The LiitoKala Lii-500S is more than just a battery charger!

The LiitoKala Lii-500S is a great battery charger, but it can do more. It can discharge batteries. It can test battery capacity and identify defective cells. It can also charge your cell phone! In this video, I unbox this device, go over the features, and do a capacity test on four 18650 lithium ion (Li-ion) cells.

CORRECTION: At 8:46, I stated that the timer showed TOTAL TIME for the test. It was actually showing the DISCHARGE time. You can toggle between discharge and recharge time & capacity by hitting the numbered buttons for each bay.

Input voltage: DC 12V/3.0A
Output voltage:DC 4.2V / DC 1.48V

Output current
Lithium battery charging current: 500mA*4 /700mA*4/1000mA *4 2000mA *2
NiMH battery charging current: 500mA*4/700mA*4 /1000mA*4

Rechargeable battery specifications: 26650,21700,18650,18350, 20650,14500, AA, AAA, etc.
Discharge current: 250mA / 500mA
USB output: 5V—-1000mA
Termination method: intelligent voltage monitoring
Dimensions: 162mm (length) * 100mm (width) * 36mm (height).

Features
New touch control function

Different selective charge current can be for 4 independent channels with both Li-Ion and Ni-MH batteries.
500mA*4
700mA*4
1000mA *4
2000mA*2

Two discharge currents:
250mA*4
500mA*4;

It can charge most cylindrical cell types:
26650, 22650, 18650, 17670, 18490, 17500, 17335, 16340(RCR123), 14500, 14650, 10440

This product uses a separate LCD display, charge and discharge mode (MODE). Voltage (V). Current (mA). Time (h). Capacity (mAh) parameters.

DC 5V 1000mA USB power port

CHARGE, DISCHARGE, and TEST modes can work simultaneously; independently set charge/discharge capacity detection/normal capacity detection function;

A variety of protection functions: overcharge and over discharge, short circuit, temperature, 0V voltage activation function, non-charging function, intelligent identification of bad battery and reverse battery detection protection.

I previously made a video comparing AA rechargeable batteries using a The Liitokala Lii-PD4

I also went into depth on the YXZHENG brand batteries:

00:00 Introduction / Open
00:21 Other chargers that I own
00:50 Unboxing and Features
02:49 Current options
03:15 Charger Menu Options
04:00 Setting Up Batteries to be Tested
05:23 Explanation of what TEST feature does
06:00 Weird issue with soft buttons when unit is hot
06:41 How the timer works
08:21 Red and Green Lights
08:57 Channel 2 Time Lapse
09:19 Rated vs Actual Capacity of Batteries
10:14 What I will do in a future video
10:43 Salutations and Close

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[ThriftyAV]

CORRECTION: At 8:46​, I stated that the timer showed TOTAL TIME for the test. It was actually showing the DISCHARGE time. You can toggle between discharge and recharge time & capacity by hitting the numbered buttons for each bay.

[exgenica]

CAUTION: I strongly advise NOT using the 12VDC car adapter from a car "cigarette lighter" as the risk of input voltages MUCH HIGHER than 12V is 100%. Use a *regulated* 12VDC adapter instead.
The supplied 12VDC car adapter does NOT regulate the output in any way. It is just a direct wire (with a 3Amp fuse[1]) between the "cigarette lighter" socket and the Liito charger/analyzer. Whatever voltage is supplied at the cigarette lighter plug input, is seen at the adapter's coaxial output plug. If the cigarette lighter outlet is providing 14VDC (not uncommon), that is what will be provided to the Liito units when using this adapter.
Also, car alternators routinely supply over 15VDC while charging the car battery while the car is running. Further, *starting a car can generate huge voltage spikes* over a hundred volts at the cigarette lighter socket[2]. Sensitive instrumentation circuitry can be damaged by the higher voltages.
I am very concerned about using this adapter with any of the "12VDC" powered Liito units. There is even an Warning label on this car adapter that the *_INPUT_* to the adapter not exceed 12VDC. That explicitly confirms this advice. I hope the details provided here help explain the issue.


[1] The fuse is NOT designed to protect the Liito charger/analyzer from damage. It is there ONLY to help prevent possible fire and/or damage to the car in the event of an overload.
[2] A recent model car MAY have regulators on the cigarette lighter socket, however, it depends on the brand and the effectiveness can vary.

[exgenica]

To help cool this particular unit, since the vents are located on the bottom and lower sides of the unit, I would just make sure there was plenty of cool air available to the vents. The heat will force draw the cool air in from the lower vents of the unit and up and out through any openings in the battery compartment or side of the unit.
As for using the steel plate:
The steel plate could warm up from radiated heat (not convection heating) and actually put warmer air into the unit over time and might not cool it as well as one might think. I've seen that in WiFi routers which can run VERY hot and you can fell the heat radiating even from the bottom vents, which warms up whatever it happens to sit on.
I routinely put larger stand-offs on any test equipment that relies on cool air inlet vents on the base. In extreme cases, assuming there isn't already a fan inside the case, I even add a small fan (similar implementation as for "laptop computer coolers").

[johnheaton]

After much deliberation and watching other YT video I've bought this, ebay was about 50p cheaper than Banggood when postage to the UK was added so I went with ebay so £38.12, Amazon was £36.83 but I've had a few issues with them. Thanks for your video it's much appreciated.

[TonyMontana-xjzv]

I am currently testing the newer device which is Lii-600 model ! The price is a bit higher than the "500s", but u get more features and the main advantage is the 250mA charging current for Ni-MH (AA, AAA) batteries so i can use the 0.1C current (250mA) for my 2500 mAh batteries for a 10h appropriate charge, in the 500S the current begins with 500 mA. Also the discharging current is more adjustable for more accurate measurement for the Ni-MH. If u need to charge 4 x Li-Ion (26650 cells @ 5500 mAh) with high ampere the Lii-600 can charge the 4 slots simultaneously for 3 ampere, however, I personally charge my Li-Ion cells with a current of 1 ampere, sometimes 2 in rush.
The temperature measurement is very accurate, im testing it all the time for fun with my fingers on the cells to see if the sensor shows the truth, and YES the measurement is perfectly assigned to the channel. At first I thought about sticking small thermopads on metal sensors to increase the accuracy of the measurement but there is no need for that.
Resistance measurement must be taken with a pinch of salt, but after a few tests on old cells, the test indicated 120-140 mOhm, and on new ones 38-45 mOhm, so as an indicator it shows very well.
The TEST function can also be customized in advance to our current charge and discharge i guess it was : 250, 500, 750, can't reach for it now, device under test :)
Also if 1 channel is finished with whatever mode was choosen, the slot can be replaced by a new cell for testing without crashing the other channel results, that was happening is some XTAR chargers for me...
If u like more setting options get the Lii-600 ! You will not regret at all ! :)

[danwissler]

Thanks a lot from Germany! Your video convinced me to buy one of these devices. 👍

[sudheerumbayi]

Thanks for your excellent review. Waiting for your future video...

[paologonzalez]

At last! An English review about the 500s. Thank you! Now i can buy this charger because i now know the benefits i get.

[JasonGladu]

I bought one as well, gonna move to rechargeable batteries. Looking forward to your next video on the best kind of rechargeable batteries.

[AudioElectronicsChicago]

I see them $36 on Ebay coming from China with free shipping, I think I am gonna buy one

[TonyMontana-xjzv]

9:16 it's not the total time for the test, "4:30h" is the time for only discharging channel 2 (there is an indicator under "current" says :"DISCH", (for recharging need - 2:43h), so the total TEST time for channel 2 was 7h:13min (not including the first step which was a full charge to 4.2 V to begin the test) It can be easilly calculated if u have a 2000 mAh cell and you discharging it with 500mA current (2000 / 500 = 4hours of discharge), simple as that.

[Vysair]

Now we have the 600 model. It comes with a temperature sensor. I just ordered mine so I will see how it goes.

[FlyingElephant-jf]

Can liitokala 500s be used as power bank if AC power is off.Please reply....

[frederic]

i feel like this touch screen will cause reliabilities problems over time. They should have kept the regular buttons.

[craigs]

I fail to see how you came up with 4hrs and 30min for the total time of the test for channel 2 when it clearly was still discharging @7:44 and showing 4hrs and 14min and then it took an additional 2hrs and 43min to charge the cell. It had to be over 7 hours total time for the test. I'm pretty sure that the mAh shown at the end of the test and the 4hrs and 30min was the time and capacity just for the discharge portion of the test.

Sorry, I just read your correction in the description.

[haraldpost]

I wish there was an option to stop charging at 90%.
My Fluke 83 DMM measure up to 4.27V at the terminals when the Lii-500s is finishing up charging 18650 cells.

[jaydelacruz]

Nice review! Just want to ask if you can charge a device while charging a battery as well? Thanks

[eagol]

For about USD16.50 it's a cool thing on my work desk..Bought it before watching this video.

[ge]

Is it true that Liitokala lii 500s is compatible with 21700 batteries?

Meanwhile, on the official Liitokala website, the compatibility section for type 21700 batteries is not listed.

Is it safe for the charger & battery if used for type 21700?

[wellingtoncardoso]

I have Liitokala 500s and I didn't find any video in Portuguese detailing how it works. I have the following doubt:

I performed the 18650mah battery test and presented the results:

- Charging 1881mha
- Download 0886mha.

Which value should you consider, loading or unloading?