USB charger for NiHM

Is there any charger like the ML-102 Charger, but for NiHM cells? In other words something that will charge a NiHM battery even when there’s only a little bit of power available.

I want it specifically for charging cells from a solar panel. So far I have the ML-102 Charger and a 4x18650 box, which could be used to power up a Soshine SC-S7 but I’d prefer something that I could connect directly to the panel.

You want it that also can charge a mobille phone?

If you want one that charges usb devices, you have this (inludes 2xAA eneloop)

http://www.ebay.es/itm/150676895597?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&\_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

And if you want only charge, this (does not include batteries, and it can charge AAA or AA, 850mA only 1, 450mA if you put 2 to charge)

http://www.ebay.es/itm/180956981663?ssPageName=STRK:MESINDXX:IT&\_trksid=p3984.m1436.l2649

I have both. They are Great!!!

Don’t really care about that part, but it’s always a plus. Also, I forgot to mention that it should be able to take at least 1 amp max from the solar panel, as well as what I said before of being able to charge if there isn’t full sun available like the ML 102 can.

“What happens if a weak USB power supply is used or long cables, to simulate that I turned the power supply down to 4.5 volt. The charger continues to charge and stops when the battery is full, but it takes considerable longer time (nearly 10 hours).”

Dont worry

Both of them never will draw more than 500mA from the usb (the power source were you connect)

They have a high eficiency DCDC converter which boost the 500mA of the input to about 850mA.

I have this Sanyo USB charger , it works great. Really good product. Price 7 Eur.

I have a couple of the Sanyo USB chargers mentioned above. I also use them in conjunction with solar panels.

However, I find that much of the time the Sanyo units flash erratically, suggesting an error which I think is down to insufficient current. In this case, I'm not even sure it is charging at all. I am running "nominal" 800mA panels and unless the sunlight is strong, I cannot reliably use the Sanyos, even though they are supposd to draw only 500mA.

To overcome this, I use an ML-102 with an 18650 as a "buffer" in between the panel and the Sanyo charger. This seems to work well when there isn't strong or consistent sunlight to power the Sanyo model directly. YMMV - You may find that solution a bit messy though.

I also have about 4 of the cheapie 2AA USB chargers found at computer swap meets and the like. Generic grey/silver units that retail for a couple of bucks each. They charge at about 120-160mA and will take 1 or 2 AA cells. These seem to output a trickle of charge into my NiMH AAs no matter how weak the sun is. (Multimeter readings as low as 20mA on cloudy days) However, they have no smarts of any kind so it is pretty tricky to know when the cells are charged.

I very much doubt you will find anything that will draw 1A from the panels and still trickle in low-light situations but if you do, please be sure to post back here.

Hope that helps.

Cheers