Need 18650 and 18300 charger and cap fuse advice...thanks!

[Rob4092]

I keep reading about how dangerous it is to charge 18500 and 18650 batteries. Which charger is recommended? fast tech has several different chargers. Which is the safest?

Will these chargers automatically shut off if the battery is shorted, overheating or simply getting ready to explode?

I have seen little cap type fuses that attach to the bottom of these batteries. Is this something I should put on the end of all my batteries? Will they make the cap on my Vamo and SVD not fit?

Thanks all!

 

[TheDarthJager]

I've got a Nitecore Intellacharger i4 and a IMR 18650 and I'm not having any problems. The i4 actually comes with features to prevent damage to the batteries like over charging and such. As far as fuses go I'm not sure but I've never heard of the 18650s being dangerous to charge, their made to be rechargeable.

 

[Mark8n]

Get a Li-mn chemistry battery like the Samsung cgr
18650(grey) they hybrid chemistry makes them safer even in the event of a hard short and the battery venting

 

[Rickajho]

IMO - not a charger from FT. Get an Xtar that is backed by a 2 year warranty. A big 20 bucks for an Xtar WPII 2 that will handle anything up to an 18650.

Batteries really don't "short" in a charger. What any charger can do is monitor for reverse polarity and not go into charge mode if you put the batteries in backward.

As long as the charger is working properly it will monitor the batteries charge voltage and shut the current to the battery down when it's done. If the charger is doing it's job a Li-On battery shouldn't get hot - or even barely warm - during the charge cycle.

 

[Kdizzle]

I'm using tenergy charger from provape. It charges the batteries in about 1.5-2 hrs. I pull the batts off when it's done and never leave the charger plugged in. I like that it charges fairly quickly so I don't have to attempt to charge over night.

 

[Bill Oso]

I've got a Nitecore Intellacharger i4 and a IMR 18650 and I'm not having any problems. The i4 actually comes with features to prevent damage to the batteries like over charging and such. As far as fuses go I'm not sure but I've never heard of the 18650s being dangerous to charge, their made to be rechargeable.

That's what I have too. Got it off FastTech with the Vamo 2. Works great.