Experts Advice... Model Charger to Recharge Batteries

[blindsight]

Hey everyone,

Recently, I had my WF 188 charger die and I stumbled upon some threads/posts regarding using a model charger to recharge batteries. I was wondering if anyone had any experience or ideas on how to take a WF 188 charger to use as a cradle for the model charger? If anyone has any steps or links that may be useful to perform this it would be appreciated.

The WF 188 has slots that can accommodate all battery sizes and also has switches on its sides for 300 mah/600 mah or 3.7v/3.2v options. I figured if I can leverage this charger while using a model charger which plugs into a PC to graph the batteries I may end up having a pretty good charger to check the batteries I own while extending the life of the batts as well.

I know this is the battery mod area and while there isn't a battery charger mod area this forum seems to make the most sense.

Thanks.

 

[CraigHB]

If you're talking about a "model" charger as in a balancing charger used for hobby LiPo packs, then all you need to do it run the two wires (one from each battery contact on the old round cell charger) to a connector that allows you to plug in each slot into a channel on the hobby charger. The other thing you could do is wire the slots in series on the old cheapo charger and use only one channel of the balancing charger in 2S mode. Either way, it should work well.

You'll need to make sure there's no contact with the old circuitry. If the battery contacts are soldered into a PCB you'll need to open up any copper traces. A dremel tool would work well for that.

You'll need to solder or crimp a connector(s) for the balancing charger. Balancing chargers have a number of wires per channel. For 1S mode, you'll need two channels with two wires each. For 2S mode, you need one channel with three wires.

You'll need to know which wires to connect. The info should be in the balancing charger's user manual. Balancing chargers are typcially designed to charge anywhere from 1 to 6 series cells in two or three sets, one set per channel. For each channel, there's a ground (negative on the bottom cell) and one wire for the postive terminal on each cell in the pack. They have to be connected in the correct order.

Hobby LiPos and ICO or IMR round cells use the exact same charging profile so there's no compatability issues. Just need to set the charge rate properly. Best to keep it at 1C or under. That's just the mAh rating with out the "h". So, for a 600mAh IMR 14500, you would want to charge at 600mA or under. For a 2500mAh ICO 18650, you'd want to charge at 2500mA or under. Though, charging at 1C is considered a little on the high side for round cells, especially the ICO type. It could put a little extra wear on the battery. Probably better to charge at 1/2C.

You'll end up with a really nice charger for your round cells. Hobby chargers are way higher quality and way more sophisticated in design than the cheapo round cell chargers people typically buy.

Oh, one other thing, adapters for round cell to balancing chargers may be available already, I've never looked. May save you the trouble of making one yourself.