# charging a lithium ion battery

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-lithium-ion-battery/424039>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [October 25, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-lithium-ion-battery/424039 "2007-10-25T21:52:38Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 9:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-lithium-ion-battery/424039/1 "2007-10-25T21:52:38Z")

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I have a old but good sony digital camera that I have lost the charger for. I could easily rig up a simple power supply to charge the battery (it charges externally by removing the battery and putting it into a charger). The battery is rated at 3.6 V 4.1 Wh.

Would I need a special charge cycle, and if not, what voltage should i use for the charging? Or is it more a constant current sort of charge?  
thanks

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**Author:** ![beowulff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beowulff/32/542_2.png) [@beowulff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/beowulff)\
**Post date:** [October 25, 2007, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-lithium-ion-battery/424039/2 "2007-10-25T22:19:45Z")

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LiIon batteries need a sophisticated charge circuit to avoid ruining the battery, or fire. Go to [Maxim-ic.com](http://Maxim-ic.com) and take a look at their offerings.

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**Author:** ![scm1001](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@scm1001](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scm1001)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2007, 2:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-lithium-ion-battery/424039/3 "2007-10-26T02:18:56Z")

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good idea - I am sure rejigging a cheap commercial charger is the best option

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**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2007, 4:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/charging-a-lithium-ion-battery/424039/4 "2007-10-26T04:02:47Z")

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Earlier thread on topic: [Trying to Charge a Lithium Ion Battery with Universal Charger](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=432539).