Charger "Frog" - a well-known universal device designed to restore the charge of lithium batteries of mobile phones and other small gadgets. This device cannot be used with a different type of battery.

Role in everyday life

Sometimes there are times when the charging unit for a smartphone or mobile phone is not at hand, it is irretrievably broken or lost, and it is not possible to purchase it in the near future. In this case, it is replaced by “Frog” - Alternative names - “clothespin”, “toad”. This device is equipped with adjustable contacts, to which the battery itself, previously removed from the device, is connected directly. Of course, such a process involves some inconvenience associated with constantly removing the battery and possible settings failure, but sometimes this is the only successful way out of this situation.

Where and for what can it be used?

As mentioned above, this device is suitable for recharging most small-sized equipment, mainly phones and cameras. Usually the frog device comes with instructions, but the problem may lie in the content of the brochure in a foreign language, since these devices are mostly made in China.

Some useful information

In addition to a cell phone, the Frog charger is capable of charging a camera, pocket computer or navigator, but only if lithium batteries with a small capacity are used. The device is connected to a network with standard voltage. When the battery is fully charged, the device will automatically disconnect from the network. As a rule, this takes about two to three hours.

There are several types of frog devices that can be connected to different sources of electricity:

To a regular household outlet with a voltage of 220 volts.
To the car network - 12 volts.
Connection to PC via USB port - 5 volts.

The most practical and common is the “frog” charger, powered from the home network. The choice of device type depends on each person's personal preference.

Explanation of device symbols

Each such device has several indicator lights, next to which are indicated letter designations that help regulate the entire charging process:

Full, ful - indicates the battery is fully charged.
Charge, ch - this means the charging process is in progress.
Power, pw - the device is connected to an energy source.
Con - polarity is determined correctly.
Te - polarity is being checked.

How does the Frog charger work?

How to adjust polarity manually? First, you should clamp the battery in the charger so that the contacts of the device are connected to the “-” and “+” terminals. If the battery has three or more contacts, then you need to use the two outermost ones.

If the polarity is correctly determined when connecting, when you press the left “Te” button, the green light with the inscription “Con” should light up, otherwise press the right “Con” button, then “Te” again. On some devices, the "Con" LED may light up when connected without first being pressed.

The most convenient models are those that automatically detect the polarity; accordingly, they do not have a right button for changing the polarity.

If everything is done correctly, the green “Con” light is on, which means you can plug in the device. At this moment, “Power” and “Charge” should turn on. When the battery charging process is complete, the right “Full” LED will light up. Now the device can be removed from the outlet and the battery can be used for its intended purpose.

Non-standard situations

If “Con” does not light up at all, it means that the battery is completely dead and needs to be “boosted”. In this case, it can be connected in any way in any polarity, and then plugged into the network for five minutes. If “Charge” flashes, it means charging is happening correctly; if not, then you need to right-click to change the polarity and see how the “Charge” indicator behaves in this case.

If “Power” and “Full” immediately start to light up, then most likely the battery in the “frog” is poorly installed and should be secured more securely.

Charging time varies depending on the battery capacity, but typically takes between two and five hours:

1000 mAh - 5 hours.
800 mAh - 4 hours.
500 mAh - 2.5 hours.

How to use a frog charger?

The classic device is designed for 220-volt voltage; on the back of its cover there are two sliding pins located parallel to each other - they can be separated to the required distance corresponding to the distance between the battery contacts.

When turned on, it is possible to adjust the polarity manually through buttons or automatically. It all depends on what model your Frog charger is.

If the battery is completely worn out, the following situations may occur:

If you wish and have some skill, you can build a “frog” charger with your own hands using a simple circuit.

Batteries with more than two contacts can be charged using the device described, but to do this you will need to disassemble the battery and connect the charger to it, bypassing the controller.

Following from all of the above, you can understand that the “Frog” is a universal charger, very useful in case of breakdown of other power sources, small batteries, as well as the inability to charge gadgets in the usual way, which happens quite often. At the moment, manufacturers offer all new devices equipped with a USB port and an LCD display, which greatly simplifies their use.

Advantages of the device:

Availability of a USB port that allows you to charge most devices.
Easy to use.
Versatility.

Flaws:

With frequent use, relative fragility.
Long process of charging high-capacity batteries.

"Frog" - the best option for a backup energy source

Despite a few shortcomings, the “Frog” is a charger, the price of which is very varied (from 60 to 650 rubles), it is quite a useful thing in the household, if only because it is able to literally revive the batteries of phones and cameras that are not showing signs of life . But it should be borne in mind that this device should be used as needed. Charging too frequently using the Frog can lead to rapid depletion of the battery and, accordingly, its failure. It's paradoxical, but it's true.

Despite the fact that these chargers are mostly made in China, you should not neglect such products. On the modern market you can find universal and unique auxiliary devices that can significantly make our lives easier and give a second chance to parts that would otherwise certainly end up in the trash. Therefore, it makes sense to have at least some idea of how to use the Frog device for regular recharging of a telephone battery.

A considerable number of all kinds of household appliances and electronics run on batteries of various types. Among the gadgets where their use is most in demand are cameras, repair tools (drills, screwdrivers, etc.), flashlights, sound recording equipment and much more. Theoretically, all of the above equipment can be powered by ordinary AA and AAA batteries (provided that the devices are compatible with them), which are sold in literally every store (Duracell, Energizer, etc.). But in practice, in most cases this is simply unprofitable, since they sit down very quickly. It is more advisable to use rechargeable batteries (out of habit, they are also often called batteries). When properly charged, they can last from 200 to 500 cycles (depending on the type and quality). But for full operation of such batteries, you must have a special charger (charger). You should choose this device based on the tasks that will be assigned to it. The most important characteristics are the following:

Type. There are three main types of charger: simple (very cheap, but without an auto-shut-off function), automatic (turns off when the battery reaches full charge) and intelligent (lots of additional features, we will look at them below).
Compatibility. Each battery has characteristics such as size (AA, AAA, 18650, Krona, etc.) and electrochemical system (Ni-Cd, Ni-Mh, Li-Ion and others). Therefore, first you need to determine which batteries require a charger, and then look for a device suitable for working with them.
Number of connectors. In some places 1-2 slots will be enough, but in other situations it is important to simultaneously install as many batteries as possible.
Current strength. Low current (0.1 A) is the safest and is considered recommended, but the process of fully charging it takes a very long time (14-16 hours). Accordingly, a high current will reduce the time spent, but will reduce the overall life of the battery.

We have collected for you the TOP 10 best chargers from the AliExpress website. When choosing products, the main emphasis was on indicators such as:

functionality and characteristics of the device;
user reviews;
value for money;
seller reliability rating.

The best budget chargers from AliExpress

3 PALO C824

Lowest price tag for charger for AA batteries
Price on AliExpress: from 122 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The most basic device of this type. Compatible with so-called AA and AAA batteries (Ni-MH/Ni-Cd). At the same time, in principle, there are no interesting features provided here, not to mention the screen. And since the charger does not automatically turn off after the battery is fully charged (that is, until it explodes), you need to carefully monitor the process yourself (that is, manually calculate approximately the required time based on the battery capacity and the standard PALO C824 current of 150-160 mAh) . The device has an LED indicator, but it is of little use - it only indicates whether the battery is charging or not, without any information about the progress of the process.

2 JETTING USB Battery Charger

Best price
Price on AliExpress: from 69 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

A simple device that includes only a compact plastic case (the USB cable will have to be obtained separately). Suitable for charging batteries of the 18650 form factor (the older model will also handle 26650 batteries), and the only offered functionality here is a light indication of the charging status (red lights change to green) and automatic stop of operation when a full charge is reached (the established current limit is 1A) .

In general, Jetting more than copes with its task; among the large number of reviews, there are practically no complaints about any problems with the technical side and performance. However, you should be prepared for the fact that delivery to the Russian Federation from the seller, although free, is very long.

1 VariCore 04U

Great price for a charger with 4 connectors
Price on AliExpress: from 330 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.9

A very budget-friendly, but at the same time quite versatile gadget, which has 4 connectors for batteries. Despite the fact that the manufacturer recommended a device for charging 3.7 V batteries (models from 10440 to 18650), VariCore can also charge other types of batteries (AA and AAA), however, in this case the indicators will not notify you of the completion of this operation, so you will have to monitor everything yourself.

According to the manufacturer, the device provides as many as six types of protection (from overload, overheating, short circuit, complete discharge, etc.), however, users do not recommend inserting more than 3 batteries into it at the same time. The speed of the process depends entirely on the power supply to which the USB cable is connected.

The best chargers for everyday use from AliExpress

If you don’t have a lot of equipment at home that requires batteries to operate, or these devices are used quite rarely, then there is little point in overpaying significantly for a charger with a huge number of slots and a bunch of additional functions. In this case, simpler and more compact models are quite suitable.

4 VONTAR Single Charger

The optimal choice for Li-Ion batteries
Price on AliExpress: from 525 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Single Charger from VONTAR is perfect for 3.7 V lithium-ion batteries (sizes 26650, 18650, 18500, etc.). The gadget is equipped with a small display that displays information about voltage, charge percentage and current used (two options are available: 0.5 A and 1 A). Once the battery inserted into the charger is fully charged, the device automatically stops this process, which allows you to operate the batteries with maximum efficiency. The external output of the device is a Micro USB port, so for operation you will additionally need a network adapter (you can take it from almost any Android phone with 5V/1A). The only disadvantage of Single Charger is the narrow range of compatibility for its price (as mentioned above, it only works with a 3.7 V battery).

3 PALO C905W

Intuitive interface
Price on AliExpress: from 599 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

Despite the fact that the C905W has four free slots at once, the memory itself is very compact and simple (even those who are encountering such equipment for the first time can easily figure it out). This model is compatible with AA and AAA batteries (Ni-MH/Ni-Cd) and can automatically turn off when fully charged. There is also a screen, but it performs almost no functions, but simply serves as a kind of progress indicator (and the information is given not in percentages, but in divisions - this is not always convenient). Among the advantages, we can also note direct operation from the network (you don’t have to look for adapters), but the main disadvantage is the inability to choose the desired current strength yourself (by default it produces 1.2 A, which is sometimes too much). In addition, when charging 4 batteries at once, the C905W gets warm, although only slightly.

2 LiitoKala Lii-100

Compact and convenient
Price on AliExpress: from 354 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

LiitoKala is one of the largest and most famous companies in the battery charger market. They offer a wide selection of memory devices to suit every taste and budget. For example, the Lii-100 model under consideration has a number of advantages at a low price. Among them are good compatibility with almost all popular types of batteries (Li-Ion, Ni-MH, Ni-Cd), and a smart control system (automatically detects the type of battery inserted, independently starts and stops charging, and also detects faulty and discharged devices) , and the presence of a mini-display with indicators (displays current progress). Separately, it should be noted that there is a USB output on the case, which allows you to use the charger as a power bank. Of course, one battery slot is unlikely to last long, but, on the other hand, charging smartphones is still not the main function of the Lii-100. As with the VONTAR Single Charger, the AC adapter is not included.

1 LiitoKala Lii-202

The best ratio of price and quality
Price on AliExpress: from 674 rubles.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Lii-202 is a two-slot memory model from LiitoKala. In terms of basic parameters, this version is almost no different from the Lii-100, but there is nothing wrong with that, since it already has everything that is necessary for optimal operation: wide compatibility with various batteries (from AAA to 18650), LED charge progress indicators and the ability to switch the current strength. However, the Lii-202 is much more convenient for use as a power bank, since there are several connectors for batteries. A significant advantage is also the fact that the network adapter (5V/1A) is included in the kit - you don’t have to look for anything additional.

The best professional battery chargers from AliExpress

The term “professional” in the name of the category is quite arbitrary; we are talking about those situations when a person constantly deals (mainly at work) with many batteries and needs a charger that can simultaneously charge them in the required quantity.

3 PALO P10

Favorable price for a memory with 8 slots
Price on AliExpress: from 491 rub.
Rating (2019): 4.8

The undoubted advantage of this gadget is the number of connectors for batteries - there are as many as 8 of them. This should be enough for even the most demanding customers. Otherwise, the design is very simple - there are no serious functions and not even a small display here. Among the stated features are smart control (automatic shutdown when reaching 100%) and LED indicators that offer the user information about the current status of the charger. Relative disadvantages include the multiplicity of the charging process (you need to insert 2,4,6 or 8 batteries at the same time, that is, an even number) and the inability to independently select the current used. PALO P10 is only compatible with AA or AAA type devices (Ni-MH, Ni-Cd).

2 LiitoKala Lii-500

Wide range of functions
Price on AliExpress: from 1214 rubles.
Rating (2019): 4.9

Lii-500 is the senior model from the line of chargers from the LiitoKala brand. Accordingly, it has the richest functionality among all its brothers. First of all, it is necessary to note the many operating modes available: standard, quick test (charge-discharge cycle followed by capacity measurement), full test (a similar procedure, but it takes more time and the result is more accurate), determining the health of the battery. Instead of single indicators, this charger has a much more informative screen, and 4 types of current of varying power are immediately available for charging. Like other gadgets from Liitokala, thanks to the USB output, the Lii-500 can be used as a power bank, but given the dimensions of the device, this will not be very convenient or practical. In addition to the external power supply, the kit also includes a cable for connecting to the cigarette lighter in the car and detailed instructions in English.

1 Opus BT-C3100

Most powerful
Price on AliExpress: from 2060 rub.
Rating (2019): 5.0

Opus is LiitoKala's main competitor in the battery charger market. And the BT-C3100 is the most expensive and functional product in their memory line. In this regard, when discussing the advantages and capabilities of this model, all this happens in the context of comparison with the rival’s flagship Lii-500. Among these, it is necessary to highlight a larger number of operating modes (the three previously mentioned plus “battery discharge”), a wide power range (you can set any current strength from 200 to 2000 mA), and the presence of an active cooling system (fan). In addition, many users wrote in their reviews that the BT-C3100 is almost the only charger that can efficiently restore “dead” batteries.

About chargers for different types of batteries

Modern man is surrounded by a lot of different technology that runs on batteries. This is a mobile phone, laptop, power tool, flashlight, car, etc. All these things, at first glance, are not connected. But they all use a battery to operate. The owner of all these things is faced with the question of maintenance and periodic charging of all these batteries. To charge the batteries, a charger is required. Only some of the listed devices have standard charging capabilities. For example, a flashlight can have a plug for connecting to a 220-volt network; the battery in a car is recharged from a generator. But in most cases, a charger (charger) is required for full charging. In this article we will talk about different types of chargers and their requirements.

Different chargers are available for different types of batteries. Here are the main types of chargers:

For charging lead-acid batteries;
For alkaline batteries;
Charger for lithium batteries;
Universal chargers.

Charger for lead-acid batteries

Most cars and trucks use lead-acid batteries. In this case, the charger is used to fully charge the battery while the car is in the garage or parked.

Today, stores offer many chargers for car batteries. To choose what you need, you need to take into account a number of characteristics of the battery used in your car. What should you pay attention to?

Battery type. The most common are WET (regular with liquid electrolyte), AGM (glass fiber impregnated with electrolyte), GEL (gel electrolyte). Chargers for AGM and GEL will be discussed below;
Nominal battery voltage. Passenger cars operate on 12 volt batteries. Some trucks and special equipment are equipped with 24-volt batteries;
Battery capacity. This parameter will also be required when selecting storage characteristics. In most cases, the capacity is printed in large print on the battery sticker. Unit of measurement ─ .

Based on these parameters above, you should select a memory. There are three large groups of such devices: charging, starting and starting-charging. The latter are universal and allow you to charge the battery and start the engine. Among starting devices there is a separate group - these are portable chargers. They are made on the basis of lithium or, and are designed to start the engine on the road if the main battery is dead.

As for starting chargers, you yourself need to decide whether you need the engine starting function. If the car is parked near your house or in a parking lot, you still won’t be able to use such a charger, since it requires a connection to the electrical network. Then does it make sense to overpay for unnecessary functions?

It is also worth noting that the design of chargers differs into pulse and transformer ones. Transformer units are large in size due to the presence of a transformer and rectifier. Such chargers are more often used in services by battery workers. For domestic use, pulse models that are built on the basis of an inverter are often used. Such chargers are compact and do not take up much space.

Now, let's look at the main parameters of a car battery charger and what they affect.

Charging current. This characteristic is selected based on the battery capacity. It is recommended to charge the battery with a current of 0.1*C. C ─ this is the nominal capacity. That is, for a battery with a capacity of 55 Ah, the optimal charging current is considered to be 5.5 amperes. The charger must be capable of supplying this current. Lower values are allowed, but in this case the charging process will take longer. Modern ones often have a Boost mode for faster charging. It should not exceed the standard current by more than 30 percent. Experts recommend using this regimen only when absolutely necessary.

It is best to choose a charger that provides a charging current slightly higher than the nominal value for your battery. In this case, the device will not operate beyond its capabilities. Ideally, take a charger with manual adjustment of the charging current. These models are more expensive, but they are worth it. With them you can charge the battery with low current at a fixed voltage. In this way, the battery charges longer, but more fully and evenly.

You should also pay attention to the possible operating modes of the charger. It was already mentioned above that there is a Boost mode. In some situations it may be useful to you. For example, when the battery is dead and you need to go urgently. Using this mode, in 15-20 minutes you can charge the battery to such a state that you can start the car engine. It is desirable that the charger be able to charge in fully automatic (plug and forget) and manual (at constant current or voltage) modes.

There are professional models of chargers that can simultaneously charge several batteries. But ordinary car owners are unlikely to find them useful. Such “harvesters” are used by professional battery workers in services.

Charger for gel batteries

AGM and GEL batteries have some charging features, and there is a separate charger group for them. AGM batteries can now be found on cars with a Start-Stop system, while GEL batteries are more used on motorcycles and watercraft.

Let's figure out what are the features of charging gel batteries, and why they cannot be charged with a standard charger.

Heat. The gel battery should not be allowed to overheat. In the case of AGM batteries, this will lead to separation of the glass fiber from the electrode plates. That is, the charger should turn off the current supply immediately after charging is complete. In addition, protection against overheating of the battery during charging must be provided;
Stability of electrical parameters. The voltage must be stable over time. And if its value changes, then this should happen smoothly without jumps. The charging current must also be stable. It must not be allowed to go beyond acceptable limits. Gel batteries are more sensitive to this than regular WET batteries.

The charger requirements for gel batteries are given below.

What requirements must a charger for gel batteries satisfy?

Heat-sensitive charging. The device must be temperature compensated. That is, the battery charging conditions must be adjusted depending on the temperature of the operating system and the battery itself. For example, if the battery has warmed up by 10 degrees, then the voltage adjustment should be 0.3–0.4 volts per decrease. Ideally, the charger should be able to take breaks when a certain temperature threshold is reached;
Possibility of current adjustment. Gel batteries, like WET, are charged with a current of 0.1*C. However, in this case, excess current leads to a significant reduction in service life, and sometimes even to failure;
Charging must be done in stages. Experts advise buying devices that charge a gel battery in three stages. The first stage involves charging with increasing voltage. The second stage is a constant voltage with a gradually decreasing charging current. And in the third stage (compensating charge), the battery is charged at minimum current and voltage values. The third stage is needed if the battery will be in storage. This allows you to compensate for self-discharge;
Working temperature. This parameter is important not only for gel chargers, but also conventional ones. The vast majority of models operate in a temperature range of 5-40 C. That is, charging in winter on a balcony or in a cold garage will no longer be possible. If possible, buy a charger with an extended operating temperature range.

Alkaline battery chargers

Here we will talk about chargers for charging and battery cells, which can often be found in other portable tools. There are varieties of alkaline batteries that are used as traction batteries in warehouse equipment. But we will not consider devices for charging them due to their narrow specialization. We will consider the requirements for chargers that charge batteries from various equipment (AA, AAA and others).

To charge alkaline batteries, various methods can be used, which take into account the characteristics of a particular type. That is, such chargers can be called universal within the group of alkaline batteries. The following battery charging methods can be distinguished:

With constant charging current;
When the charging current decreases;
Step change in charge current;
At constant voltage;
Options that combine the previous ones.

The battery user always strives to speed up their charging. Especially if they are used in some kind of production activity. The limitation to this acceleration is the charging requirements from battery manufacturers. The warranty on batteries is also based on these requirements.

It's also worth noting a few things about specific charging modes. More often, stores offer universal chargers that have “brains” for charging different types of alkaline batteries. There, the user's actions are reduced to selecting the type of battery and starting the charging process. More advanced ones allow you to set current, voltage, and charge duration. There are also simple chargers for one type of battery. In this case, remember the following rule: chargers for Ni-MH batteries are suitable for Ni-Cd, but not vice versa.

What requirements must a universal charger for alkaline batteries meet?

If we are talking about universal chargers, then they must have the ability to select the charging current for different batteries. Budget devices, as a rule, do not have this feature. There, the current strength is determined depending on the type of battery;
The seats of the universal charger must accept different sizes of batteries. Or the design must provide for some kind of transformation for this;
In addition, it is worth paying attention to what methods of monitoring the end of the charging process are available in the charger. This is especially important for nickel-metal hydride batteries. It is best if there is: control by voltage delta, temperature, and also the rate of change of the latter. There should also be control of the total process time required to fully charge the battery;
It must be possible to recognize the installation of a battery in the memory;
It’s a good idea to have a function to recognize primary current sources. Simply put, regular AA and AAA batteries. This will come in handy if you confuse them with batteries.

It is difficult for a modern person to imagine life without devices that significantly simplify everyday life, making it more comfortable. The scientific revolution led to the production of various technical devices that have become firmly established in our lives. For the full functioning of portable devices, they require periodic recharging; only this can ensure their uninterrupted and long-term operation. Each model of technical equipment has its own charger, differing in technical characteristics, charge power and manufacturers. That is why each brand of mobile phone has its own charger, which helps the battery operate for a long time without damaging it. This leads to a large accumulation of chargers, additional expenses and a number of inconveniences if it is not possible to charge the battery with the appropriate device. To solve this problem, manufacturers have developed a universal battery charger. Now many people are interested in the question of how to choose the right universal charger, and what you need to pay attention to.

Pros of a universal charger

A universal charger for mobile phone batteries not only has a lot of positive aspects, this device allows you to charge batteries of various capacities and brands, and also has adapters with cables that allow you to connect to a variety of portable devices. In turn, this results in significant cost savings, since there is no need to buy a separate “recharger” for each device, and the absence of a large number of cables and wires is an additional bonus. Moreover, a universal charger for all types of batteries is simply indispensable when traveling, because it solves the problem of how to charge a particular device and saves space.

As a rule, in terms of value, universal battery chargers have a higher price compared to standard chargers, but later this pays off if you have a large number of portable devices that constantly require recharging.

Universal charger "Frog"

A fairly wide range of universal devices has been developed for recharging battery devices. They work as a charger both for mobile phones and small portable devices, and for batteries of different voltages, capable of charging the battery in a very short period of time. The choice of device directly depends on its intended purpose. In everyday life, small-sized universal chargers for portable equipment such as cameras, mobile phones, players, laptops, etc. are in great demand.

We can highlight the universal charger of the “Frog” type, which has managed to win universal respect and trust. Translated from English, its full name sounds like lcd universal charger, and people simply call it a toad. The frog for charging various batteries is suitable for recharging lithium batteries of mobile phones, cameras and other small portable equipment.

The principle of operation of the “frog”

The frog charger is manufactured in China, although it has won many positive reviews in various countries around the world. The instructions state that the charge is replenished when there is direct contact between the device and the battery. The description supplied with the device is quite simple and understandable. Charging the frog is quite easy - the battery must be removed and placed in the device.

Depending on the modification of the model, there may be an LCD screen, which significantly simplifies the operating process, or an indicator system is used as information about the state of charge (in simpler models). The inscriptions are in English, but their meaning is quite clear:

full (fl) – full charge;
charge (ch) – the charging process has begun;
power (pw) – the charger is connected to a power source;
con – polarity determination was successful;
te – polarity checking process.

Depending on the modification, when the battery is fully charged, the charger called a frog emits a sound and light signal or automatically disconnects from the network. There are models where the polarity determination process occurs automatically, in other models everything is done manually as follows:

the battery is connected to the terminals according to the instructions “+” to “+”, “-” to “-” (usually these are the extreme left and right contacts), and “te” will appear on the display or the corresponding indicator will light up;
If the polarity is determined correctly, after a couple of seconds the “con” indicator should light up, or a corresponding message will appear on the display, then the battery is charged in the standard way.

The frog is conventionally divided into types based on the method of connection to the power source:

socket with voltage 220 Volts;
car charging with a power of 12 Volts;
charging using a USB connector through the computer system unit with a power of no more than 5 Volts.

The duration of the charging process directly depends on the type of device and the capacity of the battery itself; it can last from 2-3 to 8-12 hours.

A frog for charging various modern devices is indispensable, has a number of advantages:

sufficient information content due to the presence of a display or indicator lights;
versatility - suitable for batteries of various portable devices;
During the charging process, neither the battery nor the charging itself gets very hot;
wide range of models and affordable prices.

In addition, everyone can figure out how to use the frog and how to charge the battery correctly.

DIY charging

Many people are interested in how to make a charger so that it is functional and inexpensive. If you have the appropriate knowledge and skills, you can charge the batteries yourself. To do this, you will need a diode bridge with a maximum current of more than 1 ampere, an electrolytic capacitor with a voltage of 25 to 50 Volts and a transformer with a small power of up to 40 Watts. Everything is connected according to the standard diagram. It is recommended to install a dial indicator to monitor the charge, and also to provide a function for regulating the battery capacity parameters so that the charging done really becomes a universal device. It’s not difficult to figure out how to charge such a device, the main thing is to connect the terminals correctly.

A universal charger for all types of batteries today has moved from the category of luxury, as it was a dozen years ago, and is present in almost every family. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Chinese-made frog charger or a locally made charger, the principle of operation is the same for all. As for the service life of the device, it directly depends on the frequency of use and correct adherence to the instructions.

Video

Universal laptop charger

Sometimes you need to charge the batteries of various devices, but there is no suitable charger; a universal battery charger will come to the rescue. The way it works is quite simple and compatible with almost any device. The universal charger has the following operating scheme.

Schematic illustration of an electrical universal charger

For different types of batteries, you just need to change the charging current. It should be 0.1 A of the battery capacity, then with this charging the battery will be enough for approximately 800 charge/discharge cycles, depending on the type of battery. The charging time, taking into account a current of 0.1 A from the battery capacity, will be 10-12 hours.

Acid batteries need to be charged with a discharge selection 10 times less than other devices. This is done using the toggle switches S2 and S3 available on the adapter, where the current is 0.1 and 0.25 A, respectively. If both levers are connected, then the value will be set to 0.35 A. It follows that the acid battery must be charged under the influence of a current of 1, 2.5 and 3.5 A.

Characteristics of universal battery charging

NOTE!

It is better to connect a multifunctional charger from a 220 V network, provided that grounding is installed or a voltage stabilizer is installed. Otherwise, you risk getting a damaged battery and broken charger due to a voltage failure.

Universal charger for all types of batteries: technical features

The choice of adapter is based on technical characteristics

What parameters are best to consider when choosing a universal charger?

Parameter	Description
Type of batteries and accumulators	The device can be combined (when it is acceptable to use different types of batteries, including AA batteries) or standard, which is intended for one carrier. Often it charges AA or AAA batteries, as well as mobile phones, laptops, laptops (if there is a USB port) and others.
Current strength	This parameter can be changed manually, depending on the battery requirements. However, the higher the parameter, the faster the battery will charge. It is noted that rapid charging shortens battery life.
Number of charging channels	The more outputs for various settings, the more multifunctional the device is considered. It happens that purchased models have channels with different current strengths.
Availability of additional features:	Discharging: In the vast majority of cases, batteries are difficult to discharge to a minimum before charging. This function in the adapter is very convenient, as it allows you to completely discharge the battery. Display: All characteristics of the flowing charge are displayed on the screen, including current, voltage and operating time. Protection against overheating and errors: In the event of voltage surges, the device will help avoid damage to the battery, as it stabilizes the charge channel. The function can also prevent the battery from burning out if it is installed in the wrong polarity.
Saving function	You've probably heard about the Boost mode in the charger. Every electronics expert knows what this is. This is a function that turns itself off after the battery is fully charged, saving energy and preventing the battery from burning out. At the same time, it charges the battery in a certain time.

Some types of adapters are capable of operating from an unconventional 12 V network. This installation is practical, since it can be carried with you and even connected to a car cigarette lighter.

IMPORTANT!

To keep the battery in good condition, perform a full charge for 14 to 16 hours once every few weeks, at least once a quarter.

If you do not have the opportunity to periodically charge the battery for such a long time, then try to use the battery at moderate temperatures and avoid deep discharges.

How to choose a universal battery charger: expert advice

If you are faced with the pressing issue of choosing a battery charger, you need to decide where exactly it will be used. In addition, pay attention to the following points:

manufacturer and its demand. The more well-known the charger brand is, the lower the likelihood of becoming a victim of counterfeit. Today on the market you can find installations from UFO, Sony, Samsung, Varta and others. These models deserve popularity thanks to user reviews;
integrity of the packaging and operability of the adapter. When choosing, you must make sure that the device is not opened before you. The buyer must independently verify this, check the device for functionality in the store;

A large number of ports is a significant advantage for universal charging

nominal capacity of the installation. It is important that this option meets your requirements. 2000−10000 mAh is enough to charge mobile devices, but a laptop and other equipment will require a larger capacity;
charging power- this is an equally important parameter when choosing. The permissible battery charge current is 10% of its capacity;
presence of a USB port. This feature is now quite convenient, as it allows you to charge traditional home electronics;
be sure to decide on the type of adapter: Can be portable, pulsed or passive. The latter is ideal for cases where it is necessary to convert current for high-quality and safe battery charging;
choose a suitable charging scheme for the installation. There are options that operate with constant current and those that operate with constant voltage. The first type does not guarantee a safe charge, since it does not protect against overheating, and the second is unable to fully charge the battery. Accordingly, you should choose a combination adapter.

What is Boost mode in a charger: how does it work

Almost any charger that has multiple functions has a fast charging mode (BOOST). This function can help out if there is no time for deep charging. For example, if during an important call your phone is dead, and it will take at least 30 minutes to turn it on. In such a situation, it is better to use the BOOST mode; it will help reanimate the remaining battery charge for a while.

Fast charging negatively affects the life cycle of the battery

Scope of application of the universal charger

There are several types of battery chargers. Most often these are ordinary, household models.

Universal charger for all types of phones

It is an installation in a plastic case with a convenient lever for adjusting the size of the phone battery. The device has the following characteristics:

input - 100-240 V, alternating current with a frequency of 50/60 Hz, 150 mA;
output: DC2 V 400 mA±50 mA, USB port − 1250 mA;
there is short circuit protection;
used for batteries with a width from 32 to 55 mm.

An EU adapter is included with the adapter.

Universal laptop charger

Such devices come in different capacities and a different number of functionality. Consider the Ginzzu GA-4290U model. The device is capable of charging up to 9 types of laptop batteries. The adapter contains two inverters: one runs from the car, the other is designed for the electrical network. The device is suitable for all types of modern computers, its power is 90 W. A USB cable is included.

A laptop charger often has several adapter connectors

The STM Electronics Ltd adapter is equipped with nine ports for connecting adapters designed for different laptop models. The device provides protection against voltage surges and battery overheating. The total charging power is 90 W. The device comes with connectors for computers from different companies.

Car charger

The universal car charger has a traditional USB port through which you can connect a smartphone, laptop, or MP3 player. Such gadgets can simultaneously charge up to three devices. However, this will happen over a long period of time, unlike operation from the electrical network.

Travel charger (car)

Universal charger for car batteries

Various brands of charging structures can be used for vehicle batteries. Some of them work automatically, while others require mechanical action.

Type of charger	Main characteristics
KEDR-Auto-10	Automatic charger. It starts to work at a current value of 5 A. It has a pre-start and cyclic mode. Features fast charging ability.
Orion PW-150	A highly specialized device suitable for all types of batteries. There is a drawback: the adapter is unable to charge deeply discharged batteries.
Orion PW-265	Manual charger. Suitable for charging high power batteries and motorcycle batteries.
	A starting and charging device that has great power. The current is 13 A. Charges units from 140 A/h. Suitable for 12 and 24 volt batteries. A budget option that still has sufficient power.

Adapters for car batteries differ in the type of control

Adapters for other equipment may differ in their practicality, mobility and versatility. On the electrical appliances market you can find installations that are suitable for powering batteries of mobile phones, radios, laptops and phones. Similar adapters are suitable for charging portable table lamps.

Universal chargers for household appliances are widely used and used

Universal wireless charger (WLC): the best models

Wireless charging is a comfortable gadget that should be present in every home. It can be used to recharge various devices. We offer several useful modifications to charging devices.

Model	Description
Duracell Powermat 24-Hour Power System	The device is designed for different types of phones, mainly IPHONEs are powered by it. The kit includes a protective case and a removable battery.
	A device in the form of a phone stand. It has a fast charging function and also allows you to use your mobile phone while charging.
Energizer Dual Inductive Charger	A universal adapter that can simultaneously charge three cell phones. The device operates wirelessly or via a USB cable.
ZENS Single Wireless Charger	The ultra-thin design of the power bank prevents the phone from overloading and also features the ability to stop supplying power when the battery percentage reaches 100.

Universal charger “Frog” for phones – review

A compact charging device called “Frog” has been serving people for many years. Its advantages lie in its compactness and versatility. Using it, you can charge the battery from a mobile phone of any model; you just need to correctly move the antennae of the device.

“Frog”, “Clothespin” for the phone is suitable for all types of mobile gadgets

The device is made in China, has several indicators that show the start of the charge in red (second indicator), and when the charge is complete, the green indicator lights up (third light). The gadget is able to independently determine the polarity of the connected battery, so you don’t have to worry about whether it was installed correctly. “Zhabka” is only suitable for batteries with a capacity of no more than 2000 mAh at an alternating current of up to 200 mA. Charging on this device lasts more than 1.5 hours. You can buy a universal “Frog” charger both in online stores and at any radio kiosk.

But shopping online can result in disappointment. Read product reviews carefully and don’t forget to ask for certificates. On average, purchasing a battery charger for cars will cost from 900 to 3,000 rubles. The price depends on the set of functions and the brand of the manufacturer. A universal charger for smartphones can be purchased for 250–500 rubles, a charger for a laptop can be purchased for 900–2,500 rubles.

If you have purchased similar devices, share your opinions in the comments to the article. Let's together understand the features of the functioning of devices and their advantages for modern people.