Small + Portable Li-on Charging solution

[MWClint]

I've been using this setup for a while charging small li-po batteriesfor 1/24 and
smaller rc cars while away from home..i figured i would adapt it to charge AW
lithiums for flashlights as well.

Apache 2020 lithium charger. 24$ any online rc shop (or any other new model of apache li-on charger)
the 2020 is good for 1-3 cells
selectable charging rate 110,250,500,750,1200mah
10.5-15v input <- wide input voltage range will work great with a car 12v accessory plug. :wave:

8-12 energizer 2500 AA's (10 works best ~13.6v on fresh AA's)
we all have them collecting dust in a box somewhere. might as well use em
for something.

and some AA holders. i used an 8AA and piggy backed a 2AA holder to
create the 10cell battery pack. (you can optionally connect a 12v car accessory plug too..for in car charging)

Deans Ultra connectors all around.

some more battery holders for the types of batteries you are charging.
1D holder.. cut down the middle and stretched 1/4inch to accomodate 18650,
will still hold 1C and 1D li-ons.
AA holder+spacer to charge AAA,AA, rcr123, 10440 (10180 works too as apache's charge current can be set as low as 110mah)


some pics:

simple and effective.

side shot of the apache.. same thickness as an LOD.

charging an AW rcr123a for the ex10

you can also watch progress with a dvm to estimate charge times, capacity..etc

to charge the 10cell AA pack, i usually just top it off each week on
a triton...or quick charge them 4 at a time in the 15min energizer battery toaster(err.. i mean charger).

 

[MWClint]

oh.. disclaimer.. the above charger works great with AW protected and also the standard blue unprotected lithium ion cells. :thumbsup:


Note:there are probably new models that can handle lifepo4 and whatever
other 3.0v rechargable lithium chemistries there are now..if you charge
lifep04 with a 2020(or any older lithium charger), just hook up a multimeter
and watch the battery voltage. when the _charge_ voltage hits 3.6v pull it
off. a lifep04 would be about 96% full at this point anyway. after 3.6v it
takes about 30 seconds to run up to 4.2v..and the voltage will still keep climbing, destroying the cell.

 

[Illum]

hahaha! charging rechargeable cells with rechargeable cells:nana:

good idea
thread suscribed:thumbsup:

 

[MWClint]

wow, i thought this would be more popular. i can spend 2-3 days away from
home at a time (long commute+work 12.5h nights)and this is the most
convenient method to charge lithiums without having to drag a walwart/12v
psu around. the whole setup fits in a small digital camera case as storage.

so far it looks like you can charge 3 18650's or ~8 rcr123's on one charge of the AA battery pack.