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Battery charger help needed (AA,AAA,18650 etc)

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GophersGarage

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Hi Guys, I am about to buy a new headlight and it will use 18650 type of batteries. So thought might as well get myself a good brand quality charger that can do many types of batteries.

2 channel is fine but maybe 4. I just like the more compact 2ch

My understanding is XTAR is very good stuff but man o man they make 300 models and I have no idea what to look for or which model

Budget is say 100 bucks. your thoughts.

example of one
 
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webscrounger

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I've used this XTAR VP4 Plus for a couple of years and it's worked great. Seems like it might meet your need and is within your budget. The 4-bay is a nice plus, for me at least.
www.xtar.cc

XTAR DRAGON VP4 Plus Charger - XTAR

XTAR DRAGON VP4 Plus, your personal battery doctor! • Test battery internal resistance and voltage • Test battery real capacity • Charge all popular
www.xtar.cc
 
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catalytic

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On photography/videography forums (where people use a ton of AA's and need every ounce of power/longevity), many people like a Maha 808 or similar.

When you buy batteries, you will want Ikea Ladda's. They are identical to EneloopPro's (same mfg plant same spec different sticker and very different price). Ladda/EneloopPro are the best AA and AAA for just about everything. I have tried newer batteries claiming 2800+mah, and the Ladda/EneloopPro win every time despite claiming 2400mah (tested using identical equipment running at the same time).

I use an EBL charger, which is not as fancy but at least has progress bars, 8 bays, and individual battery smart charging (so you can charge an empty and a half-full battery at the same time). One great feature is that its plug is USB-C, so I can use USB-C wall chargers for all my equipment (I try to use it for everything so I can carry only 2 identical AC adapters).

Also, you might want something that can both fast charge and slow charge (Fast in a pinch, but it hurts your batteries over time).

Finally, I have 8 bays and I consistently wish I had 16...you may quickly find you need more.
 
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F

FMB4

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I've been using an Energizer 4 bay for well over 15 trouble free years.
 
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toyotadriver

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I use a Maha (now Powerex) charger for AA batteries. I don't own any rechargable AAA batteries but the Maha charger will charge both. And, they aren't expensive. You can also get a 12v cigarette lighter plug so you can run the same charger off a vehicle. As far as 18650 batteries, Streamlight (and maybe others but I only own Streamlight 18650 batteries) makes an 18650 battery you can plug it directly into a mini USB cord and charge it directly no specific charger needed. Works really well.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B088NGD584

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0047V5EM2
 
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theoldwizard1

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To my knowledge, all rechargeable AA, AAA, C and D batteries are NiMh, not Li. Maga/Powered is the best n that area.

Also, be aware there are TWO very DIFFERENT Li battery chemistries. The typical small Li battery (18650, 26650) use one charging voltage and the LiFePO4 requires different charging voltages. This last type of battery is typically only in very large cells.
 
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Schirmer

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Aug 23, 2016
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The Nitecore D4 Digicharger is a great universal charger. I’ve been using 2 of them for a long time now without any issues. It’s a basic charger without all the bells and whistles, but it’ll most likely charge any type of rechargeable battery that you’re going to be using. The D4 can be purchased directly from Nitecore for ~40 bucks. Nitecore seems to be a decent company, based on the limited interaction I’ve had with them personally. I was in a hurry and left the cord to one of my Nitecore chargers in a hotel room back in October, I called Nitecore to purchase a new cord, they sent me a new replacement cord for my D4 free of charge. It’s just a charger, I wouldn’t get too caught up in all of the advanced function options and bright lights of the $100+ chargers, unless there’s a specific function you’re in need of, other than keeping your batteries charged.
 
OP
G

GophersGarage

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mrjaw14 said:
Nitecore D4

charger.nitecore.com

NITECORE D4 Intelligent Ultra-Compatible Digicharger

A highly compatible automatic charger built with crystalline LCD display,fully compatible with a multitude of battery types,and safety.
charger.nitecore.com

Charges just about everything. been using one for several years now.
Click to expand...
wow thats the same unit Fenix sells too

catalytic said:
On photography/videography forums (where people use a ton of AA's and need every ounce of power/longevity), many people like a Maha 808 or similar.

When you buy batteries, you will want Ikea Ladda's. They are identical to EneloopPro's (same mfg plant same spec different sticker and very different price). Ladda/EneloopPro are the best AA and AAA for just about everything. I have tried newer batteries claiming 2800+mah, and the Ladda/EneloopPro win every time despite claiming 2400mah (tested using identical equipment running at the same time).

I use an EBL charger, which is not as fancy but at least has progress bars, 8 bays, and individual battery smart charging (so you can charge an empty and a half-full battery at the same time). One great feature is that its plug is USB-C, so I can use USB-C wall chargers for all my equipment (I try to use it for everything so I can carry only 2 identical AC adapters).

Also, you might want something that can both fast charge and slow charge (Fast in a pinch, but it hurts your batteries over time).

Finally, I have 8 bays and I consistently wish I had 16...you may quickly find you need more.
Click to expand...

The main battery I need to charge will be for my Fenix headlamp and it is a 16340 but I don't see those high end brands make that type of battery. I might just order a spare Fenix battery to have on stand by
1640911071567.png
 
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Rinspeed

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catalytic said:
Ladda/EneloopPro are the best AA and AAA for just about everything.
Click to expand...




Great AA/AAA batteries compared to the regular Eneloops, if you want a shorter life and shorter shelf life, and they cost twice as much. What's not to like. :rolleyes:
 
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scooby074

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I have a Maha/Powerex as well. Mine only does AA&AAA but as a brand, Ive been very happy with the unit. Ive had it 5+ years now and would definitely buy Maha again.
 
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webscrounger

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Yep. Orbtronic is good stuff IMO. I have their 18650 high caps in several lights. Made in Japan I think with with Panasonic or Sanyo inside. My Fenix lights have the Fenix batteries that came with them. Good stuff too.
 
5

510ebl

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Any recommendations for a 16 space charger for AA/AAA/ etc? Most seem to stop at 8 spaces. We go through a LOT of AA batteries around the holidays for decorations.
 
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Rinspeed

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webscrounger said:
Yep. Orbtronic is good stuff IMO. I have their 18650 high caps in several lights. Made in Japan I think with with Panasonic or Sanyo inside. My Fenix lights have the Fenix batteries that came with them. Good stuff too.
Click to expand...



Panasonic bought out the battery division from Sanyo several years ago. If you stick with made in Japan batteries you should be fine. As I said I won't use any of the made China just because you don't know what you are getting. Duracell AAs were the best alkaline batteries made until they thought it was a good idea to make them in China and now they are ****.
 
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Steve_P

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I have a Nitecore and a Keenstone. I like the Keenstone better as it displays charging milliamps, time charging, etc.
 
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Odd-job

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Would get something that can also charge the latest 21700’s. Have a Nitecore D2 and 21700s do not fit. Thought I would stick with 18650s and smaller which didn’t happen.
 
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BTJHP

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TX
Depends on your needs.

If you need to be able to plug into 5v USB-C then these are good, but a bit slower than 12v
LiitoKala Lii-M4
Xtar VC4SL, VC2L

If you want to use a 120v AC to 12v DC power adapter which will charge faster
LiitoKala Lii-500s
LiitoKala Lii-PD4
Opus BT-C3100
Xtar VP4C, VC4
Xtar SV2
Miboxer C4-12

Check out reviews here
Link
 
R

Rinspeed

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Odd-job said:
Would get something that can also charge the latest 21700’s. Have a Nitecore D2 and 21700s do not fit. Thought I would stick with 18650s and smaller which didn’t happen.
Click to expand...





I agree 100% with this and I wouldn't be surprised if 18650s at least partially went away at some point in the future.
 
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decableguy2000

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I'm using the Nitecore D4, I will check this evening if a 21700 will fit. I'm thinking it does. Also check around for Fenix discount codes, there are several 20% off codes for the US.
 
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Odd-job

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decableguy2000 said:
I'm using the Nitecore D4, I will check this evening if a 21700 will fit. I'm thinking it does. Also check around for Fenix discount codes, there are several 20% off codes for the US.
Click to expand...

Definitely no bueno on my D2 and Opus. maybe I should have gone for the D4.

1C67BE4B-F350-4CC4-8DB2-979876F2117D.jpeg

251AF338-FB1E-4B23-85F5-337AB75F868E.jpeg

Also for the OP the more bays the better especially for recharging large quantities of NIMH batteries. One of the bays in my Opus also crapped out so happy I had three more.
 
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Pexto

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theoldwizard1 said:
To my knowledge, all rechargeable AA, AAA, C and D batteries are NiMh, not Li.
Click to expand...

As regards the AA size, there are rechargeable Li-ion batteries available. Technically, they are 14500 size and not AA per se, but they fit perfectly. And of course they are 3.2V, so they are not necessarily compatible with equipment that uses AAs.

Frankly the 14500s are not really worth the trouble. For example, my Zebralight H52 is designed to use either AAs or 14500s. But the updated version, the H53, doesn't have the option to use 14500s; I guess Zebralight didn't feel the feature was worth continuing.
 
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decableguy2000

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decableguy2000 said:
I'm using the Nitecore D4, I will check this evening if a 21700 will fit. I'm thinking it does. Also check around for Fenix discount codes, there are several 20% off codes for the US.
Click to expand...
No go in D4, the one light that I have that uses a 21700 has a USB 21700. Nitecore recommends a U series charger for 21700s
 
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theoldwizard1

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Pexto said:
As regards the AA size, there are rechargeable Li-ion batteries available. Technically, they are 14500 size and not AA per se, but they fit perfectly. And of course they are 3.2V, so they are not necessarily compatible with equipment that uses AAs.
Click to expand...
Stick with EneLoop for AA applications. Less hassle !
 
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MINIz guy

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Ok, out in left field here but I prefer the Zanflare C4 as it has the ability to test resistance. I also considered XTAR and Opus but decided on Zanflare instead. The price has shot up considerably from the $29 I purchased it at, but the others have also increased in price.

If not buying from Amazon, I'd shop at liionwarehouse. A friend owns the company and he offers very reasonable prices for a small business.
 
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Pexto

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theoldwizard1 said:
Stick with EneLoop for AA applications. Less hassle !
Click to expand...
I tend to agree. The 14500s have slightly more capacity, they are slightly lighter, and they do a little better in cold weather. But rechargeable NiMH batteries are pretty close, and as you say, less hassle. And they're much less expensive.

You have to move to larger cells (like the 18650) before the Li-ion batteries really show a clear performance advantage over NiMH.
 
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