Olight Chargers: Ideas on How to Make the Most of Your Torch
It was back in 1967 when the first ever rechargeable flashlight was introduced by Energizer. Then, in 1970 the first water-resistant flashlight was made again by Energizer. Up until the 80s, there was no significant change but in 1980 the fist pocket sized flashlight was introduced alongside a brighter halogen bulb flashlight. Rechargeable flashlights have been available for a long time now which has allowed manufacturers to experiment with all kinds of battery types and charging solutions too. The latter has seen a lot of improvement especially when it comes to manufacturers such as Olight.
Does Charger Affect Battery Life?
Battery chargers always affects battery life. However, as long as you are using the correct one, there’s no need to worry. If you are charging your torch with the Olight charger that came in the box, the battery life is not going to be affected. But if you are using a charger from a different torch, even if it has the same connector, it can reduce battery life.
USB Olight Torch Chargers
A USB Olight torch charger is much like a regular smartphone charger. It uses the same micro USB connectors (Type-A, Type-B and Type-C). Type-C is the most advanced and unlike Type-A and Type-B it’s a symmetrical connector. Although not as common of a feature when it comes to torches, fast charging is present on all micro USB types but Type-C offers the fastest charging speeds. Micro USB charging cables allow you to charge your torch wherever there is a USB port, your car, PC, laptop, wall adaptor etc.
Magnetic Olight Torch Chargers
A magnetic Olight charger allows you to charge the device by snapping it onto a magnet or magnets depending on the charger. Olight has these chargers in the form of a dock, a cable and a universal charger.
Micro-Dok
This USB powered magnetic charging dock allows you to just place the torch onto it without having to plug in a cable. The dock needs to be connected to a wall adaptor using the provided USB cable.
Magnetic Charging Cable
The magnetic charging cable is the same as the one used to charge an Apple watch. There is a bit of a dip to it so that when you place the torch, it’s going to be sitting nicely in the small magnetic pad. As with the dock, you don’t need to plug in the torch in order to charge it. What makes this solution better than the dock, however, is that you can set it anywhere with a USB port nearby as it’s more portable and it can fit in your pocket easily.
Universal Magnetic USB Charger
The universal magnetic charging cable is similar to the previous one except that it has two small magnets that go on the two ends of the battery. This Olight battery charger can charge NiMH and Li-ion batteries of almost any size. You don’t even have to match the polarity of the battery – the charger figures that out on its own. This charger is also powered by a USB cable.
Charging Tips for Rechargeable Batteries
Li-ion Tips
When it comes to Li-ion batteries charging the torch at room temperature (around 20 °C) is the best way to keep it lasting for longer. But since you won’t always have that as an option, it is best that temperatures aren’t below 5 °C or above 45 °C otherwise the battery life will suffer.
While fully charging a Li-ion battery would be the way to go it is best that you charge it partially to prolong it’s lifespan. If you keep it around 50% you won’t shorten its lifespan as storing a fully charged battery long-term can make it unable to recharge. Talking about long-term storage, it should be done in a place as close to room temperature as possible.
Avoid dropping the torch or giving it to someone who is heavy-handed. This can damage the battery and it can start leaking which can end up damaging the torch itself. The corrosive chemicals contained in the battery are bad for electronics.
Ni-MH Tips
Ni-MH batteries, unlike Li-ion, need to be discharged fully once every couple of months. This will not only keep them working longer but it will also make them perform at their best. A NiMH battery can form crystals inside if left for a long time without being used. The crystals can prevent the battery from maintaining a charge.
If you have to store NiMH batteries, it is recommended that you do so with the battery percentage around 40%. They also need to be stored in a cool place. The temperature range of NiMH batteries is between 15 °C and 40 °C.
NiMH batteries are also not recommended to be used with ultra fast chargers. Ultra fast chargers ca damage the battery overtime. This is because ultra fast chargers do not apply a trickle charge after the battery has been charged to a certain percentage. You can use either a smart charger or a fast charger instead.
