what do you use
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The best solution would be the LUC V4 from Efest. It's a multiple battery charger that can hold up to (4) 18650's, 500's and 350's. It can also hold up to (2) 26650's as well. It has an LED screen so you can see your current voltage and charge status. The best part of it IMO is the charge time. I remember waiting 4-5 hours for one of my 18650's to charge LOL. Now it takes about 1 - 1.5 hours to charge 4 batteries. It goes for about $35- $40 online and it's worth every penny IMO. Hope this helps and vape on!
I'll second the Luc V4, had mine for a few months now and really like it. The sliders are super smooth which doesn't sound like much but when you've had issues with sticky sliders you know it can be a PITA.
The Pila is the Cadillac of chargers and I've heard great things about them but never had one.
I used to use the Nitecore Intellicharger for a couple of years but the sticky sliders started to drive me nuts.
The Pila is the Cadillac of chargers and I've heard great things about them but never had one.
I used to use the Nitecore Intellicharger for a couple of years but the sticky sliders started to drive me nuts.
I have been using AW IMR (350, 490, 650) batteries and most recently, the Sony VTC batteries.
I use either my old and trusted Pila charger or a Xtar VP4.
I use either my old and trusted Pila charger or a Xtar VP4.
I use a nitecore i4, and while it has performed well enough to stay in the house, it does have sticky sliders, and shares channels on slots 1 and 3, and 2 and 4. Not a huge deal if you are charging two, but it slows down when you have three or four in. Aw1600 for the grands running low ohms, and vtc4 and 5 for the woodville. They don't seem to arc in the woody, but they sure do in the grands! It sounds like the pila is well worth extra few bucks.
I'm using all VTC5s but getting lots of resistance from build up on the terminals (vaping between .3-.5 ohms). I have to wipe, polish and noalox both terminals about every other charge or they get real finicky.
Think I may be ordering some AW 1600 mah 18650s here soon.
Think I may be ordering some AW 1600 mah 18650s here soon.
I use AW and Efest batteries from 18650 down to 350s. I have the Pila charger which is 10 months old and I love it.
Thankswhich batteries are you using? I read Sony?
Tracey
The Sony's are IMO the cream of the crop. 30 amps at 2600 mah is great, but there's rumors running around that Sony has stopped producing batteries so if you want a VTC5 then it's going to run you a pretty penny. I just ordered 4 Vamped batteries which are rated 40 amps at 2000 mah . I'm not sure if they are a true 40 amp or not but i'll be putting it to the test against my VTC5's. Purple Efest's are not bad either. If your running higher than .35 ohms you have alot of choices. It's when you get into super sub ohms is when you need to be extra careful, but thats around .2 to .1 even .08 at times LOL i love sub ohm's!!
I've got a Pila charger and love it. I bought mine for $45 at ProVape and want to get a second one. It will charge my 18650's in about an hour and my 18350's in 30 minutes. The thing about the Pila that I like the most is it's trickle charge feature. Once the batteries are charged the unit will keep a slight trickle charge going to keep the batteries at max charge but will not over charge them if they are forgotten and left on the unit for longer than necessary.
I've used a Pila for my (at first) AW IMR 18650's and now Sony VTC5's. I've used it since 2011 with no issues at all. I tried a Nitecore for a few weeks, but it went south on me one day out of the blue, so back to the Pila. I bought a 2nd Pila for backup, but have never needed it.
Pila is all I use. For three years I have ran only Pila's.
Yes, they are only two bay. No they don't have sliders, you must use a adapter for smaller batteries.
But I have three Pila's set for use at any time. One for my 18650, one for my 18350, and one for my 18490 & 14500. I have another that I use at work.
For me I have watched lots of other chargers be the next best new thing to hit the market.
My Pila's charge quick and are reliable. For me with my family of REO's it is Pila all the way.
Yes, they are only two bay. No they don't have sliders, you must use a adapter for smaller batteries.
But I have three Pila's set for use at any time. One for my 18650, one for my 18350, and one for my 18490 & 14500. I have another that I use at work.
For me I have watched lots of other chargers be the next best new thing to hit the market.
My Pila's charge quick and are reliable. For me with my family of REO's it is Pila all the way.
I've used an XTar VP1 for the past year or so. Nice charger, with 3 charging levels, and a digital LED screen. But, the sliders have always been a bit stiff. I recently acquired a Nitecore Intellicharger, as a raffle prize at a vape meet. Much nicer sliders than the XTar. So, I alternate between the two. Just whichever one I grab first.
As for batteries, I'd been using VTC5s in my tube mods, and I like them, especially in mods that adjust for battery length, and the switch throw remains constant, such as the Nemesis, GP Paps, Roller, Stingray, etc. So, when I got my first Reo, I naturally began by using the VTC5s. But what I found was similar to what was posted earlier. The VTC5s would become finicky, with some minor arcing, and oxidation on the contacts. Plus, I wasn't happy with the long throw of the switch because of the flat top batteries. So, I tried a couple AW button tops I have had for a while. I was a lot happier with the shorter button throw, and they didn't seem as finicky. I stopped by one of our local B&Ms, and the only button tops they had were some purple Efests. I picked up 3 of them. They are working very well. Next time I order batteries, I think I'm either going to get the purple Efests again, or the AW 1600 mah.
As for batteries, I'd been using VTC5s in my tube mods, and I like them, especially in mods that adjust for battery length, and the switch throw remains constant, such as the Nemesis, GP Paps, Roller, Stingray, etc. So, when I got my first Reo, I naturally began by using the VTC5s. But what I found was similar to what was posted earlier. The VTC5s would become finicky, with some minor arcing, and oxidation on the contacts. Plus, I wasn't happy with the long throw of the switch because of the flat top batteries. So, I tried a couple AW button tops I have had for a while. I was a lot happier with the shorter button throw, and they didn't seem as finicky. I stopped by one of our local B&Ms, and the only button tops they had were some purple Efests. I picked up 3 of them. They are working very well. Next time I order batteries, I think I'm either going to get the purple Efests again, or the AW 1600 mah.
LUC V4 charger is a great suggestion, absolutely love mine! Can charge (4) 18650 batteries up in 1.5 hours and you have the digital display to monitor charging progress.
Been using the Sony VTC5 and Efest 35A batteries for the last 6 months or so.
Been using the Sony VTC5 and Efest 35A batteries for the last 6 months or so.
I only run AW IMR batteries in my mods. Never had a failure or misfire or one die.
I run a Nitecore i4 intellicharger for like a year now and it flawlessly charges my batteries to 4.2 every time.
Since that pic was snapped I gave the 18350's to my folks who are now Vaping for about 3 months.
And here's my setup:
I run a tile under my charger in the event that there was ever any kind of meltdown it wouldn't get far and it's stashed behind my monitors so my wife doesn't see it (complain).
Also, getting a backup charger like an XTAR WP II is a damn good idea incase your primary ever fails and for travel
I run a Nitecore i4 intellicharger for like a year now and it flawlessly charges my batteries to 4.2 every time.
Since that pic was snapped I gave the 18350's to my folks who are now Vaping for about 3 months.
And here's my setup:
I run a tile under my charger in the event that there was ever any kind of meltdown it wouldn't get far and it's stashed behind my monitors so my wife doesn't see it (complain).
Also, getting a backup charger like an XTAR WP II is a damn good idea incase your primary ever fails and for travel
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I've been using the LUC4...it works...haven't check with a meter though...convenient with the multiple bays and the display that tells you what the current voltage is, but I don't know how accurate it is...
I like the AWs much better than purple efest though. The positive contact is a lot more durable and wider. The efests (button tops) are retired due to pitting, which was probably my fault, but I just like the aws better... they fire a lot smoother and without any problems. I still use the a pair of flat top efests in a dna30, and they work...
I like the AWs much better than purple efest though. The positive contact is a lot more durable and wider. The efests (button tops) are retired due to pitting, which was probably my fault, but I just like the aws better... they fire a lot smoother and without any problems. I still use the a pair of flat top efests in a dna30, and they work...
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I have a Luc V4 and a XTAR VP1
I prefer the XTAR VP1
Batteries are
AW IMR 1600
VTC5
VTC4
Purple Efest
LG's
I prefer the XTAR VP1
Batteries are
AW IMR 1600
VTC5
VTC4
Purple Efest
LG's
Lithium batteries and trickle charging after charged don't mix
The Pila does not trickle charge after charging, it shuts off the charge (0 amps)
The trickle charge statement in the Pila manual is a misprint that has been around for years and was never corrected
BTW - This information is from CandlePowerForums years ago, before I bought my Pila
4 Orbtronics retired, 4 AW 18650 1600 mah, 4 Purple efest flat tops. Nitecore I4 charger and another one for backup.
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