Xtar VC4 has no Xtar Authentic Sticker on the Bottom?

[klrman]

Just got my Xtar VC4 from amazon prime and noticed no sticker on the bottom that Xtar uses to make sure it is not a fake. Is this normal? I was looking at a youtube video on the VC4 and near the end, he pointed that the bottom of the VC4 must have that sticker. It's at 12:24 on the youtube vid where he shows the sticker. VC4 youtube video

On another note, I just got my panasonic 3400 mah 18650, 3.7 volt batteries and when I put them in the VC4, it displays 4.0V and the both batteries were at 13 mah. When charging, it started off at 3.8V and 13 mah and now about an hour later each of the two batteries is displaying 4.0V and 700 mah Little confused about that

[klrman]

Hi, yes, there is a sticker on the warranty card thanks! I should have looked for that first, sorry about that and thank you for standing behind your product and taking the time to reply, it is appreciated

[klrman]

Just one more question please. Batteries are now at 1400 mah and now charging at the max 4.2V. Is that still safe considering they are only 3.7 volt batteries?

[everydaysurvivalgear]

Yes the nominal voltage is 3.7 volts. The full charge voltage is 4.2 volts and the max discharge is about 3 volts.

[hank]

HKJ describes what you should be seeing as the cell(s) charge, see his review

Test/Review of Charger Xtar VC4

Charger Xtar VC4 [image] [image] [image] Xtar makes many LiIon chargers, this is a usb powered quad channel charger with display. The charger can charge with up to 1A for two channels or 0.5A for four channels, actual current depends on slots used and available usb power. It supports both NiMH and LiIon cells. [image] [image] [image] [image] I got the charger in a cardboard box with the specifications printed on it. [image] Inside the box is a fabric bag with the charger in,…

It will seem like a lot to read, but it’s all the info you need to understand how the charger is working.

Note how the charts show the voltage rising to 4.2v and eventually shutting off.

The mAh number is, I think, a rough estimate of how much has been put into the cell (you did not start from zero, but from some low charged level)

[klrman]

@everydaysurvivalgear

Yes the nominal voltage is 3.7 volts. The full charge voltage is 4.2 volts and the max discharge is about 3 volts.

Thanks! First time charging lithium batteries am being a little careful.

[klrman]

@hank

HKJ describes what you should be seeing as the cell(s) charge, see his review Test/Review of Charger Xtar VC4 It will seem like a lot to read, but it’s all the info you need to understand how the charger is working. Note how the charts show the voltage rising to 4.2v and eventually shutting off. The mAh number is, I think, a rough estimate of how much has been put into the cell (you did not start from zero, but from some low charged level)

Again, thanks! Will read it all as this is my first time with lithium batteries. These protected panasonics started at only 13 mah when I put them in the charger, so it was very low.

[klrman]

@xtarflashlight

Hi, it’s normal. The battery you use is 18650 3.7V battery and has a capacity of 3400mAh. 1400mAh is the capacity that is being charged into the battery and when the batteries are fully charged, they will reach at 4.2V. !http://www.xtar.cc/imageRepository/69e08d06-4ad1-437c-8b4a-4b039c436868.jpg! And you can also learn more about “XTAR VC4 here.”:http://www.xtar.cc/products_detail/productId=64.html Thanks.

Hi, the one battery says "full" now and VC4 displays 1800mAh on it. When I put it into the charger, it was only 13mAh. Could they be fake Panasonics as they are supposed to be 3400mAh?

[hank]

this is my first time with lithium batteries.

You know to never leave the charger unattended, and when not to inhale, right?

There’s a li-ion thread here with more detail on precautions to take, especially if you’re using any li-ion charger indoors in a home with family members.

Or, of course, there are those who will remind you that the odds are in your favor and you’re probably lucky.

[Flashy_Mike]

@klrman

Hi, the one battery says  “full” now and VC4 displays 1800mAh on it. When I put it into the charger, it was only 13mAh. Could they be fake Panasonics as they are supposed to be 3400mAh?

Your cell was still about half full before charging and only the missing energy (1800mAh) had to be charged. That’s how it works.

[iron_potato]

New battery will not arrive with 0% charge, it will have partial charge in it, it is normal you see a charge of approx. 1800mA

A fully discharged NCR18650B is 2.5Volts, but it is not recommend to fully discharge Li-Ion battery,

furthermore the protection chip will cut off any further usage at approx. 3V, so there will always be some charge in it when you charge it again.

[hIKARInoob]

P.S. Quite impressed with Xtar’s involvement; kudos!

[klrman]

@xtarflashlight

Hi, the VC4 shows the battery mah that is being charged into the batteries. Not the real-time battery capacity. Normally, the battery voltage will drops because of the battery internal resistance when you put the battery out of the charger and if you put it into VC4 again, it will charge at a very low current to to make sure it reaches 4.2V again.And that’s how 13mAh came. Here is the instruction of how to test the real battery capacity: !http://www.xtar.cc/imageRepository/ced49730-e5df-484f-a942-4a1d75a75958.jpg! Hope i can make myself understood and if you have any questions, you are welcome to ask at anytime. Thanks.

Very helpful, thank you again! I got it now.

[klrman]

@hIKARInoob

P.S. Quite impressed with Xtar’s involvement; kudos!

Me too. Really helpful for a noob like me. I'm going to do a lot of reading now to get up to speed on lithium batteries.

[klrman]

@hank

this is my first time with lithium batteries.

You know to never leave the charger unattended, and when not to inhale, right? There’s a li-ion thread here with more detail on precautions to take, especially if you’re using any li-ion charger indoors in a home with family members. Or, of course, there are those who will remind you that the odds are in your favor and you’re probably lucky.

Did not know that, but for safety I was always near the charger and regularly making sure the batteries were not getting hot. I did use it indoors and know nothing about "when not to inhale" but I'll search for that thread now thanks!

[klrman]

@Flashy Mike

@klrman

Hi, the one battery says “full” now and VC4 displays 1800mAh on it. When I put it into the charger, it was only 13mAh. Could they be fake Panasonics as they are supposed to be 3400mAh?

Your cell was still about half full before charging and only the missing energy (1800mAh) had to be charged. That’s how it works.

Makes sense now thank you. Of course I should have done more reading right from the beginning but I was kind of excited when I got my new batteries and right away wanted to charge them!

[hank]

> safety
Here’s one good summary: Is my battery collection stored safely? - #45 by SawMaster
post dated: 10/03/2016 - 16:37 #45 by SawMaster

[klrman]

Thanks Hank!