Best Battery Charger ?

[Baldr]

As I was trying to figure out what kind of mod I would like, I realized that any mod I get will need a battery charger, and that since I might buy more than one mod, or want to use more than one kind of battery for any reason, I would want one good battery charger that would handle essentially anything.

Also, apparently battery length varies, usually because protected batteries need a little more room. So I want to be sure to get a charger that can deal with that.

Some battery types I would want to be sure it could charge since they seem to be popular.

18650 batteries.
16340 batteries.
15270 batteries.
14500 batteries.
10440 batteries.
rcr123a batteries.
others?

The battery charger that sounds like the best is the one sold with the Provari.
Best Rechargeable Battery Chargers: Pila Battery Charger & Pila Charger

Is there anything wrong with that one? Anything better? Anything comparable but cheaper?

Just looking for opinions from those of you who have experience. I don't know anything about that sort of thing other than what I've recently read. I heard something about spacers, and I don't know if I'll need them, or if that's something I should plan to order separate. Being able to safely leave batteries in the charger when I'm asleep or away from home would be nice, and I don't think all chargers can handle that.

And while I'm asking, what's considered the best battery combo for a VV or higher voltage system? Looking for long "away from home" times before needing to swap batteries and such. Should ability to use the "best batteries" figure into what mod I should consider?

 

[themysterious1]

I think thats the best one on the market right now I believe it comes with the spacers also.I am gonna buy one for my Provari batteries this week. I just like the fact that it can be left on if you forget about it for awhile.Waiting to see if the still have them for $40 at provapes they did for awhile but Im not sure anymore b4 I order mine I asked in there thread so I will know Monday.

 

[wigglr]

If you have a multimeter you can check what the typical, cheaper charger is charging the batteries to. Such as the AW IMR 18650's should charge to about 4.2

The Pila charger is supposed to be fantastic, but if a cheaper charger is charging the batteries sufficiently, then it will do just fine!

 

[Baldr]

I do think there is more to a good charger than just "will it charge them", like the ability to leave them hooked up without worrying about safety. And I don't want to get a multimeter and double check everything, I just want a good charger I can trust and that will work with a variety of batteries.

The Buzz Pro VV mod says it uses 16340 batteries.
Buzz Pro

But then this page suggests something else.
ICR123A 3.7v Battery SET for the Buzz - notcigs.com

The Buzz Pro is fairly high on my "what should I get next" list. No matter what I get, though, it will need batteries and a charger.

 

[themysterious1]

I do think there is more to a good charger than just "will it charge them", like the ability to leave them hooked up without worrying about safety. And I don't want to get a multimeter and double check everything, I just want a good charger I can trust and that will work with a variety of batteries.

The Buzz Pro VV mod says it uses 16340 batteries.
Buzz Pro

But then this page suggests something else.
ICR123A 3.7v Battery SET for the Buzz - notcigs.com

The Buzz Pro is fairly high on my "what should I get next" list. No matter what I get, though, it will need batteries and a charger.

It looks like those batteries are for the regular buzz and not the buzz pro? For $20 more you could get the Provari with the VV.The buzz pro is $139. and the Provari is $159. not trying to lean you in any way I was thinking of the buzz pro but when I saw they had the Provari VV for $20 more I thought hell I cant go wrong.

 

[Baldr]

When I start looking at the Provari, I want the black chrome, and I want the 18650 extension, and by the time I'm done, the price has jumped way up there. That makes me think "Get a Buzz Pro first, and later, get a Provari".

I'm not sure I want an LED thing on one I take out to a bar and such. I'd like it around the house. So right now I'm leaning towards a Buzz Pro first, then a Provari later.

 

[Baldr]

And maybe I should be thinking the same thing about a battery charger. A basic one that will power whatever the Buzz Pro needs now, and I can get a good battery charger later if I still feel the need.

That would let me stash my extra charger in the car as a "just in case I need it away from home" thing.

 

[themysterious1]

I understand they do get up there in price fast. I dont think u can go wrong with the charger thou.Im gonna order one next week.I do know that NO company can sell them for less than $45 Pila has it set up that way somehow? Heres a link to there site if you want to order it straight form them?

Pila Flashlights

 

[KTaylor]

I have a pila that I bought with my provari. I charge 3.7v 18650 AW IMR 1600mah. It works great! The pila's do a 4 stage charge and take the battery to 4.2 and then trickles to keep them at that but not above.

 

[nocturn4l3030]

can a bad battery charger mess up your batteries? as in degrade the life or not hold the voltage as well as it should?

HG-1210W Lithium Ion Battery Charger

was thinking of getting this charger as it can charge lifepo4s, 18650s and 14500s...but its the only one with no reviews so im skeptical

 

[ancient puffer]

I don't know anything about that particular charger, but to answer your question, yes, a bad charger can destroy your batteries....or worse.

 

[nocturn4l3030]

I don't know anything about that particular charger, but to answer your question, yes, a bad charger can destroy your batteries....or worse.

hm...that sucks >.< anyone know how i can find out if my charger is bad for my batteries?

 

[jonny2hottie]

PILA charger is THE BEST. hands down.
cheap chargers are bad for batteries and charging overnight is never suggested. thats what makes pila the best. it'll trickle charge the batteries to keep them at max voltage without over charging them. i cant say the same for any other charger.

 

[DavidTop]

Pila is the bedt but most expensive. Ultrafire makes one that is adjustable and a lot cheaper. I'm not at home and don't remember the part#. The only problem I have is that you have to jiggle one of the batteries a little to get a positive contact but once you do make contact its all good.

 

[eko824]

Any thoughts on the Trustfire brand for battery chargers?

 

[Wharf Rat]

I have two Ultra Fire wr-188's and a Trust Fire tr- 001. They work great and yes, when fully charged they cut to trickle. I have left batts on for 2 days with no apparent problems. I have 8 sets of batts that are 6 to 9 months old. I am sure the Pila is better, although for the $$$ difference, I can get a bunch more batts and they all will die eventually no matter how well we take care of them.

My 2¢ ~

 

[Wingapo]

One question about the Pila, can it charge the smaller batteries like the 16340 and CR123? Most of my mods tend to be smaller and use the 16340's.

 

[Baldr]

Yes, it will, based on this page. It does require spacers.

Pila IBC Lithium Charger (CC/CV) - Batteries & Chargers - OVEREADY Flashlights/Torches - Control The Dark

 

[BardicDruid]

The Ultrafire WF-188 charges any size batt on the market without using spacers, it is also switchable from 3.2 to 3.7 volts and 300mAH to 650mAH charging rate. Add on top of that it's a smart charger and in my opinion it's a better charger than the Pila because it can handle any batt and not just certain sizes.

 

[Baldr]

The WF-188 is about 1/3 the price, too.