Charger/ battery issues. Please help!

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

So I've been vaping since December last year, starting with an ego batt and ce5 tank. I bought a full mechanical mod, a Torpedo, last February to sort of upgrade my gear and have a better vaping experience. The Torp had been performing well with my phoenix v3 atty, matching my needs, until I encountered the following problem.

I have three batteries (all 18650): a blue generic 2200 mah that came with the torpedo package, an ultrafire 3000 mah I bought two weeks ago, and an Efest 2000 mah bought a few days after the ultra fire. I charge them with a Trustfire tr-00 multifunction charger. Just last week, I noticed that all three batts would no longer work as long as they used to. I've been able to use them only for like an hour of heavy vaping. Before, they could last a whole day of moderate use.

I checked the charger's voltage with a multimeter, and it only read 3 volts, below its advertised 4 v output. All the batteries, as well, would read just 3.1 v or thereabouts after a long time of charging (8-10 hours). The charger also blinks red and green most of the time when it is charging a batt.

Here are my questions: Is the charger already busted? I have a very limited understanding of electronics. I was speculating though, that the batts could only be charged with the voltage the charger can give (3 v) and so they have more or less the same amount of charge. Does this make sense? Please help me out, I'm getting frustrated with all these. Thanks!

 

[DavidOck]

Alas, it does sound like the charger has failed you.

Charger voltage needs to be slightly higher than the full battery voltage, or it can't bring it up. Sort of like filling a glass of water, the pitcher has to be higher than the glass.

 

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

So my suspicion was right. My brother also told me the same. Looks like time to get a new, better charger, XTAR perhaps? I do need another charger because I basically live in two houses, and carrying one around is a bit of a hassle, not to mention it may damage the charger (I do suspect this was what happened) Thanks for the info, sir!

 

[meli.]

Hello durianeliquidflavorplease and welcome to the forum.

Trustfire chargers are really rubbish, a total waste of money and have developed a really bad reputation for reliability.
For excellent chargers in the same price bracket opt for either the Nitecore i2 Intellicharge which doesn't require battery spacers for 18350's or the XTAR WP 2II which does. Both companies offer larger bay models too.
Both will charge your batteries in half the time of a Trustfire TR001.
My understanding is Trustfire do make intelli chargers as well, even so, I still wouldn't recommend them.

 

[DavidOck]

Unless you're really rough on it, carrying it around shouldn't have harmed it. Just one of those things...

My experience is that electronic gear usually lasts a lot longer than expected, or fails fairly soon after purchase...

Since you only got it in Feb, you might check with the supplier to see if it's under warranty.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

I agree the Tr-001 are absolute garbage failed me in the first 6 months. Melli's suggestions ^^^^^^^^ are top notch IMO.

 

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

Just looked around and voila! both XTAR and Nitecore are available here in the Philippines, thank god. They're not too expensive either. I suddenly favor the Nitecore more now after reading some descriptions and reviews. Thanks for the suggestions!

 

[mirthmgr]

I'm going to have to try one of those other chargers, as well. When I picked mine up, the Trustfire was the only option with that vendor, and I didn't look around elsewhere. I wish I had, as my 18650s have a terrible lifespan with the Trustfire AND one of the two charging slots failed after a few months.

 

[manglepup]

I went with the Nitecore i2 and have been very happy with it. It's nice to have the 3 light progress meter, and know that it's not going to fry my batteries.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk 2

 

[1950 HAM]

Just looked around and voila! both XTAR and Nitecore are available here in the Philippines, thank god. They're not too expensive either. I suddenly favor the Nitecore more now after reading some descriptions and reviews. Thanks for the suggestions!

I'm new to this so take this for what it costs. I decided to get a Vamo and needed a charger. I got the Nitecore i4 and so far have been well pleased. Brings the batteries up to a nice warm 4.2V every time. I've been charging RC batteries of all types with all kinds of chargers for years and this charger seems to be a very good one.

Time will tell but I think it is a winner.

 

[Rickajho]

Don't know if you meant that as a euphemism, but batteries should not be "nice, warm" during or at the end of a charge cycle. LiOn batteries getting warm during a charge cycle is not a good thing. At least one person has reported in on ECF of batteries coming off their Nitecore over voltage as well so keep an eye on that.

Considering the Xtar chargers come with a 2 year warranty.. it just makes sense to go with an Xtar.

 

[1950 HAM]

Don't know if you meant that as a euphemism, but batteries should not be "nice, warm" during or at the end of a charge cycle. LiOn batteries getting warm during a charge cycle is not a good thing. At least one person has reported in on ECF of batteries coming off their Nitecore over voltage as well so keep an eye on that.

Considering the Xtar chargers come with a 2 year warranty.. it just makes sense to go with an Xtar.

I have a lot of experience charging batteries of all types and so far I have found that if a battery never gets any warmth (not hot) while charging it did not get fully charged. The warmth is not much but definitely above the ambient temp. YMMV

 

[fett701]

I have 2 xtar wp2 chargers and they both work excellent. Batteries come off charged at 4.1v without additional warmth. YMMV

 

[WillyB]

... I checked the charger's voltage with a multimeter, and it only read 3 volts, below its advertised 4 v output. All the batteries, as well, would read just 3.1 v or thereabouts after a long time of charging (8-10 hours). The charger also blinks red and green most of the time when it is charging a batt.

Do you have the TR-006? It will charge both 3.2V LiPO4s or 3.7V Li-ions. There is a selector switch on the side to choose the correct voltage. When set to 3V the lights do in fact pulse. A good and speedy (~1A) charger BTW.

I have a lot of experience charging batteries of all types and so far I have found that if a battery never gets any warmth (not hot) while charging it did not get fully charged. The warmth is not much but definitely above the ambient temp. YMMV

That is correct, usually during the high current portion of the cycle, by the end during the very low currect saturation phase they will not be noticeably warm. A warm battery will have lower internal resistance and will charge better.

I have 2 xtar wp2 chargers and they both work excellent. Batteries come off charged at 4.1v without additional warmth. YMMV

I would consider a charger that can can only bring a battery up to 4.1V (<90% of a proper charge) poor to say the least.

 

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

Do you have the TR-006? It will charge both 3.2V LiPO4s or 3.7V Li-ions. There is a selector switch on the side to choose the correct voltage. When set to 3V the lights do in fact pulse. A good and speedy (~1A) charger BTW.

Nope, it's just the TR-00. A busted one at that LOL.

 

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

Another question folks: I checked my batt's voltage using a multimeter just now, and it shows no voltage; the "hand" does not move at all. Checked my other batts, and they were fine. Do I have another component of my gear busted? Or perhaps the busted charger gave way to the busted batt. Damn.

 

[1950 HAM]

Another question folks: I checked my batt's voltage using a multimeter just now, and it shows no voltage; the "hand" does not move at all. Checked my other batts, and they were fine. Do I have another component of my gear busted? Or perhaps the busted charger gave way to the busted batt. Damn.

Do you have the MM in DC mode? It do make a difference. If that is not it, make sure to try a battery you know has voltage to verify it is or is not working.

 

[NancyR]

after noticing the issue with the charger did you clean the contacts and the battery ends? also from what you said about your batteries at least 2 of them are not IMR. IMR's are safer chemistry batteries meaning if they do vent (ALL batteries can vent) they will not flame up li-ion protected or not can flame. So while looking at a new charger maybe check out some new batteries as well.

 

[Vapoor eyes er]

For OP and anyone else following this thread here's an excellent tutorial on using the multi tester

 

[durianeliquidflavorplease]

Thanks for all the great advice. I do need to get new, safer batteries (locally, it's efest and aw that fit said description) and will do so soon, like tomorrow. And a good charger (Yeah, either nitecore or xtar). BTW, can't imagine how I'd go by without all your helpful two cents'. I'm really thankful.