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ArcticMyst Security by Avery

Best 18650 Charger

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Are there any really nice chargers out there that shut off then the battery is fully charged so you dont have to worry about over charging?

My current charger may have the "smart circuit" as advertised but who knows what that could even be referring to:thinking:

Id be willing to spend a bit more money on it and Id love if it could charge other batteries as well. I know there has to be something like this out there.
 





DTR

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The WF-188 has always charged all my cells to 4.2V and it can handle just about any battery that you will ever come across in this hobby. I am sure there are others some can suggest that are considered high quality but the capabilities of this one are great. I have charged batteries between the 15266 all the way up to a 32650. It will charge 3.7V and 3.2V batteries via selector switch. Also has two charging rates. 300mA and 600mA via a switch.



Cheap
DealExtreme: $14.24 UltraFire WF-188 Rapid Charger for 3.2V/3.7V Lithium Batteries (100~240V)


Fast
Ultrafire WF-188 Charger for 14500 / 17500 / 18500 / 18650 / RCR123 3.7 volt Lithium Battery Charger

sku_44091_1.jpg
 
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DTR that charger looks pretty nice. Lighthound claims it has auto shut off but DX doesnt mention it. If it does I might have to pick that one up

Will it charge 10440 as well?
 
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DTR

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DTR that charger looks pretty nice. Lighthound claims it has auto shut off but DX doesnt mention it. If it does I might have to pick that one up

Will it charge 10440 as well?

It will charge just about any cylindrical li-ion including 10440's.
 
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Are there any really nice chargers out there that shut off then the battery is fully charged so you dont have to worry about over charging?

DTR's charger will charge the lithium ion cells just fine ...

but don't expect them to cut off at the "50 ma cut-off point" for #18650 cells.

The least expensive model I've seen is several times the cost (~ $50).

A quality cell will be fine with a charger that charges to 4.2 VDC.

LarryDFW
 
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I personally picked up a Pila IBC charger which implements the recommended charging method from the cell makers (CV/CC), but I used to use a WF-139 without any problems. Might pick up a WF-188 though so I can charge my A123 18650s, because I have to charge them with a WF-138 right now.
 
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DTR's charger will charge the lithium ion cells just fine ...

but don't expect them to cut off at the "50 ma cut-off point" for #18650 cells.

The least expensive model I've seen is several times the cost (~ $50).

A quality cell will be fine with a charger that charges to 4.2 VDC.

LarryDFW

I bought a few cells and a charger from you and they work great!

I made this thread because im convincing my father that he should get rid of the miscellaneous flashlights he uses and move to 18650 units. Id like to find him an ultra safe charger so that I more than anyone else can sleep soundly at night having suggested it.

Ideally would be a charger and a battery tender combination. Something that you could leave the batteries in that would keep them full but not over charge them until you need them. I cannot believe this type of device isnt already in wide spread use. How nice would it be to have freshly charged batteries of all common types on hand all the time.
 
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I second the notion on DFW's charger and batteries.
Quality cells and a good charger - both at good prices.
 
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I just got this one with batteries. Pretty good deal. Highest aH batteries I've seen in this size. Time will tell how good they really are.
 
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Ares;

The Ultrafire capacity is phony.

No commercial 18650's of that capacity are available at this time.

LarryDFW
 
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I 2nd Larry's statement. Highest real capacity that I've seen is 2900mah, and even the 3000mah's read 2900mah not 3000mah.

My 0.02 and I could be wrong!
 

Blord

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The Ultrafire batteries may not up to spec but I have the Ultrafire multicharger, the normal version of the DTR picture and this charger is good. It shut automatically off when the batteries are fully charged. I have never problems with it.
 
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I use a homemade charger using an integrated circuit from TI. It implements proper charging algorithms (CC/CV), detects failure conditions and much more, and cuts off at a user programable current and it charges at up to 1.1A.

It's a single 4x3x1mm IC, a USB connector and some passives. For power source I use one of those DX 5V 1A USB power supplies.
 
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The WF-188 has always charged all my cells to 4.2V and it can handle just about any battery that you will ever come across in this hobby. I am sure there are others some can suggest that are considered high quality but the capabilities of this one are great. I have charged batteries between the 15266 all the way up to a 32650. It will charge 3.7V and 3.2V batteries via selector switch. Also has two charging rates. 300mA and 600mA via a switch.



Cheap
DealExtreme: $14.24 UltraFire WF-188 Rapid Charger for 3.2V/3.7V Lithium Batteries (100~240V)


Fast
Ultrafire WF-188 Charger for 14500 / 17500 / 18500 / 18650 / RCR123 3.7 volt Lithium Battery Charger

sku_44091_1.jpg

This doesn't do CC/CV does it?

On the "ultrafire WF-188" Does the 300mA setting work as a nice slow charge? rather than the 650mA? Or am I confused?

Now I know for other rechargeable batteries a slow charge will help you keep them longer. Does this work on the 3.7 Lithium?? Or is it different?

EDIT: Is the one that DX sales just the same and the one you buy from somewhere else?
 
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