Xtar vp2 question
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18650s can all be charged at a full 1A. Some people think that it's better to charge them slower - but i never noticed any difference in performance.
You can find the maximum charge current for any battery in the manufacturer's spec sheet, and most will charge at higher than 1A, but most chargers cannot provide it. The exceptions are smaller capacity batteries like 18350s etc.
T
You can find the maximum charge current for any battery in the manufacturer's spec sheet, and most will charge at higher than 1A, but most chargers cannot provide it. The exceptions are smaller capacity batteries like 18350s etc.
T
Neil,
the booklet is very conservative.
There's a globally accepted rule of thumb that says: "It is ok to charge your LiIon battery at half its capacity rating". Meaning: if your battery has 2500mAh it is perfectly fine to to charge it with 1250mA (or rounded 1A). If your battery has 1000mAh, you should charge it at 500mA and so forth. If you want to google more about this rule, it is known as the "0.5C rule".
In over 600 LiIons I've tested so far, I've never ever seen a battery that wasn't Ok with 0.5C. (Most even allow for 1C, some even higher, that's where the manufacturers data sheet comes into play. But 0.5C is always ok.
the booklet is very conservative.
There's a globally accepted rule of thumb that says: "It is ok to charge your LiIon battery at half its capacity rating". Meaning: if your battery has 2500mAh it is perfectly fine to to charge it with 1250mA (or rounded 1A). If your battery has 1000mAh, you should charge it at 500mA and so forth. If you want to google more about this rule, it is known as the "0.5C rule".
In over 600 LiIons I've tested so far, I've never ever seen a battery that wasn't Ok with 0.5C. (Most even allow for 1C, some even higher, that's where the manufacturers data sheet comes into play. But 0.5C is always ok.
When it comes to a VP2... sigh, the voltage options get people into more trouble. It's a flexible charger but you want to keep your voltage setting at 3.6 volts for all standard Li-On batteries.
The 3.2 volt setting is for Li-Po batteries - not what we use. The 3.8 volt setting is for the few, rare 4.35 Li-On's in the market that require a 4.4 volt termination voltage. Again - not what we use and that setting can damage standard 4.2 volt batteries.
As far as charging current goes... all the basics have already been covered. The theory is using a lower charge current will give you an overall longer life span. Your tradeoff will be: with a lower charge current it will take longer to charge. Still, I charge 18650's in a VP1 at the 250 mA setting and it doesn't slow me down either. It takes longer, but it's not making charging an all day event either. So use a low current setting when you can, but you are safe to bump up to the 500 mA or 1 amp setting for your 25r's if you need to get them off the charger faster.
The 3.2 volt setting is for Li-Po batteries - not what we use. The 3.8 volt setting is for the few, rare 4.35 Li-On's in the market that require a 4.4 volt termination voltage. Again - not what we use and that setting can damage standard 4.2 volt batteries.
As far as charging current goes... all the basics have already been covered. The theory is using a lower charge current will give you an overall longer life span. Your tradeoff will be: with a lower charge current it will take longer to charge. Still, I charge 18650's in a VP1 at the 250 mA setting and it doesn't slow me down either. It takes longer, but it's not making charging an all day event either. So use a low current setting when you can, but you are safe to bump up to the 500 mA or 1 amp setting for your 25r's if you need to get them off the charger faster.
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Rick, the 3.2v setting is for LiFePO4. Li-po use the 3.6v setting, but are rarely used in vaping unless they are flat cells that are built in
I didn't know the VP2 has a 3.8v setting, but I haven't checked out chargers for a while. Good to know that.
Rick, the 3.2v setting is for LiFePO4. Li-po use the 3.6v setting, but are rarely used in vaping unless they are flat cells that are built in
I didn't know the VP2 has a 3.8v setting, but I haven't checked out chargers for a while. Good to know that.
Well at least you knew what I meant.
(Get sloppy some times in the wee hours.) The greater point is it's a non standard setting for what we use and more of interest to the flashlight crowd.The VP2 also reintroduces the "charger as USB power supply" option. Single battery in place combined with a USB output port turns it into a 5v charging supply for portable devices.
VP2's have been on sale at xtardirect at $29.90 for a long time. VP1 is about twenty five bucks.
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