18650 battery charger?

[BertStevens]

I'm acquiring more lights powered by 18650 batteries and would like to reduce the supplied single chargers to a multi charger. Anyone have a favorite battery charger they would like to recommend?

 

[muzikbiz22]

Nitecore D2 or D4.

 

[BertStevens]

In a different thread, I found this before posting my question. Thoughts?

I will NOT recommend those NitCore D4 chargers in general for two reasons:

1)they are slow charger. I think that D4 only charge at 500mA range. That means a typical 18650 with 2500mAh will take 5 hours to fully charge, way too slow. You can easily find 1500-2000mA charger these days.

2)If you use 26650, those D4 can only charge 2 26650 at a time using the outter slots. It just physically won't fit 4 26650. Even if you are willing to use 26650, a typical 4000mAh cell will take 8 hours to charge.

So not recommended at all.

 

[muzikbiz22]

In a different thread, I found this before posting my question. Thoughts?

Slow charging is not an issue with me. I rotate 18650's. Use one, charge one. Besides, I'm who who questions "fast chargers". It's my opinion and experience, batteries like a slow consistent charge.

 

[eelnoraa]

It's my opinion and experience, batteries like a slow consistent charge.

It is not the case for li-on battery. Generally, they want to be exercised. It is completely OK or even prefer to have max charging current at 1C level within the proper state of charge. By 1C meaning 1x the capacity, so a 2500mAh 18650 can be charge with max current of 2.5A during the proper range of the charging state. Any decent charger today won't just charge the battery at 1C. They generally start slow, reach peak charging current between 20% - 60%, then slow down as the battery become full.

Nitcore D2 or D4 are decent chargers. They are low cost, charge the battery properly but very slow at 0.5A per channel. If you already have them and don't mind the slowness, I see no reason to change. However, if you are buying a new charger today, better 18650 charge would be something Xtar SP2 which can charge at 2A per channel and still follow the proper charge curve.

 

[tbone1004]

correct, li-ions do like to be charged at 0.5-1c, and the Nitecore is much lower than that, .375a with 4 batteries in there, which is due to its ability to charge NIMH batteries. The slow charge rate isn't going to hurt the cells at all, just means you have to charge overnight. I do like the D4 because it charges my nimh batteries as well which I use in a couple of backup lights, my headlamp, camera flashes, and Petrel, so it is quite versatile and I don't have to select the charge current. six is one, half dozen the other

 

[muzikbiz22]

I do like the D4 because it charges my nimh batteries as well which I use in a couple of backup lights, my headlamp, camera flashes, and Petrel, so it is quite versatile and I don't have to select the charge current. six is one, half dozen the other

Exactly ! The Nitecore is great for me, because I also have AAA, AA, Eneloops, C cells, to charge as well. Not saying it's the absolute best out there. But works nicely for me. With that said, great info in the 2 posts above.

 

[fmerkel]

Do you ONLY want to charge, or is some occasional analysis of the battery condition desirable? For ~$20 you can get decent (slow) charging. For ~$40 you can get some diagnostics along with it, plus more control of the charge process.

 

[BertStevens]

I don't mind spending a little more for a better charger. I just don't know enough about them ask intelligent questions. I've looked at a few manufacturers and there are so many choices I'm getting confused. That's why I thought I'd ask here for advice.

 

[tbone1004]

Amazon.com: Foxnovo F-4S 4-Slots LCD Battery Charger for Li-ion 26650, 22650, 18650, 18500, 18490, 17670, 17650, 17500, 16340, 14500, 10440 and Ni-MH /Ni-CD: A, AA, AAA, C, SC (Black): Electronics
http://www.amazon.com/Efest-LUC-V4-...8&qid=1457294571&sr=1-1&keywords=efest+luc+v4

these guys will charge about 2x faster than the Nitecore D4 and are 4 slots, they are 4a max vs 2a max. Pros and cons, but I am sticking with Nitecore for mine.