XTAR VC8S: The BEST Multi-bay Battery Charger

[@TorchHacker]

Awesome comparison and demo! I didn't realise how much bigger the VC8S is.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Cheers man, yeah feels heavier too 😂

[@BANIOAN]

what is the name of power supply for VC8s?

[@DarrenYeoYT]

It's a 45W XTAR branded power supply.

[@โอบาม่าชอบกินไข่เต่า]

VC8S -​ VC8 PLUS ขนาดต่างกันหรือไม่

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Not sure. But the VC8S is larger than the VC8. I think the VC8S Plus is a fast charging version of the VC8.

[@TopDog8762]

I ordered one from Amazon 14 days ago, still has not shipped. Must be coming directly from China.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Yeah probably.. mine did

[@BoncabeRasa]

Yeah Im first

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Woo hoo

[@kittrainbow7]

I prefer the old version, more size efficient. I use it only for flashlight charging, using 18650s. 21700s are allready too big for me. Best charger ever used, especially the mAh analizer is very usefull. Good review 👍

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Yeah I'd only suggest this if you actually need the upgrades I mentioned and need to charge large cells. For me, it saves a lot of time as I'm testing lights constantly so need a charger that can charge up batteries fast.

[@twrcrew8852]

Storage mode is the name of the game here. I have so many batteries (like yourself) that I rely on for first responder work yet don't necessarily use often enough that I can count on needing to cycle them sufficiently. Storage mode is a HUGE time saver because prior to this charger, I've been needing to go out of my way to manually sit and watch over batteries on my nitecore UMS4 and yank them off just in time to be at resting voltages (3.6v / 3.7 etc) for optimal storage capacities and only "warming them" back to full when prepping for a mission. In many instances they've been grab and go (at resting voltage they cut the mustard, especially given how many lights and spare batteries I can throw them in). where I have a system to charge them to full if it's ongoing beyond that single night. (rarely). yet the option is there. So many times with older/less capable charger where I accidentally leave them cooking too long and I end up closer to 4.0v than 3.6v and it's so annoying. lol I have to then shove them into lights and bring them down (to near 3.6v if I'm lucky) or I end up draining them just a bit too far and repeat this song and dance again. No more with storage mode! it automatically brings the cells up OR down to the resting voltages for storage! This means I can even prep up to 8 batteries if I wanted (charge to full) and put them all back to resting voltages at the end of the mission if I didn't end up using them. Thats just brilliant.

[@DarrenYeoYT]

That's awesome to hear how storage mode is used in a proper rescue situation as you described! Must save you guys running through a heap of batteries as it sounds like you use them fairly often. Also interesting to hear that you don't care much about the cells being fully charged, as long as you can get them up to around 4+ volts. Thanks mate.

[@twrcrew8852]

@@DarrenYeoYT Oh believe me, I'm the only one who cares about them being at resting voltage haha (I'm a bit of a weirdo). I'll clarify that this is how I handle my OWN batteries. Everyone else just keeps them full and goes through them like water. I try to maximize lifespan because these things cost money over time. I also use my own kit. But yes, if you're not using the batteries or flashlights for potentially long periods of time and then suddenly using them ALOT when you do, then what I'm doing is the best way to go about it. Having a lot of batteries at the ready for long periods with lots of headroom, while also keeping them stored at resting voltage. As a general rule, all lithium batteries are the most stable when stored at their rated voltage (all batteries in general actually, as it's also true for NiMH). Storing them near full for long periods degrades them internally, the same as does leaving them dead. 3.6v (multiplied by a dozen batteries) is also more than enough for "sudden" need, as it meets in the middle between having enough juice to go while also having enough to keep going. With charging to full being done if the situation calls for a longer run time. I'll usually have 4 to 8 in the burner if I see that this is becoming the case, depending on the scenario. But 99.9% of the time, it's over within 30 minutes to an hour, before even 1 battery runs low (at 3.6v starting!) You will find most of the time that areas are already lit by other sources, even at night. Not so much 10km cave rescues happening as we flashaholics might hope 🙂

[@scotscheideman9800]

Good video!

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Cheers Scot and thanks for the correction from micro to milliohms.

[@cosminstefanpuie8313]

If you charge 8 batterys what is the max charge rate per Cell ?

[@DarrenYeoYT]

1A per cell, with a 45W charger.

[@cosminstefanpuie8313]

@@DarrenYeoYT Not Bad, Thank You ✌️✌️

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Or four at 2A each

[@TorchHacker]

0.5A per cell if AA/AAA NiMH. 1A per cell if 3.7V Li-ion and you're using a USB-C PD 45W power adapter. 2x3A, 4x2A, 8x1A

[@cosminstefanpuie8313]

@@TorchHacker Thanks 😁😁

[@luapynneb3069]

Thanks for the info on this VC8S, as I nearly bought the VC8 or VC8plus until I watched this video, but your (affiliate link) takes me (UK) to the smaller VC8plus ? which is a shame as it's down to your review I've bought it. Luckily XTAR do sell on amazon UK and I managed to order the full kit @ £59 bit pricy! but it's needed as a pt battery builder, they also sell it stand alone @ £45. Thx Paul(UK)

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Hi Paul, glad you managed to find it in the end mate. It's a great charger and saves me loads of time as it can support fast charging of many cells at the same time.

[@barryjezek4940]

Maybe you can help is there a way to use a 12-volt car charger

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Depends how many amps it outputs, as it might not be enough to fast charge a cell. The included charger is 45W.

[@burnt_toast_6006]

Hi there - does the VC8S come with an australian plug in the box? if not is it an easy enough fix to run with sufficient power to get the most out of this charger? your response would be appreciated - cheers

[@DarrenYeoYT]

Yes it does mate. Even if it doesn't, just use a travel adapter. The charging brick is what provides the right current.

[@burnt_toast_6006]

@@DarrenYeoYT Thanks for confirming - cheers