Keep intellicharger i4 plugged in?

[DNO620]

Ok, I have a nitecore intellicharger i4 and was wondering if it is ok to keep it plugged in all the time, even when not charging anything? My other question is, I have been vaping for around four month's, so still fairly new. When I received the intellicharger i4 I accidentally put the battery in reverse and fried one of the slots , that slot does not work any longer ( will not charge battery ) but, the other three slots work fine and so far I have had no problems charging batteries in these slots. So is ok to continue to use the charger in just those three slots, I usally only charge one battery at a time? Will continuing to charge my batteries in this charger harm them or anything? Thank you to everyone who can help me out with this problem.

 

[90quattrocoupe]

You are probably ok. That company suggests using the slot for single batteries left to right. If two, 1&3, and 2&4. Supposedly each slot has its own circuit. I would not leave it plugged in when not using it. I also place my batteries in the charger, then plug it in.
As long as the circuit lights for the good slots, keeping blinking the 1st light, then the 2nd, then the 3rd light, and then all stay lit, you should be go to go.

Greg W.

 

[Kirkwood]

I would think the other 3 are OK. I would tape or do something to cover the dead one so it does not get used. Personally, I would never let a charger plugged in, and I only charge batteries when I am there from start to finish for the charging. Like I said, that is ONLY my thoughts on it.

 

[Rickajho]

Geez, if that thing doesn't even have reverse polarity protection, in addition to the quality control problems being reported here about Nitecore - personally I wouldn't trust it when it was charging, let alone leave it plugged in all the time.

 

[Choc_Addic]

It's too bad you fried one slot. But it's still okay...

I have my charger on a power strip. I turn it on when I need it. That's how I charge my cel phone also.

Cheers

 

[DNO620]

Thank you guys for all the great info, answers and quick responses. I will definitely unplug it when not in use. Thanks again.

 

[InTheShade]

It's too bad you fried one slot. But it's still okay...

I have my charger on a power strip. I turn it on when I need it. That's how I charge my cel phone also.

Cheers

Powerstrip on the back of the desk - one of those where you can turn each socket on or off is so much of a back saver. I have all my chargers plugged in there and just turn them off and on as needed.

I think I've admitted before to being one of "those" people that even unplugs the TV, microwave, lamps and even the stove when I leave the house for more than a day or two...

Just as an aside, the I2 has a polarity reversal protection so it's weird that you fried a socket. According to the specs http://www.nitecore.com/productDetail.aspx?id=18 it does have protection...

 

[Mnd72099]

Had this same question as I have just purchased this charger recently, thanks for the info!

 

[DNO620]

InTheShade, Ya, I read that it had protection but, I was new at using it and put the battery in the wrong way and when I smelled something wierd and seen a little bit of smoke coming out of it I pulled the battery out of it. It wasn't in the charger for very long, maybe 15-20 seconds, so I don't know why the protection didn't work. Oh well, as long as the other three slots are good to go I can deal with it. I only usally charge one battery at a time anyway.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

InTheShade, Ya, I read that it had protection but, I was new at using it and put the battery in the wrong way and when I smelled something wierd and seen a little bit of smoke coming out of it I pulled the battery out of it. It wasn't in the charger for very long, maybe 15-20 seconds, so I don't know why the protection didn't work. Oh well, as long as the other three slots are good to go I can deal with it. I only usally charge one battery at a time anyway.

Uh oh...blue smoke generator

Anytime you see smoke coming out of electronics...ya brokteted it

Don't use that port or get a return ticket on it

Each channel on the Nitecore is separate, kinda sucks that all these reports of people having issues with them are coming out...I have heard ALOT of good things about them...

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

InTheShade, Ya, I read that it had protection but, I was new at using it and put the battery in the wrong way and when I smelled something wierd and seen a little bit of smoke coming out of it I pulled the battery out of it. It wasn't in the charger for very long, maybe 15-20 seconds, so I don't know why the protection didn't work. Oh well, as long as the other three slots are good to go I can deal with it. I only usally charge one battery at a time anyway.

Uh oh...blue smoke generator

Anytime you see smoke coming out of electronics...ya brokteted it

Don't use that port or get a return ticket on it

Each channel on the Nitecore is separate, kinda sucks that all these reports of people having issues with them are coming out...I have heard ALOT of good things about them...

 

[BigBen2k]

...
Each channel on the Nitecore is separate, kinda sucks that all these reports of people having issues with them are coming out...I have heard ALOT of good things about them...

That's not entirely right:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...arger-Review-(V2)-current-voltage-comparisons
slots 1&3 are, combined, limited to 750 mAh, as are slots 2&4 (obviously when both slots are used)

OP; what size cells are you charging here? Do you know if your charger is the newer V2?

If it's the newer V2, it doesn't matter if you leave it connected; it (essentially) shuts down and stops charging when a cell is full.

 

[Kellycat]

I leave my chargers plugged in all the time, but, I never leave a battery in them unattended. I can't imagine there's any issue leaving it plugged to the wall without anything for it to charge, if it's going to fail without actually charging anything then the charger is defective and needs to be replaced to begin with. I know mine all have an led for charging indication, and it just stays green (charged/no battery) if I leave it hooked in without a battery. Never even gets warm or anything, so I feel safe enough.. Of course if there's a battery in there I stay at my desk and keep an eye on it.

 

[WarHawk-AVG]

That's not entirely right:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb...arger-Review-(V2)-current-voltage-comparisons
slots 1&3 are, combined, limited to 750 mAh, as are slots 2&4 (obviously when both slots are used)

OP; what size cells are you charging here? Do you know if your charger is the newer V2?

If it's the newer V2, it doesn't matter if you leave it connected; it (essentially) shuts down and stops charging when a cell is full.

Learn somethin' new everyday! Domo Arigato

 

[State O' Flux]

Facinating that so many people have (recently) had issues with the Intelli-X-ploder Charger recently. I guess "so many" is a relative thing. People that don't have problems seldom get on-line and say "hey - everything is working just fine... will update tomorrow, as always".
When I started vapin'... my friends/family went out and bought me chargers (among other things). I got a LUC, WP2S and Nitecore i4 (V2) - and "hey - everything is working just fine...".

 

[DNO620]

I am charging Efest IMR 18650 high drain and Efest IMR 18350 high drain both Li-Mn. As far as if it's the newer V2, I don't know. It doesn't say it anywere on the box or website I ordered it from, but I just got it about two months ago. So do you think that it could be the V2 since I just got it or does it say that it is the V2 on the box or somewhere?

 

[SilverZero]

I am charging Efest IMR 18650 high drain and Efest IMR 18350 high drain both Li-Mn. As far as if it's the newer V2, I don't know. It doesn't say it anywere on the box or website I ordered it from, but I just got it about two months ago. So do you think that it could be the V2 since I just got it or does it say that it is the V2 on the box or somewhere?

I am confused about this too, I thought I bought the V2 batteries with my VAMO a while ago but now that I'm looking at pics the V2 Efest clearly say V2 on the label:

Here are the V1's:

They do both say that they are LiMn batteries though; the ones that I have are black instead of red and don't say that on the label:

Maybe the 2250mAh batteries are always black and the 2000mAh's are always red? Not idea. I do know that the 2250mAh's are working fine in my VAMO, at least at the power settings that I use.

 

[BigBen2k]

I am charging Efest IMR 18650 high drain and Efest IMR 18350 high drain both Li-Mn. As far as if it's the newer V2, I don't know. It doesn't say it anywere on the box or website I ordered it from, but I just got it about two months ago. So do you think that it could be the V2 since I just got it or does it say that it is the V2 on the box or somewhere?

Yeah, I'm pretty sure you got the Intellicharger i4 V2.

No worries; you're all set. Plugged or unplugged makes no difference, but obviously be cautious, while charging, as usual.

 

[Dsim4]

yea this is really discerning to hear all these bad things about this charger. i have this charger because of all the great reviews and everyone recommending this charger about 2-3 months ago. but have had no problems so far *knock on wood*.

 

[Train2]

Mine's been plugged in since I got it, only about 90 days ago. Not a hint of misbehaving...
There's a BLUE light indicating it's got power. Yellow 1-2-3 bars that stop blinking with 3 lit when done.
I never charge unattended.