Want new 18650 charger, what has these features?

[boyofford]

Hi all,

At the moment I have a cheap and nasty charger that I trust as far as I can through it lol.

Want a new charger but with quite a few features.. not sure if exists though?

1. Ability to charge all 18### series batteries, either 2 or preferably 4.
2. Ability to charge AA/AAA batteries.
3. Independent charging.
4. Options for charge speed e.g 0.5amps, 1 amp etc, independently.. preferably automatic and manual switching.
5. A display that says how much volts are in each battery..useful to tell if battery is ok, and how long I've got too wait.
6. Good quality overcharge protection for safer charging and to lengthen battery life.
7. Ability to charge other devices via USB using the batteries in charger when not connected to mains... Though this is less import.

Think that's all.
I'm not gona say price is no problem but obviously not gona be cheap with all them features.

[Perpetua]

I've a Nitecore and a Xtar charger which work well for me, with all the sizes of batteries I use, except the 26650's.

Whether they've all of those features I wouldn't have a clue boyofford . . . Pila used to be the Rolls Royce of chargers, though there are probably other options as well now.

[Steve (VapeStorm)]

I use a nitecore i2 will take up to a 26650, or if you want 4 slots then get an i4

[mart166]

I've got a nitecore i4 it covers your points 1-3 & 6, it has a switch which I've never looked at which might cover 4, only shows charge by means of led bars and does not have usb output.
Been a good charger, had it nearly a year daily use on 18650 & 18350 and occasional "normal" rechargeables.

MP

[djs]

How important is the AA/AAA charging capability.

I only ask we use Energizer, Ansmann and eneloop batteries around here.... they all come with more or less a free charger if you buy the right bundle.

If you found a charger with all your criteria, would it necessarily charge NiMH?

[boyofford]

Was thinking about the nitecore, does mostly fit the bill.

Can't remember which charger I saw it on now but feature to see the actual volts would be a plus still though.

Have seen USB out on efest chargers, off camping in summer and Mrs is still on ego batteries, that's the only reason I was after it..... Could just get a single battery efest just for this purpose though.

[Griff]

boyofford would this Efest LUC charger be what your are looking for.

Just noticed that the above link has no stock, but Vape Gear do.

Griff

[boyofford]

Feb 15, 2014 18:26:16 GMT Griff said:

boyofford would this Efest LUC charger be what your are looking for.

Just noticed that the above link has no stock, but Vape Gear do.

Griff

Problem with that is doesn't charge AA/AAA batteries.
But ticks other boxes.
My kid is burning through them at the moment (hes two this week and everything needs batteries lol), 
Maybe the answer is to just get more than one charger!

[Karma]

Feb 15, 2014 18:26:16 GMT Griff said:

boyofford would this Efest LUC charger be what your are looking for.

Just noticed that the above link has no stock, but Vape Gear do.

Griff

I have that charger, i really like it.  Been using it daily for ages now

[a1laserboy]

i have the i4 - very happy with it, bays 1+3 and 2+4 are linked together just so you know. I went for that over the xstar as you don't have to mess with spacers.

If it comes with the car charger cable like mine, be prepared for about a 4 hour wait to charge an 18650. Also don't try to charge AA and 18xxx at the same time, even in different channels (just in case). And beware of flying batteries when they slip from your fingers as you are taking then off the charger, the spring is quite powerful

[boyofford]

Feb 15, 2014 18:15:45 GMT djs said:

How important is the AA/AAA charging capability.

I only ask we use Energizer, Ansmann and eneloop batteries around here.... they all come with more or less a free charger if you buy the right bundle.

If you found a charger with all your criteria, would it necessarily charge NiMH?

Missed your post.
Good point didn't think about about batteries coming with free charger.

Think I need to so more reading, though I've heard the term NiMH I don't really know which batteries they are!

[djs]

Feb 15, 2014 19:32:35 GMT boyofford said:

Missed your post.
Good point didn't think about about batteries coming with free charger.

Think I need to so more reading, though I've heard the term NiMH I don't really know which batteries they are!

It's up to you. All I thought was IF a good charger came up (for your 18650s) that didn't specify NiMH, then don't rule it out.

The most popular AAs in this house are the eneloops. They are unreal for lasting well in cameras and stuff. I have bought 2 bundles so far.
I don't know if the charger is next to nothing these days, it used to be.... (on Amazon??)

[Adam78]

I've got the Nitecore I4 but I think the "XTAR XP4" might have all of those features, except for #5 but you could just use a cheap multimeter for checking voltage.

The XTAR VP1 has a display which will tell you the voltage etc but only has 2 bays and I'm not sure if they're independent. You'd need a separate charger for NiMH too.

[Super-Shiny]

Fantastic charger: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221350874271?ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649

And top notch delivery

[300]

Feb 15, 2014 17:44:42 GMT boyofford said:

Hi all,

At the moment I have a cheap and nasty charger that I trust as far as I can through it lol.

Want a new charger but with quite a few features.. not sure if exists though?

1. Ability to charge all 18### series batteries, either 2 or preferably 4.
2. Ability to charge AA/AAA batteries.
3. Independent charging.
4. Options for charge speed e.g 0.5amps, 1 amp etc, independently.. preferably automatic and manual switching.
5. A display that says how much volts are in each battery..useful to tell if battery is ok, and how long I've got too wait.
6. Good quality overcharge protection for safer charging and to lengthen battery life.
7. Ability to charge other devices via USB using the batteries in charger when not connected to mains... Though this is less import.

Think that's all.
I'm not gona say price is no problem but obviously not gona be cheap with all them features.

You'll do well to get what you want all in one package, no recommendations i'm afraid but a few things to maybe look out for.

Make sure you choose something with CC/CV.

0.25 is better for small batteries.

Some voltage displays only read up to 4.2v so won't indicate overcharging even if that were the case.

Early model Efest Luc V4 & BIO V2 have a reputation for overcharging which is why revised models were released, make sure you get the latest one if this is your choice.

Some USB-out are only powered by battery & not mains, don't leave batteries in the bay/bays that power the USB-out as they will discharge, i'm not sure to what level over a period of time.

Some 4 bay chargers share current between bays in pairs, i think the I4 is 1+3 & 2+4, always charge small batteries in pairs as a single battery may be over it's recommended max charge current.

Apologies if you already knew all of the above & i'm no 'techno guru' so hope there's no mis-information here but not all chargers are created equal so it pays to do as much research as you can.

If i were you i'd get the best charger to suit your vaping gear then get some Sanyo eneloops with a charger thrown in like djs suggested, they're the best rechargeable AA on the market.

Good luck with your search.