Budget Recommendation for a 4-battery charger?

[tailland]

I`m looking for a inexpensive charger, should have 4 slots, take my 18650 and 26650, as well as AA/AAA. Doesn't have to be fancy, just charging up my batteries reliably over night, not doing anything weird with them should I forget to take them out when they're fully loaded.

Recommendations?

 

[Heartsdelight]

I`m looking for a inexpensive charger, should have 4 slots, take my 18650 and 26650, as well as AA/AAA. Doesn't have to be fancy, just charging up my batteries reliably over night, not doing anything weird with them should I forget to take them out when they're fully loaded.

Recommendations?

xtar Rocket is a good one! Not too expensive.

@XTAR-Justin where can @tailland get one in Germany?

 

[DaveP]

Zanflare C4 $29.99 at Amazon. Great charger that charges all 4 bays at once up to 1A on each. It also does diagnostics on your cells and reports MAH and internal resistance for evaluation. That's invaluable for checking cells to make sure they are up to the task. You can set charge rate individually on all 4 bays. It also doubles as a 2A USB power supply when loaded with charged cells.

The MAH test is an indication of cell capacity. I ran the test on one of my older LG HG2's last night and it reported 2774mah. Not bad for a 3000mah rated cell that has been used in rotation for a year or two. The MAH test takes a while because it has to discharge the cell to 2.8v and then charge it back up to 4.20v to calculate MAH. IMO, it's quicker to do that when the cell is already discharged in a mod. Then, the discharge part of the cycle goes quicker.

Dang it! Amazon has it on a special deal for $22.99. Mine just came in yesterday with 2 day shipping. I paid $29.99.
https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Za...F8&qid=1535374633&sr=8-2&keywords=zanflare+c4

 

[somdcomputerguy]

Dang it! Amazon has it on a special deal for $22.99. Mine just came in yesterday with 2 day shipping. I paid $29.99.

Well I'll have to double dang it then. I got mine from Amazon for 30 bucks too. 7 bucks cheaper?!? Double Dang It.

edit: BTW, tailland, it's a great charger. I like it very much. The only issue I have with it is I rarely filled both the bays on my previous (now backup) charger, and this one has 4!

 

[DaveP]

Well I'll have to double dang it then. I got mine from Amazon for 30 bucks too. 7 bucks cheaper?!? Double Dang It.

Yep, 7 bucks would have paid for another item from Amazon.

 

[puffon]

just charging up my batteries reliably over night

I can't recommend charging while sleeping.

 

[zoiDman]

I`m looking for a inexpensive charger, should have 4 slots, take my 18650 and 26650, as well as AA/AAA. Doesn't have to be fancy, just charging up my batteries reliably over night, not doing anything weird with them should I forget to take them out when they're fully loaded.

Recommendations?

I have an XTAR VC4. And I have been Very Happy with it. I Also would Never Recommend charging Batteries when you are Asleep.

If you Can't get thru a 24 Hour Cycle without having to charge while you are Sleep, I would suggest you buy another Battery(s) so you have something to use while you are at Home and Awake.

 

[DaveP]

I have an XTAR VC4. And I have been Very Happy with it. I Also would Never Recommend charging Batteries when you are Asleep.

If you Can't get thru a 24 Hour Cycle without having to charge while you are Sleep, I would suggest you buy another Battery(s) so you have something to use while you are at Home and Awake.

I like my Xtar VC4 with one exception. It can only charge 2 cells at 1A, although it can do 4 at .5A. Now that I'm not using my 3 battery mods anymore it's not an issue. Most of the time I'm only charging two, but if I get behind in charging it's nice to pop 4 in and have them charged at 1A.

I agree about charging unattended. It's a no-no for me. I don't even leave the house without unplugging the charger. The solution is to buy more batteries so you always have more than enough charged.

ETA: I just counted my 18650s. I have 21 in plastic cases counting several that are in mods. Should be enough to get through an ice storm this winter. If past rain is an indicator we'll have a sleet-snow storm this winter. We eventually lose power more often than not with ice storms.

 

[tailland]

(sidenote: buying from amazon usa costs me a fortune in p&p and customs, that's a nono. I'm just asking for models which are generally inexpensive)

 

[Zaryk]

(sidenote: buying from amazon usa costs me a fortune in p&p and customs, that's a nono. I'm just asking for models which are generally inexpensive)

At least you know what models to look for on the sites you do order from.

I have an xtar rocket for my 2x700 batteries and have no complaints. I use a efest luc6 for my 18650s, and again, no complaints. They are both simple chargers that work well and don't cost a whole lot.

 

[sonicbomb]

I can recommend the Nitecore D4 which is about $30
Like Puffon said charging any battery over night is a really bad idea.

 

[mimöschen]

I'd recommend the Enova Gyrfalcon All-44.
Review of Charger GyrFalcon All-44

 

[Barkuti]

Depends on what you consider “budget”. I have a Colaier/LiitoKala Lii-500, and I'm very happy with it. Just found it on sale at Banggood (I'm a sale hunter): LiitoKala Lii-500 LCD Screen Display Smartest Lithium And NiMH Battery Charger 18650 26650
The GyrFalcon All-44 is also a very nice machine, and you have a nearby eBay seller with it for sale: Enova Gyrfalcon All-44: 4fach Akkuladegerät für LiIon, LiFePO4, NiMH | eBay

Cheers

 

[tailland]

I think I saw that Liitokala charger on Ali for like $10 shipped. I might jump on that one.

 

[mimöschen]

Wrong thread. Please ignore.

 

[madstabber]

I have the liitokala and like it. The only issues are the springs are very stout and have teared a few battery wraps and 21700’s are very tight, one cell doesn’t even fit. Xtar chargers are all pretty good. But my recommendation is the miboxer c4-12. Four bays and can do 3amps on all four simultaneously. The biggest plus is the size though. Plenty of room for the 21700’s and there is no fuss getting them in and out. Plenty of room for my fat fingers in between the cells. This site has reviews of most chargers and can help you research.
Batteries and chargers
And here’s a quick chart if your looking for measurements and capabilities
Round cell charger index

 

[Steamer861]

Maybe not the cheapest, But it charges fast! I had a D4, good to, but way to Slow
$37.60 Nitecore SC4 4-Slot Superb Battery Charger (EU) - authentic / for Li-ion/LiFePO4/Ni-MH & more at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping
I can charge an 18650, in about an hour

 

[Barkuti]

Seems tailland previously said “Apparently the Liitokala batteries are genuine (CLICK)”. I am not gonna say LiitoKala isn't possibly selling some genuine 1st brand cells, bought some in the past. However I cannot agree with that sentence, and cannot recommend AliExpress as a good source for this stuff, plenty of knockoffs. Got a couple genuine 30Qs and 4x 25Rs by the end of last year, but good luck now. Prices went down even further, and just look at how they're hiding the wrap brand name under their sticker now to try to avoid or make your life harder if complaining. Bought both 4-packs of 30Qs and 25Rs in sales 2 - 3 months ago, all fakes. Claimed “product not as described” and provided evidences, got ½ refund for both disputes. Sellers were uncooperative. If you claim “counterfeit goods” be prepared for the AliExpress Case Management T̶e̶a̶m̶ 'Tards to counter it with “As the seller has been authorized by brand owner to sell the products. So If you still think it is fake, please provide the official inspection statement from the brand owner, so we can support your dispute of fake item well.”, so unless your light is lighter than mine in this respect, better follow this advice.

Wanna have a laugh? Watch this, and excuse me for my pronunciation:


Cheers

 

[ShowerHead]

I think I saw that Liitokala charger on Ali for like $10 shipped. I might jump on that one.

That will likely be the 'no power supply included' version. Not a bad thing if you have a suitable PS or wish to buy a different one than what they would include.

 

[tailland]

It's the Liitokala Lii PD4 - has an internal power supply.

That will likely be the 'no power supply included' version.

Seems tailland previously said “Apparently the Liitokala batteries are genuine (CLICK)”. I am not gonna say LiitoKala isn't possibly selling some genuine 1st brand cells, bought some in the past. However I cannot agree with that sentence... Bought both 4-packs of 30Qs and 25Rs in sales 2 - 3 months ago, all fakes.

Well, if you already received counterfeit ones from them, then that's the answer to my initial question. Conclusion = No buy.