fastest charger?

[gofastman]

So far I see the Xtar SP2 offers a 2A setting, is there anything faster?
I usually charge at 250mah, but sometimes I need my 18650s to be charged NOW. (For my mods and a flashlight I have at work)

Perhaps i should get this and solder a couple magnets to the ends of the charge leads? Would that work as long as proper max charge rates are observed?

 

[Madmullet]

Fast charging will lower your battery life cycle and not give you the most optimal run time. Slow and steady will win the race. I would look into going the other route and pick up some quality batteries that you have charged on hand. Some Sony VCt 4 or CVT5 you can probably find 4 of them for the cost of a new charger. I think most chargers are limited to lower charge rates for safety reasons.

The 185650s we use are crazy powerful batteries you don't want to anger them they will fight back and make a mess of things or even worst burn down your house.

Here is a vid of what kind of energy is in a 18650 and what happens if you charge them to fast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsAymO7Y9lU

Just my 2 cents
Have a great Saturday

 

[gofastman]

Thanks, I am indeed aware of the consequences of fast charging, as well as too fast charging. Like I said, I usually go as slow and steady as possible. But there are uncommon situations I find myself in where I need to do a quick charge.

 

[yo han]

Buy a hobby charger. Even the most simple models usually charge up to 5A.
I've built a universal battery holder for mine. Works nice!

 

[gofastman]

Buy a hobby charger. Even the most simple models usually charge up to 5A.
I've built a universal battery holder for mine. Works nice!

The second link in the first post is a link to one, I'm just wondering if it's compatible with LMO batteries

 

[glycerol]

I don't know about this 2A Xtar, but 1A output is the safe rmax for 18650s, 500mA for 18350s. Heard people push *18650s only* up to 1.5A, but that's really dangerous and kills brand new batteries in two months. Imho one must get a descent universal intel. charder that doesn't overcharge, charges progressively and at maximum 500mA, just to be safe, one with more (like 6+) bays and a few more batteries and you will always have some freshly charged.

 

[JeremyR]

The 2 amp setting is probably for a 26650 big dog

My efest soda @ 1amp will fully charge a 18650 2000mah in about an hour. You need faster than an hour? I guess you could
Go up to 1c max more than that your damaging the battery. So technically you may be able charge a 2000 mah + imr battery at 2 Amps, depending on the batteries amp rating and discharge max rate.(imr) but its recommended to charge at a max Of .75c or charge cycles are reduced.

Do not charge at over 1c rating of the battery or you definitely risk a vent or worse.

 

[gofastman]

My batteries will handle a 4A continuous charge rate

 

[JeremyR]

Wow pretty serious batteries. What do you have?

 

[glycerol]

My batteries will handle a 4A continuous charge rate

It's not if they can handle it, it's how many 500mAh full charge cicles you'd kill during just a single 4A charge. But yeah, if one has the money to buy batteries every two weeks or so - why not?

 

[gofastman]

Wow pretty serious batteries. What do you have?

Sony VTC5. And again, I understand the consequences of fast charging, this is only for rare occasions

 

[yo han]

It's not if they can handle it, it's how many 500mAh full charge cicles you'd kill during just a single 4A charge. But yeah, if one has the money to buy batteries every two weeks or so - why not?

Oh come on. Charging at 2C now and then isn't too bad. I wonder where some of you guys get their "facts" from.

The second link in the first post is a link to one, I'm just wondering if it's compatible with LMO batteries

Sure, just use the Li-Po function which uses exactly the same charging algorithm as Li-ion.

 

[Little White Cloud]

Sure fast charging is ok, right up until the point that the battery explodes.

 

[gofastman]

Sure fast charging is ok, right up until the point that the battery explodes.

Thanks, that was helpful

 

[yo han]

Sure fast charging is ok, right up until the point that the battery explodes.

<Sigh...>

 

[JeremyR]

Sony VTC5. And again, I understand the consequences of fast charging, this is only for rare occasions

Hey gofastMan, are you sure sony vtc5's are 4 amp charge rate, I'd be interested to see where you found that spec. From what I've seen they are 1c max charge Rate which would be 2.6 amps. 2 amps would probably charge them in a half hour. I can't see needing more than that.

1c -http://m.alibaba.com/product/1698285713/30a_Discharge_Vtc5_18650_Battery_2600mah/specifications.html

4 c would be pretty crazy that would be 10.4 amps, that battery would probably melt down. Just sayin'

 

[Little White Cloud]

A battery maker specifies charge rates in the product datasheet, there is a reason for this.

 

[gofastman]

Hey gofastMan, are you sure sony vtc5's are 4 amp charge rate, I'd be interested to see where you found that spec. From what I've seen they are 1c max charge Rate which would be 2.6 amps. 2 amps would probably charge them in a half hour. I can't see needing more than that.

1c -http://m.alibaba.com/product/1698285713/30a_Discharge_Vtc5_18650_Battery_2600mah/specifications.html

4 c would be pretty crazy that would be 10.4 amps, that battery would probably melt down. Just sayin'

I read that spec in the Sony data sheet, which I can't find now, but here is one site that will vouch for that number
sony us18650vtc5 30a discharge li-ion power cell 3.6v 2600mah

 

[JeremyR]

You saw Specs Right from sony; wow those are pretty impressive if they can handle that... 2 amps should be pretty quick for you though..

That gens ace you linked in the op was pretty sweet man. Wonder how much that costs... 150?

 

[gofastman]

You saw Specs Right from sony; wow those are pretty impressive if they can handle that... 2 amps should be pretty quick for you though..

That gens ace you linked in the op was pretty sweet man. Wonder how much that costs... 150?

$45 if they ever get them back in stock...