XTAR VC4 LCD 4 Bay Universal 18650 Battery Charger $24.59 + Delivery ($0 with Prime/ $59 Spend) @ XTAR direct via Amazon AU

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This was popular when it was posted in April for $22.27 so thought it was worth posting for $24.59.

4 Bay Universal 18650 Charger: XTAR VC4 18650 charger can charge for any 1.2V Ni-MH/Ni-CD AAAA/AAA/AA/A/SC/C/D batteries and 3.6V/3.7V Li-ion/IMR/INR/ICR 10440 14500 14650 16340 17335 17500 17670 18350 18490 18500 18650 18700 20700 21700 22650 25500 26650 rechargeable batteries.(Note: VC4 could not charge 18700/20700/21700 protected batteries)

Another option is an old OzB favourite… Liitokala Lii-402 US$10.63 + GST delivered.

Price History at C CamelCamelCamel.
This is part of Boxing Day Sales for 2024

Related Stores

Amazon AU
Amazon AU
Marketplace
XTAR direct
XTAR direct

Comments

  • +2

    Nice post!

  • Are these better than the standard 4 slot Energiser charger?

    https://amzn.asia/d/9kYputA

    • +3

      The Energiser only does NiMH, not lithiums.

    • +1

      Much better

    • +1

      Is this better than the Nitecore D4?

  • +7

    These are great. I've had one for ages.

    The display will show how much life/charge is left in your batteries.

  • +2

    Lc4 vs vc4??

    • +3

      LC4 only charges 1.5v Li-ion batteries

      VC4 only charges 1.2v Ni-MH batteries and 3.6v/3.7v Li-ion

      So its not a matter of one vs the other but rather they complement each other.

      Otherwise the VX4 will do it all

      • +1

        XTAR VX4
        $50.91 → https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0D86W5P31/

        I'm keen on buying something like this XTAR, but I'm out of the rechargeable batteries "scene" (and I've never bought Eneloops either).

        What are there Pros / Cons around Ni-MH and Li-Ion batteries ?

        10440 14500 14650 16340 17335 17500 17670 18350 18490 18500 18650 18700 20700 21700 22650 25500 26650

        I see all these different sizes, but where are so many of these sizes being used?
        I've got a Nitecore headlamp, which uses a 18650 battery (from memory), and I recharge that, inside the headlamp.

        I mean, can all these "sizes" still be used in devices which accept the standard AA, AAA sizes and it's just a matter of recharging them, to avoid buying batteries ?

        I've heard that Alkaline batteries can also be "recharged" to 'some extent', but I have not tried it.

        • +4

          I've never bought Eneloops

          Please hand in your OzB membership.

          • +4

            @WatchNerd: Mine is the Free membership, unlike your Premium membership.

            I don't have enough OzB Frequent Saver Points yet.

  • How does it compare with the Littokala mentioned in the description?

    • +4

      This has the LCD display which gives you information about charging rates and battery capacity/health.

      • about charging rate

        After some quick reading, this XTAR VC4 charger has fixed charging / discharging rates.

        The OPUS BT-C3100 appears to give you more control over charging and discharging, but a lot more pricier.

        https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Opus%20BT-C3…

        • I've been super impressed with these (I paid $19 for the 4 bay).

          Full battery analysis (including internal resistance). Variable charge / discharge. Can set it to perform cycle loops.

          But Lithium cells only.

    • +1

      I can't give a comparison, but I have had the Liitokala Lii-402 for a few years now (maybe 8 years) but the LED status lights have been dying over the last 3 or so years. It hasn't bothered me because I just chuck the batteries in the charger and leave over night and assume they charged in the morning (and they are). The other issue, though, is the plastic on and around the 'mode' button is cracking and so changing the rate of charge is hit-n-miss. Given that it's been in a climate-controlled environment and has only had medium use, I'm a little disappointed it didn't last longer and is now getting close to being binned. I'm probably going to replace it with the Xtar.

  • +2

    This is a solid charger, had one since 2020 and it gets used every day for 18650's.

  • +3

    How is this compared to the LiitoKala?

  • Better than enelop?

    • -4

      FFS Even the OP's description explains this.

      • I didnt see it if this is better than enelop

        • Which enelop mate?

          What's the rated output of said enelop?

          Is said enelop compatible with Li-ion batteries?

          Does the said enelop charger charge 1.5V Li-ion batteries?

          Give us information mate, so we can help you better.

  • +3

    I've been using this charger for well over 5 years. Tried quite a few including LiitoKala, but this is my go to for Ni-MH and Li-ion without feeling my house will burn down.

    Only negative is the barrel to USB cable.

  • I have VC4 and Lii-500 and both work well. The Liitokala on special for around $15 at Ali:

    https://vi.aliexpress.com/item/1005006734579418.html

    • Does this have auto shutoff to prevent overcharging?

      • Yes

  • How does this compare to this deal:
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/886610

    Wondering if I should buy this one and return the 2 I just ordered under that deal, just not sure which AA’s to pair with it, this seems more versatile doing all sorts of battery sizes

    • As far as I know, the VC4 doesn't do 1.5V AA Lithium-Ion cells, so you'd be using 1.2V Ni-MH only with this one.

    • It depends on your end use. If the battery voltage you require is constant 1.5V (locksets, video bells etc), then that deal (as it comes with the right battery) is the better one.

      If you're looking at eneloop/ladda/other 1.2V and/or 3.7V Li-ion rechargeable batteries, then this deal has the better charger due to it covering those range of batteries.

      • Yeah that’s the thing that got me was the 1.5v hoping it’s good for my tap timers and some of my battery powered ble devices

  • how does this compare with a Maha C9000? Mine has rusty terminals, and after about 15 years probably needs replacing.

    • I had the Maha C9000 until it died about 7 or 8 years ago, when I replaced it with this one which is still going strong. It's also more versatile and had a better display/info.

      • sorry, which one is more versatile and has a better display?

        • The XTAR - shows voltage, charge rate, mAh put into the cells and which slots are charging, all at the same time. It can also display the voltage/mAh of 2 cells at the same time.

    • The C9000 only does nickle batteries. But it does have a refresh cycle which I don't think exists on the xtar.

  • Just a FYI, of some other (sic) higher-priced, battery chargers with different (better?) features:

    XTAR VX4 ( by @luigough )
    https://goughlui.com/2024/12/04/review-xtar-vx4-visible-mixe…

    Opus BT-C3100 V2.1
    https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Opus%20BT-C3…

    Gyrfalcon S8000
    https://timmcmahon.com.au/posts/gyrfalcon-s8000/

    SkyRC MC3000 (with Bluetooth monitoring on smartphone)
    https://lygte-info.dk/review/Review%20Charger%20Opus%20BT-C3…

  • +1

    Great charger. Had one for a few years now. Hasn't missed a beat. Nicd, 18650 lipos etc.

  • +1

    Great charger for standard batteries but terrible for 18650 and I presume similar.

  • +2

    I can't speak about this specific charger, but I bought 2 of the XTAR VC8 PLUS earlier this year based on being able to control the charge rate. Turns out you can't control the rate for NiMH - which is limited to 500mA. You can go up to 3000 for other chemistry. They are good for determining the capacity of a battery so I took a partial refund I was offered due to the misleading description and kept them. I occasionally use them to work out if a battery is due to be binned.

    • +3

      Internal resistance readings on VC4 plus is no way close to accurate. It determines charge rate based on IR. When it works it's great, but it is sometimes PITA.

      • Yeah same on the latest XTAR VX4.
        Thats my only dislike.

    • I bought 2 of the XTAR VC8 PLUS earlier this year based on being able to control the charge rate. Turns out you can't control the rate for NiMH - which is limited to 500mA

      Have a read of these battery charger reviews → here, which have charging control, and they are more expensive than the XTAR VC8 Plus, but you will see what other features are offered in the other brands too.

    • Turns out you can't control the rate for NiMH - which is limited to 500mA

      That's pretty lame, iirc you should be charging NiMH at least 1/2C (i.e. 1000mA for a typical AA) in order to get a reliable delta temp / delta time spike which indicates that end of charge is approaching. To me, that makes the Xtar a total non-starter for Eneloops.

  • Where's the best place to get 10440s from? Aliexpress doesn't seem to have many available.

  • How bout this one for my wubens and sofirns? cant find any reviews for it
    XTAR VC4H New VC4 VC4L Version LCD Universal 18650 Battery Charger - $18.20
    https://www.amazon.com.au/XTAR-Version-Universal-Rechargeabl…

  • This deal brings me the question where to find good deals on decent 18650 Batteries!?

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