Battery Chargers » Reviews

LT3650 battery charger

eBatteryChargers.com — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 22:21:30 +0000

The LT3650 circuit is a monolithic two-cell Li-Ion/ Polymer battery charger that operates from 9V to 32V input voltage range (11.5V minimum start-up voltage). The LT3650 si produced by Linear Technology and provides a constant-current/constant-voltage charge characteristic, with maximum charge current externally programmable up to 2A, set using an external current sense resistor.

The LT3650-8.2 does not require external high-precision resistors to set the float voltage, further saving cost and space. Applications include industrial handheld instruments, 12V to 24V automotive and heavy equipment, desktop cradle chargers and small notebook or tablet computers.

The LT3650 Li-Ion battery charger high operating frequency of 1MHz and current mode architecture allow the use of small inductors and capacitors, minimizing noise and filtering needs. Final float voltage accuracy is specified at ±0.5%, charge current accuracy is ±5% and C/10 detection accuracy is ±2.5%. Once charging is terminated, the LT3650-8.2 automatically enters a low current standby mode that reduces the input supply current to 85uA. In shutdown, the input bias current is reduced to 15uA.

The LT3650-8.2 maximizes battery life during all non-charging periods, draining less than 1uA from the battery. For safety and autonomous charge control, the LT3650-8.2 includes features such as automatic restart and preconditioning, a thermistor input for temperature-qualified charging, programmable input current limit, bad battery detection and binary coded status output pins.

LT 3650 Li Ion battery charger features

Wide Input Voltage Range: 9V to 32V (40V Absolute Maximum)

Programmable Charge Current: Up to 2A

User-Selectable Termination: C/10 or Onboard Termination Timer

Programmable Input Current Limit

1MHz Fixed Frequency

Average Current Mode Control

0.5% Float Voltage Accuracy (8.2V)

2.5% C/10 Detection Accuracy

NTC Resistor Temperature Monitor

Auto-Recharge at 97.5% Float Voltage

Bad Battery Detection with Auto-Reset

Binary Coded Open-Collector Status Pins

LT3650 Li Ion charger applications

Industrial Handheld Instruments

12V to 24V Automotive and Heavy Equipment

Desktop Cradle Chargers

Notebook Computers

LT3650 charger circuit diagram

Optex Campower LI5000

eBatteryChargers.com — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 21:21:17 +0000

Optex Campower LI5000 is an universal battery charger, a portable model which pulls out to reveal adjustable, electrical contacts that can be maneuvered to fit various battery sizes. Optex Campower LI-5000 will be available starting from May and will cost around $89.99 and can be used worldwide, at main power supply voltages between 100V and 240V and can gain its power via AC, 12V or USB.
Dedicated lithium-ion (Li-ion) digital camera batteries can be charged in as little as 30 minutes with the Optex CamPower Li5000 rapid charger from Gentec International. The Li5000 features an LCD display with battery fuel gauge indicator for ease of identification of charging status at any time.

Battery charger with LCD screen display

eBatteryChargers.com — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:27:22 +0000

This new battery charger with LCD screen display from LaCrosse works with all NiCd and NiMH “AA” and “AAA” rechargeable batteries and can charge AA & AAA simultaneously. The LCD display shows capacity for each battery when charging is complete. This charger will not charge defective batteries and has overheat detection to protect over-charging.
The battery charger can also be put in one of four different modes on display: Charge, Discharge, Refresh and Test mode. The Refresh mode can help to restore old re-chargeable batteries to their optimum condition. The LCD display provides an individual readout for each of the four compartments and can show charging current (in mA), time elapsed (in hh:mm), terminal voltage (in V) and accumulated capacities (in mAh or Ah).

Battery charger LCD display specifications

Works with all NiCd and NiMH “AA” and “AAA” Rechargeable Batteries
LCD shows capacity for each battery when charging is complete
Charges AA & AAA rechargeable batteries simultaneously
Will not charge defective batteries
Select different charging current for each channel
Automatically switches to trickle charge when charging is complete to ensure maximum battery capacity
Automatically defaults to 200mA charge (the optimal setting for prolonging battery life)
Overheat detection to protect over-charging
7 Easy to Use Function Keys
Charge Mode (charging current)
Discharge Mode (discharging current)
Refresh Mode (time elapsed)
Test Mode (accumulated capacity)
Dimensions: Charger: 3.0″ x 5.1″ x 1.5
Input Voltage for AC/DC Adapter: 100-240 VAC
Charging Current Range: 200 mA – 1800 mA
Includes:: 4-”AA” NiMH 1.2v Batteries, 4-”AAA” NiMH 1.2v Batteries, Durable Nylon Travel Bag, AC Power Adapter, 4-”C” Size Battery Adapters, 4-”D” Size Battery Adapters
Model BC-9009

Download BC-9009 manual

Zinc Air Energizer batteries

eBatteryChargers.com — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 19:33:53 +0000

Energizer will introduce Zinc Air Prismatic batteries as an exciting power solution for smaller and thinner electronics.
At this year’s Consumer Electronics Show, Energizer will be unveilingthe Energizer Zinc Air Prismatic battery which will offer OEMs greater design flexibility, while providing greater run times and enabling smaller devices.

Zinc Air Prismatic batteries will offer high energy density as well as a thin form factor. Product innovations to be unveiled to OEMs at CES have resulted in the highest energy density of any consumer portable power solution with up to three times (3X) more runtime compared to similarly sized alkaline or lithium ion batteries.

How Zinc Air battery operate

The Zinc Air system requires oxygen from the air as “fuel” to operate. The air access holes under the tape have been included to support the maximum rate capability of the battery. When the battery tab is removed, the battery is “fully open”. The rate of oxygen flow required is proportional to the discharge rate. Therefore, limiting the amount of air access to a zinc air battery can increase the useful life of the battery from 1 – 3 months with no air management to 1 – 2 years using air management. The Energizer PP355 battery has an air requirement of 1.3 cc air/min @ 25 mA, so there is a minimum amount needed for the battery to operate. By using air as fuel it will leave design companies with the ability to custom tailor a battery to their device, which is very innovative.