Good Lithium Charger

[Neil]

I may need to get hold of a lithium charger.  Any recommendations for a good one (available in the UK preferably).  It should be able to charge anything from little 10440 up to something like a 18650.

[Mr. Whippy]

Neil,

It's important to know what type of lithium cell you're using (the chemistry).  There are new LiPO4 (I think that's what they're called) cells which take a different charging system.

I'm sure Terry will be along and be able to explain this better. 

[NutSAK]

Neil, are the Li-Ion cells you are planning to use the "typical" 3.7 volt cells?

[Neil]

Yup and protected.

[Millhouse]

If you want to buy from a UK vendor, the photon shop has this:



Ultrafire WF139. Has 2 independent charging channels, handling various batteries including the 2 types you have mentioned.

I believe there are better available, but not from a UK vendor.

[Millhouse]

Just done some more digging and found this. Pila IBC charger. Meant to be one of the best chargers. Available from ledfiretorches.co.uk. Quite expensive though at £49.

[Neil]

Yeah I found that one, saw the price and went    They seem to be the only UK stockist which I think drives the price up.  Nice charger though.

[Millhouse]

The Ultrafire is at a more realistic price. Depends how much you are going to use it.

Dare I ask what lights you are going to power.

[nuphoria]

I didn't think the Ultrafire could handle 10440's?

I have one but it's only for 18650 and 16340 batteries -  got it from DX, no probs just the usual wait


Sooooo then, straying in to the lure of high output flashies are we?

[Millhouse]

Sooooo then, straying in to the lure of high output flashies are we?

Maybe Neil's building a SAK light sabre. 

[NutSAK]

I didn't think the Ultrafire could handle 10440's?

That's actually going to be the difficult thing for you Neil.  In order to charge 10440, you're going to need a charger that has a low current setting, no higher than 300mA.  IMO, the best thing for you in the long run is to buy a hobby charger.  A hobby charger will allow you to charge a very wide range of cells, at pretty much whatever charge current you want.  This type of charger will charge with the proper constant current/constant voltage algorithim, like the Pila does.  The Ultrafire does not use the proper CC/CV algorithm.

This is the one I have:

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/uh_viewItem.asp?idProduct=7028

[Neil]

That looks just the ticket Lots of flexibility for future tinkering

[NutSAK]

That looks just the ticket Lots of flexibility for future tinkering

Yeah, I use mine to charge all of my Li-Ion cells, plus lead-acid batteries on garden equipment, NiMH batteries in cordless drills, and even automotive batteries.  It has paid for itself many times over.

The downside is that the charger isn't "complete" as equipped.  These are designed to run off 12V, so you will want an AC transformer for it.  Luckily these are a very common transformer for LCD monitors, so they are easy to come by for about $15.

For safety and convenience, you will also probably want to rig up a battery cradle eventually.  Using magnetic leads every time you charge a Li-Ion gets a bit fiddly.  It's much easier to just pop the cell in a cradle and go.  There are many options to do that also.

[Neil]

Can't beat the price either

I'll stick with magnets until I know exactly what cells I'm going to need and then think about cradles   Plenty of 12V adapters around the place so sorted there

[NutSAK]

Of course, your transformer will have to provide 6A to use the full capability of the charger.  Or, your transformer needs to provide a current somewhat greater than the maximum current you will use to charge cells.

Just FYI....  To get the best life out of your Li-Ion cells, don't charge them at a rate higher than 0.8C. 

C=actual capacity.  So, a 2200mAh 18650 cell should be charged at no greater than (2200* 0.8 ) = 1760mA.  Now, keep in mind that *actual* capacity is likely lower than the *rated* 2200mAh capacity.  I usually charge 2200mAh 18650s at 1.4A (1400mA) to be on the safe side.  This charger will allow you to test *actual* capacity of your cells also, so that's a big plus.

[edap617]

I've been using that Ultrafire WF-139 charger for 2 years already and I'm very satisfied with its performance. However, if you want to use it to charge RCR123 (10440) you have to do some soldering.



This one is also ok and you don't have to do some soldering to be able to charge lithium 10440. Its a bit slower charger and it's cheaper.

Eddie

[NutSAK]

I've been using that Ultrafire WF-139 charger for 2 years already and I'm very satisfied with its performance. However, if you want to use it to charge RCR123 (10440) you have to do some soldering.

RCR123 = 16340
AAA Li-Ion = 10440

10440 requires a charge current of no more than 300mA.  It's actually best to have one that will do ~240mA since most 10440s have an actual capacity of around 300mAH.

[Neil]

I've gone ahead and ordered the one Terry recommends but thanks for the link Eddie

And thanks for the tips Terry

[edap617]

Sorry, I was refering to the 16340.

[NutSAK]

I've gone ahead and ordered the one Terry recommends but thanks for the link Eddie

And thanks for the tips Terry

My pleasure Neil.  I think you're going to really enjoy the flexibility of the hobby charger--it does the job very well and has a very high "fiddle factor" to boot.

BTW, one drawback to the Accucel-6 is the durability of the little fan inside.  It will likely get noisy on you.  The charger is easy to take apart though, and a small drop of Nano oil in the fan hub bearing takes care of the noise for a long while.  If it becomes a frustration, I think you can actually just smurf can the thing completely because the charger doesn't seem to have any heat issues.

[Neil]

I'm used to keeping old fans going and have a box of spares, so no worries there.

[Neil]

It arrived today.  First impression is that its a solid bit of kit. Nice display and seems well built.  Fan is a little whiny but I can live with it. Dug out a 12V 4A PSU from a long dead monitor that fits the input socket perfectly. 

No manual included so downloaded one..... not much wiser for reading it

However I've just flattened a 14500 and am presently charging it back up and liking how I can see the mAH being thrust into it ticking along in the corner.

[NutSAK]

 

Yeah, the manual is a bit of a POS, but you'll figure it out soon enough, I have faith. 

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do mine.  There's not much you'll want to do with a battery that it doesn't do.  BTW, I recommend that you stick to a dedicated NiMH charger, rather than using this one.  It has problems terminating properly.

[Neil]

Shame about NiMH     I've got a Ansmann energy 8 to deal with them so not the end of the world.  Still, I'd like to at least be able to use it for figuring real capacities. Is it that bad?

[NutSAK]

It's fine for testing NiMH capacity.  I just don't recommend using it to charge NiMH.  The delta-V charge termination is a bit flaky, so it can miss the termination and overcharge your cells.  The delta-V voltage can be adjusted on the unit for better sensitivity, but I still don't fully trust it.  I would recommend using your Ansmann to charge after testing capacity on the Accucel-6.

[Neil]

Fair enough. Sounds like a plan