34mm
Weight: 370 grams
Compatible with batteries:
3.6V / 3.7V Li-ion / IMR / INR / ICR:
10440 14500 14650 16340 17335 17500 17670 18350 18490 18500 18650 18700 20700 21700 22650 25500 26650.
Ni-MH / Ni-CD 1.2V:
AAAA / AAA / AA / A / SC / C
Note: Can charge protected 20700/21700 batteries.
The packaging:
The XTAR VC8 Plus arrived in the classic white cardboard package. On the four sides of the box, the main features that distinguish the new battery charger are highlighted, in 5 European languages including Italian, such as the main functions and compatibility on the type of batteries that can be charged.
Open the box we find battery chargers and accessories inside a transparent plastic blister.
Inside there are:
- XTAR VC8 Plus
- DC mains power supply
- Manual
Unfortunately there is no USB-C cable even if it is now easy to find.
The plate data of the electric power supply:
XTAR VC8 Plus just turned on.
XTAR VC8 Plus is the updated version of the previous VC8 to which it adds, in particular, the DC power input with the ability to charge 8 batteries in 21700 format at 1A each.
VC8 Plus is multifunctional with 8 slots (divided into two groups) where you can charge 3.6V / 3.7V Li-ion / IMR / INR / ICR batteries and 1.2V Ni-MH / Ni-CD batteries.
VC8 Plus supports QC3.0 fast charging and supplies a maximum of 3A of current to a single slot. It has five optional charging currents (3A / 2A / 1A / 0.5A / 0.25A), it also has capacity classification (Grad.) And storage (Store) functions. The LCD screen displays complete information on charging in real time.
How it's done.
XTAR VC8 Plus is built with fireproof ABS materials to extend the life of the battery charger and ensure better safety. The built-in real-time temperature control protection system makes the battery charging process more stable. The slides and springs are well made without jams allowing a good insertion of the battery to be recharged or tested. The lettering on the charger is printed for a longer life.
XTAR VC8 Plus has multiple protections that ensure safe charging. It has over-current, over-charge, over-voltage and short-circuit protection, combined with XTAR's soft start function, makes the end-of-charge voltage accuracy up to ± 1%. The charger automatically stops charging after the batteries are fully charged.
In the VC8 Plus there are two LCD displays, on the left and on the right. Below the two displays we find two keys:
On the left Mode and Curr. (slot from CH1 (Channel 1) to CH4)
Right Disp. and Curr. (slot from CH5 to CH8).
At the rear we have the USB-C and DC (12V) inputs to power the battery charger. The package includes the power supply but not the USB-C cable.
N.B. I was unable to power it with a USB-C to USB-C cable.
Below we find 9 rubber feet that slightly raise the VC8 Plus and give stability while avoiding slipping. The plate data of the battery charger are then shown.
Above the displays we find printed the writings of the slots from CH1 to CH8 and inside each slot the drawing of the battery with the two poles + and -. Slot "CH1" and "CH8" are labeled "MAX 3.0A" as they have a current setting of 3A.
Features and operation of the XTAR VC8 Plus:
On the VC8 Plus the OAV and -AV method precisely controls the timing for the interruption of recharging of Ni-MH / Ni-CD batteries.
Based on the charging characteristics of Ni-MH / Ni-CD batteries, VC8 Plus applies high-precision MCU (MicroController Unit) and controls the perfect timing for charge interruption with the OAV (0 Delta Voltage) and -AV method (Minus Delta Voltage), to provide maximum power while maximizing battery life.
The specially designed TC-CC-CV charging method charges the batteries safely and efficiently. The battery charger uses holding current (TC) to "wake up" and protect the batteries when the battery voltage is very low. After the voltage becomes normal, the battery charger starts charging at constant current (DC) and the charging speed is guaranteed with a high current. When the battery is almost fully charged, the charger starts constant voltage (CV) charging to ensure that the battery is fully charged and less damaged.
Turn on / off the backlit screen
The display goes dark after one minute of use. Long press "Curr." to turn off the backlight and any operation to turn it on.
OV battery activation function
By inserting the batteries, the device detects and activates them automatically. The batteries that cannot be activated will be considered as "broken batteries" and the message "Err" will appear on the monitor.
Once the power supply is connected and the battery or batteries to be charged are inserted, the VC8 Plus automatically identifies the battery type, along with the battery resistance and input power, to select the most suitable charging method, so that users do not they have to select it manually.
The display shows, in real time, some battery data such as the battery voltage, the battery type and the amount of "mA" that the battery is receiving as well as the progress of the charge.
Slots CH1 to CH8 support the cell charging function. In addition, slots CH1 to CH4 have two other advanced functions; the evaluation function and the storage function.
All channels, 1-4 (left half of the magazine) and 5-8 (right half of the magazine), always perform the same function as they are not managed independently.
CH1-CH8 Slot.
1 - By pressing the "Mode" / "Disp." we are going to vary the display in Cur (current), Cap (capacity) and IR (internal resistance).
Cur (current): Displays the charging current in mA.
Cap: (capacity): Displays the mAh loaded in the cell.
IR (internal resistance): Displays the internal resistance of the cell (milliohm).
Note. If the battery is fully charged, the charger will not be able to measure the internal resistance. The same is true even when the input current is less than 700 mA.
2 - By pressing the "Curr." we are going to change the charging current to 3A / 2A / 1A / 0.5A / 0.25A respectively. The charge current value will return to the initial one in a cyclic manner.
Each press of "Curr" will decrease the mA to the next level, until it returns to the highest amount.
At the end of charging, the display shows the writing FULL alternating with the charging current which is 0000 mA.
CH1-CH4 Slot.
Long press the "Mode" button to toggle the functions between charging mode ("Cur."), Evaluation mode ("Grad.") And storage mode ("Store").
Grad (Grading Mode) - The battery charger can test the real capacity of the cell through its grading function. With this function, the battery is fully charged, discharged and then fully recharged.
This function can help to know if the cell capacity is overrated or not as well as to distinguish the batteries that are still good from those that are not good.
When the evaluation is complete, the screen will show "DONE" and the battery capacity found.
Store (Storing Mode) - In case of storage of the cell or in case of long inactivity, VC8 Plus has a storage function to charge / discharge the batteries at their nominal voltage in order to maximize the life of the cell. At the end of the memorization process, the LCD screen shows "donE" and, depending on the chemistry of the battery, 3.7V or 1.2V.
Note. In storage mode, VC8 Plus can be used to charge LiFePO4 batteries.
The storage test was done on a 3500 mAh Li-ion battery in 18650 XTAR format.
Test and Conclusions.
I did some tests to test the XTAR VC9 Plus with lithium and Ni-MH batteries.
Starting from the most performing Li-ion 21700, 26650 and 18650, the charger behaved discreetly by charging the batteries up to 4.20V (4.19V on the multimeter).
The charging current specifications (3Ax1 / 2Ax2 / 1Ax4 / 1Ax8 / 0.5Ax4) have been successfully tested including that of the 3Ax1 tested on an Efest 26650.
I have successfully tried to charge 8 batteries in 21700 format in the XTAR VC8 Plus to test the charge of 1A per slot. With a bit of care I was able to charge an Olight brand 21700 battery with the plastic protection on the positive as well.
The charging current value of 1A is set by the charger if the battery voltage is higher than 3V.
While charging the 8 batteries in 21700 format, the VC8Plus has always heated little without reaching high temperatures.
Some care must be taken when charging Ni-MH batteries. If the set current value is high, it is easy for the same value to be attributed to the recharging of small AA / AAA.
In conclusion, I liked the XTAR VC8 Plus. It is a performing and versatile charger that allows the recharging of Li-ion and Ni-MH batteries, the ones most used by those who use flashlights. VC8 Plus is built with good materials and has some interesting features such as storage (Store), evaluation (Grad.) And reactivation of the batteries at 0V.
Eight charging slots seem like a lot but are actually a great convenience on certain occasions.
Thank you for reading the review.
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