Chargers: Difference between revisions
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[[File:Digichargerd4.jpg|thumb|Nitecore Digicharger D4 is a 4-bay charger with digital readout]]Li-ion chargers aren't as commercially widespread as NiMH chargers. Precautions must be taken to avoid overheating cells and they should be monitored while charging. Some people only charge li-ion cells in their fireplace or in a steel bucket! For tips on safely using Li-ion cells refer to [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=235164 this post]. The important thing for li-ion chargers is to correctly stop charging when the battery voltage reaches 4.2 volts (for a typical 3.7 volt cell) and not to charge at a rate exceeding the capacity of the cell (e.g. "1C" for an 800 mAh battery is 800 mA). See [http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries this article] from Battery University for information about properly charging li-ion cells. A good charger will slow the charge rate as the battery gets closer to being fully charged. All of the chargers below charge NiMH as well as lithium ion cells. | [[File:Digichargerd4.jpg|thumb|Nitecore Digicharger D4 is a 4-bay charger with digital readout]]Li-ion chargers aren't as commercially widespread as NiMH chargers. Precautions must be taken to avoid overheating cells and they should be monitored while charging. Some people only charge li-ion cells in their fireplace or in a steel bucket! For tips on safely using Li-ion cells refer to [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=235164 this post]. The important thing for li-ion chargers is to correctly stop charging when the battery voltage reaches 4.2 volts (for a typical 3.7 volt cell) and not to charge at a rate exceeding the capacity of the cell (e.g. "1C" for an 800 mAh battery is 800 mA). See [http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries this article] from Battery University for information about properly charging li-ion cells. A good charger will slow the charge rate as the battery gets closer to being fully charged. All of the chargers below charge NiMH as well as lithium ion cells. | ||
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y9K254G?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00Y9K254GOpus Opus BT-C3100] 4-bay charger that can test capacity of cells at a selectable discharge rate of up to 1000mA. Also charges NiMH cells individually and can report internal resistance of a battery. Charges at a user selectable rate up to 1000mA with 4 cells or 2000mA with 2 cells. The BT-C3100 v2.2 ([http://www.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_173012.html $34] at Gearbest) appears to be the same charger as the BT-3400 which was sold at Amazon. | * [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y9K254G?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00Y9K254GOpus Opus BT-C3100] 4-bay charger that can test capacity of cells at a selectable discharge rate of up to 1000mA. Also charges NiMH cells individually and can report internal resistance of a battery. Charges at a user selectable rate from 200mA up to 1000mA with 4 cells or 2000mA with 2 cells. Can charge LiFePo batteries to 3.7V (LiFePo), 4.2V (most lithium ion batteries), or 4.35V (some lithium ion batteries designed for this voltage). The BT-C3100 v2.2 ([http://www.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_173012.html $34] at Gearbest) appears to be the same charger as the BT-3400 which was sold at Amazon. | ||
* [http://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/nitecore-d4-digicharger.html Nitecore Digicharger D4] Nitecore makes a 4-bay charger similar to the I4 above, but with a digital readout for voltage and current (about $25-30) as well as a 2-bay [http://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/nitecore-d2-digicharger.html D2]. Maximum charging current is 750mA, but only 375mA when charging 3 or 4 batteries. Has an option for low current (150mA) for charging 10440 an 14500 batteries. Can also charge LiFePO cells which have a lower maximum voltage. Review by [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/35145 HKJ]. | * [http://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/nitecore-d4-digicharger.html Nitecore Digicharger D4] Nitecore makes a 4-bay charger similar to the I4 above, but with a digital readout for voltage and current (about $25-30) as well as a 2-bay [http://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/nitecore-d2-digicharger.html D2]. Maximum charging current is 750mA, but only 375mA when charging 3 or 4 batteries. Has an option for low current (150mA) for charging 10440 an 14500 batteries. Can also charge LiFePO cells which have a lower maximum voltage. Review by [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/35145 HKJ]. | ||