Intellicharger is crushing my batteries!

[swoody]

Hello, world!

So I have been recharging a pair of flat-top Panasonic 18650's on an almost-daily basis with my Nitecore Intellicharger. The Intellicharger is pretty well known for having tight springs, but I've noticed over time that the positive terminal ends on the batteries are getting bent in further and further. Lately they've gotten to the point where I had to pry the top up a bit with a precision screwdriver so they can make contact with the post in my APV.

These are pretty quality batteries, so I am not doubting their durability under "normal" use. Just the opposite, the Intellicharger does not feel any looser even after the amount of time I've put into it.

I know these chargers are fairly popular, so I would imagine this is not a wide-spread issue. Does anyone else have a similar issue with this? Is there any way to loosen these chargers up to a point where it's not trying to Chuck Norris my batteries?

Am open to any ideas.


Woody

 

[InTheShade]

What device are you using them in? I've crushed a battery before in my K100 by screwing it down too tight.

I have used an i2 charger for the last 8 months or so and never had this issue. I've not heard or seen anyone else reporting this problem either.

Not saying it's not your charger, it could be that the springs are too tight. I know mine are pretty aggressive even after months of usage, but not so much that they are actually deforming the batteries.

 

[Topacka]

I use an i2 nitecore intellicharger and the springs are tight, I'll give you that. I use button tops too. I've never had this problem. Have you tried any other batteries?

 

[Baditude]

I've got both the Nitecore Intellicharger i2 and i4, and my daughter also has the i2. Never had this issue with ours. I'd tend to think its you MOD and not the charger doing this to your batteries. All of our batteries are IMR button tops.

Any reason you're using flat tops?

 

[umarbutt610]

I am not having this issue either as of now but thanks for letting me know. I will keep an eye on it to see. But have to say the springs are tight.

 

[Myrany]

ok show of paws how many of us have shot a battery across the room thanks to those spring?

/me raises paw

 

[InTheShade]

Laughs at Myrany, sheepishly admits to launching a battery into my juice bottle collection.

 

[swoody]

I didn't even think about the mod. I don't have to put much effort into screwing in the battery cap, but it could be causing this issue. I'm using these batteries in a SID.

I haven't used any other batteries on this charger, just these Panny NCR18650B's. I have no preference for flat or button top batteries, these just happened to be flat. After seeing this though, I may considering going with some button-top ones to hopefully avoid this kind of issue.

On a bit of a tangent, has anyone tried putting some dielectric grease in their chargers to smooth out the tension arm movement?

 

[Hiding]

ok show of paws how many of us have shot a battery across the room thanks to those spring?

/me raises paw

I still have one I can't find.. Must have rolled under the desk or something.

 

[Racehorse]

I avoided spring loaded chargers like the plague. I like my PILA, just "drop" the batts in. No fiddlling.

And no springs to break inside either.

Is this opinion? Well I've been on this forum for almost 18months......I have never seen a "problem" post about a PILA charger. Probably not an Xtar either, but maybe 1 or 2 on the Xtar, or so few i do not even reemember..

Yet, I've read way too many problem posts on Intellichargers. Here and other places. All kinds of problems. A-Z.

$45 for a PILA, that is less than 8 cents a day for 18 months. Seems like a darn good investment.

*there's a reason you don't see them at Fasttech*

Buy the best AW batteries, and then buy the best charger. (I don't think anyone can say that the Intellicharger is the *AW* of chargers. )

Well you know everyone here has their "thing", whether it be provaris or whatever. Mine happens to be the best batts and the best charger. Cuz you'll go thru many mods but your charger and batts will be doig the lion's share of work over the months and years. :_)

 

[Land0Calrissian]

I have an I4 intellicharger and you know..now that you say that looking at my sony 18650 flat tops, its pushed in a little bit on the top just enough to make the plastic a little loose.

 

[Enoch777]

i2 as well, no issues with my Panny CGR18650CHs or newest addition - Sony VTC4s. Been using the Intellicharger for 5-6 months. Also use an Hcigar Nemesis Clone and again, no issues.

I've heard about Intellicharger issues but I honestly don't know what to say. Mine works great, always has. The springs are yea, a little too compressing for my liking but never had it cause an issue aside from a sore finger or two. I monitor my voltages BEFORE and AFTER charging and it's perfectly nominal each and every time.

Bought mine on Amazon from a top-rated seller for like $25 (This was 6 months ago, they're cheaper now). Maybe I just got a good one.

 

[hazarada]

I can concur, my i2 dents batteries too. Also bear in mind the intellicharge thingies have kind of loose power regulation and tend to overcharge batteries when subjected to higher than average mains voltage. For instance my building is at 238v which is at the higher end of the standard and because of that it would charge my batteries to 4.3v so i use a 12v dc adapter for it instead.

 

[Thunderball]

Intellicharger quad charger, fasttech 14.00, 1 year old, 3 Vapers, AW's mostly, Pannys...some Efest, all three sizes, buttons and flattop.

Have a fluke 87 to check voltage occasionally. Never a problem. All batteries still work fine. ( did have some FT sold trustfire, died out quickly)

My story...

Edit: Thought about it for a sec. I do always load the batteries pressing the bottom against the spring loaded part first pushing it apart then placing the top of the battery in place.

 

[retired1]

Moved to Batteries and Chargers

 

[yzer]

I use flat top IMR batteries in Nitecore Intellicharger i-4. No issues with crushing or denting the battery.

When I first got the charger I noticed four things.

-The sliding battery contacts do not move smoothly. They are balky and probably need dialectric lube when I get around to it.
-Better to compress the spring contact back with a finger than move it with the battery's negative end: wearing down the edges of the battery.
-Better not let that negative contact snap into place onto the battery.
-Due to compact size of the Nitecore i-4 there isn't much room for easy insertion of an 18650.


I like flat top batts. They cost less than button tops.

 

[swoody]

This entire issue (among others) is leading me to start looking at getting a whole new setup. I've been starting to have some flakiness with my SID, these batteries are chewed up, and my NES DNA20 mod isn't strong or heavy enough to stand up to daily usage with my new Nautilus tank (it's a big, heavy topper). As I'm coming up on 60 days without touching the stinkies, I figure I can splurge a bit and get something a little nicer (trying to make excuses to allocate more resources to my vape fund).

I've been eyeballing the new Hana Modz v3 which houses an 18650 battery inside, and utilizes the DNA30 for vapor production and charging (via micro-USB port). They also suggest using AW IMR or Panasonic CGR for up to 20w output, and the Sony VTC4 for anything over 20w. I have no plans at this time of ever approaching 20w ouput, but it would be nice to be able to do so in the future. If I do go with this mod, I would plan on using the Sony battery with it.

This got me thinking about the charging ability of the DNA30 board. I can't imagine it would have the same safety and confidence of something like a Pila or Xtar. Charging the battery externally is definitely possible, but it would be a bit of a hassle since I would have to unscrew the back cover of the mod every night.

Does anyone have any thoughts on using the DNA board to charge the Sony VTC4?