Aftermarket Chargers Handle Multiple Batteries At Once
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You can charge multiple cordless tool batteries with the “Lion Charger” from Circuits Alive. By connecting one or more “Cub Chargers” to the Lion base charger, multiple batteries can be recharged at one time. The after market chargers can be set up for multiple brands.
“The Lion can recharge from 12 to 24-volt DC or be connected to solar panels or AC outlets,” says John Swarey, Circuits Alive. “It can also serve as a host to one or more Cub chargers on the same power outlet. Each Cub can be used to charge an additional battery at the same time as the Lion charges its battery.”
Each brand of rechargeable battery has its own port block. For example, when Swarey fills an order for Makita or Milwaukee or DeWalt, he installs the requisite port block. If a user has all 3 brands, the Lion can be set up with one port block with 2 Cubs set up for the other brands. Charging blocks for those 3 brands are more available than other brands. However, Swarey has done versions for Bosch rechargeable batteries. Regardless of the type of battery, the recharging system only puts out as much power as the battery can use.
Swarey notes that the initial Lion and Cub designs recharge batteries in parallel. While the Lion by itself can recharge a battery quickly, the addition of a Cub with another battery slows the process. A single battery can recharge in half an hour, where 2 would take an hour and 3 would take an hour and a half.
A new product introduced in July offers a priority recharging alternative. “We have developed a series version of the Lion and Cubs that will recharge each battery quickly in turn,” says Swarey. “You could have any number of Cubs hooked up to each other and eventually a Lion, and know the batteries will be recharged in order.”
Swarey says the Lion and Cubs’ architecture appears to give it another advantage over OEM chargers.
“I have had brand chargers indicate that the battery can not be charged; yet, when I connect the battery to a Lion or a Cub, it recharges,” says Swarey.
Swarey suspects the simple design of the Lion and Cubs may eliminate an information problem. He notes that brand chargers have terminal points for every slot in a battery. This is to provide energy flow to the battery and to communicate with the battery.
“A faulty circuit board may send faulty information to the battery, but with the simpler design of the Lion, I think the faulty information may be ignored,” says Swarey. “This isn’t a feature we promote, but simply something that has been observed.”
The Lion sells for $184. Cubs sell for $48 each, but require a Lion for a base. He also sells a $50 Solar Direct connection for using the Lion with a solar panel. It can be used with a maximum panel output of up to 40 volts. A 110-volt, AC adapter is available for $40.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Circuits Alive, 779 Rolling Acres, Campbellsville, Ky. 42718 (ph 270 465-0821 after 5 p.m.).
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Aftermarket Chargers Handle Multiple Batteries At Once ENERGY Miscellaneous You can charge multiple cordless tool batteries with the “Lion Charger” from Circuits Alive By connecting one or more “Cub Chargers” to the Lion base charger multiple batteries can be recharged at one time The after market chargers can be set up for multiple brands “The Lion can recharge from 12 to 24-volt DC or be connected to solar panels or AC outlets ” says John Swarey Circuits Alive “It can also serve as a host to one or more Cub chargers on the same power outlet Each Cub can be used to charge an additional battery at the same time as the Lion charges its battery ” Each brand of rechargeable battery has its own port block For example when Swarey fills an order for Makita or Milwaukee or DeWalt he installs the requisite port block If a user has all 3 brands the Lion can be set up with one port block with 2 Cubs set up for the other brands Charging blocks for those 3 brands are more available than other brands However Swarey has done versions for Bosch rechargeable batteries Regardless of the type of battery the recharging system only puts out as much power as the battery can use Swarey notes that the initial Lion and Cub designs recharge batteries in parallel While the Lion by itself can recharge a battery quickly the addition of a Cub with another battery slows the process A single battery can recharge in half an hour where 2 would take an hour and 3 would take an hour and a half A new product introduced in July offers a priority recharging alternative “We have developed a series version of the Lion and Cubs that will recharge each battery quickly in turn ” says Swarey “You could have any number of Cubs hooked up to each other and eventually a Lion and know the batteries will be recharged in order ” Swarey says the Lion and Cubs’ architecture appears to give it another advantage over OEM chargers “I have had brand chargers indicate that the battery can not be charged; yet when I connect the battery to a Lion or a Cub it recharges ” says Swarey Swarey suspects the simple design of the Lion and Cubs may eliminate an information problem He notes that brand chargers have terminal points for every slot in a battery This is to provide energy flow to the battery and to communicate with the battery “A faulty circuit board may send faulty information to the battery but with the simpler design of the Lion I think the faulty information may be ignored ” says Swarey “This isn’t a feature we promote but simply something that has been observed ” The Lion sells for $184 Cubs sell for $48 each but require a Lion for a base He also sells a $50 Solar Direct connection for using the Lion with a solar panel It can be used with a maximum panel output of up to 40 volts A 110-volt AC adapter is available for $40 Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Circuits Alive 779 Rolling Acres Campbellsville Ky 42718 ph 270 465-0821 after 5 p m
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