help need new batt charger

[decoy]

Sept 3, 2014 7:32:42 GMT fred said:

Even if charging at 2a is safe, surely it will put a lot more stress on the battery than charging at 0.5a or 0.75a?

dripping at around .2 ohm sucks em dry faster than i can charge them 
tbh i know that fast charging kills batts but some times it can be ruddy handy(i very forgetful)

[fred]

Definitely 4 bay, then

[leo]

I got a d2 so I could keep my i2 at work, and I would have to stick a vote for the d2 in here. The extra info on the screen is really useful, it's a great little charger.
I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere that the i4 split it's charge between the 4 bays, so it's not actually charging 4 batteries quicker than swapping batts in an i2.
I don't know if the d4 is the same, but that's why I got the d2, plus it's cheaper.
If you can wait they are a good price on ft.

[fred]

Sept 3, 2014 8:09:38 GMT leo said:

I got a d2 so I could keep my i2 at work, and I would have to stick a vote for the d2 in here. The extra info on the screen is really useful, it's a great little charger.
I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere that the i4 split it's charge between the 4 bays, so it's not actually charging 4 batteries quicker than swapping batts in an i2.
I don't know if the d4 is the same, but that's why I got the d2, plus it's cheaper.
If you can wait they are a good price on ft.

i2 = 500ma per bay

i4 = 375ma per bay (using all 4)
i4 = 750ma per bay (when using 2 bays on different channels)

So the i4 will charge 2 batts quicker than an i2 if you put them in the correct slots 
And its only cheaper by a few quid (2 i2s cost a lot more than 1 i4)

[ronaldo]

There is no way that it would be safe to charge a battery at 2amps also it would kill the battery very quickly
put another way warm a dinner up in a microwave it heats up very quickly but have you ever noticed how quickly it cools down
doing it to batterys makes it loose it's charge very quickly and makes the battery come to the end of its life

[leo]

Sept 3, 2014 8:16:00 GMT fred said:

Sept 3, 2014 8:09:38 GMT leo said:

I got a d2 so I could keep my i2 at work, and I would have to stick a vote for the d2 in here. The extra info on the screen is really useful, it's a great little charger.
I'm sure I read on this forum somewhere that the i4 split it's charge between the 4 bays, so it's not actually charging 4 batteries quicker than swapping batts in an i2.
I don't know if the d4 is the same, but that's why I got the d2, plus it's cheaper.
If you can wait they are a good price on ft.

i2 = 500ma per bay

i4 = 375ma per bay (using all 4)
i4 = 750ma per bay (when using 2 bays on different channels)

So the i4 will charge 2 batts quicker than an i2 if you put them in the correct slots 
And its only cheaper by a few quid (2 i2s cost a lot more than 1 i4)

Good info, thanks fred.
The other reason I got the i2/d2 was because I've only got 2 batteries!!
Still, if I knew the i4 charged 2 batts quicker than an i2 I probably would have got one of those instead... that'll teach me to do a bit more research in future!

[VapingBad]

Its all about the heat generated by the chemical reaction inside the battery and I don't think charging a high drain like a VTC at 0.25 A would be good as you are putting it in a state of chemical flux for 3 or 7 times the time duration.

There are a few batteries that don't get too hot charging at 2 A, but you need to check the spec and leave a lot of head room. I charge my VTC4s at 2 A, they are rated at 4 A fast charge, they never got too hot to touch, the 6 I started on rotation in January have not suffered and show the same internal resistance & capacity within a few percent to the 4 I added to the rotation July. I also charge my Panasonic NCR18650B MH12210 IMR at 2 A, rated at 3.6 A fast charge, wont with my Panasonic CGR18605CH as they are rated at 2.15 A fast charge and it may shorten their life.

I had one of those LUC4 and it was terrible and I didn't fee safe using it, they seem very inconsistent having read lots of threads on the web. I have 2 Xtar SP2s, but I don't think you can get those any more.

[boyofford]

decoy Just re-read your post... surely you should be able to get some sort of warranty fix/replacement out of the vender...if bought in uk anyhow?

VapingBad I charge my vtc3s/5s at 0.5 amp usually assuming it was safer, sometimes at 1amp if in a rush...would I be better doing them at 1 or 2amp even then?

[Deleted]

I have 2 Xtar SP2s, got the latest one from torchy for £15 in mid June, he may still have some.

Torch direct have them showing in stock for £21.95

Like VapingBad I charge VTC4s and 5s at 2A, they barely get warm and only take 75 -90mins to charge plus they come off spot on 4.2v every time. Great charger.

Good to know that the NCR18650B is rated at 3.6A, I wasn't sure so charged at 1A same as my NCR18650PFs, I believe that's rated at 1.35A max charge

[VapingBad]

boyofford I can't give you a definitive answer, it would require testing many 10s of batteries long term with better equipment than I have, but 2 A does not seem to have significantly degraded my VTC4s over months of use, measuring the internal resistance the older ones are 0.037 ? and the newer are 0.029 ? (rated 0.013 IIRC) the real IR is lower, these are the calculated from measurement figures. #They get a little warmer than the CGRs do at 1 A, but still a lot cooler than washing up water. I feel safe charging them at 2 A, even if it shortened their lifespan by 5% (doubt it would be much more for VTCs, guess on my part) it makes my life much easier being able to charge 4 in 75 mins I fell its worth it. But most batteries can't take this level of charging, so always check the spec and regularly check your batteries health.

I calculated IR by the voltage sag on the Focal group buy Stingray and a really rubbish FT Heilo measuring 2 ? so the current would be around 2 A and I would have expected IR to have risen by more if anything in six months heavy use. The mod & atty accounts for a good part of the resistance, plus its impossible to press the switch exactly the same way each time. I used a very good and accurate DMM to measure the voltages via an adapter made of brass (Vivi Nova outside, solid brass M6 screw for the positive). I did this to check the health of my batteries and every one except the red Efest 18350s have lasted very well.

[decoy]

Exchanged no prob at all
now then i kneed a 4 bay charger lol

[Deleted]

2 x SP2s