What charger?

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Lisa66

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I have the Pila charger. I've been using mine for 1.5 years every day with no problem.

However, the little adaptors that you need in order to charge 18350's in the Pila (at ProVape, designed for the Pila but not included) that screw into the receptacles are a real pain to put in and remove if you are changing between battery sizes (18350 and 18490/18500) with the mini. You have to unscrew the larger, included adaptor and then screw in the narrow one. When I do use the 18350's, I can leave the included 18490/18500 adaptors in and just pop these in and out whenever needed, no screwing in/out required:

Super T ~ Charger Spacers (the aluminum spacers)

Here is a photo of mine, since they don't currently have a pic on their site:

20130809_225311_zps3d8701a9.jpg


One spacer required per battery when charging 18350 on the Pila.
 

Rickajho

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I just received the Xtar VP1 and can say it is a very nice charger. It is performing very well so far and if a two bay charger satisfies your needs I can heartily recommend it. RTD Vapor also has them on sale at 20% off now. Not shilling for RTD but that was the best deal I could find online.

Keep on vapin'! :vapor:

Aw jeez - you just had to tell me that! I don't need a VP1 because my Xtar WPII 2 has been working so well. But at 20% off...

When I looked for someone else I saw the WPII 2 on sale for $15.96 at RTD Vapor and I thought that was the deal of the century...
 

Baditude

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I've had my Pila for nearly a year and a half. Just recently one of the charging bays stopped working. Light is red and stays red, even when a battery is loaded in that bay. I've loved this Pila, it charged my 18350 batteries faster than an Xtar MP2 could. (I should have spent a couple more bucks and gotten the MP2 II to have sliders instead of flimsy springs.)

I needed another charger, unfortunately. I would have loved another Pila, but I have several batteries of different sizes now and a 2 bay charger just won't cut it for me any longer. I got an Xtar WP6 II (6 bays), again with those flimsy springs. And also got a Nitecore Intellicharger i4 (4 bays) with my preferred sliders.

The sliders the Nitecore uses are stiff to push down to allow placement of the batteries, however I do prefer that to the Xtar with the springs. Using the 18350 batteries with spaces in the Xtar is frustrating because that size wants to pop out (too tight) of the bay. I don't even bother putting that size in the WP6 II now. I've not noticed any difference in charging speed between these two chargers.

So between the i4 and the WP6 II, I prefer the i4 because I prefer the sliders over the springs (durability factor in addition to ease of use) and it readily accepts 18350 batteries. I usually put my 18650 and 18490 batteries in the WP6 II.

Perhaps that adds some personal experience to those considering either of these two muliple bay chargers.
 
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tnt56

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I'm using a Xtar WP6 II, 2 Xtar WP2 II, and also a couple of trustfire (which I don't trust left alone). Not really happy with the springs on the WP6. I like the sliders on the WP 2's. The trustfire's are a 4 bay and also a 2 bay. Like I said I really don't trust em left alone. Only used when I'm gonna be in the same room with the chargers. Which is almost always. ;) The WP6 really doesn't play well with 18350 or smaller batteries. They keep jumping out.
 

Preloader

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Is there any reason that the Pila is better than a standard Trustfire charger? The PILA is more like PITA when charging different battery sizes and adding/removing spacers.

I mostly use 18650s at this point, so I leave the Pila setup for those, and use my other length batteries on the Trustfire, because it's spring loaded adjustment is convenient.
 
I find that the double spacer in the pila works fine for the 18350 without their extra $2 adapter. I have one of those as well on one side and a double spacer that was included on the other for a 18490 battery. I find both sides work for the 350, though the one with the special spacer is more "snug"


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Technonut

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Is there any reason that the Pila is better than a standard Trustfire charger? The PILA is more like PITA when charging different battery sizes and adding/removing spacers.

I mostly use 18650s at this point, so I leave the Pila setup for those, and use my other length batteries on the Trustfire, because it's spring loaded adjustment is convenient.


The Pila has a very good CC/CV charging algorithm. (constant current-constant voltage) Many of the cheaper chargers do not, and basically get the battery to 4.20v, then terminates. (hopefully.. ;) ) Some merely simulate CC/CV. This type of charge works, but can reduce the life-span of the cell long-term. When I shop for a charger, I look for one which offers a true CC/CV charging algorithm.

Batteries, like other vape-gear are an investment to me. Besides the obvious safety concerns of cheap chargers, I want my batteries to last as long as possible. I have AW IMRs which are still in tip-top condition after 1 1/2 years. This is largely due to using the Pila.

My Pila's LEDs have been having issues after 2 1/2 years of constant use. It still charges fine. I decided to retire it, and purchased the Xtar VP1. It's CC/CV algorithm matches the Pila, and has other useful features. One of which is the ability to choose charging amperage. For example: If I am charging 18350's, I will choose the 0.25 amp setting. 18490 /500, 0.50 amp setting. 18650, 1.0 amp setting. The lower amperage is less harsh on the smaller cells, and should prolong their life IMO.

I also like the "soft-start" feature. It doesn't just immediately throw high current into the battery when inserted.
 

Baditude

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The Pila has a very good CC/CV charging algorithm. (constant current-constant voltage) Many of the cheaper chargers do not, and basically get the battery to 4.20v, then terminates.

Batteries, like other vape-gear are an investment to me. Besides the obvious safety concerns of cheap chargers, I want my batteries to last as long as possible. I have AW IMRs which are still in tip-top condition after 1 1/2 years. This is largely due to using the Pila.

My Pila's LEDs have been having issues after 2 1/2 years of constant use. It still charges fine.

I also like the "soft-start" feature. It doesn't just immediately throw high current into the battery when inserted.
I'll agree with the sentiments of the Pila. I chose it as my first charger for mods 1.5 years ago. I also have AW IMR 18650 batteries that I bought along with the Pila that are still in my battery rotation. I attribute their overall extended life to being charged only in the Pila. The Pila was a true workhorse for me, sometimes charging up to six batteries a day.

I also developed an issue with my Pila after 1.5 years. One of the charging bays stopped working, so I was forced to put it away as a spare charger for a rainy day. Having so many batteries now, I needed more charging bays than just two. I got the Xtar WP II with six bays, but then realized it will not properly hold 18350 batteries. They insist on popping out from the flimsy cheap springs this charger uses.

I got so frustrated with this that I got a Nitecore Intellicharger i4. This charger uses much better designs using sliding bars and has 4 independent charging bays with LED charge status lights. I am pleased thus far with its performance and it is now my primary charger.
 
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EddardinWinter

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The Pila has a very good CC/CV charging algorithm. (constant current-constant voltage) Many of the cheaper chargers do not, and basically get the battery to 4.20v, then terminates. (hopefully.. ;) ) Some merely simulate CC/CV. This type of charge works, but can reduce the life-span of the cell long-term. When I shop for a charger, I look for one which offers a true CC/CV charging algorithm.

Batteries, like other vape-gear are an investment to me. Besides the obvious safety concerns of cheap chargers, I want my batteries to last as long as possible. I have AW IMRs which are still in tip-top condition after 1 1/2 years. This is largely due to using the Pila.

My Pila's LEDs have been having issues after 2 1/2 years of constant use. It still charges fine. I decided to retire it, and purchased the Xtar VP1. It's CC/CV algorithm matches the Pila, and has other useful features. One of which is the ability to choose charging amperage. For example: If I am charging 18350's, I will choose the 0.25 amp setting. 18490 /500, 0.50 amp setting. 18650, 1.0 amp setting. The lower amperage is less harsh on the smaller cells, and should prolong their life IMO.

I also like the "soft-start" feature. It doesn't just immediately throw high current into the battery when inserted.

Just ordered mine (VP-1) yesterday. I can't wait to get it. I also got a couple more batteries, since I seem incapable of placing an order at RTD without doing so.



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