18650 and 26500 charger needed

[737mech]

I am looking to invest in a charger and was looking for some recommendations of an affordable charger that will charge my AW 18650 and 26500 cells. I was looking at the Pila IBC but it does not fit the 26500 cells. I don't really want to spend the money on an expensive RC charger and was hoping to get a decent charger that will suit my needs for about $50 or less. Any tips?

 

[TranceAddict]

DIY a 26500 cradle and use alligator jumper clips to connect it to charger terminals. it will work fine as long as you don't short circuit the jumper, and will charge slowly due to low charging current for 26500

 

[rjr104]

I use this one http://www.batteryjunction.com/unsmchforlib.html with a magnetic set-up. Seems to work fine.

 

[737mech]

I use this one http://www.batteryjunction.com/unsmchforlib.html with a magnetic set-up. Seems to work fine.

excuse my ignorance...but how do you charge the cells with that? I don't see any battery holders in that pic.

 

[jslappa]

That charger comes with a pair of alligator clips. You then go to a hobby store and buy some strong magnets. The magnet sticks to each end of the battery and the alligator clip can then attach to the battery. The charger that RJ linked to can charge up to 4 LI 3.7V batteries at once. In this pic, the charger is different, but I am using the supplied alligator clips to charge my batteries. I have 16340, 17500, 17670, 18650, and whatever else 3.7V lying around. Pictured is a series of 6 x 18650 unprotected batteries. If you look closely, they are all tied together by small magnets placed at the poles. My charger can charge up to 6 LiIon, LiPo, LiFe batteries. I have the positive aligator clip attached to the positive lead on the PVC charging sleeve I made. Behind the charging sleeve is the black negative wire with a couple magnets attached. I slide the batteries in the sleeve, connect the negative aligator clip to the negative lead, and I'm good to go.

The Batterystation charger will do the the same thing, albeit with no extra bells and whistles. Your batteries should come off the charger at about 4.2V every time. I wouldn't use unprotected batteries though. Just stick with protected for that charger.

 

[cernobila]

Or if you want something quite basic and simple, you could try something like this......



Using the tried and true Pila and C and/or D size bays will let you charge all, 18650's, C's and D's. The wood dowel with plates/screws is the same length as the 18650 cell.

 

[737mech]

great ideas, thanks. You guys got me thinking outside the box now!

 

[rjr104]

737mech.
If you buy the charger I recommended I will build you a set of charging magnets provided you send the aligator clip jumper back to me when you've received the cable I built for you.
RJ

 

[737mech]

737mech.
If you buy the charger I recommended I will build you a set of charging magnets provided you send the aligator clip jumper back to me when you've received the cable I built for you.
RJ

mighty generous offer. Can you post a pic of your magnet setup?I want to see what you are talking about. Thanks!

 

[rjr104]

Here you go. Pardon the doghair on my field-expedient background.

 

[rjr104]

Sorry for the double post. I meant to insert an image - not a link.

 

[737mech]

Well ended up ordering a Pila charger. For what I need it seems perfect plus it gets some rave reviews here on the forum. I will make some dummy cells to attach clips to for charging my 26500's.

 

[ElectronGuru]

Ran across this one today (CC/CV, 4.2V cut-off, 2A, No trickle):

http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=2735

 

[737mech]

Just found this one today:

http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=2735

I have that one and it takes FOREVER to charge a D cell.Thanks for the help though.:thumbsup:

 

[bigchelis]

Ran across this one today (CC/CV, 4.2V cut-off, 2A, No trickle):

http://www.kaidomain.com/ProductDetails.aspx?ProductId=2735

I have that charger too and it looks put together with glue.

+1
it takes too long to charge a D cell. The magnet route or alligator clip is something I have to try.

 

[bigchelis]

Or if you want something quite basic and simple, you could try something like this......



Using the tried and true Pila and C and/or D size bays will let you charge all, 18650's, C's and D's. The wood dowel with plates/screws is the same length as the 18650 cell.

I have those holders that came with the KD D cell charger. If I put alligator clips how do they hold on to the neg end of the IMR C cell???

Thanks,
Jose

 

[Firecop]

I have to put my 2 cents in here on the KD charger - it's junk. I sent one back as it was only putting out 230ma, but the "replacement" still does as poor of a job.

...now to save for a hobby charger...

 

[VidPro]

you can get cheap hobby chargers now for < $50 that does proper BALANCING of the cells. not the best in the wurld but its a good start, like the Turnigy for example.
caveats:
you will need a 12V power source still
you will make up your own leads/holder to connect to single cell items.
You will need to TAP packs, or buy tapped packs, to achive proper balancing connections.
Still avoid charging something like a D cell to quickly.

the "Market" for balancing RC chargers is now sufficentally big enough that the prices on RC chargers , be they cheap types of units, made them much more available to everyone.
plus you get readouts, discharge testing at various rates, charge rate adjustement, multiple battery type charging.

 

[divechief]

Kind of an old thread, My thread has not been answered, but this is kind of on topic. so I hope I am not breaking any rules here.

for charging a pair of AW 26500's, would this charger work?


http://tinyurl.com/yjc4w5b ??

I am concerned that the 7.6V cut off is quite a bit below the 8.4 that two 26500's run when topped up. any issues, or will that just reduce the capacity with each charge? any other issues I am missing?

Thanks. (I am planningi on using the 26500's in a ROP

Dave

 

[CaseyS]

You should be looking at Li-Ion chargers, not LiFePO4 chargers.