Lii-500s is very fast, but it lacks storage function. It needs 12V power source but Lii-M4S-works with any usb charger. Lii-500 costs more. You make choice which values more to you.
Is storage mode for nimh as well? Your example only mentions lithium. If yes, could you just safely charge and then leave 4 nimh AA batteries in the powered on unit it until needed?
Storage mode is for Li-ion batteries only. NiMh batteries must always be charged full. Inspired by your question I made measurements for NiMh charge mode: charger makes short current pulses at one minute interval after termination. So it does not ruin your batteries.
You'll need to hold the button down until screen flashes dark. You need to repeat until that happens. Watch the video at 2:18. This is a design flaw of the charger which we have to bear.
The Lii-500 internal resistance reader isn’t that accurate… I guess that’s why they didn’t carry on the feature. Sure it’s great to have an idea of what the internal resistance is but I always double check it. I prefer the storage function and easy usb-c input over an inaccurate internal resistance reader! But to each their own preference and needs 😄
Usually, I test old/abused batteries, trying to find bad cells before they die in critical situation. New cells from trusted seller, I only measure voltage. Capacity test is so slow that I avoid doing it in volume. After all, it depends on how accurate information you need from your batteries and how you abuse them with heat or high current load/charge.
I think mine is bugged. After testing 18650 it sometimes displayes both discharge and charge mAh but sometimes only shows either discharge or recharge mAh... no idea what the logic is here.
Slot measured 72,3mm. I have been charging unprotected 21700 cells only, protected cells won't probably fit. Protection circuit of 18650 cells is 4,0 -4,5 mm, probably same is with 21700 cells.
I do not have usb-C wall charger. Today I tested with my usb-C powerbank - not working. It would be interesting to add 5k1 pull down resistors inside the device? Then it should work.
Yes, it is slow, but It has usb-c. I'm trying to get rid of separate power adapters. There is Liitokala fast charge model, but it has a separate power adapter. I hope that some day they'll utilize usb-c capacity, which can reach up to 100W.
@@SnapTinker Plus charging your cells gently will probably improve their lifespan! Shame you can't also specify a charge cut-off, say 4 V in order to further protect your cells.
Hello, sir. I want to ask about Liitokala lii500s. In the product specifications on the box & on the official Liitokala website, it does not state that type 21700 batteries can be used in the lii500s, but the battery slot on the charger is suitable for charging type 21700 batteries and many people also do this on the lii500s. My question is, is it safe for the charger & battery if this is done long term? Even though the compatibility specification information is not listed for type 21700 batteries. Sorry, my question doesn't match the content of the video.
It is safe if it fits. You can use larger capacity cells safely. Charging voltage 4,2V and method cc/cv is exactly the same. Just select 2A or 1A charge current according the cell datasheet, which should be considered with any cell. 2A rate may be too high for some cells, and shorten cell life.
@@SnapTinker OK, thank you very much sir for the information, it is very helpful for me who is confused about choosing a charger that is compatible with type 21700 batteries with complete features like that.
No, those cells have voltage converter build-in. Special charger is needed. Use eneloop NiMh instead, if low voltage is not a problem. Eneloop has low self-discharge rate and they are good after several years of storage. Xtar needs to be charged every 6 months.
I've had this m4s and an m4 charger all I want is to test capacity but they are rubbish the display blanks after a minute then will not come back on even if its been overnight while you wait for the test mode to finish. Then it simply wont come back on until you power cycle it then it loses all settings and defaults to basic charging again. Absolute waste of money
You'll need to hold the current button down until screen flashes black and returns on, after that release finger. Watch the video at 2:18. This is a bit tricky at first. That way the screen stays on.
@@SnapTinkerThanks I'll try that but it wakes up if you tap a button on the 4s but the original m4 charger with the blue screen simply does not come back on ever it's useless
I really wanted to like it, but no. It's one of the crappiest chargers I had or saw. Different charging/discharging behavior (rate and final levels) on different channels (and I thoroughly tested two units produced half a year apart from each other, they are both inconsistent), uneven sensitivity of different touch buttons on some units, display usually not properly aligned to its window, stupid software bugs in the control logic that were already present in the Lii-500 many years ago and still are not fixed. Oh, and it has a typical Chinese "type C" port which is unable to request power from type C sources (no 5.1k resistors on the CC lines), so you are forced to use type A chargers. Maybe I can ignore all the usability issues, and maybe replacing the switching MOSFETs (and discharge resistors?) with better ones will reduce the dispersion of the final charge/discharge levels, but I'm not sure if I want to waste my time on this.
It is complicated like any charger with lots of functions. I made this video to help others to use it. If you need only charge, just place batteries into slots. No need to press anything. Device resets at power off and individual slot resets when battery is removed.
Is this model better/newer than Liitokala Lii 500s?
I see that Liitokala Lii 500s lack "storage function"...
Lii-500s is very fast, but it lacks storage function. It needs 12V power source but Lii-M4S-works with any usb charger. Lii-500 costs more. You make choice which values more to you.
Hi is it a good product for a struggling carpenter to be able to strip my cordless batteries and build some up with cells out of them .
yes
This one or Lii-500/500s??
Is storage mode for nimh as well?
Your example only mentions lithium.
If yes, could you just safely charge and then leave 4 nimh AA batteries in the powered on unit it until needed?
Storage mode is for Li-ion batteries only. NiMh batteries must always be charged full. Inspired by your question I made measurements for NiMh charge mode: charger makes short current pulses at one minute interval after termination. So it does not ruin your batteries.
@@SnapTinker
Thanks for this. :)
It’s not as fully functional as the Lii 600 but it is less expensive. Nice :)
Sending this charger back the only way to tell if a battery is finished is to press a button the display does not turn on to let you know when done!
You'll need to hold the button down until screen flashes dark. You need to repeat until that happens. Watch the video at 2:18. This is a design flaw of the charger which we have to bear.
The only feature it lacks is that it doesn’t show internal resistance. In that case Lii-500 is the best.
The Lii-500 internal resistance reader isn’t that accurate… I guess that’s why they didn’t carry on the feature. Sure it’s great to have an idea of what the internal resistance is but I always double check it. I prefer the storage function and easy usb-c input over an inaccurate internal resistance reader!
But to each their own preference and needs 😄
@@Spectra1351 You are right. The resistance reading isn’t 100% accurate. For newer cells It's quite accurate, but it often misreads old cells.
And lii m4s have discharge mode
After how many charge cycles should we re-test the battery capacity using Test Mode?
Usually, I test old/abused batteries, trying to find bad cells before they die in critical situation. New cells from trusted seller, I only measure voltage. Capacity test is so slow that I avoid doing it in volume. After all, it depends on how accurate information you need from your batteries and how you abuse them with heat or high current load/charge.
@@SnapTinker got it, thanks Mate
My copy seems to have a bug with testing some NiMH AAAs. After performing the discharge test, it halts and does not perform the charge test.
get a new one, mine doesn't do that
I think mine is bugged. After testing 18650 it sometimes displayes both discharge and charge mAh but sometimes only shows either discharge or recharge mAh... no idea what the logic is here.
What is the length of the battery slots? 21700 protected cell usually +-75mm.
Slot measured 72,3mm. I have been charging unprotected 21700 cells only, protected cells won't probably fit. Protection circuit of 18650 cells is 4,0 -4,5 mm, probably same is with 21700 cells.
Hi this charger is it possible to use it with the C to C cable?
I do not have usb-C wall charger. Today I tested with my usb-C powerbank - not working. It would be interesting to add 5k1 pull down resistors inside the device? Then it should work.
@@SnapTinker I've got one and it does not work with my C-C wall charger, I have to plug it into a USB-A socket
at 300mha it will take 5 hours ro charge 4 batteries , isn't a way too much time ?
Yes, it is slow, but It has usb-c. I'm trying to get rid of separate power adapters. There is Liitokala fast charge model, but it has a separate power adapter. I hope that some day they'll utilize usb-c capacity, which can reach up to 100W.
@@SnapTinker Plus charging your cells gently will probably improve their lifespan! Shame you can't also specify a charge cut-off, say 4 V in order to further protect your cells.
I would stop charge at 4,0V, if that were possible!
Hello, sir. I want to ask about Liitokala lii500s. In the product specifications on the box & on the official Liitokala website, it does not state that type 21700 batteries can be used in the lii500s, but the battery slot on the charger is suitable for charging type 21700 batteries and many people also do this on the lii500s.
My question is, is it safe for the charger & battery if this is done long term? Even though the compatibility specification information is not listed for type 21700 batteries. Sorry, my question doesn't match the content of the video.
It is safe if it fits. You can use larger capacity cells safely. Charging voltage 4,2V and method cc/cv is exactly the same. Just select 2A or 1A charge current according the cell datasheet, which should be considered with any cell. 2A rate may be too high for some cells, and shorten cell life.
@@SnapTinker OK, thank you very much sir for the information, it is very helpful for me who is confused about choosing a charger that is compatible with type 21700 batteries with complete features like that.
can it work with xtar 1.5v li-on battery?
No, those cells have voltage converter build-in. Special charger is needed. Use eneloop NiMh instead, if low voltage is not a problem. Eneloop has low self-discharge rate and they are good after several years of storage. Xtar needs to be charged every 6 months.
Can it charge button top 21 700 protected batteries?
I have only unprotected 21700 cells and there is 3mm free space with them. So I believe protected cells should fit.
Does this capacity test all four slots simultaneously or just slot one?
All slots work independently. You can test four slots simultaneusly, or only some of them.
These claim to charge a 26650 but the battery is so fat you can only get one in. You can do 2 if you put them in ch1 and ch3 but no way side by side
They claim u can charge only 2 26650 batteries
Price?
This is probably cheapest charger with test and storage function.
I've had this m4s and an m4 charger all I want is to test capacity but they are rubbish the display blanks after a minute then will not come back on even if its been overnight while you wait for the test mode to finish. Then it simply wont come back on until you power cycle it then it loses all settings and defaults to basic charging again. Absolute waste of money
You'll need to hold the current button down until screen flashes black and returns on, after that release finger. Watch the video at 2:18. This is a bit tricky at first. That way the screen stays on.
@@SnapTinkerThanks I'll try that but it wakes up if you tap a button on the 4s but the original m4 charger with the blue screen simply does not come back on ever it's useless
Is there a reverse polarity protection
Yes
@@SnapTinker thank u for replying not may ytbers do that,does it hold data if 5v power is disconnected?
It resets after power disconnected. Also individual slot resets when battery removed. Default mode is 500mA charge for 18650 lion battery.
@@SnapTinker ok thank you
Beeping of this charger is so loud..
Remove the buzzer or put tape over it to quieten it down
@@ianevans67did that and it is so much better
You are wrong, it charges up to 2000 mA
It has maximum 1000mA per cell.
@@SnapTinker you are right, the lii 402 charges at 2000 mA
Looks complicated
Sold !
Why is my m4s leaving 18650 at 3.6V after testing instead of 4.2V...
I'm running "test" cycle right now, I'll report you after cycle has finished.
Now I have ran fully the "test"-cycle. Worked perfectly, charges at 4.2 at the end. You have a defective unit. I hope reseller takes responsibility.
@@SnapTinker yes i have a free aliexpress return and i will use it. thank you.
*mega*
I really wanted to like it, but no. It's one of the crappiest chargers I had or saw. Different charging/discharging behavior (rate and final levels) on different channels (and I thoroughly tested two units produced half a year apart from each other, they are both inconsistent), uneven sensitivity of different touch buttons on some units, display usually not properly aligned to its window, stupid software bugs in the control logic that were already present in the Lii-500 many years ago and still are not fixed. Oh, and it has a typical Chinese "type C" port which is unable to request power from type C sources (no 5.1k resistors on the CC lines), so you are forced to use type A chargers.
Maybe I can ignore all the usability issues, and maybe replacing the switching MOSFETs (and discharge resistors?) with better ones will reduce the dispersion of the final charge/discharge levels, but I'm not sure if I want to waste my time on this.
Far too complicated
It is complicated like any charger with lots of functions. I made this video to help others to use it. If you need only charge, just place batteries into slots. No need to press anything. Device resets at power off and individual slot resets when battery is removed.
can this charger accommodate Protected 21700 batteries?
Unfortunately not. The slot is 73mm long, a protected cell 75mm.
@SnapTinker , thanks for the info👍