Anyone know of this charger?

[Method69uk]

www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002741/1311002-soshine-sc-s2-42v-dual-channel-18650-li-ion-batter

I originally ordered a Nitecore i4 from Fasttech in October which never arrived. I was given store credit and have now seen this on their site.

It seems to charge faster from what I can gather, but has anyone had any knowledge or used one of these?

Steve

[Brambles]

Method69uk, Have a look here for a test report lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Soshine%20SC-S2%20UK.html

It seems to be saying it is a good charger but slow, as up to 3.72 volts only charges at 180mA. Even if this has been sorted in newer ones it is likely it is still a soft charge to start with. You only get the full charge at the end of charging. Whilst this is common for most chargers they do charge at a higher rate at lower voltages. You may find even though the nitecore charges at lower current rating it is actually faster overall. Slower charging does prolong the life of your batteries. I have an Xtar wp2 II and often switch it to the lower 0.5amp setting rather than 1 Amp. On the site linked above, he has also tested the Nightcore
Hope this is of some use to you making a decision.

[Brambles]

Further to above, I note it is a US plug, only use decent quality US plug fused adapters and not cheap ones bought from china. Same if using Euro round pin plugs..use BS approved adapters which are fused.

[Method69uk]

Jan 21, 2014 1:22:18 GMT Brambles said:

Method69uk, Have a look here for a test report lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Soshine%20SC-S2%20UK.html

It seems to be saying it is a good charger but slow, as up to 3.72 volts only charges at 180mA. Even if this has been sorted in newer ones it is likely it is still a soft charge to start with. You only get the full charge at the end of charging. Whilst this is common for most chargers they do charge at a higher rate at lower voltages. You may find even though the nitecore charges at lower current rating it is actually faster overall. Slower charging does prolong the life of your batteries. I have an Xtar wp2 II and often switch it to the lower 0.5amp setting rather than 1 Amp. On the site linked above, he has also tested the Nightcore
Hope this is of some use to you making a decision.

Cheers Brambles, very helpful

How do you find your Xtar charger? What sort of times for charging an 18650? (on average)

[Brambles]

Its about 3 to 4 hours for a 2250mah and nearer the 4 to 4.5 hours for a 2600. It does depend how flat they are, if I take off an ecig mod at about 3.7 volts they charge in a couple of hours. The charge between 3.2 to 3.6 seems to take just as long as 3.7 to 4.2 volts. If I set to 0.5 Amps it takes ages to charge, probably around 5 hours. I never really pay that much attention so is very much a guestimate. The Xtar wp2 II is good as also can be powered from 12 volts in the car ( so can the nitecore if you have the lead).
I intend to get a backup charger and the one I am going to get is the Nitecore i4, think its ma charge rate is 700mA so an nice compromise. The i2 is 500mA.
If my charger fails before I get a backup, then I do have a method using mods and an ego charger, however I would buy another Xtar WP2II on Ebay as there is a big seller with a good prices not much more than getting from china. Not going to buy from china just to save a £ or two on a charger. However the I4 is a lot cheaper from china.

Hope this above makes sense..its late and I am way past my bedtime...been working on a model I am making and eyes are starting to go funny. Catch up in morning.

[VapingBad]

Xtar WP2 is excellent, it can charge at 1 Amp, so among the faster chargers out there. Good review here, many other chargers also reviewed at the lygte site. review WP2 II

[Roger]

I've got one of those Soshine chargers, as well as a WP2II and a Nitecore I4. The I4 is my favourite charger as it will do all types of batteries without having to use spacers. The WP2II is also good and I always charge at 500ma as I have always preferred a slower charge as mentioned above.

The Soshine is OK, but charges at 1amp, no choice. The batteries get very warm compared to the WP2 and i4. I keep it as an emergency backup charger, the battery temp is a bit worrying at times

I personally would go for a WP2II or an I4.

[DiscoDes]

The Soshine does not do the smaller batteries like the 18350 which makes it a bit limited IMO

[andy01424]

Jan 21, 2014 0:51:57 GMT Method69uk said:

www.fasttech.com/products/0/10002741/1311002-soshine-sc-s2-42v-dual-channel-18650-li-ion-batter

I originally ordered a Nitecore i4 from Fasttech in October which never arrived. I was given store credit and have now seen this on their site.

It seems to charge faster from what I can gather, but has anyone had any knowledge or used one of these?

Steve

Seen similar before like this one but this is 4 bay---there trust fire chargers
www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Trustfire-TR-003-4CH-14500-16340-18650-Battery-Charger-/110719948908?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item19c76c586c

Spend the extra £6.50 get a 4i nitecore, they charge nicads as well as lithium,so any other household rechargables it will charge so all in one charger

www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NiteCore-i4-Universal-Intellicharge-Battery-Charger-CR123A-26650-18650-AA-AAA-UK-/321300258242?pt=UK_Sound_Vision_Battery_Chargers&hash=item4acefcddc2
£16.99 +£1.99 post

[Blownupdolly]

I got a nitecore i4 from Sadie last night. So far I love it. It certainly charges the batteries up much quicker than the old cheap one we had.

[Roscopecotrain]

Jan 22, 2014 10:25:13 GMT Blownupdolly said:

I got a nitecore i4 from Sadie last night. So far I love it. It certainly charges the batteries up much quicker than the old cheap one we had.

Had my i4 for nearly 8 months now and has not missed a beat. Well worth the money imo.

Sent from my Galaxy Note 2

[Method69uk]

Thanks all - I will stick with the original idea of a Nitecore i4