Quick battery charging question..

[mannyer]

So, all you sexy and handsome people, please can you answer this for me.

I understand the principle of marrying batteries, charging and using batteries in specific pairs etc etc.

So my question is this (and it may sound stupid but I ask stupid questions to make sure I'm thinking the right answer).

If I was to buy a 4 bay charger for 18650's, can I assume use of said batteries as 2 (continuous) pairs? Also, as apposed to 2 continuous pairs, use the batteries as one pair and then two singles.

For example I have an eleaf 100 which uses 2 batteries, tugboat mod which is one, subox mini which is 1 and an aspire pegasus which is also one. I do also intend to make a box mech mod at some point if I don't buy one first

Now I know 3 of the above mentioned have usb pass through charging of course. But I'm thinking of pre charging for spare batteries and also not having to plug 3 machines at once

Please clarify my simple little mind of doubt so I can give myself a gold star!

[tim]

Nov 2, 2015 21:33:40 GMT mannyer said:

So, all you sexy and handsome people, please can you answer this for me.

I understand the principle of marrying batteries, charging and using batteries in specific pairs etc etc.

So my question is this (and it may sound stupid but I ask stupid questions to make sure I'm thinking the right answer).

If I was to buy a 4 bay charger for 18650's, can I assume use of said batteries as 2 (continuous) pairs? Also, as apposed to 2 continuous pairs, use the batteries as one pair and then two singles.

For example I have an eleaf 100 which uses 2 batteries, tugboat mod which is one, subox mini which is 1 and an aspire pegasus which is also one. I do also intend to make a box mech mod at some point if I don't buy one first

Now I know 3 of the above mentioned have usb pass through charging of course. But I'm thinking of pre charging for spare batteries and also not having to plug 3 machines at once

Please clarify my simple little mind of doubt so I can give myself a gold star!

The safe rule is, keep "in series" as pairs, and never use them in single mods. This is to do with them being charged equally, so they hold the same amount of charge at any given *discharge* point. All batteries degrade, and you want a pair of cells in equal condition to each other, or one suffers strain (works harder). Also, you need a balanced charger if charging externally. This goes for any multiple cell set-ups.

[mannyer]

Nov 2, 2015 22:10:17 GMT tim said:

Nov 2, 2015 21:33:40 GMT mannyer said:

So, all you sexy and handsome people, please can you answer this for me.

I understand the principle of marrying batteries, charging and using batteries in specific pairs etc etc.

So my question is this (and it may sound stupid but I ask stupid questions to make sure I'm thinking the right answer).

If I was to buy a 4 bay charger for 18650's, can I assume use of said batteries as 2 (continuous) pairs? Also, as apposed to 2 continuous pairs, use the batteries as one pair and then two singles.

For example I have an eleaf 100 which uses 2 batteries, tugboat mod which is one, subox mini which is 1 and an aspire pegasus which is also one. I do also intend to make a box mech mod at some point if I don't buy one first

Now I know 3 of the above mentioned have usb pass through charging of course. But I'm thinking of pre charging for spare batteries and also not having to plug 3 machines at once

Please clarify my simple little mind of doubt so I can give myself a gold star!

The safe rule is, keep "in series" as pairs, and never use them in single mods. This is to do with them being charged equally, so they hold the same amount of charge at any given *discharge* point. All batteries degrade, and you want a pair of cells in equal condition to each other, or one suffers strain (works harder). Also, you need a balanced charger if charging externally. This goes for any multiple cell set-ups.

Indeed
I understand that but then can I use a 4 bay charger to charge a parallel married pair and a series married pair at the same time for instance

[tim]

Nov 2, 2015 22:16:02 GMT mannyer said:

Nov 2, 2015 22:10:17 GMT tim said:

The safe rule is, keep "in series" as pairs, and never use them in single mods. This is to do with them being charged equally, so they hold the same amount of charge at any given *discharge* point. All batteries degrade, and you want a pair of cells in equal condition to each other, or one suffers strain (works harder). Also, you need a balanced charger if charging externally. This goes for any multiple cell set-ups.

Indeed
I understand that but then can I use a 4 bay charger to charge a parallel married pair and a series married pair at the same time for instance

If the charger is a "balanced" charger, then yes. But, 4 bay chargers generally have two bays of two, so keep them on the same side, ie 1&2, or 3&4.

[mannyer]

Nov 2, 2015 22:46:52 GMT tim said:

Nov 2, 2015 22:16:02 GMT mannyer said:

Indeed
I understand that but then can I use a 4 bay charger to charge a parallel married pair and a series married pair at the same time for instance

If the charger is a "balanced" charger, then yes. But, 4 bay chargers generally have two bays of two, so keep them on the same side, ie 1&2, or 3&4.

Wicked
So, throwing more spanners in the works, charging 4 batteries where 2 are a pair and 2 are singles?
Basically I'm trying to decide is it a better option to buy a 4 bay or a 2 bay

[dagl]

Buy a 4 bay charger, there'll be times when you'll want to use all bays. If you only have 2 bays available there's a temptation to leave your charger unattended whilst you charge.
Further sound advice here

[thatguy]

As long as you are fully charging cells and not partial charging them it shouldn't matter. There can be differences between chargers of the same models or even charging channels on a single charger due to tolerances on components (most consumer electronic products use 5% 10% or even 20% tolerance resistors for example)

To be extra safe charge paired cells on the same channel of the same charger (you can use different channels or chargers for each charge, but keep them paired). I personally don't think this is required though since any decent manufacturer will ensure that charge cutoff is accurate enough.

Your question essentially boils down to one factor, speed vs capacity.

Many 4 bay chargers actually charge slower if 3 or 4 cells are charged at once. For example, the nitecore i4 and d4 charge at 750mA for one or two cells, or 375mA when 4 cells are charged. What is more important to you? Charging 4 cells at once, or two cells faster. I routinely use a 4 bay charger at home, but a 2 bay at work since I want faster charges at work but the convenience of not swapping out so often at home.

The two most important practices for paired cells are:
1. only use them as a pair to ensure paired charge state and wear due to charge cycles
2. Alternate the cells in your mod as the wear on the first and second cell may be different.

[Bluefish]

Nov 2, 2015 22:46:52 GMT tim said:

Nov 2, 2015 22:16:02 GMT mannyer said:

Indeed
I understand that but then can I use a 4 bay charger to charge a parallel married pair and a series married pair at the same time for instance

If the charger is a "balanced" charger, then yes. But, 4 bay chargers generally have two bays of two, so keep them on the same side, ie 1&2, or 3&4.

Some 4 bay chargers, charge 1 and 3 and 2 and 4 as pairs.

[tim]

Nov 5, 2015 20:49:53 GMT Bluefish said:

Nov 2, 2015 22:46:52 GMT tim said:

If the charger is a "balanced" charger, then yes. But, 4 bay chargers generally have two bays of two, so keep them on the same side, ie 1&2, or 3&4.

Some 4 bay chargers, charge 1 and 3 and 2 and 4 as pairs.

Ye, I know. I was just giving an example.

Pedant 

[Bluefish]

Soz tim

[sydsut]

Even more pedantic li'l ole me. My Xtar VP4 has them paired as 1 & 4 and 2 & 3. Can do up to 1Amp on 1 & 4 but only up to 0.5Amp on 3 & 4. But if all 4 are in use can only go to 0.5Amp.