XTAR VC4 Lithium/NiMH Battery Charger Review

[@chrisleech1565]

Over a year old!! and I have just become aware of its existence... I am gobsmacked. Fabulous and well worth the scratch. I am looking for some decent prices right now. Had to look at your review of course :-) Thanks for taking the time and great job btw. Regards

[@Lightsngear]

Thank you! Good luck in the search!

[@MrKewlStuff]

I see a misprint on the box for batt. size, they forgot the AA, button charger back it is listed, thanks for the review

[@Kopsu87]

Good review! I already ordered this, waiting the mail like a kid on Christmas.

[@Lightsngear]

Kopsu Very nice! Enjoy.

[@Stinger788053]

After it turns green and is fully charged does the final mAh reading have any meaning?

[@frankcrawford416]

Thank you I would have not been able to figure this out with the limited instructions that came in box.

[@Lightsngear]

You're welcome!

[@ShenRC]

Ok have a ? say you have the 3 batteries in like in your video charging and it's at .500mah now say the 3channel cell finishes charging now will the amperage now go to 1amp to the 2 other batteries still charging?

[@Lightsngear]

+shenlonco Good question. Although I haven't charged 3 like that, to specifically notice how it reacts...but my gut feeling tells me it's probably going to remain at 500 until the 3rd battery is removed. I'd have to try it to find out, but I THINK as long as a cell in the slot, it's going to prohibit the amperage from being higher than .05A

[@ShenRC]

can you please confirm this ? you can just put some almost fully charged batteries in and it will show results real quick when a cell charges fully. THANKS

[@Lightsngear]

+shenlonco Okay... I just finished trying that! And I was right. I had cells in slots 1,3 & 4. Slot 3 finished first, and the others remained at 0.5 until I removed the cell from slot 3...which allowed them to go up to 1.0

[@ShenRC]

Yes that is like my nitecore d4 charger it charges at your set rate but when a battery is charged and you pull one of them out then all charge rates switch and that is just stupid in my opinion charge rates should never change. I don't like that , that's why I use my Xtar XP4 it don't do that and does a better job.

[@steveh3483]

thank you for taking the time to do this review.

[@Lightsngear]

Steve Haresign Absolutely. You're welcome.

[@billnott5811]

Has anyone had one of these chargers for any serious length of time , like months or years ? There seems to be a common thread on a lot of the negative reviews on Amazon about this charger that a lot of them stops working in a relatively short amount of time..

[@Lightsngear]

Bill Nott I haven't followed Amazon reviews on this, and mine is still working fine.

[@billnott5811]

May I ask how long you've had yours ? I'm trying to find a couple decent chargers to add to my emergency provisions

[@Lightsngear]

Well, the video was done in April of `15, so it's been as least that long. If you're buying it as an accompaniment to other chargers, I'm sure it'll do fine.

[@interpol007]

Bill Nott I've had my xtar vc2 for almost 4 years now, no issues. Just got my vc4

[@Wahian1]

When charging D cells in the outer slots, the button end keeps popping up so I put s bit of weight on them to keep them in place. Otherwise, the charger has worked fine for me with the smaller sizes and different types.

[@Flak-n-Roll]

Really nice rewiew,thanks!Watched this,searched some more info and ordered charger..

[@jmhallgjmhallg9542]

I am in a learning mode about DC electronics. I have the VC4 with a DROK USB Tester. I put one eneloop AA battery in slot 1 for charging. On VC4 center display is says 1 amp, but the drok is reading .11 to start and eventually going to .35 amps. This is way below the 1 amp the VC4 indicates. Can you help me understand what is going on?

[@Lightsngear]

I'm trying it as well. And with a battery voltage of 1.35, the tester is showing .39 amps. Can't say I say the answer either right now. Sorry.

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

My only gripe with XTar is the USB plug. universal, can be found anywhere which is great, but i dont want to bring my USB charger adapter just to charge my batteries. In Nitecore D4, it is incorporated in the charger itself, no need for a separate USB power adapter, which you might use in your phones by the way.. and not all usb power adapter are created the same. You will draw different amount of power with different chargers and and even depends with the cable being used. Some cables are designed for a particular usb pin configuration and sometimes do not draw enough power.

[@Lightsngear]

Oliver Lorenzo Thanks for that bit of info. I wasn't aware there was that much variance in the charging cables.

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

Syrbuff There is a lot of variance. But that cable that comes with Xtar is definitely designed to draw 2 amp or prob more. The problem is, rarely are USB wall power adapters rated to more than 2.1-2.3 amp, and compatibility of the included cable with the USB power adapter may be a problem.

[@glenjones4167]

can this slow trickle charge for depleted batteries.?

[@Lightsngear]

slow trickle charge? it "revives" depleted batteries.

[@glenjones4167]

+Syrbuff that's what I ment. Thank you

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

Glen Jones it most probably trickle charge. but i wouldnt trust my life on it if you ask me.

[@dennyhayes1818]

Can you use this to test the mah capacity of the Lithium-Ion batteries, since the ratings on so many are lies?

[@Lightsngear]

Denny Hayes No it doesn't do that. Please refer to my videos for the Opus and MiBoxer chargers for that function.

[@Calliber84]

very good detail i am getting this charger today only to check battteries with higher mah so i can keep them.

[@Lightsngear]

Oh...okay...well I hope you like it!!

[@AszBall]

Does this show the level of charge on batteries (like percentage or bars etc) or only show charging/full without charge level?

[@Lightsngear]

No, no bars or anything. The numeric "dial" indicates the voltage when full.

[@MrYeldarb6000]

Hi Thanks for the review, so am i right in understanding that if you wish to charge at 1amp, you need to make sure ch2 and ch3 are empty ... otherwise it forces the charge rate down to 0.5amp?

[@Lightsngear]

That's correct.

[@jmanning4850]

I believe I saw on the box that the charger would auto cutoff after a full charge. Does this happen? Also, I noted when you were charging the smaller battery, amp didn't appear to increase after the voltage was reached. I would have thought the amperage would have increased to 3000 or whatever the battery should have been. Thanks...Jerry

[@Lightsngear]

I'm sorry I'm confused by your question. Are you asking about charger amperage or battery mAh battery capacity?

[@JS-te4gz]

Something happened between with ch3 and the 16340....it was at 3.9v then 4.2 in a minute...3.9 might be 50% capacity

[@capoman1]

It looks like you have a booger on your right hand lol. Ignore the booger, good review.

[@Metalhead-4life]

LOL, I was just thinkin the same thing.

[@lukeb5584]

Hi and thanks for the review. Can this charger also charge 1.5Volt Li-Ion batteries?

[@2010stoof]

Can you toggle the amperage yourself by holding down the button like the vc2plus master or does the charger just decide based on slot?

[@Lightsngear]

No you can't. The charger decides the current. It's 1.0 in 1&4 and .5 in 2&3.

[@olt0Mi105Ss]

Another option is also the BT-C3100 charger.

[@Lightsngear]

olt0Mi105Ss Absolutely!! A Wonderful charger!

[@olt0Mi105Ss]

Syrbuff Just realised you already reviewed it !

[@tstreet7249]

olt0Mi105Ss Just got mine today...many more capabilities than this xtar...opus is the best

[@hydeist0666]

Hello brother. My wall adaptor that uses 2.1a 5v gets hot when im charging. Is that okay? Thank you.

[@Lightsngear]

Most wall adapters get warm when in use. I have several that do. Now if yours in more on the "hot" side...versus the "very warm" side...then you might want to try a different one and see if it does the same thing.

[@hydeist0666]

Syrbuff it's not the hot though because i can touch it. I think its on the very warm side. Thank you fornyour reply. You deserve more subs!

[@AdamHelb]

Nice review. On thing about this charger is that it's very finicky about the USB charger driving it. With some chargers it throttles down to very low currents and it can take a very long time to charge your battery.

[@Lightsngear]

+AdamHelb Yes, although it's handy to have the USB option, I usually prefer to connect it to a wall adapter.

[@MrEsjur]

Thanks for the revieuw. 1 question how can you discharge?

[@Lightsngear]

You can't. This charger only CHARGES. It doesn't discharge.

[@azryazwan8708]

wow i never knew the charging operation can be so simple. all those dials and numbers looks too complicated but its just all plug and play. nice

[@thevapingmahmi8344]

Hi! Do I need to charge my 18650s in this before using them for the first time? And do I leave the top insulators on the batteries while charging and while using them? Or is the insulator for storage only? Thank you so much if you can answer these questions and I am sorry if IM annoying you I just want to handle these batteries safely

[@Lightsngear]

Yes it's always a good idea to charge batteries before using them. And yes if there's anything shielding the ends, remove it.

[@mesutyaman2992]

Please could you just try with a only one battery either second channel or 3.th channel and then see the charging Amps value ?.

[@pmallgood]

I like to charge all 4 of my 18650"s at the same rate. 0.5a is good, but if the batteries in slots 2 and 3 are done charging, but still left in the slot, do the other two batteries in slots 1 and 4 jump up to 1.0a? or will they stay at 0.5a until i take out the batteries in slots 2 and 3?

[@Lightsngear]

+Phillip Allgood Those still charging will remain at 0.5 and will only get "bumped" to 1.0 by removing the other 2 cells. amzn.to/1mlqj2S

[@SkylineTTurbo]

Great video, I don't know if you mentioned this in your video (I'm at work, so I can't watch the full thing), but can you do a discharge and refresh? If not, any charger you'd recommend for that? I've had my LaCrosse chargers forever now and I feel like it's time for an upgrade...

[@Lightsngear]

Thanks for the question. No, the Xtar doesn't have any discharge modes. Of the several chargers I own, about the only one that does is the Opus BT-C3100 (you can find the video here on my channel). I know there are a couple of new ones that have come out recently...(not Opus but other good brands) but I haven't seen them in detail so I'm not sure what they do.

[@gwubllu3384]

I think I understood you correctly... But to be sure,,, will this charge 3 18650 batteries uniformly so as to keep batteries married for vaping mods??? Appreciate it if vapers chime in... for the rx200...

[@Lightsngear]

+G Wubllu Absolutely. Up to 4 can be charged together. Obviously with any type of charging, the unit will charge each of them separately. Depending on the brand of battery, each of them COULD end up at slightly different ending voltages, and with slightly different capacities. But as long as they're not wildly apart that's usually not a problem. I have 2 sets of 4 identical 18650's. One is Keeppower, and one is Samsung. I use all 4 of them at once in a flashlight. Each time I use them in the light, and re-charge them, I'm amazed at how uniform they are! They usually all come off the charger at the same voltage. They even discharge in the light with amazing uniformity.

[@goldencoin100]

i know this calls for a 2.1 amp 5v power supply usb.. but 4 slots at .5 amp each is only 2 amp... that in mind do you think 5v 2amp usb supply would be sufficient? the 0.1 amp difference must be to power the display?

[@Lightsngear]

+goldencoin100 Yes I think that is sufficient. What I'm using for this charger now is input 0.6A, output 5v --- 2100mA.

[@MrAsus3571]

bout to by a nitecore d2 ? 4 ya xstar vs the one I stated? thankyou

[@Cid_1]

I've been looking for this charger but they don't sell it where i live. I found another charger which seems really close,with similar features. It's called the Nitecore D4 and it seems like a good quality charger. Do you have any experience with that one?

[@Lightsngear]

Cid1 Normally you'll only find these type of products online. Here's an Amazon link to it; amzn.to/1NHdoiv Yes, I also own Nitecore's D4. It's a fairly good charger. Here's my review of it; lightsngear.com/nitecore-digicharger-d4-review/

[@rusdhimohamad569]

Wall plug power output 2A? Charging 2 batteries it shows charging at 1A, is it 1A divided for the 2 batteries or charging at 1A for each battery? Is there any charger that can charge at 2A or even 4A??

[@danijel124]

it charges 1a on two slots. if you want more amperage you should get the efest version

[@JasonWW2000]

It should be 1 amp for either 1 or 2 batteries as long as they are in channels 1 and 4. If you want 2 amps per battery xtar has the SV2.

[@zufoid]

Very useful review. Just ordered this charger now after seen this movie. Thanks a lot mate!

[@Lightsngear]

You're welcome! Hope you like it :-)

[@darealjae-dee7214]

thx 4 the reviews, they are really informative. i was wondering if the xtars are the only chargers that repair dead batteries from being over discharged? after looking at all the chargers youve seen what charger would you recommend for someone looking to buy 1 now. xtars, efest, nitecore, or the opus?? i was leaning towards the opus? but i seen a review saying it didnt recharge dead cells.. any help would be appreciated.. thx

[@Lightsngear]

+Jimmie Dorsey Thanks for the question! And you've kinda nailed it! I've had a couple of seriously discharged cells before. One was an 18350 IMR which was discharging in my pocket...and I didn't know! It was down to about 1.5 volts!!!!!! I put it in the Opus...and nothing happened. I think it actually displayed "full" for about 1 second. Anyway, I took it out and put it in the VC4. Within 1 minute it started to charge. Anyway the charged completed, and it seems to be good now. So yes, among the chargers that I'm familiar with, I can only attest that the Xtar actually "revives". I love the Opus for a whole host of reasons. Bottom line, reviving cells shouldn't need to be something that's done regularly anyway. But, in a pinch, the Xtar can save the day!

[@Lightsngear]

+wcr3650 Which XTAR or which charger in general?

[@Lightsngear]

***** Sorry for the slow response; Well, like with anything else someone's always trying to invent the 'perfect' charger. Out of those that I own and have reviewed, the Opus BT-C3100/3400 probably remains my favorite....until something more fantastic comes along.

[@damaylaphoenix1155]

falfield you need to check xtar website cuz u got the specs wrong. this charger goes from 0.1A to 1.0A the two middle have a max output of 0.5 A and the outer two max is 1.0A

[@joash480]

mine doesnt have the sticker but it does have the warranty card where you csn check in their website if its authentic whuch mine is according to their website. anyway, do where should i best put aaa and aa batters? on the .5A or 1.0A?

[@Lightsngear]

Ash I would just go with the charger default. I usually charge AA's at 1A.

[@goldencoin100]

also could the usb of this charger plugged into AC, be used on an inverter running off of a 12v DC battery?

[@Lightsngear]

I'm sorry I don't know the answer to that.

[@norme2681]

+goldencoin100 Yes, but not your best choice, they sell an auto adapter cord that plugs into your car's cigarette lighter or charging port.

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

goldencoin100 I bet they will run perfectly fine...as long as the you have a usb adapter/charger on the cigarette port. It doesnt matter where you plug this charger, as long as the output is a usb charger.

[@konchogrinchen1113]

Just received one off Amazon took 8 days to travel 100 miles Phoenix, AZ to Prescott, AZ. Hooked it up and no LED display. Should I get a replacement or my money back?

[@Lightsngear]

Yikes! Something ain't right! No display AT ALL? Where did you hook it up to? Did you try plugging the USB end into different sources?... i.e. -- do you have a USB to AC outlet adapter? If NOTHING works... then I'd insist on a replacement from the seller. 8 day travel time is definitely not right either.

[@JAF2991]

I've got a question Syrbuff can you manually adjust the charging current to 0.5A when charging only 2 batteries? Because I really prefer to charge my 18650's at 0.5A. thanks man, hope you can answer.

[@Lightsngear]

jeco F Hi. Although the VC4 doesn't permit you to SELECT the current...if you put the batteries in slot 2 & 3, it will default to 0.5A. Pretty cool huh!

[@MrEolitic]

hey! I have a question? What happends if i plug in a lower current power suply?For ex. a 5v 1A, and i plug in 4 batteries. Will there be 0.25A for each slot? Thanks

[@Lightsngear]

I've tried that, and it charges just below 0.5 ... but not as low as 0.25

[@steveo3582]

So considering the comments here about 0.5A being too high for AAA Ni-MH, what rating should I look for on a power supply if I want good life from the cells? (I only use AA and AAA Ni-MH, mostly Eneloops).

[@mahamudulhasantushar6266]

Can i charge xtar vc4 by 18w or 20w mobile phone charger?

[@ashleylycan9335]

I have a theory of how to get battery capacity tests done on this. If the batteries are at 0% charge (at 3V), i think the mah rating reported by the charger would actually be accurate, considering it measures the mah going in the battery.

[@Lightsngear]

Yes, this process works to a reasonable degree.

[@covidbryant6412]

Mine says battery full then reinserting the battery still keeps charging a full cycle again

[@mr.yolojr.8695]

did high Amp charge will damage NiMh type battery??

[@joebarry593]

Finally.......someone who can actually explain this information...What are your thoughts...and have you done a review...on the Xtar XP4 Panzer. Striper (like the fish) joe

[@Trotters80]

what appliance would take batteries in the end slots? they look big???

[@Lightsngear]

What appliance? Namely flashlights because the slots at either end are intended for thicker batteries... such as a 26650.

[@samiallan80]

ABOUT the wall plug.. dose it matter wich plug i use? is the smartphone plug ok?

[@Lightsngear]

Although someone else might advise to check the voltage on it, I have used it without issues.

[@Totsudon]

Check the Max output amperage. If you want to use double 1A charging (Channel 1 and 4 both at 1 AMP) then the plug must be at least rated for 2A Sometimes they call them "Quick Charge" but a true Qualcomm QuickCharge adapter won't give you any particular advantage. Just get a standard 5V@2A power adapter.

[@darealjae-dee7214]

thx 4 responding... but i think im going to buy them both. im going to get 4 bay opus for what all it can do to a battery, but 1st im going to get the 2 bay xtar just bc i have 6 dead samsung 18650 batteries i need to revive rhat i recovered from a old laptop... as for the opus whats the difference between the 3100 and the 3400? they look the same to me but the 3100 is cheaper... and last would you recommend the vct2 or vct2 plus? i dont like the display on the vct2 plus as much as i like all the info on the display of the vct2. But, if the plus is a better charger i would want to get the plus and not to mention that usb feature is kool to charge something else. but if theyre basically the same charger internally then i think im leaning towards the vct2... whats your thoughts?

[@Lightsngear]

+Jimmie Dorsey The differences between the Opus 3100 & 3400 are minimal, from what I can see. The charging currents appear to be the same, unless the maximum is available on all four channels, instead of just 1&4. I actually prefer the VC2, mostly due to the information display.

[@darealjae-dee7214]

+Syrbuff well thx 2 ur info, the 3100 and vc2 it is... I appreciate all your help! you saved me time, money, heartache and hassle.

[@Lightsngear]

+Jimmie Dorsey You're very welcome!

[@malfadors2]

Very nice video!!! I purchased the charger as well. Besides the functions that you describe it has a very cool design as well!!!

[@Lightsngear]

+Anestis It absolutely does! Thanks for your comment :-)

[@daveboy1247]

today in I seen Duracell and Energizer battery chargers, I take it that the XTAR VC4 is better, I hope it is as I think I should buy the XTAR VC4 but can you please answer the following 7 Questions please. 1. If I put in 4x AA NiMH 2800mAh, I see the outer terminals has 1.0A but the 2 middle ones have 0.5A, will this charge them equally as I want all 4 to be charged at the same time, how long will that take. 2. Can I use my Tronic charging lead with it, on it, it say the following. input: 100-240v~50/60Hz 0.7A Output: 12v 1.5A 3. I also have a Samsung Charger which has on it. input voltage: 100-240v 50/60Hz 0.35A Output voltage: 5.0v Output Current: 2.0A 4. What are the best make of AA NiMH Rechargeable batteries, I have heard the Eneloop and Amazon basic are the same. 5. What is the cost to recharge 4x AA 2800mAh NiMH Rechargeable batteries. 6. Does the XTAR VC4 have a built in fan. 7. Why is this model better than the newer models and as I said before, is this better than the Energizer and Duracell battery chargers. Kind thank, just don't understand mAh charging etc and if none of those 2 charging leads are no good to connect with this charger, what cheap one on eBay will be good as I don't want to use usb cable all the time, I prefer normal plug into the wall.

[@Lightsngear]

1. Four cells at once will charge at 0.5 ; TWO cells occupying slot 1&4 will charge at 1.0 2. No...I do not think you can 3. Same as for Q2. The connector port can only handle 5V, 2.1A 4. Yes they're both very good. Eneloop PRO are obviously good as well 5. The COST?? Who knows? -- and why does that matter? 6. No fan 7. I don't know ANYTHING about Energizer or Duracell chargers Don't you use lithium batteries? You only seem concerned with NiMH. Frankly, if I was looking to buy a new charger, I wouldn't choose this one...particularly if you don't want to charge via USB. My choice would be one of the MiBoxer units, OR the XTAR VC8.

[@xsystem1]

what ampere is the recommended charge for NiMH? is it .5A or 1A? I want to make my nimh last for long years.. thanks

[@Lightsngear]

Usually .5 (or less) is standard for NiMH. I recommend letting the charger choose its own current.

[@lifehackertips]

wonder why they did not use a standard Micro USB cable? Seems if you lose that cord you're SOL

[@Lightsngear]

+lifehackertips Not sure. But if you keep it plugged (like me) you won't lose it!

[@Vector_Ze]

Hello again, I left a comment on your VC1 Review concerning my search for a replacement for that unit. Your VC4 review tilts me a bit in that direction. My only real concern is the display, which appears to be the same type as on the VC1 ... or maybe it's just blue? In any case, as mentioned before, the display was the only problem I've had with the VC1. And, I guess only time will tell if the VC4 has resolved this issue. It appears to me to be a solid unit which will do what I need done, and at a fair price. You're a good salesman!

[@Lightsngear]

smart451cab Thanks, I try to be as truthful as possible! Yes the display is the same as the VC2. Although I think it was the VP1 where you left the last comment.

[@taninradiantiptv5841]

what should I do if needed same three batteries charge at a time? Thank You

[@Lightsngear]

If I understand the question...three batteries can charge together without a problem.

[@mesutyaman2992]

It is not shoving the battery volt in digital!?

[@michael102]

Great review! Have you had any problem with the charger since you had it?

[@Lightsngear]

T Hoang Nope, no problems.

[@Burial.]

Is this charger better than the Nitecore D4 charger for 18650 batteries?

[@Lightsngear]

IntensePein It's hard to say better because both have their advantages. If you charge no more than 2 at a time then the XTAR will be faster. XTAR displays MAH info...D4 does not.

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

IntensePein I think this is faster provided you have a 2 amp charger adapter like the ones used on android tablet chargers. Nitecore has a max of 750 mAmp. This can pump out 2000 mAmp. The cables may even be rated more with right adapter. problem is, most usb chargers are rated less than 3 amps, fast enough if you compare it to nitecore d4 if you ask me. But i prefer the slowly but surely charging of the Nitecore, and i dont need to bring a separate adapter to boot!

[@surg23]

Great review man. I've been using this for my 18650 batteries for about a year now. It's a very feature-rich charger. The one thing I don't like is the low max charge rate. I typically charge 3 batteries at a time and I'm lucky to get 0.5A charge rate. This is running off of a wall-socket to USB interface. It was even lower when charging from a standard USB port, 0.2A from memory. Also, I'm not sure if this is a technical issue with the charger, but sometimes when you put batteries in, the charging rate will be very low, if you pull the power lead for a few seconds and reconnect it, it will resume it's standard charge-rate.

[@Lightsngear]

Yes it does a good job, but isn't one of the fastest chargers around. Traditionalists will tell you though that slower charge rates are often beneficial to the battery.

[@surg23]

Yeah good point. Though I wonder if the battery degradation in that context is more relative to the heat associated with higher charge-rates and not the actual charge-rate itself.

[@Lightsngear]

That's good point too! I guess we'll need to ask a traditionalist!

[@surg23]

Haha, indeed!

[@TimeIsMoney2034]

Does it accept AA's ?? They are not listed on the side of the box!

[@timcabc]

+TimeIsMoney Good spot! They messed it up, the "A" on the box should be "AA". LOL

[@TimeIsMoney2034]

+timcabc Hmm thought so. Thanks :-)

[@elcykelguidense]

can i use it to DISCHARGE/TEST CAPACITY of batteries?

[@Lightsngear]

No you cannot. It only charges. But it WILL show how much mAh the battery is accepting as it charges.

[@elyots]

sir, how long does it takes to fully charged a 1900mAh Ni-MH baterry?

[@Lightsngear]

rael villamar While it'll depend on how many batteries you're charging, it shouldn't take more than 2 to 3 hours.

[@uilleamgilvoni4295]

can I measure mAh with this charger? does it have discharge option?

[@Lightsngear]

No discharge option but it does display mAh as the batteries charge.

[@uilleamgilvoni4295]

I see, ok. Thanks for Info

[@Zz-mo4gm]

Hi. Does it have discharging function?

[@Lightsngear]

Sorry, it doesn't.

[@izri1]

When i unplug the charger from the power socket, and put it back in, the charging seems to start from ZERO. So if i unplug the charger while the batteries are on 19 mAh, and put it back in, it starts charging from 000 mAh allover again. Is that normal?

[@Lightsngear]

Yes it is...because it's not showing you TOTAL mAh...it's only showing you the AMOUNT of mAh that the battery has received since the charging cycle began.

[@izri1]

Ok, thanks a lot for the info. After i take out batteries out of the charger after they have been charged fully, and put them back in the charger immediately, the charger doesn't show ''full'' immediately. It only shows ''full'' after the batteries receive some mAh's again. Sometimes after 10 minutes or more. Why do the batteries keep receiving mAh's after i put them back in the charger when they are full? Does that happen with you charger too?

[@Lightsngear]

izri1 Yes it does. They are charged so there's really no reason to put them back in. I have no particular answer as to why that happens though. At the possible risk of overcharging them, I would just keep them off the charger once the cycle is finished.

[@izri1]

Ok, thanks again for your help.

[@tjmerrigan]

So it will work whit vape batterys too

[@Lightsngear]

Yes

[@tim62744]

GOT ONE CHARGED 2 18650 FULLY CHARGED THAKE ONE OUT FROM CHANNEL 3 PUT IN 4 AND IT STARTS CHARGING AGAIN AFTER IT SAYS ITS FULL ??ANT IDEAS OR JUST FAULTY

[@Lightsngear]

All batteries will drop a tenth of a volt once removed from a charging bay. Just for giggles... what BRAND of 18650 was it? So, as long as it shows it's at full voltage when it was placed into slot 4, then it's fine. It shouldn't charge for long in that case... in fact I would've removed it right away, because technically, it IS fully charged.

[@SolarReturn1966]

Can this charger "quick charge" AA AND AAA batteries in two hours? Great review my friend! Very informative!

[@Lightsngear]

Thanks for the compliment! In general, AA & AAA cells are quicker to charge than many lithium-based batteries. There are however no specific settings on the unit where a "quick charge" can be selected. I would say that while most AAA batteries will charge pretty quickly, I can't promise they'll always charge within two hours.

[@SolarReturn1966]

Lightsngear Appreciate the information my friend! I just might have to purchase one of these! 😀 Best regards!

[@Lightsngear]

My pleasure. Thanks!

[@paveljelinek772]

10:39 that's not ni-mh.. loox like a lion to mee edit: does it charge ni-mh to 1.55V really?

[@Lightsngear]

Correct. The one I put in the left slot is a 18650. The final NiMH voltage varies. It wouldn't be that high consistently.

[@paveljelinek772]

@@Lightsngear thank you. I picked up a different charger though (XTAR vc8 - you can manually choose charge amplitude), i don't like ni-mh charging with 1A, even 500mA is still high.. my brand says 350-400mA recommended max charge

[@Lightsngear]

@@paveljelinek772 Yes, the VC8 is a very good unit.

[@goldencoin100]

another question, will this unit charge 16340 "3v" battery?

[@Lightsngear]

You mean 3.7 ... yes.

[@goldencoin100]

16340 can also be 3v.....

[@goldencoin100]

www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=img.diytrade.com/cdimg/489907/15395241/0/1285298831/Ultrafire_16340_800mAh_3_0V_Protection_Circuit_Battery.jpg&imgrefurl=www.floridaprecision.net/647370207.asp?647370207%3Dchina/pd/7416378/Ultrafire_16340_800mAh_3_0V_Protection_Circuit_Battery.html&h=360&w=480&tbnid=aGx3HW3ul3jk5M:&q=16340+battery&docid=fr5Nlq2DBD6blM&ei=ZZc2VtK8Isi5eIzvnPgE&tbm=isch&ved=0CC4QMygQMBBqFQoTCJKDhv2n8MgCFcgcHgodjDcHTw

[@goldencoin100]

If this charger cant charge them its a deal breaker.... It will be sad, seems like such a good charger

[@goldencoin100]

www.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=image.dhgate.com/albu_809212629_00/temp2.0x0.jpg&imgrefurl=www.dhgate.com/store/product/wholesale-10pcs-lot-ultrafire-16340-cr123a/199473426.html&h=584&w=780&tbnid=D-VhOj1tJpd0JM:&q=16340+battery+3.0v&docid=FdC0EfFghbXUFM&itg=1&ei=1Zg2VvadJ8averqQuOAG&tbm=isch&ved=0CCMQMygIMAhqFQoTCLbcx6yp8MgCFcaXHgodOggObA

[@sirensy888]

which is better vc4 or vp4?

[@Lightsngear]

That's an interesting comparison. I have a VP2 ... not a VP4, but I assume they operate much the same. Both the VC & VP operate about the same with similar functions. The main difference is the display. VP shows everything digitally and VC is more "graphic"... but has a digital component as well. They both charge at the same rates depending on which slot is used. It becomes more of a personal choice in the end.

[@sirensy888]

thanks for the input man!

[@sirensy888]

i bought the nitecore D4 instead. haha

[@rongtainhangian]

Does this have Refresh Mode?

[@Lightsngear]

+Trịnh Tuấn Hưng No it doesn't.

[@nathoi]

is it capable of charging lifepo4 battery?

[@Lightsngear]

Yes I believe so.

[@nathoi]

+Syrbuff I don't think so.primarily Lifepo4 is not the same as Li-ion.I give credit to Nitecore digital series as capable of charging Lifepo4.

[@Lightsngear]

nathoi Yes, I stand corrected. You're right. I thought it did.

[@bigflytrap]

When does it charge at .08A ?

[@Lightsngear]

+bigflytrap To my knowledge it doesn't. But I'll report back if I find otherwise.

[@Zeusimo]

can i charge my 18650 battery overnight? or 12 hours?

[@Zeusimo]

is it safe leaving my batteries fully charge in vc4?

[@Lightsngear]

IIRC ... the XTAR shuts off all current once it's charged. In that event yes, you can charge overnight.

[@luis8bgt]

Thanks for this video You really put everything together, I feel I can operate mine when it arrive.

[@Lightsngear]

Super! Hope you like it.

[@tyronewalker5764]

Where did you get this?

[@Lightsngear]

It was supplied by XTAR.

[@maich3lbio]

Is this better than nitecore D4 or i4?

[@Lightsngear]

When comparing chargers (brand vs. brand) it's hard to define which one is "better" especially when they operate quite differently from each other. The basic charging algorithm is similar, but the way they display the results is unique to each other. Xtar is a great brand...so is Nitecore, but in this case it's like comparing apples to oranges. In THIS case, all I can say is, it depends what type of visual display you like better. If you want more PRECISE results, then Nitecore (which uses a digital readout) is the better choice. I could also ask, what type of speedometer do you prefer on a car? One with a DIAL, or a digital display?????

[@maich3lbio]

@@Lightsngear not much of a techie guy. More of a plug and play to detect the voltage needes to charge. Overprotection and safety is a must as well. Looking for a 4 bay charger and confused between nitecore d4, i4 and xtar X4, Vc4. Hope you can help me decide which one to get. Thank you

[@Lightsngear]

@@maich3lbio Gotcha! Given your requirements, I would go with a Nitecore 😉

[@maich3lbio]

@@Lightsngear any particular model on nitecore?

[@Lightsngear]

@@maich3lbio I haven't looked recently to see if they have anything new, but the ones you mentioned are still good. Newer chargers will ultimately offer a higher current than older ones will.

[@CharlesBridgTec]

get them on eBay for under $20!

[@TopShotta713]

Charles BridgTec MVP

[@vazi011]

don t waste u money on it.

[@TOPHOLM04]

Thanks for a great review... Its probably me but I don't have any experience with rechargeable batteries and chargers. I just got the VC4 and some 18650 batteries. After leaving them in the charger for awhile the display says "Full" but the display shows a capacity of 0003 mAh. The batteries are supposed to have a capacity of 6000 mAh. Are the batteries faulty or have I misunderstood something?

[@Lightsngear]

You bought junk batteries. 6000mAh batteries do not exist. The highest capacity available today is 3500mAh. And, they MUST be protected! Cheap batteries will SAY they're protected...but they usually aren't. To test them further, you'd need to use them in a device and see how long they last. THEN try to charge them again and see if you get the same result. The first thing about using rechargeable lithium's is understanding a few things about them. Maybe this article I wrote on the subject might be useful to you; lightsngear.com/buying-cheap-rechargeable-batteries-risky/ When buying 18650's, you need to ONLY buy good brands!! RESEARCH is your best tool. One of the cheapest brands that I respect is Eastshine. You'll get 2 for $26. Here's a link; amzn.to/2arKerq Any more questions????

[@TOPHOLM04]

Hmmm That's what I thought... Ohh well, I'm only going to use them for a LED flashlights. I'm testing one right now and so fare it been working continually for 4 hours... Thanks a lot for your answer. I guess I there is no way around spending the cash if U want quality (no big surprise there 😝)

[@operasinger2126]

Thank you!! i got today. Very good price.

[@Lightsngear]

Very nice!

[@tyronewalker5764]

Estimate cost, my other is going to the boneyard?

[@Lightsngear]

+Tyrone Walker If you're asking how much....around $30. Here's an Amazon link; amzn.to/1mlqj2S

[@tyronewalker5764]

Got get one, I love the display!

[@MarkJohnson-du2bc]

You did not test a aaa battery in your in depth review, had you done so, you would have found it does not hold the battery in the correct position and is problematic to get it to charge, very poor design and the reason I will be returning mine.

[@The_Crazy_Monkey75]

Faster than Nitecore D4 (Provided the USB adapter you have is 2amp capable). But if you want a charger that doesnt require an extenal usb power supply, Nitecore is the way to go.

[@bdpugh]

I found the same results. Good charger for the $. I've had mine for 10 months, but would of rather of had a micro USB cable.

[@techguyone11]

Micro USB doesn't carry enough amps to power all 4 slots

[@higgystattoo]

what happens when you change 3 18650 batteries at the same time

[@Lightsngear]

+higgystattoo They will all charge at 500mA.

[@higgystattoo]

+Syrbuff what slots will they need to go in to change right

[@Lightsngear]

higgystattoo Anytime more than 2 are charging at once, the current will be lower.

[@jrclightsandsounds5653]

Mine has suddenly stop.. Blackout

[@walkertongdee]

Dudes scissors are on maximum overdrive, LO:L)

[@hvguy]

Lol, fireproof abs housing? Abs is plastic... And is flammable lol

[@surg23]

I wonder if it's ABS infused with some kind of retardant ?

[@venomsss001]

opus c3100 is way better... 1A for each cell when 4 are present and 2A if 2 are present(on the "outside" slots) is the max and you can set 200ma or 500ma or 700ma or 1000ma for each of them =I the price also is pretty good only 5$ more then this one... in my opinion best charger price/perfomance

[@Lightsngear]

Yes, the Opus is definitely a top-notch charger.

[@Mrmarcie]

CH4 + CH2 will aslo give 1A ;)

[@tim62744]

No I charged brand new lg he2 from my nitecore charger took out when fully charged put in xtar and the

[@pukkapeter]

On your next video can you say: "I'll get you penelope pitstop"

[@assemshawkat]

Thanks for the video.

[@Lightsngear]

+assemshawkat Hey you're welcome!

[@tellindatruth6241]

Thank You. Very Informative.

[@Lightsngear]

+Al Braden Glad you liked it :-)

[@tellindatruth6241]

+Syrbuff Just got mine and works Great!!! Your review sold me so once again Thank You!!!

[@Lightsngear]

+Al Braden :-)

[@kikkibergen]

One thing, don't just use a random USB adapter to the wall. The adapter should have 2.1A That's a important step. Don't just pick a random wall adapter.

[@Lightsngear]

What's the importance of that? In my experience most USB wall adapters charge faster than if the device were connected to a computer for instance.

[@kikkibergen]

+Syrbuff Probably safety. I wouldn't use a wall adapter that doesn't output 2.1A i got a wall adapter with 1x 2.1a and 2x 1.0A for like 3 dollars. So why take the chance on a wall adapter that isn't 2.1a output? Their website specifically says use 2.1a adapter. and if you are going to use a Apple adapter, use the one that comes with the iPad. That one is 2.1a The iphone is only 1.0a

[@EverthingGreen]

The power cable it came with was no good so I just plugged in a random with a 5v output and fried the battery charger instantly. Is that what you meant? Good thing I can solder!!

[@Gex9z]

Joe G You can use any port, but not any cable. You must've created a short by accident - the part of the cable that plugs into the device must not be compatible with other ports of this type.

[@brettwest4949]

+Sean RobinsonJR so i would need a 2.1 amp output which equals 5.1 volts right?Wattage shouldnt matter?

[@GamingAmbienceLive]

*nice bugger on your right hand*