18650 batteries/charger

[bace a flunt]

What's the best smart charger for the price? I'm looking for something that charges independent cells and will automatically trickle charge once the battery is charged and can also test the batteries.

Also has anyone tried these batteries?

http://www.madvapes.com/protected-18650-battery-3000-mah.html

Lavatube sells them on their website so I assume they are sufficient for e-cigs.

 

[MorpheusPA]

As I do the research, I'm becoming a fan of the Xtar chargers. But Pila is quite good, too. I haven't jumped yet, but when I do it'll probably be for a two or six channel Xtar, depending on what I think I'll need.

Most people don't seem to be fans of Ultrafire (or any XXXXXXFire) batteries. Ratings don't tend to match well to actual performance.

 

[HyperRealist]

I buy my batteries and chargers from RTD Vapor.
RTD Vapor AW Batteries

 

[JazzyTech]

Bump. I have a "Tenergy TN 270" that has served me well for the last 6 months. I'm using 2 "AW" brand IMR 2000 mah batteries. I understand that "AW" is a rebrand of Panasonic. Charges one or/and two batteries.

 

[markfm]

The two chargers I use are Xtar WP2 II. Reasonable price, good charge characteristic, very happy with them. Something I really like is that they have a very low discharge rate if disconnected from power -- I use an outlet timer set to cut off after several hours.

For 18650, AW or Panasonic IMRs are very popular here -- good QC, suitable for use in vaping, performance consistent with the claimed mAh.

For a single battery purely mechanical PV I switch to ICR, one of the big AW ICR 18650. Some prefer IMR in that case, too, but I like staying with the protections of an ICR, and the mAh/C rating is plenty for use in vaping on a single battery non-boosted PV. If you do get a mechanical PV, and really want to use IMR, make sure to add a 2Cents for Safety or similar inline fuse/circuit breaker (there are several on the market now for PVs).

 

[Rader2146]

Xtar chargers are very good.

Those batteries are crap for a rediculous price. Thier performance is all over the place and never up to the rated specs. The BRC batteries are intended for low drain devices.

You might tell us what you intend to use these batteries in and we can recommend a battery for your uses.

 

[bace a flunt]

I've got an XTAR charger, will it overcharge or does it shut off once the light turns green? I know it's more than a simple timer for the light. I'm always forgetting about the batteries and leave them charging.

Xtar chargers are very good.

Those batteries are crap for a rediculous price. Thier performance is all over the place and never up to the rated specs. The BRC batteries are intended for low drain devices.

You might tell us what you intend to use these batteries in and we can recommend a battery for your uses.

Lavatube v2

Where's the best place to get batteries?

 

[HyperRealist]

Where's the best place to get batteries?

RTD Vapor.....

 

[bace a flunt]

RTD Vapor.....

These any good or should I stick with the IMRs?

Batteries : AW Protected 18650 2600mah

 

[markfm]

If it's an Xtar WP2 II, once the lights turn green the charge cuts out. From Review: XTAR WP2 II Charger - okwchin | BudgetLightForum.com
"Its a true constant current/ constant voltage charger which has been tested and demonstrated to have a true cutoff at 4.20v and no floating/trickle charging tendencies which is a problem seen too often in more budget chargers. It will re-initiate charge when the voltage drops below 4.06v."

(The charger has been updated since the initial review, changing to show the 0.5 and 1.0A max charge rates, instead of "1" and "2". Use the 1A max rate for 18650 batteries, the 0.5A max charge for smaller ones like 16340 or 18350.)

I like RTDvapor, too

 

[HyperRealist]

These any good or should I stick with the IMRs?

Batteries : AW Protected 18650 2600mah

IDK. I just got these ones.
AW IMR 18650 2000 mAh

 

[mio01]

using XTAR right now, PILA chargers has been around for quite awhile now. I've read people from flashlight forums using them for years now.