USB charging on a Reuleaux...

[Banshee]

I have the RX200S and the RX2/3. I've used the USB charging in a pinch but notice neither ever charges to 100%. It cuts off at like 86%. Anyone else notice this? Also both mods get pretty warm. I know external charging is better, so no lectures please. My batteries all show the same amount of charge when I do put them on my external. Just want to get some feedback as I haven't had the Reuleaux's that long.

 

[fq06]

If you normally charge externally it's not a problem. The cells will be close to each others voltage level.

The problem comes when you only charge in the mod because the mod doesn't balance the cells so after a while one or two will drift lower and lower than the strong cell(s). That's when you start over discharging or overcharging one or two of the cells.

I have charged my rx a hand full of times at the office near the end of the day when level was about 50% and I was going out to a function knowing I wasn't going to be home till late. I just put a little in to top it off so I didn't expect it to peak and end the charge so I can't really say from personal experience if it should or should not peak the cells.

But I would say that as long as you only rely on internal charging to add a little juice to it to get you through the day and external charge that night, doesn't really matter. As long as it adds a bit to do what you need, as you said, you know you should charge externally anyway.

The internal charger will generate heat much like an external chargers power source will. Difference is a good external chargers power source is in the plug to keep heat away from the batteries.

 

[Banshee]

10-4! I appreciate the reply. I honestly never noticed if the external gets warm. Lmao! Anytime I use it, it's at bedtime and the batts are charged by the time I wake up. How pathetic is it that after 5 years of vaping ive never paid attention to that. I had the Reuleaux plugged in to charge real quick like you said and was surprised to feel the warmth when I picked it up. The batts are fairly new so I was hoping it was normal. Any other time I've used the USB, I plugged it in and went to bed and woke up to it "done" charging. It was cool to the touch but only at 86% (such an odd number). Maybe it's just a safety feature.

 

[fq06]

It may not have actually been done. That charges 3 cells at a total of 1a so thats 0.33a per cell.
If you ran the batteries near empty that could be a 8hr+ charge time... maybe even 10 hrs.

The excessive heat is normal, but not good for the cells. I hear it can reach over 130° after charging for hours. Never charged more than probably an hour myself.

 

[Rabbit Slayer]

Internal charger gives you lower volts, lower mAh, unbalanced charging, and very slow recharge times, almost making you need to charge overnight and not keep an eye on things.

External charger gives you a full charge, full mAh, each cell is charged individually, and is fairly quick, allowing you to keep an eye on things

 

[Banshee]

I appreciate the response. I understand that part. The question was more about why it wouldn't charge to 100% via USB. I use both methods to charge. Surprisingly when I put the batteries in my external after I've used the USB charging, the batts are remarkably even. In the new Reuleaux's, it seems to be more balanced than in previous boxes.

I'm a professional driver and many times it easier to plug in the Reuleaux's to give me the little extra power I need to finish my day. I highly doubt anyone wants me trying to change 3 batteries while driving an 80,000 lb truck down the interstate at 75 mph. I try to have an extra box near by with fully charged batteries, but I don't always have a lot of time to organize and get ready for my day.

 

[Banshee]

Ok so just FYI, after talking with Wismec, they replaced my 2/3 and the new one does indeed do exactly as it's supposed to. I guess I did have a bad one. Cheers to Wismec for replacing it without a receipt and with no questions asked.