Batteries not lasting as long

[UncLeJunkLe]

I do have the manual somewhere if I can find it

There should be a sticker or debossment/embossment on the back of the charger that will tell you the output specs.

Are you sure because I have the older D2... just LEDs

Nope, I'm not sure. I just looked up the manual to get some info on the charger. I have never owned a Nitecore charger. I thought all the D series had LCD displays and the I series had the LED displays.

Maybe the older D series chargers had LED displays and higher output? It's always a possibility.

Anyway, I guess it doesn't matter much because if you can't change the output then you just have to charge at whatever amperage your charger charges at. But I do find it odd that a 2 bay charger would charge at 2A. I have looked at chargers fairly recently and it seems most 2 bay chargers I looked at never charge above 1A. Usually you have to get a 4-bay charger to get 2A charging. But I didn't look at all the chargers out there so what do I know.

 

[vaper1960]

Looked at the back of the charger (with magnifier) it says 2 A*1, 1A*2 so I was right (I'm very good with electronics but my memory is not so good so had to look) I have thought about charging both batteries at the same time (even if they are not even on charge) to reduce charging amps (going to try that) It also says to put the battery with lowest charge (or single battery) in the right side (which I do with single battery) but I'll try charging both and putting the low one to the right (yes, I do my homework) I knew this but it was getting to be a pain to shuffle both and figure out which one was lower. Thank you... I will feel better charging them at 1 A instead of 2 A. This is the older model (but new when I got it) so it is different (don't know why they didn't change the name... just D2 like the newer one with the screen)

 

[Richard Winter]

Looked at the back of the charger (with magnifier) it says 2 A*1, 1A*2 so I was right (I'm very good with electronics but my memory is not so good so had to look) I have thought about charging both batteries at the same time (even if they are not even on charge) to reduce charging amps (going to try that) It also says to put the battery with lowest charge (or single battery) in the right side (which I do with single battery) but I'll try charging both and putting the low one to the right (yes, I do my homework) I knew this but it was getting to be a pain to shuffle both and figure out which one was lower. Thank you... I will feel better charging them at 1 A instead of 2 A. This is the older model (but new when I got it) so it is different (don't know why they didn't change the name... just D2 like the newer one with the screen)

Sorry for doubting you. Not seen a D2 with leds before. I bought my D2 and D4 about 5yrs ago now and both had the LCD screen. Both are very slow chargers with small charging current.
As you said, confusing.

 

[Katya]

Looked at the back of the charger (with magnifier) it says 2 A*1, 1A*2 so I was right (I'm very good with electronics but my memory is not so good so had to look) I have thought about charging both batteries at the same time (even if they are not even on charge) to reduce charging amps (going to try that) It also says to put the battery with lowest charge (or single battery) in the right side (which I do with single battery) but I'll try charging both and putting the low one to the right (yes, I do my homework) I knew this but it was getting to be a pain to shuffle both and figure out which one was lower. Thank you... I will feel better charging them at 1 A instead of 2 A. This is the older model (but new when I got it) so it is different (don't know why they didn't change the name... just D2 like the newer one with the screen)

Interesting. I wonder what you've got. You sure it's a D2? Anyway, this is what I found (I own one of those older models--still going strong).

Nitecore D2 Digicharger - Li-ion, NiCd, NiMH Charger | Battery Junction
Output current: 500mA x 2

NiteCore i2 Intellicharger Two-Channel Charger - for 18650 etc
Output current: 500mA×2/1000mA ×1

 

[vaper1960]

@Katya , no it doesn't have a screen (older model) Yes, I'm sure it's a D2. No worries... going to charge two batteries at a time and at least that gets it down to 1 A (I did that at first but it was inconvenient so started charging them one at a time... should have stuck to my original plan)

 

[Katya]

@Katya , no it doesn't have a screen (older model) Yes, I'm sure it's a D2. No worries... going to charge two batteries at a time and at least that gets it down to 1 A (I did that at first but it was inconvenient so started charging them one at a time... should have stuck to my original plan)

Good luck. As long as it does charge your batteries, you are in business.

 

[vaper1960]

OK... my mistake. Used a magnifier and noticed my charger is a Nitecore Q2 (the Q is square and barely has the small slash mark so looked like a D)

 

[Katya]

OK... my mistake. Used a magnifier and noticed my charger is a Nitecore Q2 (the Q is square and barely has the small slash mark so looked like a D)

Aha! Mystery solved!

 

[vaper1960]

So what I'm doing is waiting till both batteries are low, then charging both together ( more of a a a hassle but worth it) At least it is 1 amp charge that way) So, in the end it had more to do with my charger than my batteries. Good to know... glad I posted this.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

So what I'm doing is waiting till both batteries are low, then charging both together ( more of a a a hassle but worth it) At least it is 1 amp charge that way) So, in the end it had more to do with my charger than my batteries. Good to know... glad I posted this.

I only suggested to lower your charging amperage in order to extend the overall life of your batteries. Recharging at 1A isn't going to make your charge last longer. If the internal resistance of your batteries has been increased over 10 months such that your batteries are lasting less time between charges, there's nothing you can do to fix that (as far as I know).

 

[vaper1960]

a

Aha! Mystery solved!

Yes... senior moment... use the magnifying glass. It really looked like a "D" but was a "Q"". It's a good charger BTW, just runs a little higher amps than the newer models... now I know.

 

[zoiDman]

So what I'm doing is waiting till both batteries are low, then charging both together ( more of a a a hassle but worth it) At least it is 1 amp charge that way) So, in the end it had more to do with my charger than my batteries. Good to know... glad I posted this.

That is one thing I Like about my Xtar VC4. Slots 2 & 3 charge at 0.5 Amps. And Slots 1 & 4 charge at 1.0 Amp.

So if I want to charge at 0.5 Amps, which I usually do, I just put a Battery into either Slot 2 or Slot 3. Or Both.

 

[vaper1960]

It's all good UJ... just adjusting ,y charging now so I do both batteries at the same time... should help (good I posted this before I ran them both at 2 amps... at least 1 amp is better Thanks for the feedback y'all.

 

[vaper1960]

That's what I love about ECF... posted about batteries but turned about it was more my charger. Thanks again.

 

[DaveOno]

I've read this thread, very interesting. But the bottom line is...
About 350 charge cycles. However, there is a trade off. If you could charge your batteries not to 100%, but only to 80 or 90%, and only discharge them to 30 or 40%, the lifespan of the battery is greatly increased. But your run time per cycle is lower, of course, since you are only using 40 or 50% of the bat's capacity. If you charge to 100%, then use it fully, until the low voltage cut off, that is the longest capacity, or run time per cycle. But this is at the cost of your batteries lifespan.
Also, feel the temperature of your battery while charging. Through the lifespan of the battery, it will charge a bit hotter as it ages. If your cell gets quite warm, it's at the end of it's service life.

Some electric cars can be programmed to give less miles between charges (by only charging to 80 or 85%), but a long time until a battery replacement. Important when these batteries are mad expensive.

But I don't monitor my batteries when charging. I can't be bothered with pulling the charge at 85%. It'd be nice if I could set the charger to do that, but not with my current Efest luc s2.

But for our use, $7 to $12 for a battery that lasts a year or two is really not too bad. Remember, we used to spend that much for a pack of smokes several times a week!

 

[Rossum]

But for our use, $7 to $12 for a battery that lasts a year or two is really not too bad.

I recently bought a batch of Molicel P26A 18650s for $3.95 each. Mooch calls the the best all-around 18650, slightly ahead of the VTC5A. I don't think I've ever paid more that $7.00 each for 18650s.

Remember, we used to spend that much for a pack of smokes several times a week!

For me, it was twice a day. Well, not really. I bought cartons. Roughly $60 every five days or so. The cost of a few batteries is utterly immaterial by comparison.

 

[vaper1960]

Also, feel the temperature of your battery while charging. Through the lifespan of the battery, it will charge a bit hotter as it ages. If your cell gets quite warm, it's at the end of it's service life.

I do check and they are NOT getting hot

 

[vaper1960]

I recently bought a batch of Molicel P26A 18650s for $3.95 each. Mooch calls the the best all-around 18650, slightly ahead of the VTC5A. I don't think I've ever paid more that $7.00 each for 18650s.

I got the Sony VCT5A on sale for $3.99 each

 

[Topwater Elvis]

I have two batteries (18650 MXJO) and an external charger. I use them in my single battery mods and never push the watts high (mostly from 14 to 25 watts) They are doing fine but don't seem to last as long on a full charge as when they were new. Haven't kept track of how many times I've charged them (I've had them for 10 months but only charge them about twice a week so guessing 80 cycles) What should I expect as far how many more cycles and will they continue to last a shorter time? I just got two new batteries but they are for my new dual battery mod and I would rather not use them for anything else. I'm not worried... should be able to get batteries even after Sept.

For less than 25w vaping there is no need in using a 25a cdr cell, it's not going to last longer between recharge cycles or overall lifespan.

10a CDR - up to 30w per cell
15a CDR - up to 45w per cell
20a CDR - up to 60w per cell
25a CDR - up to 75w per cell

You're sacrificing mah's / wh's for amps you don't use or need.
At 25w when the cell falls off to 3v you are only drawing 8.3 ish amps from the cell.

A 3000 mah 15a - 20a CDR cell will give you more run time / between recharge cycle vape time than a 2500 mah 25a CDR cell.

 

[DaveP]

For less than 25w vaping there is no need in using a 25a cdr cell, it's not going to last longer between recharge cycles or overall lifespan.

10a CDR - up to 30w per cell
15a CDR - up to 45w per cell
20a CDR - up to 60w per cell
25a CDR - up to 75w per cell

You're sacrificing mah's / wh's for amps you don't use or need.
At 25w when the cell falls off to 3v you are only drawing 8.3 ish amps from the cell.

A 3000 mah 15a - 20a CDR cell will give you more run time / between recharge cycle vape time than a 2500 mah 25a CDR cell.

I've used 3000mah Sony VTC6, LG HG2, and Samsung 30Q for years. At 10-15 watts they yield long vape times and extended life. Some of my most used cells are beginning to approach 100 milliohms and vape time is decreasing. It time to start replacing cells.

I've purchased half a dozen 4 bay lithium chargers over the years. The MiBoxer C4 is the first one that produces repeatable internal resistance values. I'm not sure that any charger under $40 is dead accurate for internal resistance, but IR repeatability at least gives me a stable reference to judge cell condition. Not bad for a charger that sells for $25 to $30.