Charge port or external charger?

[Abady]

I initially thought that people used external battery chargers in the past because mods didn't include charge ports in them. But the more mods I check out the more mods I see, especially some of the "high end" ones don't even include charge ports.

How much better is it to use an external charger? Is it worth it to take out the battery, on daily basis, out of the mod to charge it if I'm using a mod that already has a charge port?

Should I NOT consider a charge port as a factor in my next mod purchase?

 

[susieqz]

removable batteries are considered safer.
with a good charger n plenty of batteries
it's not much trouble.
mooch has talked about this often,

 

[Mordacai]

@Abady, the best way to look at is that using an external charger doesn't stress the components on the mods board. As with a lot of mods, the charging circuit is an afterthought.

I personally use a SkyRC MC3000 as a charger solution, but it's a high end one that can be highly recomended. But it unfortunately is high end priced, but it has loads of options to help extend the use of batteries and the build quality is excellent. So it's something that should last for a long time indeed.

But as @susieqz has already mentioned, check out Mooch's charger reviews fo something that may suit your needs.

 

[susieqz]

the mc3000 is the best charger i've ever seen.
@mordicai is right.
get it if you can.
batteries will last forever, plus, it's fun.

 

[Richard Winter]

The majority of external chargers have optimal charging with a plethora of safe features. The on board charging in mods is pretty limited, especially if your using paired or married batteries. In dual mods, it's always recommended to charge them externally.
Although you can charge your external battery in the mod, using an external charger will improve the life cycle of your battery.

 

[Mordacai]

@susieqz, the MC3000 is perhaps the only charger that you'll ever need. The amount of options on them is staggering, they're pretty much the starship enterprise of chargers.

 

[Abady]

Thank you all for your feedback. Much appreciated.

 

[Katya]

Thank you all for your feedback. Much appreciated.

I consider a good external charger a must have. Mooch's test results can be found here:

Charger Test Reports | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[Richard Winter]

For the price and functionality the xtar vc4s is a really good charger and it will charge 20700 and 21700 as well. I have two Nitecore D4s which have never let me down but these dont do the bigger batteries.
I picked up the Xtar VC4S and a VC2 Plus for this reason and was impressed with them both.

 

[Katya]

I personally use a SkyRC MC3000 as a charger solution, but it's a high end one that can be highly recomended. But it unfortunately is high end priced, but it has loads of options to help extend the use of batteries and the build quality is excellent. So it's something that should last for a long time indeed.

I like this simple Xtar, even though it doesn't have a .5A setting, which is my favorite charging speed. Nothing fancy--but it works and is all I need. I also have an older Nitecore and a 1-bay Xtar, still working well.

Bench Test Results: Xtar ST2 dual-4.1A charger

 

[Katya]

For the price and functionality the xtar vc4s is a really good charger and it will charge 20700 and 21700 as well. I have two Nitecore D4s which have never let me down but these dont do the bigger batteries.
I picked up the Xtar VC4S and a VC2 Plus for this reason and was impressed with them both.

Agreed.

 

[Richard Winter]

Agreed.

We said very similar things at the same time
I agree with the slower charge rate being better which is why I like the Nitecore D4s. The Xtar do charge a lot quicker but then that does come in handy at times.
Only thing with my xtars are they are usb charging. At times this can be a plus. I did pick up a 3A USB charging plug for it which has been a very good buy for when I'm charging 4 at a time.

 

[Katya]

We said very similar things at the same time
I agree with the slower charge rate being better which is why I like the Nitecore D4s. The Xtar do charge a lot quicker but then that does come in handy at times.
Only thing with my xtars are they are usb charging. At times this can be a plus. I did pick up a 3A USB charging plug for it which has been a very good buy for when I'm charging 4 at a time.

We did, indeed. I hate all those new fast chargers.

I have 1A and 2A adapters. But I prefer the 1A.

Per Mooch's testing:

"You can put two cells in the unit when using a 1A USB wall adapter and it will display a 1A charge rate for both channels but they’re really only charging at about 0.6A each. I’d rather see the unit display 0.5A and actually charge at that rate in this circumstance rather than displaying a false charge current setting."

 

[Richard Winter]

We did, indeed. I hate all those new fast chargers.

I have 1A and 2A adapters. But I prefer the 1A.

Per Mooch's testing:

"You can put two cells in the unit when using a 1A USB wall adapter and it will display a 1A charge rate for both channels but they’re really only charging at about 0.6A each. I’d rather see the unit display 0.5A and actually charge at that rate in this circumstance rather than displaying a false charge current setting."

Always nice to know what is exactly going on. Slower charging is better for the batteries, typically 0.5a or 1A.
My good old Nitecore D4s when fully loaded with 4 batteries charge at 375mAs to each cell. Nice and slow but a bit like watching paint dry

 

[Katya]

Always nice to know what is exactly going on. Slower charging is better for the batteries, typically 0.5a or 1A.
My good old Nitecore D4s when fully loaded with 4 batteries charge at 375mAs to each cell. Nice and slow but a bit like watching paint dry

I'm hardly ever in a hurry. I usually have 3 or 4 mods in rotation, and at least one of them has a built-in battery. I put my batteries on a charger as soon as I take them out, and I always have a couple of batteries that are fully charged on standby in my handy dandy little plastic battery box. And at the wattages I vape, one 18650 battery lasts a couple of days.

In other words, my slow 2-bay charger is always faster than I am.

 

[Abady]

I'm soon placing an order with shop that I trust that sells the following choices only:

Efest imate intelligent QC (2 or 4 battery slots)
Nitecore intellicharger New i2/i4

Shall I go for one of those or keep looking for the SkyRC MC3000?

 

[Richard Winter]

I'm hardly ever in a hurry. I usually have 3 or 4 mods in rotation, and at least one of them has a built-in battery. I put my batteries on a charger as soon as I take them out, and I always have a couple of batteries that are fully charged on standby in my handy dandy little plastic battery box. And at the wattages I vape, one 18650 battery lasts a couple of days.

In other words, my slow 2-bay charger is always faster than I am.

Up until recently I was always in a hurry, now life has slowed down I can afford to sit and gaze at my batteries while charging.
The only time I had to charge my batteries when at home was after work and only had about a 3-4hr window before bed, hence multiple chargers.
I too am like you, a few mods on rotation every day.
Sadly I do get thru a few batteries each day so tended to do a big charge a couple of times a week, mainly at weekends.

 

[Katya]

I'm soon placing an order with shop that I trust that sells the following choices only:

Efest imate intelligent QC (2 or 4 battery slots)
Nitecore intellicharger New i2/i4

Shall I go for one of those or keep looking for the SkyRC MC3000?

Please consult Mooch's test results I posted above:

Charger Test Reports | E-Cigarette Forum

https://www.patreon.com/posts/nitecore-new-i4-27321190

I know nothing about the Efest. Sorry.

 

[Richard Winter]

I'm soon placing an order with shop that I trust that sells the following choices only:

Efest imate intelligent QC (2 or 4 battery slots)
Nitecore intellicharger New i2/i4

Shall I go for one of those or keep looking for the SkyRC MC3000?

The MC3000 is a wicked charger but is expensive. Not sure on the Efest QC charger as not used one. Their LUC 6 that I have is pretty good.
The new Nitecore i2 or i4 are very good and take the bigger batteries but dont have much of a visual display in terms of charging time and current etc, they use coloured leds for status.

 

[Richard Winter]

Just had a look at the Efest one you mentioned @Abady. It looks a bit naff in comparison to the i2 or i4. If it was me I'd go for the i4. They are a very solid and trustworthy charger. The 4 bay one will give you the option of charging 4 at a time if you require this, if not and your on a budget get the i2.