Chargers: Difference between revisions
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→Lithium Ion Chargers: link to Battery University
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==Lithium Ion Chargers== | ==Lithium Ion Chargers== | ||
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). | 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. | ||
* [http://www.flashlightz.com/product.php?product=171829 Pila IBC 4-Stage Charger] - Has 2 independent bays and will charge batteries 65-67mm long batteries by default and 50mm long using the included adapters. It charges batteries at up to 600 mA and correctly terminates at 4.2 volts. This charger is often recommended in the forums. Because of the 600 ma charging rate, it is not appropriate for 10440 cells which often are 500 mAh. Note that Pila only recommends this charger be used with Pila cells, but it will work fine with any li-ion cells, but will require your own adapters for 16340's. About $45. [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201323 CPF thread] | * [http://www.flashlightz.com/product.php?product=171829 Pila IBC 4-Stage Charger] - Has 2 independent bays and will charge batteries 65-67mm long batteries by default and 50mm long using the included adapters. It charges batteries at up to 600 mA and correctly terminates at 4.2 volts. This charger is often recommended in the forums. Because of the 600 ma charging rate, it is not appropriate for 10440 cells which often are 500 mAh. Note that Pila only recommends this charger be used with Pila cells, but it will work fine with any li-ion cells, but will require your own adapters for 16340's. About $45. [http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=201323 CPF thread] | ||
* [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251 Ultrafire WF-139] - Rarely recommended, but this two-bay charger seems to be used often and is less expensive than the Pila. Some models seem to charge batteries over 4.2 volts, while others seem to terminate correctly. It can do various sizes of batteries up to 18650, but the charge rate is too high for 10440's. It has two independent bays. In addition to DealExtreme, it is available from AW, Lighthound, and some other online dealers. Less than $20. | * [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.1251~r.72863811 Ultrafire WF-139] - Rarely recommended, but this two-bay charger seems to be used often and is less expensive than the Pila. Some models seem to charge batteries over 4.2 volts, while others seem to terminate correctly. It can do various sizes of batteries up to 18650, but the charge rate is too high for 10440's. It has two independent bays. In addition to DealExtreme, it is available from AW, Lighthound, and some other online dealers. Less than $20. | ||
* [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105 DX 18650 charger (US)] or [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13820 DX 18650 charger (EU)] are dedicated chargers for 18650 batteries and have two independent bays. Very inexpensive but seem to charge correctly by using a higher rate at the beginning and then tapering off as a battery nears completion. Seems to correctly terminate at 4.2V. $8. | * [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.6105~r.72863811 DX 18650 charger (US)] or [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13820 DX 18650 charger (EU)] are dedicated chargers for 18650 batteries and have two independent bays. Very inexpensive but seem to charge correctly by using a higher rate at the beginning and then tapering off as a battery nears completion. Seems to correctly terminate at 4.2V. $8. | ||
* [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14885 Universal Smart Charger] - A single bay charger with a charge rate low enough to safely charge 10440 cells, but can also charge up to 18650 (though it will take a while). Seems to safely terminate at or below 4.2 volts ([http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=213447 discussion]). Has no switches or controls, but automatically adjusts to 110 or 220 volt power (has folding US type folding power prongs) and will charge either li-ion or NiMH batteries (for NiMH batteries, terminates at 1.4 volts). It is very, very cheap: less than $6. | * [http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.14885~r.72863811 Universal Smart Charger] - A single bay charger with a charge rate low enough to safely charge 10440 cells, but can also charge up to 18650 (though it will take a while). Seems to safely terminate at or below 4.2 volts ([http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=213447 discussion]). Has no switches or controls, but automatically adjusts to 110 or 220 volt power (has folding US type folding power prongs) and will charge either li-ion or NiMH batteries (for NiMH batteries, terminates at 1.4 volts). It is very, very cheap: less than $6. | ||
==Hobby Chargers== | ==Hobby Chargers== | ||