i4 Chewing 30Ts

[Jazzman]

If you want a better research site than ECF for batteries and chargers go to this site:

Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included

Nothing wrong with ECF, but this site just has a lot more info and expertise for batteries and chargers and the crazy flashlight guys push battery and charger tech much harder than we do. A very good resource for researching chargers with a lot of options that aren't listed here and a wealth of information form some very smart people about this tech.

At the very least, you'll learn a lot about chargers (both good and bad) and will be able to make a better informed decision before you spend money on the charger you choose to buy.

 

[mimöschen]

Thanks for the feedback. Have you used 30Ts in it?

Yes I have and they fit without issue, because the bays are a few mm longer.

 

[Fidola13]

Yes I have and they fit without issue, because the bays are a few mm longer.

Thanks again. Appreciate your feedback!

 

[DaveP]

The Enova Gyrfalcon All-44 is a very good charger.

Review of Charger GyrFalcon All-44

I've looked long and hard at that one and I agree that it's probably the best charger available for Lithium and other cells that we use in various devices. I want to pull the trigger on the GyrFalcon, but I have about five 4 bay chargers and I'm resisting the temptation to get a 6th charger!

I probably should buy one, but it's overkill because I have a charger that works with 21700 cells without damaging the wrap (Xtar VC4) and the only reason I'd buy another is for that feature.

FWIW, any charger can snag the end of the wrap when a cell is removed. If it's hard to pull back on the spring to gain clearance, keep a rubber waffle grip pad behind the charger and use that to insert and remove the cell.

 

[DaveP]

If you want a better research site than ECF for batteries and chargers go to this site:

Flashlight Electronics - Batteries Included

Nothing wrong with ECF, but this site just has a lot more info and expertise for batteries and chargers and the crazy flashlight guys push battery and charger tech much harder than we do. A very good resource for researching chargers with a lot of options that aren't listed here and a wealth of information form some very smart people about this tech.

At the very least, you'll learn a lot about chargers (both good and bad) and will be able to make a better informed decision before you spend money on the charger you choose to buy.

I was on the flashlight forums before finding ECF. You are right. Those people are into flashlights and lithium cells like we are into mods and atomizers!

It's interesting how they have groups who meet up at night and compare bright spots on a wall to test which flashlight is worth the money. Then, they post the night pictures to prove which flashlight won.

Back in the early 70s I was a member of the local CB radio club. I never went on the signal competitions, but they had a particular mile marker site out on the road where they'd meet up to see who could produce the highest DB reading on a certain CB'ers radio who always stayed home and recorded signal strength. Members would pull up to a roadside trash can and key the mic and speak their name to get a DB level recorded. There was always money in the pot for the one who produced the highest DB reading.

 

[Jazzman]

Yep, people are still fascinated by flashlights... especially kids!

Whenever going to family or friends parties I always bring a bunch of cheap disposable flashlights for the kiddies. Keeps 'em busy for hours so the adults can get on with the serious business of drinking and eating.

 

[Jazzman]

I wouldn't even consider a charger that can only charge at a 1Amp charge rate. As batteries get larger capacities, like 21700s that are at 4000mah I think 2Amp is the minimum charge rate I would want to use, which is only a 0.5C charge rate. And that would be for a standard charge, not a fast charge. Of course, I don't charge while I'm sleeping or away from the house and I certainly don't want to wait many hours for a charge to complete. Just about all Li-Ion cells can be charged at a 1C rate if desired for a faster charge, although I typically charge at 0.5C, but if the charger can only output 1Amp that's a bit too limiting for me.

So for me, a minimum of 2Amps on all charge bays concurrently is an important target. My charger does 3Amp on all bays concurrently, which is even better, especially considering the newer batteries are going to have more mah to charge going forward.

 

[Zaryk]

I use an Opus BT-C3100 v2.2 for all my batteries, including 30Ts and 40Ts. They fit with room to spare. It's been a great charger so far, and has plenty of features including checking internal resistance, checking mah, and the ability to set each bay independently to different modes or charging speeds. I used to have an xtar until the sled spring posts broke off rendering it useless, but it fit the 30Ts just fine too.

 

[DaveP]

I wouldn't even consider a charger that can only charge at a 1Amp charge rate. As batteries get larger capacities, like 21700s that are at 4000mah I think 2Amp is the minimum charge rate I would want to use, which is only a 0.5C charge rate. And that would be for a standard charge, not a fast charge. Of course, I don't charge while I'm sleeping or away from the house and I certainly don't want to wait many hours for a charge to complete. Just about all Li-Ion cells can be charged at a 1C rate if desired for a faster charge, although I typically charge at 0.5C, but if the charger can only output 1Amp that's a bit too limiting for me.

So for me, a minimum of 2Amps on all charge bays concurrently is an important target. My charger does 3Amp on all bays concurrently, which is even better, especially considering the newer batteries are going to have more mah to charge going forward.

It all depends on the time you have available. Being retired, I'm around the house enough to keep all my cells charged at a 1A rate. That's about an hour per ampere hour. A 40T 21700 4000mah cell takes around 4 hours +/- from a discharged state. 3000mah 18650's charge in about 3 hours or less depending on the discharge level.

I have lots of 18650's that are several years old with internal resistance values that haven't increased significantly from when they were new. I rotate from a stock of 15 to 20 cells, so they are getting plenty of rest time. Of course, there's no way to inspect for dendrite growth on the older ones.

 

[Bigbob2322]

I use a X-TAR SV2 that takes all the batteries you mentioned without any problem at all. It can charge 0.5, 1, and 2 amp rates with just a button push. It's been very quick and problem free.

 

[stols001]

@Fidola13 I have a nitcore of which you speak I also have a Xtrar VC2 that will take those batteries. Actually both of mine do.

It's kind of an insertion issue IMHO, although the Xtar is easier, for sure. I pull my sled ALL the way down, and kind of "tilt" my battery in there, as I continue to hold the sled down. Once it is fully inserted, I gently drop the rest of the battery in, then allow the sled to move however many millimeters it is going to, cuz YA it is a tight fit.

This sounds like a total PITA as I read it. But it gets super easy with practice.

Maybe some of the other recommendations are better.

Anna

 

[Fidola13]

@Fidola13 I have a nitcore of which you speak I also have a Xtrar VC2 that will take those batteries. Actually both of mine do.

It's kind of an insertion issue IMHO, although the Xtar is easier, for sure. I pull my sled ALL the way down, and kind of "tilt" my battery in there, as I continue to hold the sled down. Once it is fully inserted, I gently drop the rest of the battery in, then allow the sled to move however many millimeters it is going to, cuz YA it is a tight fit.

This sounds like a total PITA as I read it. But it gets super easy with practice.

Maybe some of the other recommendations are better.

Anna

Ok I’ll try that- I’m trying to grab the sled with my thumbnail because it’s so darn tight.

 

[stols001]

Insert bottom end first. Ooh, I hope that was clear. It's easier.
Well I guess either way may work. Good luck

Anna

 

[Fidola13]

Insert bottom end first. Ooh, I hope that was clear. It's easier.
Well I guess either way may work. Good luck

Anna

Ok I think Ive got it but i really have to focus lol! I’m so use to just popping in other batteries.

Thanks as always for your help. That last thing I wanted to spend money on was a 4th Charger when there’s so many other fun things to buy!!!!

 

[stols001]

Ur welcome, heh. Yeah, I really had to check my nitecore's user manual to see if it REALLY did actually accept those batteries.

I developed the technique because I was like, "I have beaten MANY things, I refuse to let a CHARGER win."

LOL the MPV 5 beat me though. It was my first box mod and well..... It ATE batteries. I finally retired it. I got it out a few months ago and it was not a beginner issue...….. Whoever designed it was in league with vape battery companies I think.

Anna

 

[bubba106]

Sounds like you got it figured out, but if money is a issue I have the
gyrfalcon all-40, it's cheaper than the 44 version but basically the same.

 

[muth]

Thanks Muth!

You're very welcome. I do want to add that when using the XStar I like to pull back on the bigger batts as much as I can so as not to ruin the wrapping. I usually stick my fingernail in between the batt and the terminal. I also like the suggestion of using a rubber waffle grabber.

 

[DaveP]

You're very welcome. I do want to add that when using the XStar I like to pull back on the bigger batts as much as I can so as not to ruin the wrapping. I usually stick my fingernail in between the batt and the terminal. I also like the suggestion of using a rubber waffle grabber.

The rubber waffle grip pad rolls up and hides behind the charger for when I need it. The older I get the less grippy my fingers become. They need a retread.

 

[Mordacai]

I can officially confirm that Samsung 30T 21700 batteries do fit the SkyRC MC3000, with a few millimetres to spare. So it's possible to get them in and back out without tearing the wrap, just the slides are a bit sticky and springs are tight. Nothing that a bit of use will sort out.

Just getting used to the thing though and learning how to create programs for charging and if needs be discharge cycles.

 

[Jazzman]

I can officially confirm that Samsung 30T 21700 batteries do fit the SkyRC MC3000, with a few millimetres to spare. So it's possible to get them in and back out without tearing the wrap, just the slides are a bit sticky and springs are tight. Nothing that a bit of use will sort out.

Just getting used to the thing though and learning how to create programs for charging and if needs be discharge cycles.

Gratz on the new charger @Mordacai . I can't say enough good things about this charger in the month I've had it. A few things that are not ideal with the interface with the PC, but functionally this is a great charger.

For inserting and removing batteries, especially xx700 batteries, I push the bar back halfway then put the negative end of the battery in and use the battery gripped in the middle to push the bar the rest of the way. For the xx700 batteries I use the top nub on the battery bar and there are no clearance problems at all and it's easy to insert and remove them.

For day to day charging I have bay 1 and 2 set to 2 amp charge rate for the big boy Li Ions (3500~4000mah) and bays 3 and 4 set to 1 amp charge rate for my 18650s which are 3000mah. This is the vast majority of my charger use so I just insert battery in the appropriate slot and hold down the bay number button until it starts and walk away.

For specialty activities like C>D>C, D>storage charge, refresh, break-in, NiMH, or whatever else that I use on an occasional basis I just hook to a PC and set what I want and start from there which also logs the data that I can save later if I want. I found setting lots of custom programs and corresponding program numbers to be more trouble than its worth really since I can do that on the fly in seconds with the PC interface or Bluetooth from my tablet or phone.

If you have any questions I can help with just let me know or if you find any good tips for charger use, please let me know. Great charger and I would buy again in a heartbeat.