Universal charger

[Fallingwater]

With the addition of two LiFePO4 cells in my collection, my hacked LiIon charger is no longer enough.
Since I really don't want to get yet another small charger for the LiFePO4s, and since I'm coincidentally in need of a good charger for my RC helicopters, I've decided to replace the lot of them with a single RC-grade universal charger.
So basically it has to charge LiPo/LiIon, LiFePO4 (which, if I understand correctly, work just like LiIons but need a manual voltage adjustment), NiMH, NiCD, and if it could charge SLA it'd be better.

I might be looking for a dual charger, or I might not... it mainly depends on price.
Oh, and talking about price, the cheaper the better.

I should also mention that I need it to be shipped overseas (or internationally, anyway).

Any ideas?

 

[250]

While I'm not an expert in this area search for Triton JR or ICE. Those are two recommened "Do everything" chargers when I was looking for one a couple years ago. There are probably others but a search for these will lead to others.

I went with the origional Triton an have been pleased. I've been charging power tool batteries, my kid's little RC car battery, LiIon's, NIMH, and Nicad with great results. I choose the Triton because it could do my 18 volt dewalt batteries. I don't thing any other charger did 18 volts at the time.

Also these were designed to work off a 12volt car battery. You would have to get a power supply. You can also make one from an old computer supply. This isn't a big deal just adds another element.

 

[barkingmad]

I recently got an Orbit Pocketlader - it seems very flexible charging down to 0.05A and up to 4A and 1-12 Ni / 1-5 Li cell packs.

Charges NiCD, NiMH, Li-ion, LiPo and LiFE plus 6v and 12v Pb (SLA) - guess would charge your 18v Dewalt pack as that is probably 12 x NiXX cells?

Very small (about the size of a packet of cigarettes) and you can even interface it to your PC with an add-on cable option.

They are based in Germany - have dealers worldwide or think they can ship worldwide from Germany as well - worth a look.

 

[Fallingwater]

I went with the origional Triton an have been pleased. I've been charging power tool batteries, my kid's little RC car battery, LiIon's, NIMH, and Nicad with great results

But could you set it to charge LiFePO4 if you needed to?
I've found a Multiplex LN-5014 charger that seems to be pretty much the same thing as the Triton, but I don't know if it'd charge LiFePO4...

I recently got an Orbit Pocketlader

Whoa, it's expensive!

Charges NiCD, NiMH, Li-ion, LiPo and LiFE

How do you set it to charge LiFe?

 

[tvman]

I recently got an Orbit Pocketlader - it seems very flexible charging down to 0.05A and up to 4A and 1-12 Ni / 1-5 Li cell packs.

Charges NiCD, NiMH, Li-ion, LiPo and LiFE plus 6v and 12v Pb (SLA) - guess would charge your 18v Dewalt pack as that is probably 12 x NiXX cells?

Very small (about the size of a packet of cigarettes) and you can even interface it to your PC with an add-on cable option.

They are based in Germany - have dealers worldwide or think they can ship worldwide from Germany as well - worth a look.

barkingmad,

Where did you get your Pocketlader? I have been looking for a used one for quite a while but I can't find one. I can't afford a new one.

 

[LuxLuthor]

I have not found a cheap option that I would consider safe, and adequate. I can tell you that the Hyperion 1210i that I got prior to the A123 cells coming out was upgraded to a new firmware for free that does them. All new chargers come with that upgrade...as do their 6s cell balancers.

 

[barkingmad]

barkingmad,

Where did you get your Pocketlader? I have been looking for a used one for quite a while but I can't find one. I can't afford a new one.

I bought it direct from their site with the PC cable.

 

[barkingmad]

But could you set it to charge LiFePO4 if you needed to?
I've found a Multiplex LN-5014 charger that seems to be pretty much the same thing as the Triton, but I don't know if it'd charge LiFePO4...


Whoa, it's expensive!


How do you set it to charge LiFe?

When it turns on you simply cycle through (up / down arrows) for the battery type - i.e. NiCd, NiMh, Pb, Lion, Lipo, LiFP... I specifically checked with them that it had this capability.

Also get the USB cable so you can do (free?) firmware updates.