On this evaluation I’ll take a look at the VIFLY ToothStor 2S LiPo charger. This charger boasts user-friendly options, portability, and the reliability anticipated from VIFLY’s respected lineup. Excellent for FPV pilots largely flying 2S FPV drones, the ToothStor guarantees to make charging extra environment friendly.
What’s the ToothStor Charger?
The Vifly ToothStor is a specialised charger that caters solely to 2S LiPo batteries.
Its design is tailor-made primarily for batteries outfitted with BT3.0 connectors – on the time of writing, solely BetaFPV presents these batteries. See my put up about what BT3.0 is: https://oscarliang.com/betafpv-bt3-0-connector/. Be aware that the ToothStor additionally accommodates regular 2S batteries with normal stability leads (XH2.54), and conveniently eliminating the necessity to join the XT30 discharge lead.
Admittedly, its unique assist for 2S batteries could seem restrictive when in comparison with a traditional sensible charger that sometimes helps 1S to 6S batteries. Nevertheless, the ToothStor’s capability to cost 4 batteries concurrently makes up for this limitation by providing a extra environment friendly charging expertise. For drone pilots who primarily fly 2S, this charger could possibly be an enormous time-saver within the subject.
Now, let’s get into the evaluation.
The place to Purchase?
The Vifly ToothStor charger is obtainable for buy on AliExpress: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_DDvdcO1.
When you want to energy this charger through USB-C, you need to think about getting an influence adapter like this, Anker 65W: https://amzn.to/3VE3yro.
The package deal features a easy handbook and a USB-C cable that powers the charger and likewise for firmware updates.
Characteristic Highlights
- 4 Particular person Charging Ports: Concurrently stability cost as much as 4 2S batteries, in contrast to parallel charging, there’s no must match the voltages or capacities of the batteries.
- Colourful LCD Display with Intuitive Interface: Geared up with shade LCD display screen, the ToothStor shows charging statuses with readability, providing a user-friendly expertise.
- Compatibility with XH2.54 and BT3.0 Batteries: Cater to a variety of 2S batteries, making certain broad compatibility.
- Environment friendly Warmth Dissipation: A mix of a fan and a big warmth sink effectively dissipates warmth, enhancing the charger’s efficiency and pace.
- Versatile Energy Enter Choices: The charger helps a number of energy inputs, together with XT60 and Sort-C with PD3.0.
- Handy Reminiscence Perform: The ToothStor remembers your final used settings, streamlining the setup course of for subsequent charging classes.
- Buzzer Notifications: The built-in buzzer notifies you when a charging cycle is full, which you’ll be able to disable when you choose a quieter setting.
Specs
- Enter Connectors: XT60, DC (5.5 x 2.1 mm), USB-C (PD3.0)
- Enter Voltage Vary: 10V-26V
- Minimal Enter Energy: 65W
- Most Charging Present: 1.5A per port
- Supported Battery Connectors: XH2.54 3Pin & BT3.0
- Battery Varieties: LiHV / LiPo
- Storage Voltages: 3.80V/Cell & 3.85V/Cell
- Most Discharge Present: 0.2A per port
- Stability Present: 0.2A
- Dimensions: 109 x 56 x 30 mm
- Weight:
142g143.3g
Construct High quality
The ToothStor’s casing is powerful, inheriting its construct high quality from the WhoopStor collection. Having used VIFLY’s chargers for the previous few years, their reliability has been constant – they merely work with out fuss. And the ToothStor continues this custom, performing reliably throughout my exams.
It presents compatibility with the generally used XH 2.45 3-pin connectors (stability lead), in addition to with the newer BT3.0 connectors from BetaFPV.
Versatility in Energy Choices
The place the ToothStor actually stands out is in its energy versatility. The inclusion of an XT60 connector permits for a broad enter vary, from a 2S to a 6S battery. For these with entry to a PD energy supply, the USB-C enter is a handy characteristic carried over from the WhoopStor V3. The power to energy from a USB energy financial institution is a major plus, particularly for pilots who must cost their batteries in numerous places.
Person Expertise: Charging Made Easy
Utilizing the ToothStor was a breeze. The person interface, managed by simply two buttons, is intuitive, even for newcomers. Right here’s the handbook, however I didn’t even want it.
When connecting batteries, every port accepts both a BT3.0 or an XH2.54 connector (stability lead). To keep up security and keep away from the dangers related to parallel charging, just one sort of connector ought to be used per port.
The 4 charging channels function independently, which is a major benefit. This lets you cost batteries with totally different voltages and capacities concurrently, a characteristic not sometimes attainable with parallel charging. Whereas the channels share the identical finish voltage and cost present settings, which may’t be adjusted individually, this shared setting does streamline the charging course of.
Biking by way of the tip voltage per cell is completed by urgent the correct button, providing 4 choices:
Choosing the present is simply as easy, with choices biking from 0.2A as much as 1.5A. If you must lower the present, it requires biking as much as the utmost first after which again right down to the minimal setting. If you must cut back the cost present, I like to recommend stopping all 4 channels and restarting the method to set the specified present.
To begin or cease charging, lengthy press the left button. Upon beginning the cost, the cooling fan kicked in after a couple of minute or two, it’s comparatively quiet in comparison with sensible chargers this dimension.
A built-in buzzer alerts when the cost cycle begins and ends, however it may be turned off when you choose a silent operation. To mute/unmute the charger, lengthy press the correct button.
Limitations and Concerns
When charging on the ToothStor’s most present of 1.5A throughout all channels, the charger attracts an enter energy of 56W, contemplating losses. To make sure security and optimum efficiency, Vifly recommends utilizing a 65W energy adapter. For these trying to make the most of the USB-C energy choice, a sturdy energy adapter, such because the Anker 65W, is advisable, get it from Amazon: https://amzn.to/3VE3yro.
The charger additionally features a discharging characteristic, which is useful for taking totally charged batteries to a storage cost. The discharging price is considerably gradual at solely 0.2A, however on condition that 2S batteries sometimes have a decrease capability, it’s not that dangerous. For example, discharging a 2S 450mAh battery to three.80V from a full cost would take below an hour, and you are able to do 4 batteries directly.
There’s, nonetheless, a minor discrepancy with the accuracy in reaching the focused finish voltage. In my expertise, when discharging to three.85V, the method stops with the cells at about 3.87V to three.88V. Equally, when charging to 4.20V, the charger tends to cease prematurely at roughly 4.19V. The identical occurs to all ports. Whereas it’s not essentially a security concern—because it doesn’t result in overcharging—the precision might sure profit from some enchancment.
Voltage Accuracy
I examined the charger’s accuracy with a calibrated multimeter. The outcomes have been passable, displaying nice consistency between the charger’s readings and the digital multimeter.
| Supply | Charger Report | DDM |
|---|---|---|
| Port1 Cell1 | 4.19 | 4.191 |
| Port1 Cell2 | 4.18 | 4.186 |
| Port2 Cell1 | 4.19 | 4.191 |
| Port2 Cell2 | 4.18 | 4.186 |
| Port3 Cell1 | 4.19 | 4.191 |
| Port3 Cell2 | 4.18 | 4.186 |
| Port4 Cell1 | 4.19 | 4.191 |
| Port4 Cell2 | 4.18 | 4.186 |
The slight discrepancies are negligible, reassuring me of the charger’s voltage accuracy.
Last Ideas
The VIFLY ToothStor can be a useful instrument for individuals who fly 2S FPV drones, particularly when you use BT3.0 batteries. Its capability to cost a number of 2S batteries concurrently and individually, coupled with the convenience of use and a number of energy enter choices, makes it a standout product.
You should buy the Vifly ToothStor charger by way of AliExpress: https://s.click on.aliexpress.com/e/_DDvdcO1.
Nevertheless it’s a distinct segment product – it doesn’t assist every other batteries besides 2S. It’s not a one-size-fits-all answer, nevertheless it doesn’t goal to be. Vifly isn’t attempting to reinvent the wheel with this product. As an alternative, they’re refining it, making certain that charging 2S batteries is as easy and environment friendly as attainable.