Roger Schaeffer
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An Alternativehttp://www.batteryjunction.com/fenix-are-c2.html
The closest I came was http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries where the claim was made "Manufacturers recommend charging the 18650 cell at 0.8C or less" I'm pretty sure 500mA falls under the "or less" category.Yeah, the ideal amperage for charging 18650s is between 835-875mA so the notion of 500mA is ultimately detrimental to the cells.
What charger uses this ideal amperage?
Can't say that I'm a fan of claiming the burst rate as the battery's value. I notice though that this primarily occurs with the rewrapped (it's claimed) LG 20 amp cell that they label as 35 amps. I've seen the LG's themselves marketed as a 35 amp battery. It seems to be the rewrapped LG's and the LG's themselves where the varying claims are made. I wonder about promotional material distributed by LG. The Efest 2100 mAh 30 amp which has been speculated as a VTC4 doesn't inflate the VTC4's values. What Efest makes is chargers and they sell rewrapped batteries as well. Much like what Xtar is trying to do these days. The Efest charger I have works quite well and has been trouble free. I generally don't buy Efest batteries. Might as well buy the original.I certainly don't know enough, but I read that it's best to charge at lower amperage for cell longevity. That could be indicating not to charge at 2 amps, though. I've been just fine with my tried and true i4. It's simple, and not the best, but it works well, and I use my multimeter anyway. It'll do two at .5 amps, and then splits lower with more in, but I never need to charge more than two anyway. My experience, though short, with the luc v4 just further re inforced my disdain for efest. It may be a good charger, but there's something wrong with a company that re wraps cells and exaggerates specs. I choose to not support them if possible.
I certainly don't doubt that the luc is good, I just got a bad one. I'm with you on no more efest batteries, but I already said that. I just picked up two pair off LG HE2's, with true claims regarding specs. 20 amp 35 burst far exceeds my needs, and they are legit, not re wrapped, and ironically cheaper than the efests, lol. I guess the purple wrapper comes at a premium.Can't say that I'm a fan of claiming the burst rate as the battery's value. I notice though that this primarily occurs with the rewrapped (it's claimed) LG 20 amp cell that they label as 35 amps. I've seen the LG's themselves marketed as a 35 amp battery. It seems to be the rewrapped LG's and the LG's themselves where the varying claims are made. I wonder about promotional material distributed by LG. The Efest 2100 mAh 30 amp which has been speculated as a VTC4 doesn't inflate the VTC4's values. What Efest makes is chargers and they sell rewrapped batteries as well. Much like what Xtar is trying to do these days. The Efest charger I have works quite well and has been trouble free. I generally don't buy Efest batteries. Might as well buy the original.
Yep, better to be lower than suggested charge current than higher.
Charging a cell at a higher rate than suggested can shorten the life of the cell and raise it's internal resistance. Charging at a lower rate will not damage the cell, it will simply take longer.
With that being said, what the manufacturers are saying may be on the safe side. Most lithium chemistry batteries are happy with a 1C charge rate so 1C on a 2000 mah batt would be 2a. Bigger Li-po batteries are getting into 10C+ charge rates.
I charge my 18650's & 18490 at 1a and do not see shortened life or a reduction in capacity so I think whatever company said 0.8a is covering their ass.
Also, one of the worst things for a batt is to leave it dead. Always charge it if you have ran it down past 3.7v... don't let it sit like that.
Can't say that I'm a fan of claiming the burst rate as the battery's value. I notice though that this primarily occurs with the rewrapped (it's claimed) LG 20 amp cell that they label as 35 amps. I've seen the LG's themselves marketed as a 35 amp battery. It seems to be the rewrapped LG's and the LG's themselves where the varying claims are made. I wonder about promotional material distributed by LG. The Efest 2100 mAh 30 amp which has been speculated as a VTC4 doesn't inflate the VTC4's values. What Efest makes is chargers and they sell rewrapped batteries as well. Much like what Xtar is trying to do these days. The Efest charger I have works quite well and has been trouble free. I generally don't buy Efest batteries. Might as well buy the original.
I'm pleased with my LG's, and fuck efest and their sketchy relabeling. Plus, you're dead on that the LG's are cheaper everywhere. A pair can be had shipped for 16.98, and the efests are around 20.00 a pair. I'd even pay more for the LG's, I'm really not cool with what Efest does.^this. if youre planning on storing your cells, the best voltage to do so at is 40% charged (3.6v).
especially when theyre less expensive! the LG HE2 is less expensive than the eFest 35A on every site ive viewed them at. better binned cell for less cash? sign me up. oh wait, i already signed up lol.
What charger uses this ideal amperage?
I'm pleased with my LG's, and fuck efest and their sketchy relabeling. Plus, you're dead on that the LG's are cheaper everywhere. A pair can be had shipped for 16.98, and the efests are around 20.00 a pair. I'd even pay more for the LG's, I'm really not cool with what Efest does.