Vapcell BL4 Charger And Capacity Checker Review
Vapcell BL4 Charger⌗
- Specifications
- Introduction
- Charger in use
- Battery compatibility
- Dimensions
- User interface
- Tests
- Powerbank
- Conclusion
- Price
- Product page
Specifications⌗
| Brand/model | Vapcell BL4 |
|---|---|
| Channels | 4 |
| Input | USB-C QC3 9V/2A |
| USB-A Output | DC 5V/1A |
| Charge current options (3.6V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4, 4.35V Li-ion) | 50mA, 100mA, 150mA, 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA, 1500mA, 2000mA, 2500mA, 3000mA |
| Charge current options (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd) | 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA, 1500mA, 2000mA |
| Charge current options (1.5V Li-ion) | Auto, 500mA |
| Discharge current options (3.6V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4, 4.35V Li-ion) | 100mA, 200mA, 300mA, 400mA, 500mA |
| Discharge current options (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd) | 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA |
| Battery diameter | 10 to 32mm |
| Battery length | 34 to 82mm |
| Review date | December 2024 |
| Battery Type | Maximum Current | Cut-Off Voltage |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6V Li-ion | 1*3A, 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 4.20±1% |
| 1.2V Ni-MH | 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 1.48±1% |
| 3.2V LiFePO4 | 1*3A, 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 3.65±1% |
| 3.85V Li-ion | 2*2A in CH1 and CH4, 4*1A | 4.35±1% |
| 1.5V Li-ion | 4*0.5A | 1.50±1% |
Introduction⌗
The Vapcell BL4 is a four channel charger and capacity checker. It has Charge, Test, Storage, Discharge and Repair functions for 3.6V Li-ion, 1.2V Ni-MH, 3.2V LiFePO4 and 4.35V Li-ion battery types. And a Charge function for 1.5V Li-ion cells.
| Type | Charge | Test | Storage | Discharge | Repair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6V Li-ion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 3.2V LiFePO4 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 4.35V Li-ion | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 1.5V Li-ion | Yes | No | No | No | No |
The charge current can be configured from 50mA to 3000mA for 3.6V Li-ion cells.
It supports and 10440 to 32700 battery sizes.
Vapcell kindly sent this charger for review. I have not been paid for this review nor have I held back my opinions of this charger.
Packaging⌗
The Vapcell BL4 comes in a Vapcell branded box with an image of the charger on the front and specifications on the back.
The summary of charge and discharge currents on the back of the box is a bit confusing. The user manual explains what can actually be selected while in Pro or Simple mode and when a particular battery type has been selected. E.g. A cell can be discharged at a rate of 1000mA if it is a Ni-MH cell. The discharge current limit is 500mA for a 3.6V Li-ion cell.
The following is included in the box:
- Vapcell BL4.
- USB-A to USB-C cable.
- User manual.
Charger in use⌗
The Vapcell BL4 has four buttons and a switch for selecting Pro or Simple modes.
The display shows the real-time voltage, current, capacity (mAh), percentage, time, capacity (mWh) and the internal resistance.
The positive and negative terminals have notches.
The charger takes USB-C QC3 9V/2A input.
There are ventilation holes and rubber feet.
Battery compatibility⌗
The following cells are supported:
| Battery Type | Sizes |
|---|---|
| 3.6V Li-ion, 3.2V LiFePO4 | 10440, 14500, 16340, 16650, 176500, 18350, 18490, 18500, 18650, 20650, 20700, 21700, 22650, 26650, 26700, 26800, 32650, 32700 |
| 1.5V Li-ion, 1.2V Ni-MH/Cd | AAA, AA, A, SC, C, D |
I found that cells with slightly recessed tops work.
Dimensions and weight⌗
Dimensions⌗
I took the following measurements using a digital caliper.
| Measurement | Unit (mm) |
|---|---|
| Charger height | 42.2 |
| Charger width | 112.0 |
| Charger length | 170.3 |
| Shortest cell length | 34 |
| Longest cell length | 82 |
Weight⌗
I took the following measurements using a digital scale.
| Weight | Unit (g) |
|---|---|
| Vapcell BL4 | 287 |
User interface⌗
There are four buttons:
- Type (battery type)
- Mode (select Charge, Test, Storge, Discharge, Repair)
- Display (also an Enter button for confirming the charge current)
- Current (select the current or hold to turn the display backlight off)
There is a typing mistake, “Storge”, on the first batch of displays. This has been fixed in a newer batch.
And there is a switch on the side:
- Simple & Pro
I recommend reading the user manual. The buttons are very intuitive to use.
Tests⌗
Room temperature: 21 C
I have measured the voltage, current and temperature of various 1.5V Li-ion, 1.2V Ni-MH and 3.6V Li-ion cells while charging them in a the Vapcell BL4.
The voltage was measured with a Zoyi ZT-300AB Digital Multimeter.
The temperature was measured with a Type K thermocouple.
The current was calculated by measuring the voltage across a shunt with another Zoyi ZT-300AB Digital Multimeter.
I have not calibrated my equipment so the accuracy could be slightly off.
Vapcell kindly provided two Vapcell N40 18650 4000mAh 10A CDR cells to test.
| Mode | Type | Function | Current | Cell | Top | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | 3.6V Li-ion | Charge | 3000mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Test | 500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Storage | -500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Storage | 500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Discharge | -500mA | Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 3.6V Li-ion | Charge | 50-3000mA | Molicel P42A 21700 3.6V Li-ion 4200mAh | Flat | Results |
| Pro | 1.5V Li-ion | Charge | Auto | XTAR AA 1.5V Li-ion 2500mAh | Button | Results |
| Simple | 1.2V Ni-MH | Charge | 1000mA | LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh | Button | Results |
| Pro | 1.2V Ni-MH | Discharge | -1000mA | LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh | Button | Results |
Simple Charge 3000mA CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 2.939 |
| Finish Voltage | 4.213 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 3880 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 15.41 |
| IR (mOhm) | 24 |
| Time (h:min) | 02:24 |
Pro Test 500mA CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.193 |
| Finish Voltage | 4.209 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 4166 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 14.74 |
| IR (mOhm) | 25 |
| Time (h:min) | ? |
I inserted a 3.6V Li-ion cell with a voltage of 4.193V and I selected Pro, Test and 500mA to measure the capacity of the cell.
Test mode is a Capacity Test mode. It has three steps: Charge, Discharge and Charge. The capacity is measured during the Discharge step.
The charge current can be selected but the discharge current is automatically selected based on the internal resistance of a cell.
The time on the display reset at the end of the discharge step.
Pro Storage -500mA CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.198 |
| Finish Voltage | 3.747 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 1747 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 6.88 |
| IR (mOhm) | 18 |
| Time (h:min) | 03:29 |
Pro Storage 500mA CH1 3.6V Li-ion #2⌗
CH1: Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 3.242 |
| Finish Voltage | 3.737 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 1457 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 5.25 |
| IR (mOhm) | 28 |
| Time (h:min) | 03:34 |
There is a gap in data for the voltage due to Bluetooth connectivity dropping out.
The jigsaw pattern for the current looks a bit odd.
Pro Discharge -500mA CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.210 |
| Finish Voltage | 2.906 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 4136 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 14.65 |
| IR (mOhm) | 19 |
| Time (h:min) | 08:16 |
Pro Charge 50-3000mA CH1 3.6V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: Molicel P42A 21700 3.6V Li-ion 4200mAh (flat top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 3.860 |
| IR (mOhm) | 17 |
I selected Pro mode and then I manually selected the following charge currents for about 30 seconds to see what the charger would do. I disconnected the cell temporarily so that I could change the charge current.
50mA, 100mA, 150mA, 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA, 1500mA, 2000mA, 2500mA, 3000mA
Pro Charge Auto CH1 1.5V Li-ion #1⌗
CH1: XTAR AA 1.5V Li-ion 2500mAh (button top) (dark blue)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 1.113 |
| Finish Voltage | 1.526 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 927 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 3.77 |
| Time (h:min) | 02:19 |
Simple Charge 1000mA CH1 1.2V Ni-MH #1⌗
CH1: LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh (button top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 1.198 |
| Finish Voltage | 1.478 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 2636 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 4.11 |
| IR (mOhm) | 51 |
| Time (h:min) | 2:56 |
It looks like -dV/dt or 0dV/dt termination has been used.
Pro Discharge -1000mA CH1 1.2V Ni-MH #1⌗
CH1: LADDA AA Ni-MH 2450mAh (button top)
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 1.428 |
| Finish Voltage | 1.207 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 2378 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 2.64 |
| IR (mOhm) | 39 |
| Time (h:min) | 02:22 |
Atorch DL24 Discharge 3.6V Li-ion⌗
Electronic load: Atorch DL24
Room temperature: 21 C
I discharged a Vapcell N40 18650 3.6V Li-ion 4000mAh 10A CDR cell with an Atorch DL24 at a rate of 500mA to measure the capacity. The cut-off voltage was set to 2.5V.
| Measurement | CH1 |
|---|---|
| Start Voltage | 4.199 |
| Finish Voltage | 2.824 |
| Capacity (mAh) | 4050 |
| Capacity (Wh) | 14.3 |
The Vapcell BL4 measured 4166mAh while the Atorch DL24 measured 4050mAh. The cut-off voltage may have been slightly different between the charger and the electronic load.
Powerbank⌗
There is USB-A 5V/1A output for a powerbank feature.
I was able to charge phone with a 21700 3.6V Li-ion cell inserted.
Conclusion⌗
I think that the Vapcell BL4 is a good charger.
It is ideal for charging small 10440 3.6V Li-ion cells.
There are a lot of options to choose from when selecting the charge current for 3.6V Li-ion cells:
50mA, 100mA, 150mA, 250mA, 500mA, 750mA, 1000mA, 1500mA, 2000mA, 2500mA, 3000mA
The positive and negative terminals work well with small cells, large cells, and cells with slightly recessed tops.
26800 cells fit easily in the outer two channels but I found that I could not charge four 26800 cells side-by-side. It would be nice if the inner two channels were large like the outer two channels. I think Vapcell reduced the size to keep the cost down.
While this charger can charge a 3.6V Li-ion cell at 3A, it can only do that in one slot at a time. The Vapcell S4+ V3 might be a better option if you want a fast charger.
I overdischarged a 1.5V Li-ion in another charger and I found that I was unable to charge it in the Vapcell BL4. I had to use an XTAR MX4 to top the cell up a bit before charging it in the Vapcell BL4.
I like how Vapcell has moved to USB-C. It would be even better if the Vapcell BL4 supported faster charge rates with USB-C PD3.
I recommend the Vapcell BL4 as a good value charger, particularly for smaller cells.
Pros:⌗
- USB-C 9V/2A input.
- Wide variety of charge currents to select from for 3.6V Li-ion cells.
- Positive and negative terminals work well.
- Storage function.
- Capacity test function.
Cons:⌗
- No capacity test function for 1.5V Li-ion cells.
- 3A charging is limited to one channel at a time.
Price⌗
The Vapcell BL4 is US$30 at vapcelltech.com