BT-C3100 Battery Charger Pt 1

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A look at and review of the Opus BT-C3100. This battery / cell charger can be used for charging and testing multiple cell types / sizes and chemistries. It can be used with NiCd, NiMH and 3.7v Li-ion. AA, AAA, 10440, 14500, 16340, 18500, 18650.
Each slot can function independently. The unit can charge, discharge, cycle and test cells.
A dedicated round battery charger that features both multi-chemistry support and battery analyzing functionality
Another in depth review can be found here:
www.lygte-info....
They can be purchased here:
ru.nkon.nl/opus...
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Music clip from KZbin Music Library - Phase Three by Huma-Huma
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[@salvadorkhaleesisalvador6888]

*This battery reconditioning program exceeded my presumptions. It worked on any drill battery, several AA and AAA batteries, **batery.repair** and any camera battery. The steps are simple and the act itself is exciting to do. No matter what type of battery you`ve got, it is sure to function again!*

[@mikemullenix6956]

I've owned that charger for years and use it all the time. But never knew the other functions as you described so well. Thanks !

[@ciprianwinerElectronicManiac]

These Chargers usually charge the batteries with PWM. At least my LaCrosse BC-700 does. That's why your multimeter shows a different current hopefully that's the case. Also an Eneloop never has 2200mAh when discharged. My Eneloops even when new never had more than about 2000mAh and that's when they were fresh of the charger. The charger always puts more mAh in a Ni-Mh, Ni-Cd battery because the charge efficiency of those chemistry's aren't that efficient. Lithium battery's are the most efficient 99-100% efficient as I found out. Also the charger can put more or less mAh depending on the charge current because of the Delta V or T charge termination. Thanks for sharing your nice review Martin :)

[@rickrose169]

I just got my BT C3100 v2.2 and I'm pretty happy with it. I've found that the only reliable discharge/meter mode is the Charge Test. I base this on using every mode to test known capacity batteries measured with a B6. I'm looking at evaluating hundreds of 18650s and this lets me do four at once. Each cycle takes about five hours.That's cut my evaluation time in half. A forty dollar machine that does what four twenty dollar machines is a bargain. My only negative is that the fan is noisy. I also bought a LittoKala Lil-260 hoping it would discharge/meter as accurately but no such luck. Not even close on the discharge cycle. So I have another $16 two cell charger.

[@waheex]

great video, I have had 2 of these chargers and they both failed. One completely and the other showing 'null' for every battery. It's a pity as they have good functionality

[@mariushmedias]

I wonder if there wasn't an issue with the burden voltage of the multimeter when measuring the current. That plus the accuracy of the meter may be the reason why it's so off at low currents. Your meter may have another burden voltage on the high amps range which doesn't affect the unit that much.

[@mjlorton]

Yes, good point and something I started checking last night. It does not seem to be the case but one I'm still investigating. I'm currently checking and trying to verify the accuracy of the consumption (mAh) figures as well.

[@Ju00Ls]

mjlorton Hi; could it be pulse charging the battery, then it could in theory measure the voltage in the rest period?

[@hammerjoe2008]

mjlorton I was wondering what you found out about the difference in the readings of current between the charger and the DMM?

[@nickpelov]

Burden voltage of the multimeter messes with the chargers circuits. You should always use 10A range when you test charge/discharge current.

[@leecherlarry]

wow great review, thanks for the share! as other testers pointed out the voltage display *is accurate* at the time the display is refreshed. the voltage display is _not_ real-time but updates only *once per 60s*, i.e. display update frequency is (1/60)Hz. very low update frequency. should be higher imho.

[@moosbrth]

OK, my 2 cents on this charger. I had to order it directly from China, even Amazon hasn't mitts on them yet. I does like the charging capabilities, mixed voltages and chemistry. It is rather pricey! The one grip I have about it is that the fan started making noise shortly after using it. So, I opened it, another sleeve bearing gone bad. The fan is an absolute piece of crap. There isn't much choice when you want a 25mm x 7mm cooling fan. I was directed by one of the Chinese to one brand that's supposed to be good. I even found a 25 x 6mm Ball Bearing fan. Anyway, my 2 cents. Where did you end up when you moved over here? Like it? Now you can have a room full of Chinese stuff.

[@SolarSteve]

This is a great device, one thing I've noticed is that the closer the cells are to the right hand side the hotter they get. Some of the cells get uncomfortably hot. Initially I thought it was because of bad cells, however now I think the heating element inside is actually heating the cells up. I noticed this because it's always the cells to the right, the first cell on the left is always the coolest. (I've tested with my thermal camera while having three of these devices running discharging a total of 12 cells)

[@SolarSteve]

Yeah... point being that it heats the cells... you'd think the cooling fan running would cool them off. I've started running a fan on them now to make sure they stay cool...

[@olt0Mi105Ss]

Just checked the manual for this and it can also charge 26650 and 22650 Li-ion too.

[@jimsbagels1991]

Love your videos, not too many actual reviews of products like this

[@danijel124]

How well does the discharge work? Because you havent really showed us that (Probably a promotional video). The charger needs to get rid of aprox 16 watts of power at full discharge and I cant see that happening with that tiny fan and no heatsink on the teardown.....

[@donjenkins2465]

I noticed an Ebay seller is claiming: "Charger has the new updated version 2.0 software." wonder if this fixes the fan issues... Do you know which version your test model was running?

[@jpaul4595]

Will this charger work for 123A batteries?

[@jonyjoe8464]

I had mine about 2 months and have tested about 150 18650 cells. Has worked good but now the lcd screen has began to fail, still charges but the screen is getting harder to read, also slot 4 when in charge mode, when battery is full, it starts to drain it. I was hoping this charger would last, going to get a foxnovo next hope I have better luck with that one. Maybe I just got a bad one but I really liked it when it worked. I dont know if I can recommend it for heavy use.

[@UberAlphaSirus]

I might be wrong but the charge current looks like a software bug/error. Could measure the voltage across the current shunt in the tear down just in case it was burden voltage. Was it one of your good MM's you used or a cheep one? Nice little charger in any case.

[@livesonjura]

If I insert a discharged Li-ion battery with a voltage of 1 volt, how can this charger tell whether the battery is a NiCd , NiMH or a badly discharged Li-Ion?

[@toochi84]

I see this is old video review, I was wondering if you have had the opportunity to test and review the Liitokala lii-500? ive been reading many reviews of the bt-c1000 (1, 2 and 2.2?) either overcharging or during cycle tests, showing higher than capacities than factory specs.

[@VazgShah79]

Good review. Can You explain what is the main difference between OPUS BT-C3100 v2.2 and OPUS BT-C3400 3.1?

[@jusb1066]

look forward to this being sold on major outlets, right now, next to impossible to buy

[@ptmoy1]

How does this charger know what type of battery is being charged without a user selection?

[@TechTuners]

Hi I have been watching a load of your videos! I am trying to decide between buying the LiitoKala Engineer Lii-500, the Foxnovo F-4S, or the Opus / Floureon BT-C3100. Which one is best for measuring an accurate capacity? I already have a Nitecore D4 for simple (smart) charging but I want to measure the real mAh of some 18650 batteries that I have salvaged from laptops.

[@liviupatty]

Hi, i wander if you find any for measuring accurate capacity , i have Bt-c3100 but the current reading is so much out It accumulate the wrong current thus giving a too high capacity reading , i have test 4 cells removed from old laptop battery with bt-c3100 and with Constant Current Electronic Load 9.99A 60W 30V Battery Discharge Capacity Tester from China and IMax B6 and the result tell me this device is not good at all to use for discharge battery and measuring accurate capacity

[@JulianIlett]

Nice review Martin. Looks like the designers have addressed most of the criticisms of the Technoline/La Crosse chargers - 12v input instead of silly 3v, display backlight, 500mA default charge current. The quick test internal resistance check is a welcome addition too. Dual chemistry makes this a must have. User guide: www.scribd.com/doc/209978220/BT-C3100-manual-pdf

[@mjlorton]

Thanks Julian...and for posting the link. Cheers, Martin.

[@J2897Tutorials]

+Julian Ilett 4:33 Considering this was over a year ago, does anyone know if the "full" bug has been addressed?

[@emanuelkruijt962]

Look it's just for 30.99 dollars www.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_174044.html?wid=21&lkid=10329996 I hope this can help you kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3KQfo2QeZx7e7M

[@22smudger]

Can you place 18650 size cells in any of the 4 slots, or are these too limited to the outer 2 positions?

[@gasmanrus]

You can place them in each slot (or even 21700 cells) it’s just the outer slots that will provide 2a charging.

[@lightdark00]

Will you be able to do another review of the unit with software version 2.1? The lygte-info site has an updated page for it.

[@Coolkeys2009]

Will it charge very old well used batteries with higher internal resistance but more than half capacity?

[@XxAlex93xX]

Does the BT-C3100 work with alkaline batteries?

[@timnolan8643]

I'm charging up used laptop batteries with a view to making a large ebike battery. After chargin them do you have to discharge them as well,can you just charge them then check days or weeks later if they still hold the charge bearing in mind .they will come dd own a bit from 4.2 towards their 3.7 normal charge.

[@scriptorium-in-candelight]

thank you -I didn't know they had different functional chargers--I get tired and I just didn't put any effort into it--your video is very helpful...to know their are different measurments and chargers...my heats my batteries so much they expand.....and have less use...did you get it off the internet---lololol--how much were they...?

[@paulg7407]

Can we balance batteries with this charger? Like if I wanted to put them at a specific voltage

[@felipebarona9036]

hi, can i use this Opus BT-C3100 to charge a ni-mh size D battery, i mean if i can have the battery slot able to receive the size D battery, will it do the job? thanks .

[@maman89]

Whoah that multi meter is serious business

[@walkertongdee]

Thanks you and julian Ilett are my go to dudes

[@kinderkid360]

can this restore over discharged batteries like other chargers ?

[@wuwo9348]

Hello, if the current reading is so much out - then what is the capacity reading worth? It will accumulate the wrong current thus giving a too high capacity reading. Only the manufacturers of fake 18650 cells will benefit from that because while they sold you a crappy battery the charger shows a high capacity...

[@timcabc]

+WuWo According to another review, the Charge capacity display is overestimating the mAh (significantly), but the Discharge capacity display will give a correct value. That review also said if you charge one battery at a time the charge capacity display will be more accurate.

[@lifehackertips7598]

11:05 did you just say the charger will drain the batteries that are left in there? Taht doesn't seem right, a charger shouldn't drain the fully charged batteries

[@Vector_Ze]

Lordy, I hate wall warts! But, they seem ubiquitous, inescapable, nowadays. And even worse, most of them don't identify the device they arrived with...so I've got a big box full of them, LOL. More recently (last few years) I've begun labeling the ugly bastards as they enter my domain. I long for the day of devices which had their power supplies incorporated in the device's case, even though that necessitates a larger case, six of one a half dozen of the other. Not really even though, considering the inconvenience of having to deal with wall warts. Thanks for the in-depth review: I'm trying to decide between the C3100 and the Xtar VC4. I'm a bit concerned that all of the reviews I can find seem to be 1-3 years old, for devices currently on the market, and that something new and showing great new features will appear the week after I press the 'buy' button. That's what usually happens.

[@scriptorium-in-candelight]

Thank you --thought it seems trival. It's an important item for me because so many different items can run off of batteries. I have found a few large chargers, yet nothing as easy, simple and intelligent that I had hoped for. I liked this one --you know intelligence is important to me...so I wanted the large charger -they are rather big they charge 9v DD AAA AA etc....if it had two cables for even small batteries that would be great to...I have the little portable 6v4.5AH-20 hr small batteries packs a small charger that charged all of them would be fantastic--with an external SOLAR option in case of emergency--I guess I could engineer one ...If they were smarter and produced an all around adaptable battery charger I would be happier....this one is ok it lacks a lot more functionality and versatility its a good start.....If you ever come across something like that could you keep me in mind...I would appreciate it very much and thank you for all your wonderful videos.:) again thanks..hope its not to complicated just makes more sense that way

[@RSP13]

Now THAT is a Charger!

[@mushroomgods4707]

is there anyone in uk selling these yet? had a quick google and found feck all

[@WellsteadEnterprise]

It makes it safe and easy, buy this shit!

[@DinoBloise]

Nice review!!!!

[@joopvandervelden1033]

About 1 week ago i aquired this charger at nkon.nl. The issue with the fan seems to be solved, there is no pulsing anymore. Also the display of the channels in FULL is now cycling between the measured capacity and the text "FULL".

[@scriptorium-in-candelight]

My batteries get hot--it also reduces the ability to use storage--like solar--rechargeable batteries---I don't think they have perfected the content of the batteries so you can use smaller ones...for solar power....Just in case where in the british barracks in 28 days later....hidingbehind the mirror..or cooking in the kitchen.........wellneed solar power from the zombies

[@electronicsNmore]

Very nice charger. I'd like to have one. :-). The Alkaline battery pulse charger I made on my channel works fantastic considering the simplicity. No leaks/bulging. Works extremely well.

[@theofelix99]

a tip: you can watch series at flixzone. Been using them for watching lots of of movies during the lockdown.

[@marcvincenzo430]

@Theo Felix Yup, have been watching on flixzone} for years myself =)

[@mekhigary3241]

@Theo Felix Yup, I have been watching on flixzone} for since november myself :D

[@tombouie]

I finally found your video again. It's the archetype/template at least for me. Sooner or later I get around to building my own. Thks Oh just small inputs though, panels & batteries can be placed in series for a 24V or 48V solar panel system. However it best to have a battery mgmt/balancing system for charging any series batteries (BMS kzbin.info/www/bejne/g4vcimSapdCUbcU ). Also a good PWM charge controller will last much longer & is much cheaper than a MPPT charge controller (ex: electrolytic capacitors in MPPT charge controllers only have a ~7year life cycle). A good PWM charge controller is about ~%15 less efficient than a MPPT charge controller ( www.wegsolar.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/163/2016/09/MPPT-PWM-difference.png ). So the long-term worth of stepping-up to a MPPT controller is very questionable. Also a buck-boost converter is a DC to DC transformer ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/b16QkJ2Xrc6Lnqc ). So with a buck-boost converter & the right connector plug, you can provide a wide range of DC voltages to feed electronics gadgets. For example, a good small battery charger with a 12V input might be important ( kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3KQfo2QeZx7e7M ). Oh I think a buck-boost converter has electrolytic capacitors on them. Lastly I'm going with circuit breaker like one of the posters mentioned.

[@thomasjefferson5241]

I learned nothing from watcing this.I have this model and just bought some hi mah aaa batteries and want to test how much mah they put out according to what they say on the battery.Why cant anyone just make a simple video showing how to do that.