Soshine SC-F3
Overall Rating: ★★★★☆
Summary:
Battery Types: |
LiFePO4 14500, 10440 (3.6V, 500mA) Ni-MH AA, AAA (1.4V, 800mA) |
Price Paid: | 6.18 USD (with BLF code) |
From: | FastTech |
Date Ordered: | 9 March 2013 |
Pros:
- Cheap, lightweight and compact USB charger
- 5 segment LED display shows charging progress
- CE and RoHS mark on box
- Comes with USB lead and adapter
Cons:
- Instructions could be clearer
- Long delay before seeing capacity status
- USB lead requires adapter which can be lost
Features / Value: ★★★☆☆
Charger is said to be quick-charging and intelligent, and can charge both LiFePO4 (10440 and 14500) and Ni-MH (AA and AAA). The box states charging current for AA and AAA Ni-MH is 800mA. For LiFePO4 cells charging current is 500mA.
Unfortunately I am unable to test the LiFePO4 charging. I bought this to charge the odd Ni-MH cell whilst travelling. With this in mind, one may not have instruments to test cell capacity, so one must rely on the charger.
In operation there is a delay of thirty seconds before the charger reports how full the cell is. This may not be an issue for some users, but if you have many cells to test or charge it is not convenient.
Additionally, I tried to recharge a cell that it had just previously charged to full, and it charged for eleven minutes (four LEDs lit, fifth flashing) before stopping. I repeated this with the same result. Cell was warm after this charging but not alarmingly so.
Overall it is a good little charger. Some small improvements would make it a lot better value.
Design / Build Quality: ★★★★☆
White case is modern and aesthetically pleasing. Plastic housing feels a little cheap but robust. Charger is compact and lightweight, weighing only 1 oz.
AA and AAA batteries are easy to insert and remove. Uses a common mini USB socket for power (unlike some compact chargers that have a USB cable built-in, this charger requires a separate lead).
Strangely, the lead included is USB to female mini DC and not USB to mini USB. There is also an adapter to use this lead with the charger.
The first charger I received had no logo or writing on the casing. The second has the Soshine logo and brief product description on the front, which makes it look more complete.
Operation
User interface is pretty straightforward and explained on the box, however, some explanation is needed for the animated sequence as this can be confused for charging progress.
A red LED lights when power is connected with no cell inserted. On inserting a cell, the LED array lights green in animated fashion for thirty seconds as the charger provides a lower ~300mA charge. After this period the current will rise. If there is a problem it will stop charging at this point. A single LED flashes green/red if there is a fault.
During charge the LEDs light according to progress/capacity. When a cell is fully charged all five LEDs stay lit.
The back of the box provides a guide to charging time:
Type | Charging current | Charging time (hrs.) |
Ni-MH | AA 2500 mA | 3.5 |
AAA 900 mA | 2 | |
LiFePO4 | 14500 700 mA | 1.5 |
10440 400 mA | 1 |
Compatibility
I tested the charger with fairly new 3rd generation Sanyo Eneloops, and some older Philips non-low self discharge. Both varieties charge well. I also tested with cells that are known to be faulty; the Soshine charger also refuses to charge these.
I tried powering the charger with 1A mains USB adapter, and from the USB port on my netbook with no problems.
What you get (charger, box, USB lead and adapter):
The LEDs explained:
The charger:
An AAA cell inserted:
Positive terminal:
Negative terminal (slides and has a small spring inside):
Mini USB power socket:
Empty charger with power:
Whilst charging a cell, green LEDs animate showing progress:
Two screws on the back hold the case together:
Inside the charger:
PCB solder side:
Demonstration video: