Do I need a specific charger or will any AA charger work? Sorry for the total newbie question but I am thinking about buying my first set of 14500s and don’t know much about them. I just want them for the added runtime and brightness.
It goes by voltage , I never used eneloop but I think they are like a regular aka line but just rechargeable at 1.5v ,I’m pretty sure it will not charge any higher than that but I’m sure someone will chime in that has your charger now;)
You will need a 3.7v Lithium Ion charger which will charge at a suitable rate for 14500's (somewhere around 300 to 450mAh). A regular AA charger designed for NiMh or NiCd's will not work. Others with more experience can chime in for recommendations.
In the US you can get the highly regarded Xtar WP II at sbflashlights for $16.99 + shipping. (The charge rate might be a tad high for 14500's, other's can chime in.) I charge my 14500's at 300mAh (just because my charger has 300 & 650mAh settings).
-Garry
I (used) to put (very low voltage) 14500s and 18650s in my old (dumb) sanyo charger that was made for AAA, AA, C, D.
My hobby charger wouldn't charge them if under a certain voltage, and doing this would recover some cells enough to get charged properly.
Then I forgot a 14500 in there for a number of hours. When I took it off it read 5.1 volts. I'm lucky it didn't vent...
I suggest getting a decent budget 18650 charger and using test leads to connect to a single AA holder (radioshack has them for a $1).
don't
^ This. I use the 500mAh setting to charge 14500's.
Not unless you have a hobby charger!
Okay thinks. Looks like I need to buy a charger when I order batteries.
Being a newbie with these batteries I have a few more questions. What budget charger (that is still safe) will charge both 18650 and 14500 batteries? I am also planning on buying a 18650 light and want to know what charger can Hadley both types.
The Xtar I linked above will charge both (as well as many more sizes) and comes highly recommended on this site (note - I don't own it) as being pretty safe. Is it too much money for you? Are you looking for something cheaper? Other's will have to chime in on cheaper recommendations if so. I can't recommend the one I bought because it requires some "modding" to the sliding rails.
-Garry