ideal charger for 16340 (RCR123A)

[codrutoctavian]

I want to get the best charger for 16340 (RCR123A) Li-Ion batteries which is NOT a Pila charger (which is difficult to find anyway). The features I am looking for:

- NOT made in China
- precise (cut the charging at 4.2 V sharp)

and ideally I would also like:

- the be an intelligent charger, and to have monitoring software. I am not familiar with hobby chargers but I guess the software can be used to detect/predict when a battery is old and has to be replaced.

I am not interested in battery packs, I am using plain 16340 cells.

What options do I have? The maximum price is 200 EUR (~270 USD) including the power station (which will be connected to the 220 V mains) and the casing in which the 16340 are to be charged.

Thanks,
Codrut

 

[RBWNY]

There are many 16340 chargers available. Most are rather inexpensive. Most that are discussed on these forums don't cost much more than the PILA! (around $50) Personally, I know of none which have the monitoring station you spoke of, and although handy, I don't think it would be necessary 9 out of 10 times. The PILA is avilable from several well known retailers including Lighthound.com

The ones most recommended here, outside of PILA and Cotonpickers/hobby chargers, would be the Xtar WPII, and the 4sevens Single Bay Charger. These 2 units are switchable, and safer for 16340 since a charging rate of 500mAh can be selected. The PILA charges at 600mAh for ALL cells. The 4sevens has the basic requirements you're looking for (except perhaps for [I think] being made in China). Not finding one that's chinese-made might be your biggest obstacle. All of these units will handle other size Li-ions in addition to 16340. The PILA requires extra spacers for RCR's.

 

[codrutoctavian]

Thank your for reply. The 4sevens Single Bay charger it is compatible only with rechargeable protected batteries and I am not using protected ones. I will check the Xtar WPII.
I have also found the Schulze LiPoCard3 which seems to be made in Germany. Is this right? The Schulze has also monitoring software.

 

[lampy]

How about Cottonpickers - Worlds smallest Li-ion charger with display?

Its in the marketplace under WTS Electronics/batteries.

True cc/cv algorithm with constant voltage display I think a single mAh setting with display will cost about $27 delivered......

From reading the thread it appears a few guys are selling their Pila for these.

It will be the next charger I buy.

Ooops forgot to mention it is USB powered - but easy enough with a wall plug

 

[codrutoctavian]

Thanks! I ended up with a Pro-Tronik AP6BLC which seems to be a french version of Turnigy Accucel-6 as it has the same characteristics. I found a very good deal in a local shop and got it for about 70 EUR. It comes with power unit, some cables and a nice aluminum case. Probably it is made in China but it seems of high quality and good as an all around charger:

http://www.a2pro-online.com/media/manuals/electronics/7706-AP6blc-english.pdf

Now I will try to modify my TrustFire TR-0001 to serve only as battery holder and connect it to the Pro-Tronik. I disassembled it and believe me, anything is better than this cheap charger. Even I can do better soldering.