# SDevices for charging a cell phone battery outside the device? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 3, 2010, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776 "2010-12-03T06:50:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/1 "2010-12-03T06:50:48Z")
so, here’s what I’d like to be able to do: Rather than have to immobilize my mobile device for a couple hours at a time by plugging it into a wall, I’d like to rotate between two or three batteries. Said batteries would be charged externally between use and rotated into the phone when current battery is low. Can somebody recommend a decent charger? Preferrably compatible with any lithium rechargeable battery, but heck, since a standardized charger cable seems to be too reasonable a request to ever happen… Did some googling, and there do seem to be such chargers. But all flimsy, cheap, and with dubious reviews. Anybody have a reasonable success with such a thing? ---
**Author:** ![jamie6](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/49beb7/32.png) [@jamie6](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jamie6)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/2 "2010-12-03T07:31:19Z")
> [@Engywook](#): > > Preferrably compatible with any lithium rechargeable battery, but heck, since a standardized charger cable seems to be too reasonable a request to ever happen… > Anybody have a reasonable success with such a thing? I doubt that’s possible. I would just get a dock for your phone that has a place to charge extra batteries. I’d get something like this for my phone: [http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-AC-DOCK-CRADLE-BATTERY-CHARGER-TMOBILE-HTC-HD2-/150528187872?pt=PDA\_Accessories&hash=item230c2ddde0](http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-AC-DOCK-CRADLE-BATTERY-CHARGER-TMOBILE-HTC-HD2-/150528187872?pt=PDA_Accessories&hash=item230c2ddde0) ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/3 "2010-12-03T14:31:09Z")
Back when I worked at a large US-based cell phone manufacturer we had stand alone battery chargers like this. They were basically the shape of a power brick you’d find at the end of a power cable, but it had a cavity missing from it that is shaped for the battery. I used it all the time to charge extra batteries - especially when hurricanes were coming and II wanted to have spares. I also have a stand alone charger like this for my camera battery. I bought it third party, and it works great. So…yes, they exist…and yes, they work. As for sources…they are very specific for the battery in question. What type of phone are you looking to do this with? -D/A ---
**Author:** ![Engywook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bc8723/32.png) [@Engywook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Engywook)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2010, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/4 "2010-12-03T14:48:22Z")
> [@](#): > > As for sources..they are very specific for the battery in question. What type of phone are you looking to do this with? It’s a Samsung Fascinate (the Verizon flavor of Galaxy S). Glad I was skeptical of such things as [this](http://www.amazon.com/Universal-Mobile-Phone-Battery-Charger/dp/B001AHU6QU). :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![snowmaster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e99b99/32.png) [@snowmaster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snowmaster)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/5 "2010-12-04T14:51:45Z")
[shameless plug] Your local RadioShack can order these in for most cell phone batteries. They’re a very simple clear plastic framus that plug into any USB port. [/shameless plug] ---
**Author:** ![jnglmassiv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f07891/32.png) [@jnglmassiv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jnglmassiv)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2010, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/6 "2010-12-04T18:58:35Z")
I use one of these for ALL my NiCad/NiMH/Lithium batteries: [MAHA MH-C777PLUS-II Universal LCD Charger / Analyzer / Conditioner](http://www.mahaenergy.com/store/item.asp?idproduct=185) It does exactly what the OP is asking for. I have quite a dizzying array of proprietary battery ‘packs’ for things like Motorola two-way radios, cameras, phones, cordless powertools, etc. It works great for all of 'em. I also own but have not used one of these: [USB universal phone battery charger](http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.41644) I threw one into an order I’d place for some other stuff on a whim and seems to fit the OP’s request as well. DealExtreme is a pretty interesting site. I’ve bought several times and been pretty pleased with my stuff. Shipping is a little slow but the products are cheap and often not available anywhere else. I adore my cheapy $15 ceramic knife i got from there. I hardly ever break out my expensive[Kershaw Shun steel knife](http://www.kershawknives.com/productdetails.php?id=253&brand=shun) since I got my semi-disposable ceramic. ---
**Author:** ![rrneil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@rrneil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rrneil)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2011, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/sdevices-for-charging-a-cell-phone-battery-outside-the-device/562776/7 "2011-08-10T18:18:56Z")
Hi, first post, been lurking for awhile but I wanted to jump in here because I have done this. I’ve been pleased with this method for the most part. Thought it requires an initial investment the convenience and time savings is worth it, at least it was for me. My source is here for chargers and phone batteries. Bob