Charging KangerTech DripBox?

[Hyt3x]

Hello,

I'm planing to order KangerTech DripBox which uses 18650 battery. I dont really know whats the best way to charge it, but i heard its not the best to use computer to charge. I have a huawei travel charger which outputs 5V and 550mA. Would this charger work? Its actually adapter so i can use my usb cable that comes with the vaper.

 

[Hyt3x]

.

 

[gandymarsh]

Welcome to ECF!

That "charger" will work. It's actually not a charger. It's basically a AC to DC adapter. The charging circuit is inside the Dripbox.

The consensus around here is that it's better to use a dedicated charger to charge 18650 batteries. Nitecore and XStar make some 2 bay chargers that are under $20.

 

[Hyt3x]

Welcome to ECF!

That "charger" will work. It's actually not a charger. It's basically a AC to DC adapter. The charging circuit is inside the Dripbox.

The consensus around here is that it's better to use a dedicated charger to charge 18650 batteries. Nitecore and XStar make some 2 bay chargers that are under $20.

Thank you for taking the time to reply. So that adapter will work, but is it safe? Im aware that it would be better to use that charger, but is the one i have safe? At what Voltage and mA do these batteries charge anyway?

 

[gandymarsh]

Yes it is safe as far as the voltage and amperage it will supply.

The reason most vapers suggest a stand alone charger has better circuitry than the tiny charger built in to your device. It may prolong the life of your battery. There is also the small chance that the battery will vent inside your device while charging and cause damage to it.

 

[Hyt3x]

Well i would buy a standalone but the only problem right now is money. So if the huawei adpater i have is safe i would use it. I have some knowledge that the device will draw only what it needs so.. I dont wanna risk damaging my computer a i heard that also already happened. The amps and voltage isnt too big right? I mean i heard people charge 18650 with 5V and 1000mA i think i should be good with 550. Since the USB outputs 5V and 500ma and usb 3.0 900ma. Or you think that there is a chance of battery going up in flames? Sorry for alot of questions

 

[gandymarsh]

You should be reasonably safe using that adapter. There is no 100% safe in anything.

Hopefully, you are using high drain IMR batteries. LiMn batteries are safer than the Li-Ion ICR batteries.

 

[Hyt3x]

From the site i will buy the dripbox i can buy sony vtc 4 or vtc5, which one do you recommend? Also have you heard any bad things about kanger?

 

[Hyt3x]

Also i do have another huawei adapter which outputs 5V and 1A if you think i should use that one.

 

[Gramdogg]

both are fine, fore mentioned chargers to buy do 5v 500mah and have over charge protection, trickle charge when full. The drip box have battery life display? If not you'll never know when it's charged. You will want an extra battery and charger soon anyways so you dont have to wait 6 hours to vape. Also chargers mentioned to buy are fire resistant so if something does happen it shouldn't cause damage to your house. Kanger is fine just don't use "tank cracking" juice in the plastic bottle. It came with 1 extra if you do.

 

[Gramdogg]

Of the two you have the 550mah is better for your battery. More mah will charge faster but weakens its life expectancy faster as well.

 

[Hyt3x]

a friend has the same kanger dripbox, and i think he said that it shows when its full.

 

[Gramdogg]

ok just make sure you keep an eye on it and unplug when done till you get proper charger.

 

[Gramdogg]

"The fire button will change to green" also VTC5 is 2600mah VTC4 2100mah... 2600mah should last most of a day.

 

[BrotherBob]

Could take a look at:
Guide to Choosing a Battery Charger | E-Cigarette Forum
18650 Battery Buying Guide for Vapor Users
(9) Battery Basics for Mods; the Ultimate Battery Guide | E-Cigarette Forum
(12) Deeper Understanding of Mod Batteries - Part I | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[zmeddy]

both are fine, fore mentioned chargers to buy do 5v 500mah and have over charge protection, trickle charge when full. The drip box have battery life display? If not you'll never know when it's charged. You will want an extra battery and charger soon anyways so you dont have to wait 6 hours to vape. Also chargers mentioned to buy are fire resistant so if something does happen it shouldn't cause damage to your house. Kanger is fine just don't use "tank cracking" juice in the plastic bottle. It came with 1 extra if you do.

Actually, the led on the button turns green when fully charged

 

[Rickajho]

Also i do have another huawei adapter which outputs 5V and 1A if you think i should use that one.

Of the two you have the 550mah is better for your battery. More mah will charge faster but weakens its life expectancy faster as well.

That's not really true.

The internal charging circuit inside the DripBox is in charge. If you connect it to an underpowered 500 mA output adapter the only thing you do is create much longer charge times, as the DB charge circuit has to read and then dumb down to what current is available. It won't hurt the DripBox, but it's not going give the battery a significantly greater lifespan either.

In external battery chargers you can actually do more harm than good trying to charge high capacity or older batteries at too low a charge current, as the charger may have problems getting the battery up to a correct charge termination voltage. But for the sake of the OP's drip box that issue is somewhat neither here or there.

Use the 1A (1000 mA) output charger, or even a 2A would be a good idea. The DripBox is only going to draw from the adapter what current it requires, or what it can when the output current isn't high enough. With smart devices you aren't "forcing" an amp or two of current into anything - the device only draws the amount of current it is designed to draw.