Charger Nitecore Intellicharger new i2 2016, updated version
The i2 charger gets an update once in a while, this time with support for multiple chemistries, higher charge current and larger cells. The design it also updated. First test I did on this charger failed, Nitecore changed some details and have sent a new one to me. I hope this fixes all the problems with the charger.
The review will be based on the failed review, but with new tests and adjusted remarks.
The cardboard box lists lot of specifications, battery types and features.
The box contains the charger, a mains cable, manual and a warranty card.
The charger has two power connectors, one for mains input (100-240VAC 50/60Hz) and one for 12 VDC input.
The user interface has changed completely, now it has buttons and the leds are place behind a dark cover.
It has the usual 3 status leds, this time in green and a red led to signal full current (1A). The status led also has a secondary function, they are used as indicators for selected voltage.
The charger is a bit special with current selection, usual it will select current depending on battery length and chemistry, but it can be overridden in one case: Two long LiIon batteries can be charged at 1A, but then they will be charged in sequence, not simultaneously.
To change voltage or current the button above that slot must be pressed shortly, next hold the C or V button down to select (Look at leds) and release when the correct value is shown. Press again shortly on the button above the slot or wait for timeout.
The slots uses the usual construction and works well. They can handle batteries from 27mm to 71mm long.
Notice the long bar at the plus end, due to this the charger can handle anything up to D or 32xxx size.
The charger can easily handle 70 mm long batteries, inclusive flat top cells.
Measurements
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Power consumption when idle is 0.25 watt
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Will charge a LiIon with 0.15mA when charging is finished.
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Will discharge a NiMH with 0.55mA when not powered
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Will discharge a LiIon with 0.1mA when not powered
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Change between long/short cell at around 58mm
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Below 1V the charger will report error (All leds flashing) and charge with about 1mA.
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Above 1V regular charging is used.
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Will assume LiIon above 2.0V
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Charger will not restart if battery voltage drops.
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Power cycling and insertion of a battery will restart charging.
4.2V LiIon charging
The charger uses a CC/CV charge curve with 200mA termination current. The termination current is a bit high.
The second slot looks the same.
There is no problems with different batteries.
Except old batteries are charged to a slightly lower voltage due to the high termination current.
The high termination current is also used when charging at 0.5A, this means the small cells will not be fully charged.
With two cells the charger reduces the charger current to 0.5A.
This means it only need about 0.5A from an external power supply.
M1: 36,3°C, M2: 36,5°C, M3: 49,7°C, M4: 41,8°C, HS1: 64,0°C
M1: 35,2°C, M2: 35,4°C, M3: 40,6°C, HS1: 68,4°C
The charger starts very fast. It turns current off to measure voltage.
3.6V LiIon charging (LiFePO4)
The LiFePO4 cells are charged fine, but the voltage is a bit on the high side.
4.35V LiIon charging
The 4.35V charging also works fine.
NiMH charging
The NiMH charge curve is a nice -dv/dt charge curve.
And the same on the other channel.
The 3 high capacity cells are also charged perfectly, even the old XX cell.
No problem with the AAA cell.
With -dv/dt termination it takes some time to detect a full cell.
Two cells are charged with 0.5A.
This requires about 300mA from 12V.
M1: 40,6°C, M2: 40,4°C, M3: 40,2°C, M4: 46,6°C, HS1: 61,8°C
The charger is also fast to start with NiMH batteries.
Testing with 2830 volt and 4242 volt between mains and low volt side, did not show any safety problems.
Conclusion
The update to the charger made it much better.
For 18650/26650 it will be a good charger, but for the smaller cells it is only acceptable due to the high termination current.
For NiMH it is a good charger, it terminated fine on all the tested cells.
The charger is not the fastest charger around, but it get the job done.
Notes
The charger was supplied by a Nitecore for review.
2014 version, Review of old i2 (V2)
Here is an explanation on how I did the above charge curves: How do I test a charger