18650s - charging with a Nano CR123 charger

[Gatsby]

I just received some 18650s - one was fully charged already so I popped the other on my Nano with alligator clips and magnets setup I use for my 14500s as well and it is charging, and charging, and charging - about 5.5 hours right now so I sure hope it wraps up soon as I need to go home and I won't leave it unattended on my desk.

Any problem with pulling it off the charger and starting again at the house?

 

[DM51]

If it is the R-CR123 Nano-charger, its output is 450mA. If it is the 10440 (AAA-size) one, the output is even lower, at 200mA.

A typical 18650 is 2,200mAh, so by dividing the charger's output into the cell's capacity, you can work out that the charging times should be ~5 hours and ~11 hours respectively.

This is only a rough guide, as the end of the Li-Ion charging cycle is a 'constant voltage' phase, usually at a lower current. The charging times will therefore usually be longer than those suggested by the math.

I would recommend you pick up a Li-Ion charger with a higher output for charging the larger sizes of Li-Ion cells such as 18650s.

 

[Gatsby]

If it is the R-CR123 Nano-charger, its output is 450mA. If it is the 10440 (AAA-size) one, the output is even lower, at 200mA.

A typical 18650 is 2,200mAh, so by dividing the charger's output into the cell's capacity, you can work out that the charging times should be ~5 hours and ~11 hours respectively.

This is only a rough guide, as the end of the Li-Ion charging cycle is a 'constant voltage' phase, usually at a lower current. The charging times will therefore usually be longer than those suggested by the math.

I would recommend you pick up a Li-Ion charger with a higher output for charging the larger sizes of Li-Ion cells such as 18650s.

I just tested it and it was at 4.08v so we're getting close! No question I'm going to invest in a higher output charger - I wanted to see how it would work and the answer seems to be - not terribly well - particularly since I use the CR123 Nano to charge my RCR2 for my Jil and 14500s for my LF5 - not enough time in a workday (even at my hours) to top them all off while sitting at my desk.

I'll pull the trigger on a WF139 tomorrow. The Nano takes a little time with a 14500 but it is manageable - not so with an 18650.