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KB04:


 

Li-Ion Cells: Spark Chargers $11.95 (either model)

The Spark chargers are for charging the 18650 cells for the headlamps. There is a single bay charger, and a dual bay charger. They both have the same power output, so the single cell charger will charge 1 cell faster than the dual will charge 2. Also you cannot mix cells of different capacity in the dual cell charger. They have built in protection circuits and are a good quality charger, cells do not overheat in them.

Using Li Ion chargers: One tip in the forums is to not leave the room while you are charging Li Ion cells. Someone else mentioned doing it outside. Well outside may not work so well if you live in an apartment or in winter, but if you have a barbecue on your deck or balcony or back yard perhaps it could. Just run an extension cord over to the BBQ and charge it in there, close the lid if there is precipitation or curious ravens about. In summer, if you have a fireplace, you could place your charger in there as well and if the charger vents or catches on fire the smoke and toxic fumes go up the chimney.


For your safety:
1) ALWAYS monitor the charge, never charge overnight. This leaves out slow chargers.

2) Check the voltage before and after charging of all cells with a qualiy DMM (one that has a low battery warning at least).

3) Don't use multi-cell lights that have cells in series, and assume that the protection circuit doesn't work! (Or if you use multi-cell lights, do careful voltage measurements).

LiFePO4 Chargers: $15.95

HUANGAO HG-1210W Dual Channel

Use this to charge the Lithium Phosphate AA or AAA cells for the Frankenstein Battery pack or SD73, SD52, or SX5 headlamps at home or while travelling.

  • Automatically detects battery type, status, and choose ideal charging mode
  • Simultaneously charges two batteries
  • Automatically stops charging when complete
  • LED status indicator: Red when charging, it turns to green when charging complete
  • Reverse polarity protection & short circuit protection

     

Powerlion Charger $15.95:
Convenient charging at home for the AA or AAA cells:

  • Stowaway AC plugs
  • Smart LED charging status indicator which turns from red to green when battery is fully charged
  • Built in battery protection and fault detection
  • Dual channels that operate independently
  • 320mA charging current per channel
  • Cuts off at 3.65V DC
  • Works with 14500 (AA) and 10440 (AAA) form factored lithium batteries


GP Chargers

GP Powerbank KB04 $29.95

With this charger it's easy to develop a love/hate relationship if you're not aware of it's strengths and weaknesses before you buy it. It's compatible with all 3.6, 3.7, 7.2, 7.4 volt Li-ion batteries for digital devices as well as AA and AAA NiMh rechargeable batteries. It can be used with any mains power supply worldwide, and can also be used in your car. However that convenience also comes at a price. It only charges 2 AA or 2 AAA cells at a time. If you're always charging the same cells then no problem, but let's say you decide to charge your phone battery after you've been charging some AA's. You need to slide the floating contact points to the appropriate location that matches your battery before you begin, and that can be annoying in a dark room unless you own one of our awesome headlamps. Fortunately there are calibration marks along the slider so once you know where the contacts need to be for a given battery, it is easier to get them back to that spot after you've done it once.

It seemed to charge our phone battery faster than the 'wall wart' charger from eBay that we use for it. It has an LED to show charging status and automatic battery type/voltage identification and charging cutoff. The charging times as stated by GP are (approximately), 2 hrs for 2 2000mAh Recyko AA cells, 1.5 hrs for 2 AAA Recykos, and about 4 hrs for a 2400mAh Li-ion phone or camera battery. It does not display battery voltages.

The main reason to use this charger is if you want to use it when you are travelling in a vehicle or staying at a backcountry facility that has solar power. It is also useful if your camera or phone charger packs it in, or you lose them. However if you are using 4 AA cells on a daily basis and want to plug them into a charger when you get home, this unit is too much of a PITA as it would not do all 4 at the same time. In our house for example, my daughter lost the charger for her Nikon camera batteries, so we just have one KB04 that we leave with the contact adjusted for that battery, and charge the AA cells for the headlamps in a 4 cell NiMh charger. If you primarily need to charge AA or AAA Recyko cells on a daily basis then this is a great travel, secondary, or backup charger. If you need to charge them from your vehicle or in a backcountry lodge then this a a great versatile charger for that, but be prepared to fiddle with adjusting the contact points. If you have big hammy hands and clumsy fingers, then the best solution is very simple: travel with a diaphanous companion who is a concert pianist who can help you adjust the contacts, (and if you are in bear country even better if they run slower than you, because you're probably just as clumsy at getting your bear spray out). On a scale of 10, if I was sitting at a trailhead needing to charge my batteries from my car's plug, I'd give it a 10, if I was at home, I'd give it a 5 for charging AA's and a 7.5 for charging my phone batteries. Do not buy this charger if you posses larger than average fingers and don't live with someone else who does not.

Panasonic BQ-391 Intelligent Charger for AA / AAA Ni-MH Batteries: $19.95

The most convenient way to charge your NiMh cells. Weight: 124g

  • Independent charging channels
  • Charges multiple batteries of different capacity / state of charge at the same time

ENB, Smart Power Bank, $19.95



This innovative device serves a multi function purpose. You can carry your Lithium 18650 cells in it safely. You can charge the cells in it from a USB source, and you can use it as a charger to charge your phone or other USB powered device:

  • Provides extra backup power to all devices that supports USB charging. E.g. iPhone, Android, tablets, MP3 players, GPS units, etc
  • This unit takes 2 replaceable UNPROTECTED 18650 li-ion batteries (or protected batteries no longer than 67mm) to power and recharge your USB devices
  • Powerbank can be recharged via micro USB port
  • Three LEDs indicate capacity and charge status
  • Using Japan SeiKo Li-Battery protection IC
  • Charging management protection
  • Processing monitoring protection
  • Reverse battery protection
  • Over temperature, over currency, over voltage, over discharging and short circuit protection
18650 batteries sold separately

Miller ML-102 Universal USB Smart Charger for 18650 and 26650 batteries: $14.95

If you have 18650 protected cells that will not fit into the ENB battery pack, or you want the smaller and lighter form factor of this device, it is the one that you'll use to charge your 18650 cells or charge other USB devices. Weighs 32g. You will need your common Mini USB cable to go with this (not supplied):

  • Charges and provides extra backup power to all devices that supports USB charging. E.g. iPhone, Android, tablets, MP3 players, GPS units, etc

  • Carry multiple batteries with you to get virtually unlimited backup power on the go

  • Charge port on-board -- charge up your backup batteries from an USB port without carrying a separate charger

  • 500mA charging current when connected to a computer USB port.

  • 1000mA charging current when connected to an USB wall charge capable of 1A+ output

  • Over-charge (4.2V) and over-discharge (2.9V) protection, reverse polarity connection 

  • Double TP4057 IC for battery charging

  • Single PT1301 IC for charging devices

  • PC-ABS flame retardant material

  • 500mA to 700mA typical output

Ports

  • Output: USB (type-A) for charging other devices

  • Input: mini-USB for taking power in and charge on-board battery

 

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