Chargers: Difference between revisions
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→Lithium Ion Chargers
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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.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_260891.html SkyRC MC3000] a well regarded 4-bay charger that can do just about anything including testing and charging of all kinds of batteries. Has USB and Bluetooth computer connectivity. $89-$99 at GearBest. Review by [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/43699 HKJ] | * [http://www.gearbest.com/chargers/pp_260891.html SkyRC MC3000] a well regarded 4-bay charger that can do just about anything including testing and charging of all kinds of batteries, including 26650 size at up to 3000mA (4 batteries at once) and discharging at up to 2000mA (1 battery). Can charge/discharge a battery for storage. Has USB and Bluetooth computer connectivity. Firmware can be updated. $89-$99 at GearBest. Review by [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/43699 HKJ] | ||
* [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y9K254G?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00Y9K254GOpus Opus BT-C3100] Popular 4-bay charger that can test capacity of cells at a selectable discharge rate of up to 1000mA down to 2.8V. Tests internal resistance of a battery to tell you how healthy it is. 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). Also chargers NiMH batteries. 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. Review of v2.1 by [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/33910 HKJ]. | * [http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00Y9K254G?ie=UTF8&tag=tedsbatterpac-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00Y9K254GOpus Opus BT-C3100] Popular 4-bay charger that can test capacity of cells at a selectable discharge rate of up to 1000mA down to 2.8V. Tests internal resistance of a battery to tell you how healthy it is. 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). Also chargers NiMH batteries. 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. Review of v2.1 by [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/33910 HKJ]. | ||