Recommend me a really small AAA charger, preferably USB powered.

Hello everyone,

I was wondering if anyone could recommend me a really small USB charger for AAA batteries (1 or 2).

I’m going to use it to charge eneloop AAA batteries while traveling.

Thank you :slight_smile:

This should do what you need it to…very cheap too. I don’t own one so I can’t speak to its quality http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Charger-for-Ni-MH-AA-AAA-2A-3A-Rechargeable-Battery-/280930056755?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item4168bc7a33

That is very cheap indeed, thanks :slight_smile:

Have anyone tried these? Ok for charging eneloops? Do they power off when the batteries are full? etc?

No, there is no logic elements inthere. You’ll never know at what state are batteries unless you measure the voltage. Crap!

I have one and was thinking about actually doing review on it, but its so dumb that there is no need to review, simply calculate the necessary charging time manually and then check voltage once in a while to make sure your calculations are correct and that charger charges at advertised currents and not higher to avoid ruined batteries.

This one looks pretty nice, it’s a Maha and appears to charge with USB too http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-MAHA-DUO-9000-Two-Way-AA-AAA-NiMH-Eneloop-Sony-Battery-Charger-USB-Back-Up-/180788974784?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item2a17dcd4c0

…and this looks nice too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Power2000-USB-Pen-AAA-Battery-Charger-w-2-900mAh-NEW-/270616168478?pt=US_Rechargeable_Batteries&hash=item3f01fb081e

I have this

It is very slow, smells and heats. Usb is not suitable for chargers.

I have that same one and like it. Why do you say USB is not suitable for chargers?

Only USB charger I like.

Works off his fine solar panel, or my computer or wall brick.

~Gnarly

I use Sanyo’s 2-slot USB charger sometimes, and it works really great
http://www.intl-outdoor.com/sanyo-nimh-quick-charger-p-298.html
That store sells adapters (really cheap) to use it with NiMH’s too.

Is that really USB, where does it say so?
I have similar one that I bought bundled with 2xAAA Eneloops but it came with detachable EU cable.

Oops. I just typed “Sanyo charger” in address bar and clicked first result, didn’t knew they had 2-bay AC chargers. Sorry :frowning:

This is one I meant: http://www.ebay.com/itm/SANYO-USB-Battery-Charger-for-ENELOOP-AA-AAA-Ni-MH-Portable-Universal-NC-MDU01-/170899059869?pt=Battery_Chargers&hash=item27ca60b49d

That looks interesting, does it really charge 2000mAh Eneloop in 140 minutes and two in 280?
At the same time, why would anyone charge off the USB port unless trying to cover up the fact that hes charging something :D?
I mean, it takes much longer to charge off USB when you could just plug into wall socket and charge at full current.
Ofcourse, unless youre travelling and want to have simple charger without any compatibility issues regarding voltages and wall socket types.

Nope… I’d say it’s in 3 hour ballpark for one, and 6 hours for two.

Sometimes wall sockets are not available or are limited (e.g. you have just 1 socket in your hotel room and you want to have your laptop plugged in there)

I have two of the Sanyo USB chargers (NC-MDU01) and they are great. AA or AAA, independent channels and proper -Dv termination. Output is 850mA into 1 cell or 450mA into two so charge times quoted aboove are pretty accurate.

Reasons for wanting to charge off USB? How about to use from:

  • Solar panels
  • Car adapters
  • External Li-Ion power packs (inefficient but works)
  • Commonly used wall-warts for phone or i-toys which you may be carrying anyway
  • Any laptop or PC - your own, a friend's or a Cafe

Lightweight and easy to carry - all in all USB charging is a very useful option

The sanyo USB charger looks pretty good, I’ll go for that one, thanks :slight_smile:

And, yeah, there are many reasons for using USB while traveling, USB is available so many places these days - even in the chairs on airplanes. And having the same interface for charging all your gadgets is pretty useful and space/weight-saving.