Xtar charger?

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Jerms

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I have a Vamo coming in a couple weeks and still shopping around for batts and charger. I'm leaning towards the xtar WP2 II from rtdvapor for $19.95. I plan on getting 18650 and 18350 IMR batts. I choose this charger because it seems like a well respected brand, decent price, and fast charge times.

Does this seem like a good choice? Do you suggest something different? Can I get a better deal at another vendor or with a different brand? I was going to get a simple Trustfire t-001 for half that at madvapes but read conflicting reviews. If I understand correctly this will charge twice as fast too.

One last q, does anyone know the shipping cost for RTD? Thanks for help with any of my questions!

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Baditude

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I buy all my AW batteries from RTD Vapors. I happened to buy the Pila charger from Altsmoke when I purchased my Silver Bullet and BB from them several months back because of its reputation of being the best charger available. I liked what I had read of its quality and the algorhythm this charger uses in charging batteries.

I've heard that the Xtar chargers utilize a similar if not the same algorhythm in their chargers and they have also earned an excellent reputation, and at a more affordable price. I recommend either brand.
 

peraspera

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The Xtar WP2 II has very good reviews but I'm awaiting a replacement for mine which is new. It will only rarely make a connection when charging my 18650 flat tops.

The built in positive connection doesn't seem to be connected very well to whatever it is supposed to connect to inside the charger. The 18350s seem to charge OK because either the screws on the spacers are connecting to something internally or they put enough pressure on the the built-in positive connection to work.

I ordered a Nitecore i2 Intellicharger and am hoping that will prove to be more reliable. It's what Orbtronics recommends for their Panasonic CGR18650CH batteries.
 

Dj Xy

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I use the wp6 II charger, and it performs perfectly (as opposed to the old trustfire charger that I used before it).
If you plan on using different size batteries you can't go wrong with the wp2 (if your like my and have a lot of batteries and lazy about charging than go with the wp6 :lol: )
Either way you wot be disappointed.
 

YoureFired

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I recently got an Xtar WP6 from AltSmoke and it's charging at around 20% faster than the Trustfire and UltraFire chargers I have. The AW 18650s that normally take 5 hours to charge are done in under four hours now. And the 18500s that usually take 3 hours are done at about 2 1/4 hours. I'm still comparing it to other chargers, but so far so good regarding the claims of it providing a faster charging time. It's also just nice to have a 6 bay charger instead of three duals.
 

supertrunker

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i have two of the Xstars - my wife and i have been vaping since August and what i like is that they will take any combination of batteries. They will charge without any particular fuss or attention my SB flat-top 3100 18650s, my REO button 1600 18650s, her flat eVic 18650s and her BB 750 14500s. No messing with adaptors or anything - just slide them in and get on with something else!

Love them!
 

Gunner83

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So with the Xtar WP2, does it automatically stop charging the batteries once they are fully charged?

I currently have the AG-126 for like $8 from MadVapes, but from what I understand, it will keep charging if you leave the batts in it, and can be a hazard. So I watch it like a hawk when I'm charging, so I can pull it once the batt is charged.

It would be nice to not have to worry like that.


EDIT: Answered my own question, by watching this video: http://youtu.be/-CBJZu8htZ0

Definitely going to pick one up now.

(For those not interested in semi-lengthy videos; The charger does stop charging once the batt is full, and only trickles more juice into the batt if you leave it in for too long and the charge drops below full capacity.)
 
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mightymen

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    No you can't
    Just ordered Xtar WP2 II for $ 19.95, Spacers 45 cents each, battery case $ 1.35 and a multmeter for $ 9.49
    From RDTvapor.com Little less on shipping and 5% off brought the charger down in price.
    Sub $ 31.69
    Coupon Discount (ECF5) $ 1.58 5% off
    USPS LivePriority Mail $0.00 $5.30
    Total 35.41

    They also have the new Xtar WP6 II for $31.95
     

    markfm

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    For short batteries (16340 or 18350), you do want to pick up the extra pair of spacers.

    For 18650, no spacers are needed, though if you have flat-top (no nipple) batteries you'll want to get a rare-earth magnet to put on the positive charger terminal, to get good contact. Avidvapor carries both the WP2 II as well as the rare earth magnets (which are quite inexpensive).

    For 18650, the 1A setting is fine to use, while for smaller batteries the 0.5A setting is generally the better one (though some batteries can in theory handle higher charging current I'm cautious, keep the charging A below the battery nominal mAh).
     

    peraspera

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    For short batteries (16340 or 18350), you do want to pick up the extra pair of spacers.

    For 18650, no spacers are needed, though if you have flat-top (no nipple) batteries you'll want to get a rare-earth magnet to put on the positive charger terminal, to get good contact. Avidvapor carries both the WP2 II as well as the rare earth magnets (which are quite inexpensive).

    For 18650, the 1A setting is fine to use, while for smaller batteries the 0.5A setting is generally the better one (though some batteries can in theory handle higher charging current I'm cautious, keep the charging A below the battery nominal mAh).

    I got my replacement Xtar WP-2 II and I can persuade the right slot to charge an 18650 if I push up hard on the negative connection slider but the left side refuses to connect. I think it is beyond silly that the charger requires a rare earth magnet to make a reliable connection.

    I ordered a Nitecore i2 Intellicharger. It charges both my 18350s and my 18650s without any need for spacers or rare earth magnets. The negative connection sliders have strong springs that ensure good contact with both the positive and negative connections The i2 also auto-detects the amps needed for the particular batteries being charged while the Xtar requires a manual setting to be changed. Like the Xtar it stops charging when the batteries are fully charged. My Xtar has now been relegated to backup status.
     
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