Chargers your options please

[B Road Blaster]

So after a fun filled night of TV and J.D i spilt some drink into my charger 
Not the best thing to do i know but it is dried out and still working ( ATM) 
now this got me thinking that i best get a new one and also it would be useful to have one as a backup in any case.

Now the one i have is a xstar sp2   2A max which i like and tbh i normally run at 1A 
BUT 
I could use a 4 bay charger at times but most seem to only run at 1A if more that 2 sleds are used at once 
i would like too have the option to run at 2A if needs be.

The only 4 bay one i found that runs at 2A seems to "self set" the rate of charge i am not keen on that TBH, 
I have found a couple of 2 bay charges that will run 2A in both sleds ( the rocket from xstar)
Or one that will charge at 4.1A sounds good but will that kill my batteries ? not that i will 
use that option but could be useful in a emergency recharge. 

Any ideas for a good quick 4 bay charger or am i better od using two  two bay ones ?? 
advice please.

Oh and has anybody used the xstar PB2S a charger that can also be used as a power bank again doubt if 
i would use this option but could be a useful option to have.

So confused as what to get lol lol 

[VapingBad]

For the high current batteries we use 2 A charging is kinder to your batteries that 1 A charging because it shortens the time of the chemical reactions, 4 A you would have to check the battery specs I suspect there maybe a few 20/21 series that would handle it. Until recently I used 2 xtar SP2s always at 2 A, but put an old 80 mm computer fan on them cooling the batteries while they charge, heat is not great for them. But most of the heat comes from converting 12 V to around 4 V and not the charging it's self, you easily prove this to yourself by connecting the batteries by wire on the same charger and charging.

I bought 2 xtar SC1 chargers form Frogstar for £4 each to use for travelling recently, they are 2 A and run from a standard 2 A USB supply and I always take a USB supply with 6 outlets that can do that and a shout mains leas with that countries plug. Because these run off 5 V they generate far less heat than my SP2s and I don't feel the need to run a fan to cool the batteries. So I bought another 2 on a Frogstar Friday £9.59 and run all 4 as my everyday charging set up, I still have 2 SP2 so could charge 8 batteries in a hour and a half if I need to. The SC1 is my new favourite; no bells or whistles just good honest fast chargers, though they do have a 4 led indicator to indicate how far into the charge cycle they are, but no current selection etc.

The PB2S caught my eye, but they are too large, the powerbank functionality IIRC didn't manage 18 W QC3 or do PD and are a lot more money. But, I do have 3 power banks that will both output and charge at 18 W and a few that will run off 18650 so really don't need one of these anyway, plus charging my vape batteries is one of the most important thing I need a powerbank for.

[B Road Blaster]

Thanks Jon 3 or 4 single chargers would be a PITA for me (yes lazy and like just one bit of kit.
TBH i had never really given any thought to charging at 2A would be kinder on the batteries i always worked on the theory of slow and steady was better
but what you say makes sense to me.
The power bank was more of a Hmmm that may work idea and tbh its cheaper than the 2 bay chargers, But in
reality i doubt i would ever use it as a power bank as for a day out i just carry spare batteries or if on holls
we are in a hotel with a power supply anyway.

So looking like i will go for a 2 bay that will do 1A 2 A and 4.1A if needed
still looking for a 4bay that would do 2A across all 4 at once but think thats not going to happen
well i can but at over 100 quid thats a no go.

Thanks for your input it has given me a few ideas i never thought about.

*go's off for another look about*

[striker42]

I was looking at chargers a while back, and bought this www.torchy.co.uk/product/enook-e4-fast-usb-4-bay-li-ion-battery-charger/
I bought it from Jim having asked about the 2a charging across 4 bays. He said under test, the charging rate across 4 bays was 1.6a not 2a as advertised. He was knocking them out for a tenner, so at that price I gave it a go. It charged the cells quickly and worked flawlessly for 6 months then completely fell apart. It was worth a go for £10 but in my experience, I wouldn't recommend it. I use an Xstar SV2 rocket charger and a queen ant 6 bay. I've settled on the reliability of slower charging. 

[B Road Blaster]

Apr 11, 2020 18:27:36 GMT striker42 said:

I was looking at chargers a while back, and bought this www.torchy.co.uk/product/enook-e4-fast-usb-4-bay-li-ion-battery-charger/
I bought it from Jim having asked about the 2a charging across 4 bays. He said under test, the charging rate across 4 bays was 1.6a not 2a as advertised. He was knocking them out for a tenner, so at that price I gave it a go. It charged the cells quickly and worked flawlessly for 6 months then completely fell apart. It was worth a go for £10 but in my experience, I wouldn't recommend it. I use an Xstar SV2 rocket charger and a queen ant 6 bay. I've settled on the reliability of slower charging. 

Thanks for the heads up mate 
The rocket is 2A i believe 
I have gone for the xstar st2 which is basically the newer version of the rocket 
and with the right input will charge at 4A if needed.