Olight UC (Universal Charger) Magnetic & USB input

[noboneshotdog]

Yeah, That`s the one.

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?419504-Nitecore-F1-Charger-Battery-Pack-Review

John.

I think I saw a 2 bay version of this on one of the Shot Show 2017 videos last month. May be worth waiting for its arrival.

 

[Woods Walker]

Are you referring to the Nitecore F1 charger?
Bill

Yes. It's really good kit.

 

[xdayv]

Noticed that when the cell is near full (say around 4.09v), it won't charge up to 100%... anybody has the same experience?

I used a Keeppower 18650 battery case to house it. So far so good...

 

[ThawMyTongue]

Noticed that when the cell is near full (say around 4.09v), it won't charge up to 100%... anybody has the same experience?

I used a Keeppower 18650 battery case to house it. So far so good...

Yeah, my UC is the same. If the charging is interrupted anywhere above 4.08v or so, it will just turn green when reconnected.

I think it's a great charger for "just in case", but you still need a proper charger on hand.

 

[xdayv]

Yeah, my UC is the same. If the charging is interrupted anywhere above 4.08v or so, it will just turn green when reconnected.

I think it's a great charger for "just in case", but you still need a proper charger on hand.

Thanks! And I agree... This is a good charging option to be stucked inside your edc bag or organizer... for the times you are away from your 2-bay or 4-bay charger.

 

[Woods Walker]

Noticed that when the cell is near full (say around 4.09v), it won't charge up to 100%... anybody has the same experience?

I used a Keeppower 18650 battery case to house it. So far so good...

Same here. I don't know but happened with solar so think it might have something to do with spotty charging above a certain voltage as it didn't happen at a lower level. Also don't know why it refused to work with the F1 to charge lithium ion and the Palm but did work with those for NiMH. All of that said for a crazy UL pack item (tested to verify it works with packed power bank as it did with my others) it's good enough. Won't replace my other chargers but it gets packed when needed.

 

[eh4]

Noticed that when the cell is near full (say around 4.09v), it won't charge up to 100%... anybody has the same experience?

I used a Keeppower 18650 battery case to house it. So far so good...

- or you could consider it a feature, slightly undercharging should extend battery life, right?
So it's more of a "lost on a desert island" feature than a practical, everyday one.

 

[Woods Walker]

Some observations after using it more.

1. Seems to shut down a bit short of a full charge with NiMH or lithium ion. Not so bad as would rather be 95% charged than over charged aka missed termination.

2. Charges AA/AAA at .24 to .27 amps at 5.10 to 5.09 volts. Starts are .12 to .15 amps then increases. Seems to pulse charge NiMH by the looks of the meter.

3. 18650 charges at .74 to .75 amps at 5.10 volts.

So far seems kinda solar compatible but testing that again in a day or so.

 

[markr6]

Noticed that when the cell is near full (say around 4.09v), it won't charge up to 100%... anybody has the same experience?

I used a Keeppower 18650 battery case to house it. So far so good...

Yeah, my UC is the same. If the charging is interrupted anywhere above 4.08v or so, it will just turn green when reconnected.

I think it's a great charger for "just in case", but you still need a proper charger on hand.

If it's nearly charged (around 90%), you have to connect the charger the the battery FIRST, then plug it in. I think it says this in the manual, but I could be confusing it with another charger. And I can't find my manual or one online to confirm.

 

[Woods Walker]

If it's nearly charged (around 90%), you have to connect the charger the the battery FIRST, then plug it in. I think it says this in the manual, but I could be confusing it with another charger. And I can't find my manual or one online to confirm.

Will try that but the NiMH batteries were nearly depleted and they did the same thing. Remember as it was the last ones I charged. Though again rather leave that party a bit early than stay late...missed termination.

 

[Woods Walker]

Working on a larger solar thread/video but found some stuff which might be of use.

Near perfect performance within specs for 18650.

Very sweet. Granted 1A would be better but right on the .75 amp money at 5 volts.

14500 protected at about the same. I would prefer .5 amps but then again for some applications the extra speed is ok IMHO. This is not my every day charger.

So how does it work on AAA?

Starts with a spool up of around .13 to .15 amps.

Goes to .22 to .24 so no concerns about AA/AAA charging.

Pulse charge caught on camera. I forget the pros to pulse charging NiMH. If anyone knows please key in.

Finished pulse.

It's hard to produce a true solar charging error aka failure requiring restart though conditions vary for solar charging. There maybe something to the top off issue for putting the contacts on first before plugging the charger in. The 14500 came out at 4.2 volts and I intentionally did this. But then again who knows. In any case never had a missed termination and that's what I care about. Also the contacts put together which as we know is impossible to avoid when plugged in measured .01 amps so no issue. I am getting more and more impressed with it.

 

[Woods Walker]

Same here. I don't know but happened with solar so think it might have something to do with spotty charging above a certain voltage as it didn't happen at a lower level. Also don't know why it refused to work with the F1 to charge lithium ion and the Palm but did work with those for NiMH. All of that said for a crazy UL pack item (tested to verify it works with packed power bank as it did with my others) it's good enough. Won't replace my other chargers but it gets packed when needed.

It's a bit tricky seeing exactly what they will work with in terms of powerbanks. Tested two of the 4/7s Olight UC.

Worked good with the Palm unlike my older One with Olight markings.

The Nitecore F1 still wouldn't charge Lithium-ion but did NiMH.

Worked OK for NiMH.

However if I ran the F1 through the USB detector it worked just fine... Go figure... Tested mutiple batteries in the F1 and UC.

Magnetic fun. Chargers and powerbank. Worked great!

This powerbank gave me some issues with the Olight UC but ran the 4/7 ok using both NiMH and 18650. Did so with both the detector and stock. Not sure why..

Some powerbanks ran them all just fine using everything. Others not so much so if mobile test to see if everything works together first.

 

[Woods Walker]

For example. In the pocket of the 7 w high efficiency solar panel with built in powerbank.

Tested and made sure the UC worked with the thin Monster powerbank and the solar panel's powerbank.

 

[Woods Walker]

And just like magic the older Olight UC and newer 4/7 UC now both don't work charging lithium ion with that Palm powerbank. Then again my earlier test showed that. They all worked great with the Morphie.

 

[ChrisGarrett]

I bought two of the Olight UBC last year, for $16. One is still sealed and the other just sits in a Pelican emergency case, along with some lights I don't generally use. I should break out my Sunkingdom 14w USB folder and see what I can see.

Chris

 

[keithy]

Woods Walker - I'm curious as to why some of your powerbanks don't work with the Olight UC. I've been using mine with my solar panels and xiaomi powerbanks.


It is pretty much in my solar charging bushwalking kit now, and I used it on a 100km hike in November, and also on a 250km hike in January. I don't usually use the UC directly with the solar panel I'm using though - I use the solar panel to charge a powerbank first and then use the powerbank overnight with the Olight UC and the AA or 14500 I need charging.


I have four Xiaomi powerbanks (the older 10400mAh, the 16000mAh, and two of the newer thin 10000mAh versions). The Olight UC seems to charge my NiMH AAs and 14500s well enough with these powerbanks.


I have a few older powerbanks (pebble, targus, iconBit and some other no name branded ones) I can test the UC with. But some of those powerbanks are limited by lower current output (<.75A) since they are older so I usually don't take them with me anymore.

 

[cclin]

Maybe the Palm powerbank's low current cutoff is set too high?? a common flaw with many power banks!