I have a Nitecore Intellicharger I2 that came with a vamo-v3 starter kit. My however is in regards to the charger and can't seem to find any information. I'm assuming there was an I2, then a I3, and finally they are out with the I4 chargers. Can anyone explain the differences. Do I need to be concerned that I have an older version charger? Is the I4 safer or does it just support different battery types?
Nitecore Intellicharger I2 vs I4
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^ what he said ^
I2 = charges 2 batteries
I4 = charges 4 batteries
The I2/I4 chargers are the best chargers out there for the money. (imo)
Thanks. an 18650 battery lasts me at least a day so I don't think I would ever need the 2 extra slots. I have quite a few batteries but just rotating two at the moment. I'll fully charge 8 of them before vacation...will just take me a little longer.
I was thinking that they were different versions of the Nitecore charger but that makes sense now.
Makes me feel kind of dumb for not realizing I2 meant 2 batteries and I4 meant 4 
. I tried googling but couldn't find any differences other than a V1 and V2 for the I4 model Difference between Sysmax charger V1 and V2 Ohh and Sysmax is parent company of Nitecore so I assume that link is relevant.
. I tried googling but couldn't find any differences other than a V1 and V2 for the I4 model Difference between Sysmax charger V1 and V2 Ohh and Sysmax is parent company of Nitecore so I assume that link is relevant.
The only dumb question, when it comes to batterys/chargers, is the question that is not asked. Always better safe (with a red face) than unsafe (possibly blowing off your face).
I have a Xtar WP6 charges 6 batteries.
You can never have too many charging slots!!!
You can never have too many charging slots!!!
I have an i4 and it is a great charger. I've been running it for about 4 months and really like it. I keep a couple of Xtar WP2's for backup.
I like that I charge an 18650, an 18490 and 2 18350's with no spacers and at the same time.
I like that I charge an 18650, an 18490 and 2 18350's with no spacers and at the same time.
Tom, I have the WP6 II charger, too. Do you charge any 18350 batteries in this? Mine will not stay in the charging bay, they pop out on their own because of the springs. Any workaround on this? I've laid heavy enough objects on the batteries to keep them in place, but since I got a Nitecore i4 as my primary charger I no longer use the WP6.
Ok, well this answers part of my question. I wasn't sure if I could charge 18650's at the same time as 18350's. Does it matter what slot they go in? I know for the I4 (that's what I have) that the 1 and 3 charging slots and the 2 and 4 are paired. So if I want to charge an 18650 and 18350 at the same time, should they be in paired slots or unpaired. I thought when charging 2 batts they should always be in the paired slots, but does that change if they're different sizes?
I have charged any mix of 18350, 18490, & 18650 in my Nitecore i4, with all four slots filled with different size batteries. I don't pay attention which size battery goes in what slot. I keep an eye on the LED's occassionally to monitor the charging progress. I remove the batteries when they read charged, and check the voltage with my Provari after I remove them to make certain they read 4.2 volts. Neither the charger nor the batteries ever feel warm. No issues yet.
If I'm only charging two batteries at a time, I do follow the 1 & 3 bay method.
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I use 2 mods (Magneto and Sid). I mostly use the magneto (mech). I only use my Sid here and there, to get a different flavor. Running like that, I only really need to charge 1 18650 per day usually, though on occasion I'll charge 2 at a time. That said, I'll eventually get enough mods that I'll run into the need to charge 3 or 4 cells at once sometimes. Right now, my i2 does the jobb, but I can foresee a time when another 4 bays might be needed.
Thank you very much for the swift response and also for all the time and effort you've put into safe battery and mod usage. If it wasn't for everything you've put together, I don't know if I would've ever felt this confident with my batts and mod (started with an itaste svd and now waiting for a k100 mech).
Just one thing.
i4 Nitecore has only 2 charge channels, and current is shared between all 4 slots. That will make this charger slower when all 4 slots are loaded.
i4 Nitecore has only 2 charge channels, and current is shared between all 4 slots. That will make this charger slower when all 4 slots are loaded.
I agree on the slow part.
I own an Efest bio charger with 2 slots that has a switch between 0.5 and 1.0 amp, set to 1.0 amp it charges 2 batteries way faster than the Nitecore I4 a single one.
The big advantage of the I4 besides having 4 slots is, it also charges Ni-MH batteries, still with 2 or more batteries inserted it takes ages.
That´s why I just bought an Xtar XP4 which combines all the advantages.
Charges Li-ion as well as Mi-MH batteries and has a switch to set the charging current to 0.25 or 0.5 or 1.0 amp.
4 slots all individual, inserting 2 batteries will NOT double the charging time.
I own an Efest bio charger with 2 slots that has a switch between 0.5 and 1.0 amp, set to 1.0 amp it charges 2 batteries way faster than the Nitecore I4 a single one.
The big advantage of the I4 besides having 4 slots is, it also charges Ni-MH batteries, still with 2 or more batteries inserted it takes ages.
That´s why I just bought an Xtar XP4 which combines all the advantages.
Charges Li-ion as well as Mi-MH batteries and has a switch to set the charging current to 0.25 or 0.5 or 1.0 amp.
4 slots all individual, inserting 2 batteries will NOT double the charging time.
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?336936-Sysmax-Nitecore-Jetbeam-i4-Intellicharger-Review-%28V2%29-current-voltage-comparisons
A little ways down after the picture of the back label on the i4 he says this:
"If you place the cells in the paired bays #1 & #3, or #2 & #4, the charging current will be split between the cells. Rather than just cutting in half (i.e., 375mA per bay), the current remains at 750mA for each bay – but it alternates charging by cycling off/on once every second for each battery. This effectively results in the same thing, but the cell is actually being charged at 750mA for a 1sec on, 1sec off, cycle.
This is explained in the manual, but it would be good have the charger unit bays labelled somehow. Scroll down to see my actual testing results."
So who do you think is right, does it actually cut down to 375 in each paired channel, or is it the 1 sec on/1 sec off? I don't know that it really matters, I'm just curious.
A little ways down after the picture of the back label on the i4 he says this:
"If you place the cells in the paired bays #1 & #3, or #2 & #4, the charging current will be split between the cells. Rather than just cutting in half (i.e., 375mA per bay), the current remains at 750mA for each bay – but it alternates charging by cycling off/on once every second for each battery. This effectively results in the same thing, but the cell is actually being charged at 750mA for a 1sec on, 1sec off, cycle.
This is explained in the manual, but it would be good have the charger unit bays labelled somehow. Scroll down to see my actual testing results."
So who do you think is right, does it actually cut down to 375 in each paired channel, or is it the 1 sec on/1 sec off? I don't know that it really matters, I'm just curious.
Question for a battery expert here. I was under the impression one of the advantages of the I4 was it shuts itself off when the battery is fully charged. Is it not good to leave the batteries in there after that? The reason I ask, I always put my batteries in to charge when I go to sleep. That way all my batteries are fully charged every morning. Is this not a good idea?
That applies for Ni-Mh, but not for Li-ion batteries.
There is no fast charging for Li-ion
Battery must pass through cc, and cv phase no matter what.
As long as charging current is below recommended manufacturer charging C rating you are OK.
Also, slow charging will not prolong li-ion battery life like when you charging Ni-Mh.
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