Charging 10180 Cells

[DrAT]

I'm now the proud owner of a Wee. What should I use to charge its 10180 batteries? I have a Nano charger and an UltraFire WF-139, both of which appear to have too great a charging current at 4.2V/450mA.

(I have a feeling that this might be my last post. The image verification the site used is rather enthusiastic and unreadable.)

 

[orb]

The CR123 Nano charger with magnetic spacers works just fine.

 

[DrAT]

The CR123 Nano charger with magnetic spacers works just fine.

Thank you. After some more searching I found your post where you described the results of your testing of the Nano charger. It's good to see a post that doesn't involve speculation and rumour.

 

[silent tim]

My nano charger is very sketchy, the foldable legs do not solidly connect internally so it only charges if you hold it a certain way - is there a more reliable charger for lummi batteries?

 

[DrAT]

My nano charger is very sketchy, the foldable legs do not solidly connect internally so it only charges if you hold it a certain way - is there a more reliable charger for lummi batteries?

Perhaps I've just been lucky but I've had a Nano charger for many years and it still works perfectly.

 

[Incidentalist]

I like to use one of the 100 ma USB chargers that a couple of our members make and offer for sale over at the marketplace. Cottonpickers is currently offering 100ma USB chargers with a built in voltmeter.

 

[Jay R]

I have 5 Nano chargers and they have all worked perfectly for years. Only thing I can suggest other than taking it apart is to fold the pins in and try to clean the rounded top of them as this is the bit that makes the contact when they are folded out.

 

[zipplet]

Hi,

Jay R's cleaning suggestion is a good one. I also had to open my nano charger (it splits open if you are careful - no screws or clips it is welded together) and bend the contacts on the PCB to make a better contact. I did this carefully and superglued it back together and it has been perfect ever since :)

 

[elugelab]

The nano charger with magnetic spacers works just fine.
My nano also terminates the charge at 4.15V. Which is good, just to keep it on the safe side.
I don't know how much it varies from charger to charger, or if some nanos may even over-charge?

 

[De-Lux]

You need to find a charger that will charge at 4.2V/45mA. 450mA is way too high for a 10180 cell :poof:. I would recommend a decent hobby charger otherwise I know that some use coin cell chargers as well but be prepared to mod any coin cell charger to accommodated a 10180 cell. I use a charger that was made for RCR 123's that charges at 4.2V/100mA to charge 10180 and 10280 cells which is is still considered too much for 10180 cells but I keep a very close eye on it while charging. I found this hobby charger that would also work. Here is a post that started about a year ago in regards to this very subject. Cottenpickers USB charger would be another prime candidate.

 

[bedazzLED]

Hi DrAT.

I posted some info a while back that might be of interest to you.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=195918&page=2, post #31.

Regards,
BedazzLED

 

[EngrPaul]

I have two nano chargers and they terminate with very different voltages.

I used a button cell charger as recommended, but I believe it ruined my 10180's because it doesn't terminate properly and just keeps trickle charging.

After buying 4 new cells, I have only charged them with the nano charger (w/ spacers). They are holding up great, they never get warm during charging.

 

[DrAT]

Thanks to all for your comments. I've stayed with my Nano charger. It takes a while to charge a battery but it seems that is an advantage with tiny cells like these.

 

[DM51]

Moving this to the Batteries section...

 

[rich297]

Thanks to all for your comments. I've stayed with my Nano charger. It takes a while to charge a battery but it seems that is an advantage with tiny cells like these.

When your Nano charger bites the dust, consider buying a Cottonpicker's USB charger. I've got both and find the Cottonpicker's to be consistently reliable in terminating the charge at 4.2 volts.