Searching for Li-Po battery universal charging "cradle" - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 07:39:52 pm
content: From time to time, I have a need and/or urge to test, profile or perform a post-mortem of a flat Li-Poly battery of the cellphone/smartphone type. I find those really pesky to try and attach electrically out of their intended host device in a non-destructive way. The process usually involves some paper clips bent in fancy ways, a vice and fair amount of swearing. Long story short, I need something like this:http://www.hurt.com.pl/multi-ladowarka-gsm-foto-z-lcd-usb,p10096.htmlminus the charging circuitry. I'd use just a mechanical-electrical cradle and connect it straight to an R/C hobby automatic charger or a CC/CV lab supply. Done some eBay searching but to no avail - perhaps I miss just the right search expression for this kind of gizmo. Anyone seen anything like that? If not, I'll just get the thing from the link above and modify it to include a barrel receptacle and a switch for bypassing the charging circuit.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 07:59:22 pm
content: I bought some universal Li-Ion battery chargers as I needed a way to charge batteries outside of the OEM equipment. They were not very expensive and use spring loaded moveable contacts. Seem to work well. I bought several models to see how well built they were.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Universal-Cell-Phone-PDA-Camera-Li-ion-Battery-Wall-Travel-Charger-w-USB-Port-/221594021461?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item3398086e55Video of charger in usehttp://tvstreamtimes.co/stream/powergen-universal-rapid-smart-chargerThe above unit is cheap and 'OK' but I recommend the INOV8 Charger as far better built and better electronics. The above unit is good for harvesting the contact assembly as it is quite neat, using sprung loaded pogo pins.http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inov8-Universal-Battery-Charger-with-USB-inc-del-/391042407602?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item5b0bf19cb2http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inov8-Universal-Battery-Charger-UK-/321465146656?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item4ad8d0dd20You could modify the unit to gain access to the contacts so that you can use then without the charger section connected.Both the above units hold the battery in a spring loaded 'vice' so that the contacts can be aligned with the battery terminal areas. Simple but very effective.Aurora

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 08:24:32 pm
content: The first one would do, thanks! I guess I'll get either something like that or like I linked in my first post. The INOV8 looks fancy.I guess it performs some "auto-discovery" with the row of multiple separate contacts? Looks like some serious solid state switching action is happening there.But I'm not really after automated charger right now, rather in need to be able to tap straight to the contacts and it'll be a shame to mess with the cooler one.EDIT:Ah, it's just a spring! And the actual sliding contacts are in the middle! Got it all wrong ;-)

author: Balaur
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 08:34:41 pm
content: I'm using the fixture from this device. I've got the electronic parts out and directly connected the pins to a cable going to a rather useful Accucel-6 charger.http://www.cdiscount.com/juniors/piles-pour-vos-jouets/uniross-chargeur-universel-de-batteries-li-ion-e/f-12080-uni3661919660678.htmlPin's position and orientation (i.e. side/top) can be adjusted to fit the battery connectors. The battery is clamped down.

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 08:38:28 pm
content: I agree, the cheaper first unit was my choice for a battery 'test bench' and is easily converted to such by disconnection of the small charger PCB. The pogo stick contacts are actually better quality than the INOV8 units 'blade' contacts.In fact I will buy some more of these, they are so cheap and very useful when doing Lithium battery pack testingAurora

author: Zbig
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 20, 2015, 08:57:57 pm
content: Quote from: Balaur on April 20, 2015, 08:34:41 pmLooks good, I'll see if it's available here. And Accucell-6 is exactly what I'm using as well!