Some Battery Charging Options for 18650/AAA/AA

modded on 27/08/2021 - 14:24

Last year, I used 16AA's and 16AAA's so the writing is on the wall that it is time to spend on some rechargeable battery technology for the household/
I have a stack of old 18650's I pulled out of a laptop and would like to charge them, but the main goal will likely be charging IKEA LADDA's when I can go get some next.

Been doing some research this morning as to the best value battery charger, hopefully under $50.

  • I don't mind too much about shipping time but would prefer it to arrive in the next 2 months at latest.
  • I don't need to do this so quickly that it's worth paying the $14 "Australian eBay seller" fee.
  • Capacity testing would be nice as it reduces my need to buy a device specifically for this in the future
  • I don't have access to a 9V usb quick charge - would prefer the option for 12V power supply as I have multiple available

The Lii-500s is my favourite option so far.

Links:
Lii-500:
Lii-500s:
Nitecore i4:
Nitecore D4:
Astrolux:

Just want to get the hive mind's advice on which of these is the best, and whether any discount is foreseeable on any of these products.
Maybe I'm on completely the wrong track altogether?
Let's figure this out.

Electrical & Electronics 18650 Battery Battery Charger Lithium Battery Rechargeable Battery

Comments

  • RichardL on 27/08/2021 - 14:30
    +1

    I've been using the Nitecore D4 for a few years now to charge Eneloops and 18650 Batteries (Sanyo NCR 18650 GA).

    I went with the Nitecore cause it was affordable at the time and uses a standard Figure 8 IEC-C7 Power Cable.

  • Phlume on 27/08/2021 - 14:41
    +1

    Bought the Liitokala 402 from this deal previously and I'm happy with it. No visual screen like the fancier 500 or the Nitecore chargers but inexpensive and does the job well.
    Charging input varies from 500-2000mah. Able to charge 4 batteries simultaneously but only at 500mah.

  • Caped Baldy on 27/08/2021 - 14:54
    +2

    I've got the Lii-500 and it's been great. Able to charge chonky boys (26650). Managed to get it for $18 from aliexpress in a past deal - there's none that cheap now.

    I'm using a power adapter from a Seagate external hard drive and it's been working great.

    • iamherenow on 27/08/2021 - 15:18
      +1

      Very happy with mine. Good features are you can add individual batteries for charging at separate times, and readout shows charge each battery takes. So you can see when some batteries are stuffed.

  • FLICKIT on 27/08/2021 - 16:23
    +1

    I bought a Lii-600 (PS & Car charger included) for $37 from Ali back in July when they had a sale, no complaints, I use it daily for 18650's (NCR18650GA & LG HG2) and regularly for AAA Eneloop Pros…
    https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/635875

    It's probably overkill for what I need but I went for this because I read there were slight issues with the 500 and 500s, from memory one tends to over do 18650's a little, and I think the issue with the other was the charge rate for AAA's was a bit high, plus I liked the separate power-supply, I'm so sick of wall-warts hogging my power boards… (Edit: I think I read the 500s has issues with the touch buttons at times also)

    Prior to getting this I was using a Lii-200 and a single slot Nitecore, it's been great having the test function to test the capacity of all my older 18650's, some are over a decade old, I've also used the repair function on a couple dodgy 18650's that came out of solar lights, just being inquisitive before throwing them out, it seems to do the job…

    • modded on 27/08/2021 - 16:59

      Ooh, you have my interest on the solar battery repair! I have 12 installed in my yard, I'm down to about 4 remaining that work. I could potentially use these to check for faults in the batteries as opposed to a failing circuit and having to chuck the whole assembly.

      • FLICKIT on 27/08/2021 - 17:10

        I came to the conclusion that 2 of the 18650's in my solar lights were possibly NiMH, using the repair function they would instantly jump up to 4.2v but as soon as charging stopped they would drop back to 1.5v on the dot, and be stable there… I replaced them with other old 18650's I had and the lights have been perfect since…

  • Dio on 27/08/2021 - 16:42
    +1

    Why do not use one of this? it can charge any battery in the spectrum.
    https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/234120246142?_trkparms=ispr%3D1&…

  • Nugs on 27/08/2021 - 17:14
    +1

    Zanflare C4 - had ours for 3 years. minimal use. chosen based on the website linked below
    https://lygte-info.dk/
    .

  • the Unforgiven on 28/08/2021 - 23:52
    +1

    Klarus CH4S
    That was my charger, but it is discontinued, but I found one on eBay for ~$90
    Here is a review of the top 12 chargers
    https://www.batteryjunction.com/12-best-chargers.html

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