Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

This is not laser related, but I suspect that many others here may have a stockpile of 18650s, and find this equally useful. The premise is that you stick 4x 18650 cells in, and you get a nice regulated 5V usb output. Plus, you can actually charge the cells from a mini-USB input, without every removing them from the unit. You also get one of those universal cell phone plugs, that can use those cell phone charging tips / cables.

I just received mine today, and it's quite neat. It's certainly cheap (and I won't pretend it feels otherwise), but for it's price ($8) it's actually a fairly substantial unit.

It's doing it right too - they're not running the 18650s in series, and then just linear limiting them to 5V for the USB supply. Rather, they're running them in parallel, and then boosting to reach 5V (that's their claim, and I see the inductor). I have a small gripe with the fact that the batteries are "dumb paralleled", IE + and - simply tied together in parallel, with no attempt to isolate individual cells in the event of failure. But again, it's $8.

I'm going to grab a few more myself. Great for camping, etc. No affiliate codes or anything like that attached to this link - just thought the product was cool.

5V Mobile Power Supply USB Battery Charger 18650 Box - Free Shipping

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

That's pretty cool.
I think I'll snatch a couple up as well for camping and such.
Great find, Rhd!

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Got one of these today, what a bit kit for the dollar.

Filled it with reclamed laptop 18650's and away it went.

Nice find.

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Best thing is that u can use any number of cells, if the total weight is an issue u can either put 2 cells or even one. and it still works, but with less juice offcourse..
Great find and a cheap price for the work it does.. i bet iphone/usb chargers still cost ~$100 for a 2000mAh backup!!

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

sinner said:

Best thing is that u can use any number of cells, if the total weight is an issue u can either put 2 cells or even one. and it still works, but with less juice offcourse..
Great find and a cheap price for the work it does.. i bet iphone/usb chargers still cost ~$100 for a 2000mAh backup!!

Click to expand...

Xtar WP2 II charger have some pretty neat feature for your iPhone. USB charging port out.

And it is not 100 USD.

---------

RHD

How long it takes to charge them from USB port. Did you try?

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Brenner said:

Xtar WP2 II charger have some pretty neat feature for your iPhone. USB charging port out.

And it is not 100 USD.

Click to expand...

Thanks :beer:
Just read some average reviews about it, its worth a shot though, it might work pretty good but at $8 u cant beat the one which OP has brought into discussion..

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

It was not my intention to mix apples, and oranges (WP2 is a li-ion charger, not a backup device). BTW Reviews/tests are excellent.

I was simply replying to your post, and saying that for 20 bucks you can charge your iPhone, and batteries. Not for 100 USD.

:beer:

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Just grabbed a few.

Oh yea, if anyone else is ordering from that store, here is a coupon code to take 20% off, plus free shipping. :wave:

1018737414 (<--this is the code)

It expires at the end of the month (2-29-2012)

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Ped:

Any idea what the secret hidden button does?

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Haha no I was wondering that myself...Dont want t press it in case the Earth implodes or something

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

I Christen this device...

The Infinate charger, it can charge itself!

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

In the vein of that last item, I present this:
ML-102 USB Charger For 18650 / 26650 battery [ML-102] - $7.95 : Led Flashlight-International Outdoor Store



Received mine today. For $8, it's not dirt-cheap. But this feels much more substantial. It's firm stiff plastic, doesn't flex. I'd be quite confident taking this unit out into the back-country. Thick heavy contact springs, good solid molded plastic. Works with 18650, 22650 or 26650. No complaints.

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

I definetely like this name :

PC-ABS flame retardant material

:bowdown:

I should name some products after this ....

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

Brenner said:

I definetely like this name :

PC-ABS flame retardant material

:bowdown:

I should name some products after this ....

Click to expand...

Um.... I don't think there was anything wrong with what they wrote... ?

re·tar·dant /riˈtärdnt/
Adjective:
(chiefly of a synthetic or treated fabric or substance) Not readily susceptible to fire.
Noun:
A fabric or substance that prevents or inhibits something, esp. the outbreak of fire.

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

I'm going to order a few of those quad 18650 battery packs to tinker with. Has anyone seen anything similar but with a single battery? I've got some outdoor LED projects that need a small rechargeable power source with a simple on/off switch. Usually I order those cheap USB-rechargeable flashlights, remove the optics and solder in my leads, but I'm looking for a more professional-looking solution.

I have so many battery-powered devices, it's insane keeping track of which devices are charged and which aren't. I'm slowly getting rid of all my alkaline/NiMH devices and replacing them with either internally-charged li-ion/polymer or externally charged ones if they are a 16340, 14500, or 18650 (to keep my battery collection easier to manage).

It's the year 2012, we should have nuclear batteries that last 100 years for cryin' out loud!

Re: Quad-18650 to USB "Box" / "Charger" / "Battery Backup"

rhd said:

Ped:

Any idea what the secret hidden button does?

Click to expand...

Bit of a necro ..

But..

Iv'e found out what the button does rhd

Its an overcurrent reset swich, incase you short the output.

Dont ask me how I found out