--> FS: Cottonpickers Chargers incl. Worlds smallest Li-ion charger with display

[Trevtrain]

Hi David

I have just spent several hours reading through about 33 pages of posts. Fascinating stuff and I congratulate you on your dedicated work and loyal customer base. I don't think I've seen a single negative comment in here.

I will be purchasing an 18650 (+16340) model flashlight soon and will need a charger. Leaning towards one of the triple high-current models at this point but not ready to make a decision yet. As I am in (mostly) sunny Australia, I'm off to study your Solar thread before placing an order as I have a collection of LSD AA and AAA cells in constant rotation as well.

One very noob question for you as my electronics knowledge hasn't been exercised for about 20 years. Why is it not possible to put reverse polarity protection into your chargers? I was thinking a simple diode in the charge leads would do it, but then I wondered if this would prevent the voltage meter from working when the unit was not powered? I can't remember anyone in this forum asking the question yet but apologies if you have already covered this somewhere else.

It just seems like a shame that the unit can be wrecked with a simple mistake. I count myself as fairly careful when using chargers but cannot say the same for the kids if they get curious and play with it when I'm not looking.
Also, short-circuit protection? I can't speak for others in here but I would be happy to pay a few dollars more if these features could be added.

Anyway, your thoughts would be appreciated. Keep up the good work.

[cottonpickers]

Trevain: Thanks for the comments! - unfortunately a diode typically drops the voltage as much as 0.5v so it would ruin the precise 4.2v end phase. I am playing with making a cradle for the tiny cells (10180,10280, 10220 ,10250 etc) which would eliminate short circuit issues and make it harder to make a polarity mistake, but the IC at the heart of the charger is really expecting a build in battery like a phone where these things can't happen. I do understand that mistakes can happen, and can replace chargers that get fried by accident by short circuit/reverse polarity. They don't seem to happen too often so I don't mind the replacements of those.

Hotlight: Its in the post
smopoim86: Its in the post

[Trevtrain]

Trevain: Thanks for the comments! - unfortunately a diode typically drops the voltage as much as 0.5v so it would ruin the precise 4.2v end phase. I am playing with making a cradle for the tiny cells (10180,10280, 10220 ,10250 etc) which would eliminate short circuit issues and make it harder to make a polarity mistake, but the IC at the heart of the charger is really expecting a build in battery like a phone where these things can't happen. I do understand that mistakes can happen, and can replace chargers that get fried by accident by short circuit/reverse polarity. They don't seem to happen too often so I don't mind the replacements of those.

Thanks, the 0.5V loss explanation makes sense. So in effect you would need an entirely different IC which I am imagining would not be an "off the shelf" product.

As far as replacing something that one of your customers has stuffed up - mate that is incredibly generous! I hope I never have to take you up on it.

Still reading the Solar thread at present - getting to some really interesting foldable stuff. Stay tuned.

[jsholli]

David, I got my chargers earlier this week--thank you very much. They're what I wanted and more!

[AngryFish]

cottonpickers,

This looks like an excellent product! Currently the smallest battery I charge is a 550 mah AW 16340. The largest is a AW Protected 3,100mah 18650. What charger would you recommend for me?

Thanks,

~ J

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

Hi,

Just sent you a PP for $50 for:

1 x Triple Current Charger with Display

Default current settings will work fine.

Thank you.

[adamjh3]

David,

I would like to place an order for 1xTriple current setting Smallest Charger in World with Display and upgraded IC; choice of 3 current settings and 2 sets of leads (crocs and mags)

Default current setting and a leftie model will do just fine for me. You should receive payment shortly.

Thanks!
Adam

ETA: D'oh, forgot to add my CPF name to the paypal. It's Unique Transaction ID # 5104778066584981V

[chesterqw]

Quad current setting Smallest Charger in World with Display and upgraded IC; choice of 4 current settings and 2 sets of leads (crocs and mags) $55

Current setting : 80/250/520/700

CPFmarket ID : Chesterqw

Payment Sent (Unique Transaction ID # xxxxxxxxxxxx4562T)


Thanks!

[ch061571]

Hi there, wondering if David or anyone else may be able to answer my question. I just received my triple charger (standard config) & when charging an Ultrafire unprotected 10440 at the 90 MAH setting the voltage will rise to 4.2 volts and then the light goes out and the voltage begins to drop (its currently down to 4.1 volts. Is this normal?

[cottonpickers]

ch061571: It sounds normal, but let me explain what may be happening.
Normal= It charges to 4.2v, you see the display say 4.2v for some time (maybe 40 mins) then the light goes out, and the display still shows the voltage. Typically it will drop straight away to 4.18v and then over the next hour drop slowly further due to the display using 10-12ma an hour. If you remove the charger after its charged it will stay at 4.18v, but leaving it wired up will use up some battery juice after a while. If you left it long enough it will start to charge it again.

Other scenario: It charges to 4.2v , you see the display say 4.2v for some time (maybe 40 mins) then the light goes out and the display still shows the voltage. within a few mins it drops to say 4.12v. This could show a 'worn' cell. One that has higher internal resistance and can't easily take on the charge. May have been overcharged or discharged before. If it dropped to 4.05v quickly I'd suggest recylcling it.
You can see how other cells are to see if its a worn cell.
If its not one of these, you may need to describe a bit more. It could be the charger not charging fully to 4.2v but thats unlikely with the Linear Chip.

All: I'm on the other chargers (just started on the triples and quads), expecting to post Monday night. Will update when they are gone.

[mr.snakeman]

i´ve got one of your chargers that I am very happy with. My question is: do you have just the two lead sets for sale, and if so, at what cost?

[mntnrnnr]

Hi! Payment sent (Unique Transaction ID # 59481568P9200351E) for:

One current charger @480mAh with upgraded chip and display for $32

Thanks!

[LowFlux]

Transaction ID: 6Y1958027U8550434

1x Triple current setting Smallest Charger in World with Display and upgraded IC; choice of 3 current settings and 2 sets of leads for $50

Please configure for Default [90/320/620]!!

Thanks!

[cottonpickers]

Angryfish: Most folks either go for a single current upgraded IC with display set at 480 ($32) or to speed up the 18650 charging go for a double setting 480/700 @ $40. For most purposes this does the trick nicely. If you really want fast charging on the 18650 you could go the high current 500/1200 route at $50.

Shineonyoucrazydiamond: Its in the post
Adamjh3:Its in the post
Chester: Just realised you were looking for 80/250/520/700 I can do a 90/240/480/700 or a 90/260/480/700 - let me know which is OK for you
MrSnakeman: I'd be glad to send you some leads for $5
Lowflux: I'm struggling to tie up your paypal. Could you please pm me your paypal email to tie up?
mntnrnnr-am on it.Likely posting Tuesday

[mr.snakeman]

MrSnakeman: I'd be glad to send you some leads for $5

Including postage?

[LowFlux]

As asked, PM Sent

[rtryland]

Cottonpickers,

Just recently purchased a KuKu 40DD light and have been directed to you for a charger for the 10180 cells that are used in it. I have been told a 60ma no display charger would do nicely and wanted to clarify with you since you're the maker.

Let me know if you have any in stock and what the lead time is to obtain one and I'll send PayPal your way.

Thanks,

Thomas

[cottonpickers]

rtryland: Yes, 60ma is a nice setting for those. Price is $17 including postage, with my paypal address on the first post of this thread. I have those all made up, so can post tonight/tomorrow.
Mr Snakeman: Yes, including postage.
mntnrnnr: Its in the 'box
chester: 90/250/480/700 is in the 'box
Low flux: yours is in the box too

[dmkatz76]

David,

What is the current top-end current of the Nonacharger? You had mentioned you may be raising it to 1A at some point.

Thanks.

[hotlight]

Hi CP,

payment sent for another basic w/o display 400ma...

my last order arrived fast and is working out great....thanks

[cottonpickers]

Dmkatz76:it's still between 750 and 800ma. I will up the current but have some other projects I need to work on first. All the parts are in for the higher current, just needs some time. At the moment I want to get a camera battery charger working and also want to add a Nimh setting on the Nona (parts are in for that also)

Hot light: it went in the post yesterday :thumbs up:

[dmkatz76]

I definitely agree with your priorities - a NIMH setting would be great!!!

[Aviw]

Just got my quad charger and it's awesome! Really really nice !
Thank you so much.

[rtryland]

David,

60ma charger arrived today! Excellent work. Thank you very much! I had to hunt down a multimeter to be able to check my voltages on all of my Li-Ion cells... Something I had been putting off, buying one of your chargers and the unprotected cells that I have for it made me realize how bad I needed one.

Thanks again!

[Oreius]

1x Quad current setting Smallest Charger in World with Display and upgraded IC
Default 90/300/480/700

Thanks!

[cottonpickers]

Aviw, rtryland: Thanks!
Oreius: Its in the post

[Antis111]

I wish buy four double setting ic with display 480/700 total of 160$. Payment is following on PayPal . Antis111

[gopajti]

Arrived today, thanks David!

pics

[Kaichu Dento]

I need one of these in the three level version!

By the way, my present 3-level charger is refusing to charge since yesterday, but the display still reads out and charging light comes on. I checked three batteries on it and they all did the same thing - display of present charge, which slowly dropped over a course of a few hours.

[cottonpickers]

Gopajti: Boy, wish I could take photos like those. Thanks

Kaichu: This is the Nona-Charger, so it only comes in the 9 setting model I'll pm you regarding your triple to work something out.