The 18650 Polymer Lithium-ion Charger is a device specifically designed to safely charge 18650 lithium-ion battery cells, which are widely used in portable electronics, robotics, and power storage applications. These chargers regulate the charging process to ensure battery longevity and prevent hazards like overcharging, overheating, or short-circuiting.
Basic Working:
- Constant Current (CC) Phase:
- When the battery is deeply discharged, the charger begins by supplying a steady current (usually 0.5C to 1C of the battery’s capacity) while gradually increasing the voltage across the battery.
- Constant Voltage (CV) Phase:
- Once the battery voltage reaches the maximum threshold (typically 4.2V for a single 18650 cell), the charger switches to a constant voltage mode. It maintains this voltage while the current gradually decreases.
- Termination:
- Charging stops automatically when the current drops below a certain threshold (usually around 10% of the initial charge current), indicating that the battery is fully charged.
- Protection Features:
- Most chargers include over-voltage, over-current, reverse polarity, and thermal protection to ensure safe operation.
Common Use Cases:
- Portable electronics: Flashlights, e-cigarettes, and power banks.
- Robotics: As power sources for motors and controllers.
- Electric vehicles: Smaller e-bikes or scooters that use 18650 battery packs.
- DIY projects and prototyping: Often used with Arduino or Raspberry Pi for mobile applications.
- Energy storage systems: In battery banks for solar or backup power setups.