Need 2 (I think) new chargers - to run on 12v

[TheMechanic]

I have a desire to charge batteries from my solar panels. I have a mix of LiON (AW's 18650, RCR123, and 14500), as well as some LSD NiMH (Eneloop, etc.) I assume this means that I'll need two chargers, yes?

It needs to have a 12v input, and the better the build quality the more I'll like it. Features like battery conditioning, etc. would be icing on the cake.

What charger(s) should I buy, and why?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello TheMechanic,

If you pick up a hobby charger (Schulze makes an excellent line of chargers, as do others), you can get by with only one charger.

Tom

 

[TheMechanic]

That's a term I'm not familiar with...what's a "hobbby charger" and how does it differ from the chargers I'm used to?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello TheMechanic,

Here is a link to the Schulze web site. You can look along the left side and click on 1.1 under B. It is labeled Dis/Charger, Balancer. This will take you to their line of chargers, so you can check them out and see what is different.

Hobby chargers are used by those involved in the radio controlled hobbies. They tend to be capable of charging most chemistries of batteries, and they usually have far more options than most consumer chargers.

Tom

 

[TheMechanic]

Holy cow! I think that's a little more involved than what we need around here. (My wife needs to be able to run them as well!)

So, back to "conventional" chargers...

 

[Yoda4561]

Pila IBC and MAHA C9000. Both are 12 volt chargers (pila needs a 12v car adapter), the c9000 has all the whiz bang features you could want in a NIMH/NICAD AA/AAA charger. The pila is as far as I know the safest, fastest lithium ion charger for a reasonable price, that isn't a fancy hobby charger. You'll likely need a large amount of solar panel area to power them reliably though. The c9000 needs 12v, 2amps. The pila runs off of 6v, 2.5 amps but the optional 12v car adapter should run it at less than 2amps.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello TheMechanic,

Actually... :devil: your wife will have to make more decisions when doing a load of laundry than she would have to do when charging batteries with a hobby charger, but I do understand.

There are many who advocate for a separate charger for each battery chemistry. That way it is difficult to mix thing up.

As Yoda has indicated, the C9000 and Pila IBC chargers both are capable of running on 12 volts with the proper adapters.

Tom

 

[TheMechanic]

Pila IBC and MAHA C9000. Both are 12 volt chargers (pila needs a 12v car adapter), the c9000 has all the whiz bang features you could want in a NIMH/NICAD AA/AAA charger. The pila is as far as I know the safest, fastest lithium ion charger for a reasonable price, that isn't a fancy hobby charger. You'll likely need a large amount of solar panel area to power them reliably though. The c9000 needs 12v, 2amps. The pila runs off of 6v, 2.5 amps but the optional 12v car adapter should run it at less than 2amps.

Thanks much! Do you have a favorite online vendor to recommend?

 

[TheMechanic]

Uh-oh - I've found on another thread that the IBC can't be used for the AA-sized LiOn cells (too high charging rate, it appears.)

Alternatives that will take those batts?

 

[Yoda4561]

Should be fine?? All the 14500s I see are listed as 700+ mah, as long as you don't go too much over 1c (700+, the ibc charges at 600 per channel) there shouldn't be any issues.