Anyone have any experience with imr battery chargers?

[psillypsymun]

I'm pretty newish to these bigger batteries (i have 3 18650s) My problem that I don't think my charger is working. I have one of these cheapies.

USD $ 2.99 - EU Plug Universal Single Charger for 16340 14500 17670 18650 Batteries, Free Shipping On All Gadgets!

And when I put a battery on it the light turns red. But as soon as I plug it in the light goes green. I can't be sure but I feel like my batteries are getting weaker and not charging. I keep swapping them out because I get frusterated with the performance. Even tried it out with a fresh replacement head on my protank. I can't be sure but I feel like at some point last weekend I might have accidently had the battery in backwards and plugged it in for a fraction of a second before I caught it. But I was on my sleeping meds and my memory is pretty hazy. Could have been a dream too. Can anyone shed any light on this. I don't remember how the lights worked before but I'm pretty sure the green light doesn't mean charging, and I don't remember the red light coming on when i snapped in a battery without plugging it in.

 

[Elemental0619]

Honestly the way I feel and i guarantee that everyone will agree with me on this is YOU DON'T WANT TO BUY A CHEAP CHARGER. I would rather buy a more expensive one and feel safe having batteries in it then have a cheap charger just because I didn't wanna shell out a few extra dollars. If this is happening with all of your batteries its most likely the charger, the red light should be on during charging and it should turn green once the battery is charged, hope this helped and once again with your next charger you purchase DO NOT BUY A CHEAP CHARGER, you'll sleep better at night knowing you wont set your house and self on fire while you're asleep.

 

[Ryedan]

I have one of these cheapies.

USD $ 2.99 - EU Plug Universal Single Charger for 16340 14500 17670 18650 Batteries, Free Shipping On All Gadgets!

And when I put a battery on it the light turns red. But as soon as I plug it in the light goes green. I can't be sure but I feel like my batteries are getting weaker and not charging. I keep swapping them out because I get frusterated with the performance. Even tried it out with a fresh replacement head on my protank. I can't be sure but I feel like at some point last weekend I might have accidently had the battery in backwards and plugged it in for a fraction of a second before I caught it. But I was on my sleeping meds and my memory is pretty hazy. Could have been a dream too. Can anyone shed any light on this. I don't remember how the lights worked before but I'm pretty sure the green light doesn't mean charging, and I don't remember the red light coming on when i snapped in a battery without plugging it in.

Yup, that is a cheap charger. Also, your explanation of what is going on with the charger and batteries is not accurate enough for me to know what exactly is happening.

So, you have a cheap charger that may be defective and/or batteries that may be defective. If you can get in touch with the charger supplier, get answers from them and have them deal with the issue, that would be best. If you can't do that, I suggest you buy a better charger and a couple of new batteries and start fresh from there. Once you know you have good equipment and how it works you might be able to troubleshoot the existing batteries.

With my Xtar charger, when I put in a battery the light for that bay goes green for a couple of seconds to show that I have it in the right way around, then it goes red to show that it is charging correctly, then it goes green when the charge is finished.

 

[psillypsymun]

Thanks guys. I had every intent on buying a better one. It's just the one that came with my mod as well as one crap unprotected battery. So I at least payed a few extra bucks for a pair of "acceptable" batteries (ultrafire). I'll definently get a good next paycheck. Guess it's back to the Ego batts for a bit. Thanks again.

 

[tearose50]

I suggest you go here: Battery chargers at RTD Vapor and take a look around.

He sells chargers that are appropriate for the batteries we use in vaping.

Pila, Nitecore and Xtar seem to be the most recommended ones currently, and opinions vary on which are best.

This is one area where I certainly feel it's a good idea to just trust the people that say: Buy a good quality charger. You can learn the details why on other threads and in the library here at ECF.

 

[psillypsymun]

I suggest you go here: Battery chargers at RTD Vapor and take a look around.

He sells chargers that are appropriate for the batteries we use in vaping.

Pila, Nitecore and Xtar seem to be the most recommended ones currently, and opinions vary on which are best.

This is one area where I certainly feel it's a good idea to just trust the people that say: Buy a good quality charger. You can learn the details why on other threads and in the library here at ECF.

I'll take your word on it. I'm totally willing to admit that I'm no expert. Thanks for all your help. Looking forward to being part of this community.

 

[InTheShade]

Some good advice already and RTD is widely regarded on the forums as a seller of good quality batteries and chargers. I will say that I am picky what I buy from them because some things can be had for much better prices with other vendors.

I'm not knocking RTD, I buy all my 18350 batteries from them, but I am saying that you might be able to get the same brands for less money.

Amazon has some good deals right now, especially if you are a prime member with free 2 day shipping. They have the 4 bay nitecore charger for $20. RTD is 27.99 plus shipping.

 

[sailense]

I have the 2-bay version of that charger. Came with my Vamo and some DKL batteries. The usual method is to plug the charger into the socket. The light should be green. Then put the battery in. The light should change to red and then turn green when fully charged.

If it's not behaving this way, then the charger is most likely faulty and I wouldn't recommend using it any more.

Also, a multimeter or mod would show you the charge on your batteries and help you rule that out.

 

[Elemental0619]

Check out the Nitecore Intellicharger I4 its what I use and I like it alot. Heres a site you can get it from for about $20 shipped

https://illuminationsupply.com/chargers-c-48_51/nitecore-intellicharge-i4-p-225.html#.Ugaqt_q9LCQ

 

[tearose50]

There is certainly nothing wrong with shopping for a good price.

I find it best if I decide what it is I want to buy first. Thus, research first. Then have fun shopping.

 

[sailense]

Check out the Nitecore Intellicharger I4 its what I use and I like it alot. Heres a site you can get it from for about $20 shipped

https://illuminationsupply.com/chargers-c-48_51/nitecore-intellicharge-i4-p-225.html#.Ugaqt_q9LCQ

Seconding the Nitecore recommendation. I got the Intellicharger I2 2-bay to replace the cheap one I mentioned above, and it's a good quality charger.