Categories: Accessories

Adeaska SQ4 Plus Intelligent Battery Charger Review

There are lots of battery chargers out there! Although functions are pretty similar across the brands, they obviously differ in execution. Today, I’m reviewing the Adeaska SQ4 Plus, which has a distinctively different display, and can charge up to a FULL 2000mA.

The Big Package

So within the rather large box that the SQ4 comes in (which has the same colors and lettering as a Nitecore charger would) you’ll find the unit, along with an instruction manual, and the two-sectioned power adapter.

Specifications

Dimensions; 5.7″ x 6″
Input; DC 12v == 3A
Output Voltage; (charge) 4.2v/3.7v/1.48v
USB; 5v
Output Current; (charge) 2A/1A
USB; 2.1A

Features

Output/Input

As you might expect, the Adeaska SQ4 Plus boasts many useful features. Among them, here are the highlights;

Charges up to four batteries of different types, simultaneously, and independent of each other. Two slots can be set to a max of 2A, and two can be set to a max of 1A
Each slot can be selected for all three battery types
With USB output, it can serve as a power bank
Displays battery “power” without connecting the adaptor
Features a CC/CV charging algorithm
Can successfully activate (charge) a battery with “0” (zero) volts
Automatically selects appropriate battery current (if user fails to select manually)

Compatible Battery Types

Representing battery types; IMR/Li-Ion/LiFePO4…. sizes include 10440, 14500, 16340, 18350, 18650, and 26650. For NiMH and NiCd, sizes include AAA, AA, C and D.

The BIG Display

The SQ4’s display is the epicenter of the unit, and once a battery has begun charging, the following information is given for each slot;

Accumulated mAh
Battery internal resistance
Current voltage
Charging time
Charging current
Battery type
Graphic “power” indicator

Accepts all battery sizes

Displaying a full battery

Four Slots; But Which One Does Which?

The Adeaska SQ4 offers three charging currents; 500mA, 1000mA, and 2000mA. The slowest rate is the default for NiMH/NiCd batteries and is available in all four bays. The charging rate of other battery types can be set manually, or, at the discretion of the unit.

As for the faster charging currents; 2000mA (2A) is available in slots 1 & 4 only. 1000mA (1A) is for slots 2 & 3 only.

Please note that NiMH batteries can ONLY charge at 0.5v and CANNOT be changed manually, regardless of which slot they’re in.

When a charge completes, the “mAh” reading on the display toggles automatically between total milliamp hours (mAh) accepted, and “FULL”.

Large batteries fit just fine

Charging at different currents

Operational Notes

By connecting a USB cable, the SQ4 acts as a power bank. Of course it needs a fully charged 18650 placed into one of the slots, to provide the necessary juice. The charger does NOT require an AC connection to perform this task.

Subsequently, you can also check the power status of a battery anytime, by merely placing it into a slot. Within a few seconds, the square boxes on the left will indicate the state of charge. For example, on a 16340, two boxes indicate about 3.7 volts. The function does not work with NiMH/NiCd.

With the Zero Activation feature, the SQ4 should be able to revive most batteries that might otherwise not accept a charge. If a battery CANNOT be revived, the display will read “NULL” and will not be charged.

There’s also an Overtime Prevention feature. This is based on the health of the battery. If it’s charging, but not very well, and ultimately taking longer to charge than most batteries, the unit will sense that and TERMINATE the charge if it’s been TEN HOURS since it began. This is a good function, however it should be noted that it’ll read “FULL” after it halts the charge. The problem is, the battery is likely NOT full, and if you weren’t paying attention, or don’t notice the elapsed time, you could mistake it for a legitimately full battery!

A fully charged lithium-ion battery always reads “4.20v” in the display, even if the “actual” voltage terminates somewhere below that. If you MUST know the real voltage, you’ll need to test the battery with a voltmeter afterwards.

Do I Like the Adeaska SQ4 Plus?

Never forget which cell goes where!

For the most part…yes;

I like the graphic display, and the way you can see EVERYTHING about ALL the batteries at once without pressing any buttons
I like the size of the slots and the way the batteries have room to breathe
I like that the charging current can be automatic or changed manually (except for NiMH)

On the reverse side;

I’m NOT fond of the enormous power “brick”, like you’d find on a laptop computer
I’m NOT fond of the “nominal” ending voltage of 4.20 for lithium batteries
Even though I LIKE the size of the slots… I’m NOT terribly fond of the overall size of the unit, which when combined with the power cord, requires a large amount of desk real estate to operate (this is obviously a “give and take”)