Test/Review of Charger Fenix ARE-X1

Charger Fenix ARE-X1











Fenix makes flashlights, but also has chargers and batteries. This is a very simple charger and power bank for 26650/18650 cells.







The charger comes in a blister pack. The specifications on the back of the pack are not very good, everything about the power bank is close to misleading (The purpose of a power back is not to discharge cells and it do not deliver 4.2 volt).







The pack contained the charger, a usb cable and a instruction sheet.







The micro usb power input connector and the usb power output connector.







The led is the only user interface on the charger.

The led is red while charging and green when finished.

While usb output is loaded it will flash red.







The plus connection is slightly raised, this makes it possible to use the charger with flat top batteries. The minus connection is a spring, this limits the battery length to between 65mm and 71mm, this means just about all 18650 and 26650 batteries. Some other sizes can be charged with a spacer.











The charger can handle 71 mm long batteries including flat top cells.







Measurements on charger

  • Batteries will be discharged with 0.06mA when power is off.

  • Batteries will be charged with 0.2mA when power is on.

  • Below 0.5 volt the charger will charge with about 4mA.

  • Below 2.9 volt the charger will charge with 300mA.

  • Above 2.9 volt charging will be with full current.

  • Charge current is never fully turned off and will keep the battery voltage high.




The charger curve is CC/CV, but something is wrong with the termination. The charger do not turn the current completely off, but trickle chargers. This is not recommended with LiIon.
It looks like the charger uses a switching converter, but it only do any good at the start of the charge.



Because the charger begins reducing current at a fairly low voltage, this cell is in the “CV” phase during the full charge, making it slower.



No problems with this cell.



Again the early “CV” phase and a long charge time.



M1: 36,6°C, M2: 36,1°C, HS1: 52,0°C
The cell and charger are fairly cool, but the regulator in the charger is heated.



The charger needs about 1 second to start up.




Usb output/Power bank
  • Output is 5 volt, not 4.2 volt as the specifications says.

  • Usb output is coded as usb charger (DCP)

  • Usb output turns off after 5 second with a load below 56mA





The output voltage is 5 volt and it can deliver about 1.1A, before it starts to drop.



Using it as a ups do not look good, the output voltage is too low for that.



Nice stable output voltage at 0.5A load.



At 1A load it do not look very good, it can maintain stable output for 15 minutes, before the voltage starts dropping.



The noise is 9mV rms and 105mVpp, this is very good.



At 1A as long as the output voltage is stable the noise is 14mV rms and 108mVpp, again very good.



Conclusion

The charger works, but is not that good. It is a good idea to remove batteries when it shows done.
The usb output works fine at 0.5A, but is not strong enough for 1A.

The charger is acceptable.



Notes

Here is an explanation on how I did the above charge curves: How do I test a charger

I think they should stick to making flashlights instead of making chargers.

I agree… fenix makes a faux pas every now and then when they try to produce something new (I’m thinking about some of they flimsy plastic headlpamps for example).

Thanks HKJ :wink:

by the way, is the Nitecore F1 in your plans maybe? it looks really nice Nitecore F1 Flexible Micro-USB-Energien-Bank im Freien Smart Battery Charger Sale - Banggood Deutschland sold out-arrival notice-arrival notice

Thanks HKJ, I'll steer clear of this one.

Thanks for the test, I hope the nitecore F1 does better.

Yes.

For a single bay charger, nothing beats the xtar SP1.

awesome! :slight_smile: you should add a paypal account on your website, I would be really glad to offer you a virtual beer and I’m sure a lot of other people would as well :wink:

I’d buy him a beer or two as well :slight_smile:

I like xtar chargers even though they cost more. They scream quality. I know the LiitoKala does Ni-MH’s when the SP1 doesn’t, but it’s input is USB and only does 500mAh and 1 amp. The SP1 does that plus 2 amps for 26650’s. I like the 12 volt input as well. HKJ gave The LiitoKala a good rating, The SP1 got a very good rating. I guess to each his own. That said, I respect your opinion.

What about the Xtar ANT-MC1 Plus? Will you test/review it? Thanks.

http://www.xtar.cc/products_detail/&productId=152.html

When did that show up?
Usual Xtar is fairly good at sending their chargers to me. I will expect to see it soon.

I first saw it on the xtar direct store in US a few days ago. I think it is very new. I can’t wait for your review. Thanks in advance!

I wouldn’t spend my money to buy this s…! :beer: