Displaying reviews posted
by certified DX gadget owners first, followed by all other posted reviews.
Can be modified for an CR123A
Posted by
neyluzz
on 3/14/2010
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Expert (understands the inner workings)
- Ownership:
1 day to 1 week
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Pros: I've ordered the wrong charger, i needed an charger for the CR123A batteries. I modified the charger eg. pulled the springs 3cm's longer that it fits for an CR123A. Another charger is on it's way :)
Cons: Doesn't come with an instruction leaflet. But for new buyers : Green means Fully charged (even if there isn't an cell inserted) Red means charging :) Turns automatically in to green
Bottomline: Nice charger for a few bucks, please note that you'll have to order an plug for EUR customers ;)
Greets
Good charger
Posted by
brted
on 2/7/2010
Involvement:
Expert (understands the inner workings)
- Ownership:
1 week to 1 month
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Pros: This charger correctly charges lithium ion batteries, using a high initial charge that gradually tapers off as the full charge of 4.2V is reached. I have never tested a battery off of this charger that measured more than 4.21V, so it terminates correctly too.
It tapers slowly, so as the 4.2V point is reached, it really slows down. At the beginning with the battery at 3.6V I measured a 850mA charge rate, but at 4V, it was 270mA. At 4.16V it was down to 80mA. This is good, but it means it will take a while. 2400mAh batteries starting at 3.6V are taking me about 5-6 hours to charge. And when I topped off a battery that started at 4.12V, it took 40 minutes to get to the green light. Still, I'd rather have it charge slowly than do it wrong, so this okay.
The bays are long enough to handle batteries that are a little long. Mine are 67mm long and it could probably handle another 2mm.
Cons: The cone-shaped springs are very weak and instead of flattening out when you insert a battery, they just bend over.
The indicator lights on the charger are bad, though you get used to them. For instance if you plug the charger in, the lights both light up green even without a battery. When you put a battery in, the light goes to red, indicating it is being charged. Once charging is complete, the light will turn green. But if the battery somehow wasn't making contact, the light would also be green. Oddly, when the charger isn't plugged in and you insert a battery, both lights turn red. So if you weren't paying attention and put the batteries in the charger unplugged, the red lights might make you think you are charging the batteries, when, in fact, they are slowly being discharged by whatever voltage it takes to light up the lights. I'm not sure why it wouldn't have been set up so that the lights wouldn't be on unless a battery was inserted, like with any other charger.
Bottomline: This is a good charger and a great value at this price. If they could fix the issue with the indicator lights and put in better springs, this would be 5 stars.
Great charger, No hassle!
Posted by
Oblow
on 9/19/2009
Involvement:
Expert (understands the inner workings)
- Ownership:
more than 1 month
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Pros: - Recharges batteries quickly and safely.
- doesnt get too warm
- Charges one or two batteries at a time with the lights that tell you when they are done.
- Price isnt too bad.
- Charges to correct voltage every time!
Cons: - Nothing!
Other Thoughts: Works with a good variety of 18650 batteries and seems to always charge to correct volage.
Bottomline: Does exactly as advertised and does it every time. Works well for charging your batteries overnight as you sleep without any worry of it catching on fire. Definitely works well for the money and i would buy one again.
Worth your money!
Works well
Posted by
niemo
on 7/29/2009
Involvement:
General (knows how to use it)
- Ownership:
1 week to 1 month
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Pros: Says it's UL listed. Does not get hot when in use; this is a sign that the charger uses more sophisticated circuitry than one would expect from an $8 charger.
Can charge cells independently. Rated for 1A charge current; haven't verified this but charge current seems to be above 500mA.
Cons: None for the price. Contact springs are a little thin - probably don't want to use this charger in a commercial setting.
Other Thoughts: Only use this to charge 18650 cells - the charge current is too high for other li-ion cell sizes. Use a 500mA charger for smaller (lower A-h capacity) cells.
Bottomline: ...