Hi all!
I have an Olight UC magnetic charger that i bring on travels, and i have also brought an XTAR ANT MC1 Plus and some extra AA’s at times. I like both, but the lack of NIMH-charging on the XTAR is a downer.
But, i would love to be able to have something in a similar small size with me that is powered by USB-C, and that can charge both my 18650’s and my AA’s.
Anyone got an idea?
I’ve been using a Fenix ARE-D1 for over a year and I’m very happy with it. It’s microUSB, but I’ve successfully fed it from USB-C using one of these: https://www.amazon.com/ARKTEK-Adapter-Charging-Digital-Samsung/dp/B072J5B3BR
Using it as a charger, I particularly like its display and the fact the charging current can be adjusted.
I also use it as a powerbank (ie, for reverse charging) and it works perfectly.
Not USB-C, but can’t get much smaller than the travel charger from DarkSucks/FourSevens. Here’s the official name of it:
USB Flex Charger (Li-Ion & NiMH)
It’s a standard USB port, but that offers flexibility with chargers. You can plug it into a standard brick, or a power bank, or even a laptop.
that is a good charger, it is the same as the one the OP is using, that plugs into USB-A…
When Olight stopped selling the Olight branded charger, they relabeled the rest of them with the 47s logo, that darksucks sells
(47s flashlights are made by Olight also)
I have been using my Olight Universal for years… works great for both eneloop and LiIon… output is capped at 750mA, so its slow for larger batteries such as 18650 (takes about 4 hours)
I dont know of a USB-C charger that does both Eneloop and LiIon. But I have not had a reason to search for one… my Olight Universal does everything I need. (I dont need to charge 18650… my lights use smaller batteries, 18350, 16340, and 14500)
You could use a USB-A (F) to USB-C (M) adapter for your existing charger.
Thanks all for your suggestions, i guess it’s a hopeless quest for now…
I am already using a dongle when using the Olight charger, I just want to be able to leave that dongle at home.
I guess i just have to hold on for a while longer and hope that some vendor sees the gap and starts producing something.
Cheers!
Take a look at the XTAR FC2. It is USB-C and supports both Ni-MH and Li-ion.
Yeah, thanks for the suggestion. but it fails on the “small footprint”-side.
-But i do appreciate the tip.
Another charger similar to the XTAR (just as a hint to others) is Astrolux SC02 with a quite similar footprint.
I seem to be a niche user since no vendor i found has anything for me…
Littokala Lii-100C $5 on Aliexpress. Charges 18650, 21700 and all other sized Li-Ions at 1A or 2A (not long enough for 26800), Ni-Mh, has power bank function. Only con is Micro-USB. I’ve modded mine by adding an extra USB-C input on the back.
Modding is out of the scope for me sadly. I guess i just have to wait for something to appear sooner or later. I am very happy with my Olight UC/Flex charger, it’s just annoying to need a dongle for it.
-Many thanks anyway for all you that chipped in…
/Lulwhat
https://dc-workshop.com/opencart/index.php?route=product/product&path=59_65&product_id=101
This charger has a USB-C port, and it can charge both LiIon and NiMH. However it doesn’t work with my C-C cables.
Thanks for this tip - bought one from Ali.
Interesting, looks very similar to my Fenix ARE-D1 but costs just 1/3 of it.
Interesting, microUSB input is also my main peeve with my ARE-D1. Did you get any photos of your modding? If yes please post, I’d be very interested in seeing them with the intent of trying the same with my ARE-D1.
I don’t have the photos of the insides but the mod was very simple. Buy a pack of those USB-C connector mini boards. Find somewhere inside the charger that can accommodate this mini board. In my case I found an empty space at the top of the charger between the rear panel and the current select button, and super-glued the mini board on there up-side-down. Drill an opening on the back of the charger to expose the USB-C connector. Solder 2 wire - 5V and GND from the mini board to the charger board. One good thing about this mod is now the charger accepts both USB-C and Micro-USB input, which makes it more versatile.
Thanks, this is really helpful!
One question: does it work up to 2A, even without (I presume) any USB negotiatiation?
Yes. I think 2A is the max a USB brick can provide without going into PD mode. It charges at 2A just fine. Confirmed with the passthrough USB tester.
If you are going to do a mod like this, make sure to use wires rated to at least 3A if not more. Just so it won’t melt when charging at full speed.