Sofirn “MC1 looking” single slot li-ion charger feedback?

Barkuti · 2019-04-19T06:14:27.000Z

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/26650-18650-16340-14500-10400-Rechargeable-Battery-Universal-Charger-USB-Charger-for-battery/32806385679.html

It totally looks like the Xtar MC1, just the output current is different (0.75A).

Any feedback?

I stumbled upon it because of this Sofirn SP10A/B deal, smells really good.

Cheers

argi · 2019-04-24T03:57:51.000Z

I have one and they are all the same but with different brands. Also 0.75A. One year old and still good.

Barkuti · 2019-04-24T06:15:38.000Z

Thanks for chiming in argi. Bought a red SP10B plus charger and battery set for a relative, and a few hours later after ordering Cissy from Sofirn told me the old version was out of stock and if I wouldn't mind getting an SP10V2.0 with the newer interface at the same price. So pretty good thanks Sofirn. :THUMBS-UP:

Cheers :-)

d_t_a · 2019-04-26T10:14:17.000Z

It’s the same charger bundled by some Thorfire flashlights (except the Thorfire is labeled “Thorfire” and the Sofirn one is labeled “Li-poiy” charger).

I made a mention of it in the “review request” message thread…

I haven’t a way to measure the charging behavior. But it does have a high charge termination current (measured from the USB port, using EBD-USB+).

Also, it has some peculiarities (I’m not sure if the MC1 has similar peculiarities or not), namely:

- charger already plugged to USB power adapter: place a nearly-full battery (probably somewhere around 4.05-4.10v) into the charger, then the charger will not charge the battery (green indicator light)

charger already plugged to USB power adapter: place a not-so-full battery (somewhere below 4.0-4.05v), the charger will start charging the battery

- so if we want to fully-charge a nearly-full battery, what is needed is to unplug the charger from the USB power adapter first, place the nearly-full battery into the battery charger, and now lastly plug the battery charger into the USB power adapter. This will start charging the nearly full battery.

- however, if the battery to be charged is very nearly full (not sure what is the threshold, maybe 4.15+ v), then even doing the above will still not start charging, as the battery charger appears to deem that the battery is already nearly full.

- inserting a battery that is below 4.0v (whether the battery charger is first plugged into the USB power adapter, or not), will always initiate charging though.

Pardon the convoluted explanation…

Barkuti · 2019-04-26T11:50:19.000Z

Thanks d_t_a. To sum up, for topping off an already inserted battery which is deemed full by a powered on charger a power cycle is required. I can even see this as positive, particularly I am not a friend of the always fill to the brim philosophy.

:-)

MascaratumB · 2019-04-26T14:37:24.000Z

I have one and only use it in “emergency”.
The only thing I can give short feedback on is: last weekend I was using a 14500 in a flashlight. The light went off, I don’t know what voltage as I didn’t have a better charger around to check it, but I believe it would be around 3.0V or maybe less.

I put the battery (Efest IMR14500) to charge in it, after a couple of hours the indicator was green (I found it few time to charge it all, but I couldn’t measure).
I put the battery back in the light (with a 6A Led4power driver) and used it for some bursts on max.
Following day I check the voltage and was 4.21V.
So…I believe it charged above 4.2V in few time. This is not accurate data, but maybe it helps.
The adapter and the usb cable are not suited for fast charger. Just to mention.

BOMBAY · 2019-04-26T14:49:25.000Z

I got mine in the set along with the C8F, I do not use it because it ends charging at 4.35V

Barkuti · 2019-04-26T16:07:58.000Z

If the charger delivers 0.75A while in constant current phase it indeed has plenty of time to fill even the newer close to 1000mAh Vapcell rebadged 14500 in less than 1 hour and half even if fully depleted.

With regards to the possible charger over-voltage…