Vapcell kindly sent the Vapcell BL4 Charger and Capacity Checker for review.
Vapcell BL4
Specifications
| Brand/model | Vapcell BL4 |
|---|---|
| Channels | 4 |
| Input | USB-C QC3 9V/2A |
| USB-A Output | DC 5V/1A |
| Charge current options (3.6V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4, 4.35V Li-ion) | 50mA, 100mA, 150mA, 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA, 1500mA, 2000mA, 2500mA, 3000mA |
| Charge current options (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd) | 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA, 1500mA, 2000mA |
| Charge current options (1.5V Li-ion) | Auto, 500mA |
| Discharge current options (3.6V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4, 4.35V Li-ion) | 100mA, 200mA, 300mA, 400mA, 500mA |
| Discharge current options (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd) | 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA |
| Battery diameter | 10 to 32mm |
| Battery length | 34 to 82mm |
| Review date | December 2024 |
| Battery Type | Maximum Current | Cut-Off Voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6V Li-ion | 1*3A, 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 4.20±1% |
| 1.2V Ni-MH | 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 1.48±1% |
| 3.2V LiFePO4 | 1*3A, 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 3.65±1% |
| 3.85V Li-ion | 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 4.35±1% |
| 1.5V Li-ion | 4*0.5A | 1.50±1% |
Introduction
The Vapcell BL4 is a four channel charger and capacity checker. It has Charge, Test, Storage, Discharge and Repair functions for 3.6V Li-ion, 1.2V Ni-MH, 3.2V LiFePO4 and 4.35V Li-ion battery types. And a Charge function for 1.5V Li-ion cells.
| Type | Charge | Test | Storage | Discharge | Repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6V Li-ion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3.2V LiFePO4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4.35V Li-ion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1.5V Li-ion | Yes | No | No | No | No |
The charge current can be configured from 50mA to 3000mA for 3.6V Li-ion cells.
It supports and 10440 to 32700 battery sizes.
Vapcell kindly sent this charger for review. I have not been paid for this review nor have I held back my opinions of this charger.
Packaging
The Vapcell BL4 comes in a Vapcell branded box with an image of the charger on the front and specifications on the back.
The summary of charge and discharge currents on the back of the box is a bit confusing. The user manual explains what can actually be selected while in Pro or Simple mode and when a particular battery type has been selected. E.g. A cell can be discharged at a rate of 1000mA if it is a Ni-MH cell. The discharge current limit is 500mA for a 3.6V Li-ion cell.
The following is included in the box:
- Vapcell BL4.
- USB-A to USB-C cable.
- User manual.
Charger in use
The Vapcell BL4 has four buttons and a switch for selecting Pro or Simple modes.
The display shows the realtime voltage, current, capacity (mAh), percentage, time, capacity (mWh) and the internal resistance.
The positive and negative terminals have notches.
The charger takes USB-C QC3 9V/2A input.
There are ventilation holes and rubber feet.
Battery compatibility
The following cells are supported:
| Battery Type | Sizes |
|---|---|
| 3.6V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4 | 10440, 14500, 16340, 16650, 176500, 18350, 18490, 18500, 18650, 20650, 20700, 21700, 22650, 26650, 26700, 26800, 32650, 32700 |
| 1.5V Li-ion, 1.2V Ni-MH | AAA, AA, A, SC, C, D |
I found that cells with slightly recessed tops work.
Dimensions and weight
Dimensions
I took the following measurements using a digital caliper.
| Measurement | Unit (mm) |
|---|---|
| Charger height | 42.2 |
| Charger width | 112.0 |
| Charger length | 170.3 |
| Shortest cell length | 34 |
| Longest cell length | 82 |
Weight
I took the following measurements using a digital scale.
| Weight | Unit (g) |
|---|---|
| Vapcell BL4 | 287 |
User interface
There are four buttons:
- Type (battery type)
- Mode (select Charge, Test, Storge, Discharge, Repair)
- Display (also an Enter button for confirming the charge current)
- Current (select the current or hold to turn the display backlight off)
And there is a switch on the side:
- Simple & Pro
I recommend reading the user manual. The buttons are very intuitive to use.
Tests
Room temperature: 21 C
I have measured the voltage, current and temperature of various 1.5V Li-ion, 1.2V Ni-MH and 3.6V Li-ion cells while charging them in a the Vapcell BL4.
The voltage was measured with a Zoyi ZT-300AB Digital Multimeter.
The temperature was measured with a Type K thermocouple.
The current was calculated by measuring the voltage across a shunt with another Zoyi ZT-300AB Digital Multimeter.
I have not calibrated my equipment so the accuracy could be slightly off.
Vapcell kindly provided some Vapcell N40 18650 4000mAh 10A CDR cells to test.
| Mode | Type | Function | Current | Cell | Top | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | 3.6V Li-ion | Charge | 3000mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Test | 500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Storage | -500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Storage | 500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Discharge | -500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Charge | 50-3000mA | Molicel P45B 21700 3.6V Li-ion 4500mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 1.5V Li-ion | Charge | Auto | XTAR AA 1.5V Li-ion 2500mAh | Button | Results |
| Simple | 1.2V Ni-MH | Charge | 1000mA | LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh | Button | Results |
| Pro | 1.2V Ni-MH | Discharge | -1000mA | LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh | Button | Results |
Atorch DL24 Discharge 3.6V Li-ion
Electronic load: Atorch DL24
Room temperature: 21 C
I discharged a Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh 10A CDR cell with an Atorch DL24 at a rate of 500mA to measure the capacity. The cut-off voltage was set to 2.5V.
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.199 |
| Finish Voltage | 2.824 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 14.3 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 4050 |
Powerbank
There is USB-A 5V/1A output for a powerbank feature.
I was able to charge phone with a 21700 3.6V Li-ion cell inserted.
Conclusion
My full review is here:
