Had to get a Pila charger - is it really better?

[dekalbave]

Well, I took the plunge and ordered a Provari V2. With AW IMR 18650 2000mah batteries and the extender cap. Anyway, I went to Super T Manufacturing to get an xtar charger, but they're out of stock (for quite a while, it seems). So since I will hopefully have my Provari in a week or so, I ordered the Pila IBC 4 Stage Intelligent charger from Super T.

I don't really understand the specs of a charging device - don't even know what trickle charging is - but I'm really hoping I did not seriously overpay for a Pila.

Can someone help me out on this one?

Thanks.

 

[Bozzlite]

Well, the Pila is definitely considered by many to be one of the best chargers for Lithium batteries. I ordered one from Super T about a month ago and I am very pleased with it. It always charges to a consistent voltage, under 4.20. Usually 4.18 volts. (A good thing)

It is much better than my Trustfire TR003 4 bay charger. That one consistently overcharges, and one bay was dead from day one.

You may have paid more for the Pila, but the value is definitely there.

There is a small difference in the charging rate between the Pila and the Xtar. Pila is 600mah, Xtar is 500mah. That will give you a slightly faster charge time. As far as trickle charge, Pila claims it trickle charges if left in the charger, but I have been unable to ascertain that it actually does. Anyway, it's not recommended to leave the batteries in the charger for long periods after the light turns green.

The Xtar would have been my second choice. I hear those are pretty decent too. But I just wanted to be done with buying chargers.
I ended up spending over $65.00 for the Pila, counting the now retired Trustfire.

 

[dekalbave]

Wow, thanks Bozzlite! That was a lot of useful information, and I feel much better about having bought the Pila, even though the Xtar would probably have been fine.

 

[Bozzlite]

Just wanted to add that the Pila comes with the two spacers installed. You will have to remove them to charge the 18650's. They are threaded, just unscrew them.

 

[dekalbave]

Just wanted to add that the Pila comes with the two spacers installed. You will have to remove them to charge the 18650's. They are threaded, just unscrew them.

Um, okay. What are spacers, and where are they located? Thanks.

 

[oplholik]

I have two Pilas, one has a dead bay. I probably got the one out of 100,000 that was bad. These are considered the best and well worth the price you probably paid for it. I'm happy with mine, except for the bad bay on the one.
That being said, I was informed by Randy at RTDvapor yesterday, that he had just gotten the WP2II dual bay Xtar charger in. Should be pretty reasonablily priced I think, so I think that I'll try one as I've heard good things about them. Hopefully he will have them up on his site today sometime.

 

[Riverboat]

Um, okay. What are spacers, and where are they located? Thanks.

The spacers are located at the positve end of the charger... They will unscrew allowing you to fit a 18650 battery.
I have had a Pila charger for well over a year and love it..... The Xtar chargers are also very good..............

 

[DaveP]

Well, I took the plunge and ordered a Provari V2. With AW IMR 18650 2000mah batteries and the extender cap. Anyway, I went to Super T Manufacturing to get an Xtar charger, but they're out of stock (for quite a while, it seems). So since I will hopefully have my Provari in a week or so, I ordered the Pila IBC 4 Stage Intelligent charger from Super T.

I don't really understand the specs of a charging device - don't even know what trickle charging is - but I'm really hoping I did not seriously overpay for a Pila.

Can someone help me out on this one?

Thanks.

Trickle charging is a low amp charge that continues after the battery reaches charge. Hopefully, that only occurs periodically when the battery left on the charger falls below 4.2v. Trickle charging keeps the battery peaked if you leave it on the charger until use ... not a good idea with lithium batteries. Take them off once charging is complete. If they need topping off because you didn't use them for a long period, put them back on for a short time.

Lithium batteries don't like to be overcharged or completely discharged. Charge your lithium batteries before they cut off during ecig use. If they typically last into the next day, charge them at the end of a day and swap to the one you charged earlier. Don't vape them right off the charger. Give them at least an hour to stabilize and cool down from charging.

Read up on Li-ion batteries here: Charging Lithium-Ion Batteries
All you'd ever want to know is on the battery university site in the above link.

 

[ITPython]

Well, the Pila is definitely considered by many to be one of the best chargers for Lithium batteries. I ordered one from Super T about a month ago and I am very pleased with it. It always charges to a consistent voltage, under 4.20. Usually 4.18 volts. (A good thing)

It is much better than my Trustfire TR003 4 bay charger. That one consistently overcharges, and one bay was dead from day one.

You may have paid more for the Pila, but the value is definitely there.

There is a small difference in the charging rate between the Pila and the Xtar. Pila is 600mah, Xtar is 500mah. That will give you a slightly faster charge time. As far as trickle charge, Pila claims it trickle charges if left in the charger, but I have been unable to ascertain that it actually does. Anyway, it's not recommended to leave the batteries in the charger for long periods after the light turns green.

The Xtar would have been my second choice. I hear those are pretty decent too. But I just wanted to be done with buying chargers.
I ended up spending over $65.00 for the Pila, counting the now retired Trustfire.

Trickle charging Li-ions = bad, very bad (unless it is really low, like in the <100uA range). And I guarantee you a authentic Pila charger will NOT trickle charge. True charge termination is a big part of the reason why the Pila charger is the most renowned and safest charger out there for Li-ion batteries (along with true CC/CV).

If by trickle charging they mean it will re-initiate the charge after the battery has dropped below a certain voltage (usually 4.00V or lower) then yeah, but trickle charging, definitely not!

 

[Riverboat]

Trickle charging Li-ions = bad, very bad (unless it is really low, like in the <100uA range). And I guarantee you a authentic Pila charger will NOT trickle charge. True charge termination is a big part of the reason why the Pila charger is the most renowned and safest charger out there for Li-ion batteries (along with true CC/CV).

If by trickle charging they mean it will re-initiate the charge after the battery has dropped below a certain voltage (usually 4.00V or lower) then yeah, but trickle charging, definitely not!

You are correct............... Thats why I own a PILA.... They dont over charge a battery........