Goal Zero Switch 8 Portable Recharger or alternative

I have been using one of the limefuel chargers since last summer and it has been great. I got the 18k version and was able to charge my iPhone and Garmin Felix nightly for 7 nights plus give my inreach se a full charge and still had battery left over

I actually just ordered their new waterproof version that they just finished on kickstarter earlier this month and can't wait to get it

This might be a good read.

Battery charger pack specs comparison!

how does the battery pack charge? from a wall plug?

It charges via a mini USB port. Normally I just use the charger for my iPad to charge it

Thanks!

It's confusing – at least to me – when the "what's in the box" specs doesn't include a wall charger!

So far, I like the small L60X lime fuel. it might be all I really need.

Glenn,

Thanks, that thread was exactly what I needed. Shout out to the originator, Steven!

They are a nice unit and I mad my friends that have the larger l180x have no issues with ours

If not for the fact that it is not known when the new rugged units will be available for order I would say to wait for the smallest of these just cause they are waterproof but unfortunately it will prob be a couple of months before they are available

I'm also trying to figure this out and that small Limefuel might also be what I need as well. That great spreadsheet Steven put together is also pretty helpful…

I just wish those bigger battery packs didn't weigh a pound…i mean goodness gracious that would be the heaviest thing in my pack after food!

This will NOT charge "i" devices, but it charges my android, kindle paperwhite, and SteriPen Freedom.

Miller ML-102 18650 Lithium Cell charger. You can use this both to charge gadgets and to charge the 18650 cells. I already use 18650 cells in my flashlight, so this thing is amazing for my use.

https://www.fasttech.com/products/1137904

This particular version (Version 5) only fits unprotected cells. I'm trying to locate the earlier version that will take the protected ones.

A pair of 3000 mAh batteries will set you back $15 or so.

Matt,

Does that charger cut off at 2.5v or do you have to monitor?

P.S. – I will second what Matt says about 18650 battery packs/chargers. A lot of power for the weight.

Ryan

Interesting alternative Matt,

Looking at the specs it says "….Over-charge (4.2V) and over-discharge (2.9V) protection". Since there is a built-in protection feature on the charger, is there any reason we would have to worry that it only takes unprotected 18650 batteries?

Also do you know what is the highest capacity 18650 battery that would work safely with this product?

Cheers,

Mario

what is the difference between protected and unprotected cells? And why won't it charge an iPhone?

I ended up ordering the Limefuel L60X from Amazon. I think the size and weight will work for me.

Thanks to all for their feedback.

This has been talked about on the inReach thread but to answer a few questions posted here…

The Miller charger is over and under-charge protected so you don't have to watch it. It shuts off before the batteries are over-charged and won't deplete the battery to a point that it won't recharge.

Protected cells have the over and under charge circuitry built in but the batteries are a bit longer, which is why they don't fit the Miller charger.

I have 3.7 V, 3400 mAh unprotected 18650 batteries and they work well in my Miller charger.

I can get two near full charges of my iPhone out of the Miller charger with just one of the above mentioned 18650 battery (a pair of these cost me about $16 at the link mentioned in the post above).

One 18650 battery will charge my inReach to near full (12% to 94%)

The total weight of the Miller charger + 18650 battery is 2.8 oz.

Fasttech also sells really cheap iPhone cords that are really short (light). I have one on order so can't comment on the quality. I think it was $.99 for the iPhone 4 cable and I believe the iPhone 5 cable is $3.

"It shuts off before the batteries are over-charged and won't deplete the battery to a point that it won't recharge."

Mike, the charger should never deplete a battery. Chargers are suppose to increase the charge in the battery, never deplete it. The load on the battery should be what could deplete it, so that brings about the _possible_ need for low-voltage cut-off protection.

A few load devices are smart enough to go into low-voltage cut-off regardless of what the battery has inside.

–B.G.–

@Bob

The Miller charger is both a power supply and a charger. The power supply is over-discharge protected to prevent the voltage dropping too low and the charger is over charge protected.

@ Mike. Thanks for the thorough explanation. i think I'm gonna give this Alternative a try. I see Panasonic NCR18650B match your description (3400 mAh @ $16), but I see they have both with "Button Top" and "Flat Top". Looking at the shape of the Miller it seems the "Flat top" would fit better. Could you please confirm and/or provide link to the batteries you are using.

Cheers.

Mario

"The power supply is over-discharge protected"

That makes more sense than the words you wrote before.

–B.G.–

>> Looking at the shape of the Miller it seems the “Flat top” would fit better <<

The button top batteries won’t fit in the (version 5) charger. The older version of this charger had a spring that would allow larger (longer) batteries.

Miller charger max battery length is 65 mm. (from Fasttech’s website)

The batteries I bought are unprotected flat top cells and they measure 65 mm in length. They just fit and it’s very tight. I have some EagTac 18650 cells (which use the same Panasonic cell as the ones linked above) but are button top batteries and they don’t fit.

The good news for me is that both the flat top and button top batteries fit in my Zebralight (length and width are both fine for my Zebralight).

The 18650 batteries (3400 mAh) linked above were sold old a short while back but it looks like they are back in stock.

Thank again Mike. I just order the Miller ML102 and a couple of 185650 Li-ion Batteries.

More on small cables, the ones from FastTech are much cheaper but I got a few weeks ago something similar from Amazon. The IGo Keyjuice Charging Cables are tiny (lighter) cables that fold into themselves when not in use. They have worked quite well for me so far. Here are some links:

– For USB to micro and Mini

– For USB to 30 Pin (Apple)

Cheers