Best battery charger out there?

[Purplepeeps]

Hi,

I'm looking for the best and safest battery charger on the market. Would like it to have different size bays for when I buy bigger batteries.

Just bought a new Provari and two red batteries. They're IMR 18490 3.7v 1100 mAh(4.1WH).

Would I be able to find a charger that would work at Best Buy, Radio Shack or should I order online?

Tks in advance!

 

[Taz.]

There's a lot of choice btw. Nitecore. Efest luc. Others i forgot.

Sent from Tapatalk

 

[k702]

Xtar VP1 $40.00 well worth it.
http://www.xtardirect.com/products/vp1-charger

if you want to charge 26650's the VP2 can do so.. I think I read something about them having problems with it when they first released it.. not sure if I'm right or thinking of something else. They might have fixed it if I am right. Xtar seems like a pretty reliable company.
http://www.xtardirect.com/products/xtar-vp2-charger


I've heard good things about Pilla too...

 

[Purplepeeps]

Xtar VP1 $40.00 well worth it.


I've heard good things about Pilla too...

Are these available in stores?

 

[Paul.K]

+1 for the Xtar VP1 as it's regarded as one of the better chargers but the other name brands will work just fine. I would suggest try to buy from a reputable vendor as there are knock offs and refurbs out there.

 

[Paul.K]

Are these available in stores?

Here you go.

Xtar VP1 - Battery Chargers

 

[k702]

Are these available in stores?

edited my first post

Xtar VP1 $40.00 well worth it.
http://www.xtardirect.com/products/vp1-charger

if you want to charge 26650's the VP2 can do so.. I think I read something about them having problems with it when they first released it.. not sure if I'm right or thinking of something else. They might have fixed it if I am right. Xtar seems like a pretty reliable company.
http://www.xtardirect.com/products/xtar-vp2-charger


I've heard good things about Pilla too...

If you have a specialty battery store near you they might sell them, but the price+shipping isn't too bad.. You can find them on amazon too.

 

[Kaiser Bob]

If you don't need to charge a bunch of batteries at once the SP1 is a great charger and a good one to take on trips.

Xtar SP1 charger

 

[Rickajho]

Pilla or the Xtar VP1 are the two best chargers in the market when it comes to the technical aspects of proper charging. The VP1 has the added benefits of: No spacers required, display readout, selectable charging currents.

You won't find any of these chargers or the batteries that go in them in the likes of Radio Shack or Best Buy. I get my batteries and chargers at RTD Vapor.

 

[lightbud404]

I've been using the nitecore i4 for quite sometime now with no complaints. for some odd reason though, the efest luc has been popping up on my radar

 

[Purplepeeps]

Thank you very much! I'm going to buy the vp1

 

[Nibiru2012]

I own an Xtar VP1 and it is a great charger! You will not be disappointed with it if you decide to purchase one.
It comes with a standard wall charger and a car charger adapter too.

Here are it's specs:
XTAR VP1 Intelli-Battery Charger

This set includes:

- VP1 Charger
- US / EU / JP AC Adaptor
- Car Adaptor
- Package

2 Channels 10440/16340/14500/14650/17500/17670/18350/18500/18650/18700

Operation Temperature: Room temperature 0~40℃
Input AC: 12V DC 1000mA
0.25A CC :250mAh±30mAh
0.5A CC :500mAh±50mAh
1.0A CC :1000mAh±80mAh
Cut-off Voltage: 4.2V±0.05V
Detection precision:±0.03V
Weight: 95g
Size(mm): 118.0 length x 62.0 width x 34.0 height

Features:

1.Two independent charging channels for 10440/16340/14500/14650/17500/17670/18350/18500/18650/18700 Li-ion battery
2.Algorithm(CC.CV)charging system
3.Optional and adjustable charge current:250mA,500mA,1A
4.VP1 with switchable LCD indicator to display the real-time charging voltage and battery status
5.Activation function for over discharging battery.VP1 can recover the overly dicharging protected batteries
6.Soft start function avoids damage from a large current surge
7.Automatically restart charging when batteries voltage(full charged batteries not taken out from the charger channel)is below 3.9V(batteries may self discharge)
8.Reverse-polarity protection circuit board

Notice: The above-mentioned parameters tested in Lab are approximate and may vary between flashlight/charger, batteries and environments.

 

[Purplepeeps]

Pilla or the Xtar VP1 are the two best chargers in the market when it comes to the technical aspects of proper charging. The VP1 has the added benefits of: No spacers required, display readout, selectable charging currents.

You won't find any of these chargers or the batteries that go in them in the likes of Radio Shack or Best Buy. I get my batteries and chargers at RTD Vapor.

I just placed my order with them. Bought the charger, some bigger batteries, a battery box and the safety bag too. I was liking the colored drip tips but they're out of stock..


Thank you all very much for your help! I'm big on quality products and safety too.

 

[dripdaze]

I just placed my order with them. Bought the charger, some bigger batteries, a battery box and the safety bag too. I was liking the colored drip tips but they're out of stock..


Thank you all very much for your help! I'm big on quality products and safety too.

You really shouldn't be using the bag. The bags are for charging a different chemistry of batt. and will not allow your charger and batts. to ventilate properly during charging. Heat is the enemy of your batts.

 

[Purplepeeps]

You really shouldn't be using the bag. The bags are for charging a different chemistry of batt. and will not allow your charger and batts. to ventilate properly during charging. Heat is the enemy of your batts.

Oh dear, maybe I can get my kid to use it as a lunchbag?

 

[Purplepeeps]

All embarrased over("THE BAG") I just know you tech guys are lyao over this one!

 

[dripdaze]

All embarrased over("THE BAG") I just know you tech guys are lyao over this one!

Nah. A lot of safety conscious people err on the side of safety and use them.

 

[Rickajho]

You really shouldn't be using the bag. The bags are for charging a different chemistry of batt. and will not allow your charger and batts. to ventilate properly during charging. Heat is the enemy of your batts.

It's really a non issue with a VP1. The power supply is an external AC adapter so no heat is being generated as in certain chargers that have an internal step down transformer. In my experience a VP1 has no noticeable thermal rise - even when charging 2900 mAh 18650 batteries - in either the charger or the batteries. When you have a charger that is doing things right batteries shouldn't be getting warm during a charge cycle.

One last P.S. for the OP: Keep track of your receipt. That charger is backed with a two year warranty.

 

[Purplepeeps]

It's really a non issue with a VP1. The power supply is an external AC adapter so no heat is being generated as in certain chargers that have an internal step down transformer. In my experience a VP1 has no noticeable thermal rise - even when charging 2900 mAh 18650 batteries - in either the charger or the batteries. When you have a charger that is doing things right batteries shouldn't be getting warm during a charge cycle.

One last P.S. for the OP: Keep track of your receipt. That charger is backed with a two year warranty.

Will do! Tks!


I've got it! I'll keep the charger in the bag when not in use so no unsightly cords are hanging around! I'm so thrifty LOL!

 

[MJ12]

If you don't need to charge a bunch of batteries at once the SP1 is a great charger and a good one to take on trips. Xtar SP1 charger

That model doesn't look like it can be used to charge batteries from a USB port, like the XTar MC1 can. At least I'm not seeing any references to that capability on the web page. Can you confirm? Thanks!