Hi everybody,
Does anybody know how safe the 1-bay USB chargers are that Sofirn supply with their flashlight kits (flashlight, cell and charger)?
Would they be safe enough to gift to normal people? I want to gift a couple of their 18650-powered lights but don’t want to be gifting them if the chargers aren’t safe.
Maybe someone from Sofirn could chime in?
Many thanks, everyone.
Moley
They are probably pretty low power, and safe, most cheap chargers are low power.
I’d check it out before gifting it. The last one I tested had charged to 4.34 volts and still charging. I love the Sofirn lights—not so crazy about the thrown-in chargers.
I have several of these Sofirn single-slot chargers but I haven’t really used them much. I remember testing them and they seem to have a bit higher charging voltage (more than 4.20v, maybe 4.25v or even 4.30v) but have a high end-charge current (something like 500-600mA end-charge current), so the ending battery voltage may be slightly over 4.20v, but depends on the specific sample.
(don’t quote me for the above, I’ll have to recheck, just mentioning what I remembered…)
Also, depending on the sample, some will not charge when the battery voltage is from around 4.08v-4.12v, something like that).
(ie. if place a battery that’s already at 4.12v into the Sofirn charger, it will indicate “green” (full) immediately.
however, below the voltage threshold, it will start charging.
Also, in some instances where the voltage is around the threshold level for starting charging, sometimes unplugging the micro-USB and replugging will start charging (indicator turns red).
(sorry if my description sounds a bit confusing)