Overcharged battery

[Baditude]

Bottom line I know of no one here that would purposely rip into a New Member...we just wanna help and ensure the journey is safe and I guess sometimes we just get over enthused/ concerned....you know how it is especially when we've gone through something like batt failure....that time with me still sends shivers down my spine.

The reason I am so safe battery conscious and come on so strong for battery safety is because I also had a battery failure, as you recall. It leaves a lasting impression on you that something like that can happen out of the blue, yet can have drastic and catastrophic consequences.

 

[Katya]

I was not aware I could over charge a battery and left a 18650 on the charger all night.

Oh, and never, ever leave a battery on the charger unattended or overnight. Even though good chargers are designed to stop charging when the battery reaches capacity, any charger can malfunction, any battery can malfunction.

Also, store and carry your batteries safely--in a plastic box preferably, and never let them get in contact with any metal objects, like your car keys in your pocket or backpack, for example!

 

[Jimmywit]

I bought both from a local vape shop. He is the only one in town. I actually saw it and stopped one day after work. He got me hooked on vaping but I will say everything I have bought from him I have had to replace. I guess he just opened to make a quick buck. Well another lesson learned a few more dollars spent on the right stuff. Thanks a lot guys! Can you tell me what charger I should buy and from who?

 

[IMRs]

I bought both from a local vape shop. He is the only one in town. I actually saw it and stopped one day after work. He got me hooked on vaping but I will say everything I have bought from him I have had to replace. I guess he just opened to make a quick buck. Well another lesson learned a few more dollars spent on the right stuff. Thanks a lot guys! Can you tell me what charger I should buy and from who?

I bought a couple of the Nitecore Intellicharger I2's on Amazon. They have I4's so you can charge four batt's at the same time. I got one for home and one for when at work.

 

[Katya]

I bought both from a local vape shop. He is the only one in town. I actually saw it and stopped one day after work. He got me hooked on vaping but I will say everything I have bought from him I have had to replace. I guess he just opened to make a quick buck. Well another lesson learned a few more dollars spent on the right stuff. Thanks a lot guys! Can you tell me what charger I should buy and from who?

I have the Nitecore I2 because I never charge more than 2 batteries at the same time:

http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&ke...hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_e0cki85l0_e

 

[IMRs]

In all fairness, the OP is a novice and was not yet aware that when it comes to vaping, the highest quality batteries and chargers are required.

My intention is not to belittle him or her for purchasing cheap poor quality gear, it's impossible to know how to distinguish what is good (safe) and what is bad (not safe) when you are new and starting out. This comes from research and experience, and until one acquires this they need to depend upon the veteran leaders here to guide them in the right direction. ECF is a great resource for this, so never hesitate to ask questions.


I could care less where he purchased the batteries or charger. The point is one can't order items haphazardly without carefully considering what is being purchased. The cheapest choice is rarely the BEST choice.

The batteries and chargers that we use in our mods are expected to perform at a high level and be safe. After all, they are put through heavy use all day and are used near our face each time we vape. The batteries have a lot of stored energy in them, and the chemistries are powerful and explosive should something go wrong. This is why we demand that they be the safest available that we can find.

Statistically, most battery-related incidents occur during charging. Batteries and chargers are not all created equal. A good indication that a battery or a charger is of poor quality is the price and whether it is a widely recognized name brand that has earned a reputation for quality and safety.

I have a couple of Nitecore Intellicharger I2 chargers and the thing that bothers me is that I have 18350's to charge sometimes and there is nowhere on the instructions that says I can charge this type. Everyone, including a couple of vendors that I deal with, say that you CAN charge the 18350's. What do you think about this Baditude? It makes me nervous not knowing why these batts. aren't on the list (at least on the products box).

 

[Katya]

I'm not Bad, but--it's fine. Many of us charge 18350 batteries on Nitecore all the time. For some reason they are not included in the specs--no idea why. Maybe they just forgot?

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...will-charge-18350-batteries.html#post10139130

http://www.supremenicotine.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=472

I would just like to add that if you're only using 18350 batteries (700 mAh), the I2 is the preferable charger because it charges at a lower rate--500mA--than the I4--750 mAh. This is simply a safer alternative for smaller batteries.

 

[Rickajho]

I have a couple of Nitecore Intellicharger I2 chargers and the thing that bothers me is that I have 18350's to charge sometimes and there is nowhere on the instructions that says I can charge this type. Everyone, including a couple of vendors that I deal with, say that you CAN charge the 18350's. What do you think about this Baditude? It makes me nervous not knowing why these batts. aren't on the list (at least on the products box).

This is just one of many reasons why I do not like Nitecore anything. First make sure it's not a v1 version. Forget charging any battery rated less than 1000 mAh in any v1 Nitecore.

Second, do the math: What's the rated output current on the back plate of your version of the Nitecore? Is it's current output higher than the rated capacity of the 18350's you plan to charge? If it is - don't do it. I also recall there was (still is?) an issue with Nitecore's applying the total available output current to a single channel if you only want to charge one battery. Again, another potential problem. That issue came down to if the Nitecore is rated 1000 mA output, it will apply 500 mA to each of two batteries, or apply the entire one amp of current to a single battery if you only put one battery in it. That one I'll have to look up on the flashlight review forums to see if that "feature" was ever fixed in the v2 releases. Ya add it all up and it really confounds me why Nitecore has become the darling of chargers in the vaping community.

If ya blow the whopping twenty bucks on an Xtar WPII 2 guess what? If you set the charge current to 500 mA and have one battery in a channel the max current it applies is 500 mA to the battery. If you put a battery in each of the two channels the max current it applies is still 500 mA to each battery. Wow - what a design concept. It can charge any 18350 0r 16340 battery with a rated capacity greater than 500 mAh.

 

[Baditude]

I have a couple of Nitecore Intellicharger I2 chargers and the thing that bothers me is that I have 18350's to charge sometimes and there is nowhere on the instructions that says I can charge this type. Everyone, including a couple of vendors that I deal with, say that you CAN charge the 18350's. What do you think about this Baditude? It makes me nervous not knowing why these batts. aren't on the list (at least on the products box).

According to RTD Vapor's product description, both the i2 & i4 will charge 18350 batteries. Rated output for both chargers is 4.2 volts both on the backside label on the charger and on the RTD product description. I trust RTD to provide accurate information.

I charge my AW 18350 IMR batteries in this charger. The only reason I got my Nitecore i4 is because the Xtar WP6 II that I bought to replace my Pila charger won't hold my 18350 batteries because of the cheesy cheap springs that it uses. The batteries refuse to stay put and pop out of the charging bay despite Xtar saying it will charge 18350's. Now if I wanted, I could lay a heavy book or something on the charger to keep them in place, but my better judgement said, "Don't do that."

Nitecore Intellicharger i2

Nitecore Intellicharger i4

 

[madqatter]

Also, store and carry your batteries safely--in a plastic box preferably, and never let them get in contact with any metal objects, like your car keys in your pocket or backpack, for example!

I've got soda bottle preforms.

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

Second, do the math: What's the rated output current on the back plate of your version of the Nitecore? Is it's current output higher than the rated capacity of the 18350's you plan to charge? If it is - don't do it. I also recall there was (still is?) an issue with Nitecore's applying the total available output current to a single channel if you only want to charge one battery. Again, another potential problem. That issue came down to if the Nitecore is rated 1000 mA output, it will apply 500 mA to each of two batteries, or apply the entire one amp of current to a single battery if you only put one battery in it. That one I'll have to look up on the flashlight review forums to see if that "feature" was ever fixed in the v2 releases. Ya add it all up and it really confounds me why Nitecore has become the darling of chargers in the vaping community.

The Nitecore I2 supplies 500ma to each channel, regardless of whether there are two cells charging or one.

The Nitecore is not the "darling" of the vaping community, but there are millions of them in service across a very broad range of applications and there are very few problems. Even the fancy Xtar or Efest LUC chargers can go bad on you. Anything electronic eventually will, anyway.

 

[Jimmywit]

So I got the nitecore i4 and a few efest 18350's so hopefully won't have an issue again.

 

[IMRs]

According to RTD Vapor's product description, both the i2 & i4 will charge 18350 batteries. Rated output for both chargers is 4.2 volts both on the backside label on the charger and on the RTD product description. I trust RTD to provide accurate information.

I charge my AW 18350 IMR batteries in this charger. The only reason I got my Nitecore i4 is because the Xtar WP6 II that I bought to replace my Pila charger won't hold my 18350 batteries because of the cheesy cheap springs that it uses. The batteries refuse to stay put and pop out of the charging bay despite Xtar saying it will charge 18350's. Now if I wanted, I could lay a heavy book or something on the charger to keep them in place, but my better judgement said, "Don't do that."

Nitecore Intellicharger i2

Nitecore Intellicharger i4

Yes, the first charger I bought (before returning it for a Nitecore I2) was an Xtar and I really didn't care much for the Hot terminals on it. They don't line up unless you juggle the battery around to fit. I like the Nitecore design because the batteries line up perfectly.

 

[IMRs]

I'm not Bad, but--it's fine. Many of us charge 18350 batteries on Nitecore all the time. For some reason they are not included in the specs--no idea why. Maybe they just forgot?

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...will-charge-18350-batteries.html#post10139130

INTELLICHARGER I4 18350/18650 BATTERY CHARGER

I would just like to add that if you're only using 18350 batteries (700 mAh), the I2 is the preferable charger because it charges at a lower rate--500mA--than the I4--750 mAh. This is simply a safer alternative for smaller batteries.

Yes, I charge 3 different batteries on the charger... 18650(2000mah), 18350(800mah), and 14500(700mah) (all from Efest). I also have a car adapter for these (which I do not recommend!). I've heard nothing good about the car adapter for this and I even tried it one day to see if it worked and all I got was a couple of the lights slightly blinked- then NOTHING. (kinda scary, so I tossed that in the garbage).8-o

 

[Pirate_Freder]

Yes, I charge 3 different batteries on the charger... 18650(2000mah), 18350(800mah), and 14500(700mah) (all from Efest). I also have a car adapter for these (which I do not recommend!). I've heard nothing good about the car adapter for this and I even tried it one day to see if it worked and all I got was a couple of the lights slightly blinked- then NOTHING. (kinda scary, so I tossed that in the garbage).8-o

Interesting. Yeah, car chargers kinda suck all around lol. Seeing as they have trouble charging my phone I really wouldn't expect one to power an 18xxx battery charger. Frankly I'm surprised the option is even available.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

....and the battery wars continued. What I've learned from reading several hundred posts on the subject, and countless threads, is to get the best batteries and chargers...period. Cost is not a factor, safety is (or course, a good sale on the right products is just smart). I have the Nitecore I2 and I4, a charging bag, and a good deal of paranoia. I only use IMR batteries made by AW, MNKE and Panasonic. I only use my AW batteries (all sizes) in my daily APV's, and use the MNKE's and Pannies as my backups. I have unintentionally let my batteries charge overnight, and am mortified when I discover this in the a.m. While failures are very rare, even a little one will ruin your day, or worse. You cannot be too safe with any batteries, and we are using some very heavy duty ones and demanding a lot from them. Please be careful. Safety first....or, don't vape. Good luck to you!

 

[Coastal Cowboy]

So I got the nitecore i4 and a few efest 18350's so hopefully won't have an issue again.

Good decision. The Efest batteries are Ok. I have a couple and they've given me no trouble.

Out of curiosity, does your existing charger have a label on the back? If so, can you read the output? It should be expressed in "ma" (milliamps).

 

[IMRs]

It's not a safe charger.

Good and safe chargers used by most of us here are Nitecore Intellicharge and Xtar. Pila is also good but much more expensive.

Nitecore can be purchased from Fasttech or on Amazon or from many e-cig vendors. Fasttech doesn't carry the Xtar so you'll have to Google search for best price. I only use AW IMR (red jacket) batteries, but Efest IMR brand is also good and a bit cheaper. I haven't tried the Panasonic hybrids myself so I can't recommend them. I buy my batteries from RTD Vapor; their prices are fair and they are a reputable vendor, well respected here.

Genuine AW Batteries at RTD Vapor

Good luck and happy vaping.

Thanks for posting this. I will be buying my first AW batteries from RTD Vapor. Looks like they do have some nice prices on them!

 

[madqatter]

I have the Nitecore I2 and I4, a charging bag, and a good deal of paranoia.

I've got the Nitecore I4. What bag are you using?

 

[Ddippel]

I've seen this mentioned in this thread so I am going to tack on a related question.

I use the EH IMR's from Madvapes, Are these unsafe? They are red jacketed like the AW, but a different brand, while I have not had any problems with the multitude of them that I have, if I am using something unsafe it would be nice to know

Link to batteries:
IMR 18650, LiMn 2000mAh Battery, Flat Top