How does a battery charging toad work? Universal frog charger with USB port. Structure of a modern frog ▼

SZU-frogs are familiar to many, and some even helped to implement the process of juggling batteries (if the batteries are removable). Moreover, it is frogs that are best at pulling heavily discharged batteries out of a coma. But the primitive (“whiskered”) frogs were tormented by some of their capricious features:

• It is very difficult to aim accurately when the battery is connected;
• It is almost impossible (“with a slight movement of the hand…”) to ensure reliable contact, the “whiskers” scatter, and if you try to use violence, they break off;
• The battery on the frog is fixed very tentatively and you are never sure that it will wait until the charge is complete and will not crawl (or even jump) out of the clamp, losing contact with the base.

However, the “frog farming” industry is improving, and now there are models on the market with reduced (to varying degrees) capriciousness. And even with expanded functionality - a USB connector has been added for a standard gadget connection with a cable. (A sort of attempt to jump “over your head” with a false declaration of complete prosperity).

Structure of a modern frog ▼

The contacts for connecting the battery are spring-loaded and movable, which allows you to connect a battery of any size and pinout to the frog. The polarity of the battery connection does not matter - the charging controller automatically detects the polarity of the battery. The controller compares the voltage on the battery with the internal reference (typically 4.25÷4.35 V, depends on the instance) and disconnects it from the power supply when this level is reached. The controller uses HT3786D chips (for an LCD indicator, with “running sleepers”) or HT3582DA (for a three-color LED indicator), both from HOTCHIP TECHNOLOGY CO, and with a maximum permissible current of 300÷400 mA. So the declarations “600 mA”, “800 mA” are a typical Chinese bluff.

The built-in battery connection switch (bridge) has a total resistance of ~2 Ω, there is no other means of limiting the current (and in the battery itself), so a power source (AC/DC) with a soft load characteristic is required, with a noticeable decrease in voltage as the current consumption increases and limiting the maximum current to a value that is universally safe for batteries (no more than 500 mA). These circumstances do not allow a decent battery (1500÷2500 mA*h) to be fully charged in less than 6÷10 hours.

In addition, for greater attractiveness, a USB connector was attached to the output of the AC/DC converter, and a current of up to “1250 mA” or more is brazenly declared for it. In reality, none of the models delivered (and rightfully so) a current of more than 450 mA through this connector at a voltage above 4 V. So powerful gadgets resting on the sidelines.

Description of some models

The Chinese market offers many types of frogs, presented under brand names as nameless clones, among which the originals are completely lost. Unfortunately, it is useless to refer to their types and you will have to explain yourself “on your fingers” (with pictures).

First reincarnation (reincarnation)

One of many options was designated as PTB001602 ▼.

It has one side support wall and more convenient battery clamping. Whisker contacts have been replaced with sliders with spring-loaded contacts. Allows installation of any size battery with standard contacts.

But the “genetic” signs are obvious - the sliders not only crawl, but also run away along the groove, they have to be caught, the contacts stagger drunkenly. The clamping of the battery is formal; under the action of the springs of the contacts, the battery easily slides out (until contact is lost) even with an additional anti-slip “rough” film underneath it.

On USB output when first turned on, Uхх=5.25V, after warming up it rose to Uхх=6.2 V (!!!). But judging by the load characteristic, it is impossible to obtain a current through USB of more than 120 (cold) ÷ 320 (hot) mA due to the frail input single-transistor (13001) AC/DC converter.

The charger uses a Li-Ion type charge controller MS HT3582D.A./HotChip (Ubat up to 4.25V, Ibat up to 300 mA). When connecting the battery, a maximum current of 220 (cold) ÷ 280 (hot) mA is expected.

When trying to evaluate the thermal conditions as a result of a three-hour run, the “charger” exploded with noise, smoke and flame, to the point that it blew top panel housing (having previously melted the plastic of the housing, the input explosive electrolyte C1 1 μF/400V exploded and transistor 13001 crumbled). That is, reliability is frankly DOUBTABLE!

Later it was possible to use the case as a battery holder, and instead of the burnt AC/DC - a cable for connecting to regular USB SZU.

Second reincarnation

The second option (clone YIBOYUAN YBY-06A) is designated on the market as PH1138 ▼.

• Declared: 4v2/400mA for battery; 5v0/600mA – USBout. But judging by the load characteristic, when charging the battery it is unlikely that it will be possible to obtain a current of more than 150 mA, and at the USB output Uхх = 5.07 V (not enough) and drops to ~4.6 V with a load of 200 mA.
• The contacts tilt slightly, but the “sliders” of the contacts are not fixed in any way and tend to “play catch-up”. Complete with contacts there is a third (idle) floating stop for fixing the angular position of the battery.
• The battery is pressed to the contacts by a clamping bar, which prevents the battery from “sliding away” and losing contact. The pressure pad is rotatable, allowing you to install batteries with a length of 24÷46 mm in one position, and 45÷70 mm in another.
• Batteries of any width can be placed (there are no side limiters).

Third reincarnation

The most convenient SZU frogs are some models from YIBOYUAN, presented on the market with an indescribable variety of options (clones?) under different names. Most often as a mongrel "INTELLIGENT CHARGER". So you can only refer to them by appearance(pictures ▼), indicator type and dimensions (case and battery).

• The smallest (clone YIBOYUAN SS-05) is equipped with an LCD indicator ▼ “running sleepers”, has a length of ~ 85 mm 32÷55 mm (although 53 mm is already difficult to fit). Also found under the names YIBOYUAN AC-01/AC-04/AC-05/AC-09/AC-11/AC-12/AD-04/AD-06/AD-11/AE-01.
• The next size (clone YIBOYUAN SS-08) has a length of ~ 96 mm and suitable for batteries wide 32÷66 mm.
• The largest one has a length of ~ 107 mm and suitable for batteries wide 42÷72 mm.

All standard sizes have analogues with a three-color LED indicator.

The entire family conveniently and securely fixes a battery of any length, clamping it from the sides. The freedom of the contact sliders is limited by a toothed (pitch ~0.5 mm) bar, which does not allow them to move independently. As a result, the contacts are easily installed in the required position, guided by the incompletely inserted battery.

The main network connector is a US plug, but most sellers, when sending to Russia, complete the package with a US/EC adapter.

Perfectionists can look for models with specific body, which allows you to install a special, more securely fixed adapter (not suitable for every case).

Load characteristics

I warn you again that you cannot trust the parameters declared by sellers (and clone manufacturers). The figure below shows the actual load characteristics of different models, taken from the output of the AC/DC converter (connected to the USB connector).

Red-dashed The line (“Ureb.-Battery”) shows the characteristic required to ensure the proper current in the Li-Ion battery. It can be seen that even the best sample (YIBOYUAN SS-05 in the figure) can only output current up to ~360 mA. And PH1138 will produce 160 mA at most.

Lilac-dashed line (“Ureq.min-USB”) demonstrates the level of suitability when connecting the gadget to a USB connector with a relatively decent cable. The best example can only provide current up to ~420 mA.

PTB001602, having warmed up, at idle at the end of charging it can produce a voltage of 6.1 V, which may not be suitable for every gadget.

A PH1138 in all modes it produces a pathetic squeak instead of the desired Chaliapin bass.

The usefulness of frogs

• All frogs understand the maximum permissible voltage level on the battery when charging quite clearly. Therefore, the battery can be safely left on charge for any length of time. In addition, if you put it on at night, it will also serve as a night light.
• The frog's charging controller is not as smart as that of smartphones and does not block the supply of voltage to a deeply discharged battery. That is, a frog is a completely suitable tool for pulling a battery out of a “coma.”

Discussion: 9 comments

The only adequate use for such charges is a holder for imax b6 and other similar charges, or throw out the original filling and install tp4056 and the filling from an unnecessary but normal 5v1a charger

Answer

But how does a frog recognize the polarity on a deeply discharged battery? Or maybe it could be wrong?

Answer

1. There is only one answer to the poetic declaration “on a deeply discharged battery” - “silently.”
   The charging controller has the ability to detect short circuit in the “battery” (1V threshold at the terminals), at which it reduces the current to 25mA. (That is, it is safe to try.) This hints that at a voltage of more than 1V he will be able to figure it out.
   The behavior at voltages less than 1V is not described in the Chinese datasheet, but the question has an exclusively theoretical meaning. On a “live” battery, even with a “zero” charge, the no-load EMF does not drop below ~2V. If it is lower, then the battery should be thrown away, and not hypothesized.

   Answer

   1. The question is purely practical. Two years ago I tore apart a Samsung laptop battery, 6 of the 8 cells in it were charged from literally zero voltage to normal and still work perfectly in flashlights and a power bank. At the same time, their current capacity indicators are noticeably higher than the new Chinese noname. So it’s really not worth speculating about the need to throw away the battery.

      Answer

      1. “charged from literally zero voltage”
         The direction is interesting. But the sticking point: literally zero is how many (in volts)?

         Answer

Batteries with more than two contacts can be charged using the device described, but to do this you will need to disassemble the battery and connect the charger to it, bypassing the controller.

Following from all of the above, one can understand that “Frog” is a universal Charger, very useful in case of breakdown of other power sources, small batteries, as well as the inability to charge gadgets in the usual way, which happens quite often. On this moment Manufacturers offer all new devices equipped with a USB port and an LCD display, which greatly simplifies their use.

Advantages of the device:

• Availability of a USB port that allows you to charge most devices.
• Easy to use.
• Versatility.

Flaws:

• With frequent use, relative fragility.
• Long process of charging high-capacity batteries.

"Frog" - the best option for a backup energy source

Despite a few shortcomings, the “Frog” is a charger, the price of which is very varied (from 60 to 650 rubles), it is quite a useful thing in the household, if only because it is able to literally revive the batteries of phones and cameras that are not showing signs of life . But it should be borne in mind that this device should be used as needed. Charging too frequently using the Frog can lead to rapid depletion of the battery and, accordingly, its failure. It's paradoxical, but it's true.

Although these chargers are mostly made in China, do not neglect such products. On the modern market you can find universal and unique auxiliary devices that can significantly make our lives easier and give a second chance to parts that would otherwise certainly end up in the trash. Therefore, it makes sense to have at least some idea of ​​how to use the Frog device for regular recharging of a telephone battery.

Modern technology amazes and impresses with its diversity. For example, there are many types of charging devices various devices. In our article we will talk about such chargers, which are colloquially called “frogs”. The frog is very simple and easy to use. It plugs into a regular outlet at 220 volts.

The frog is a universal charger that fits all batteries of any mobile phones. The frog is also good for other lithium batteries, for example from cameras, PDAs and other small-sized equipment.

The charger is a small box that looks like a frog with a plug for the outlet. There are two antennae coming from the body - for connecting and for charging.

There is nothing complicated about how to charge a battery with a frog. To recharge your phone using this device, you need to perform a few not very complicated steps.

How to charge with a frog: instructions

1. If you have studied this device and read the attached instructions on how to charge your phone with a frog, then you probably know that first you need to remove the battery from the phone, but before that you must turn it off.
2. Next, press the clothespin on the frog. This is necessary for the device to open.
3. Now try to insert the battery into the device so that the two terminals match. If your charger has four terminals, then you need to use two, which are located on the side.
4. Then click on the TE button (usually located on the left). If the CON LED lights up green, this indicates that you have connected everything correctly. If it doesn’t light up, try reconnecting the terminals.
5. Now, if you have already checked the correct connection, and the CON LED does not light up, it may well be that the battery has been completely discharged, which is called “to zero”. In this case, your charger and battery should be plugged in for about five minutes. After this, check whether the CON indicator we need now lights up. If it lights up, it means everything is in order. If nothing works again, check whether there is voltage in the network, as well as the serviceability of the battery itself.
6. Now plug in. Has the CH indicator come on or started flashing? If yes, then everything is fine.
7. The battery will be charged when the left FUL indicator on the charger lights up.

As you can see, there is nothing particularly complicated about this issue. Now you know how to charge through a frog.

If you lose your original mobile phone or smartphone charger, inexpensive universal chargers for 3.7 volts come to the rescue. lithium batteries, so called frogs(or toads). They have adjustable contacts to which the battery, previously removed from the phone, is directly connected. Of course, this creates some inconvenience (you need to constantly remove the cover, time is lost), but sometimes this is the only way out when the charger from a rare Chinese phone is lost.

Instructions for using the charger

It is necessary to clamp the battery into the frog so that the contacts of the charger are on the + and – terminals of the battery. If the battery has 3 or 4 contacts, you usually need to use the outer 2. If the connection polarity is correct, then when you press the button T.E.(left) the first green LED will light up CON. If it is not lit, press the right button CO(reversal) and press the first button again. On some frogs CON may light up when connected without pressing the button - also the correct polarity. There are also models that will automatically determine the polarity. Accordingly, there is no right polarity reversal button.

If everything is fine - CON lights up green, plug into a 220V socket. Lights up PW and starts to light up or flash CH(charge - charge). When charging is complete, the right LED lights up FUL(full – complete). If CON Doesn't light up at all, maybe the battery is dead. Then connect randomly in any polarity and plug it into the network for 5 minutes (not for long - it’s not scary). If CH will flash then the charge is coming and everything is correct, otherwise change the polarity right click and see how it behaves then CH. If it lights up immediately PW And FUL then most likely the battery in the frog is not connecting (so the LED lights up without the battery at all) - move it towards the contacts.

Repair instructions for the frog charger

Schematic diagram of the frog charger

Replacing fixed resistors R14 and R15 (the numbering of parts on the diagram corresponds to the numbering of parts on the printed circuit board) to a multi-turn trimmer resistor of the SP3-39A brand with a nominal value of 10 Kom, it becomes possible to accurately set the output current. After replacement, I set the current to 250 mA, which approximately corresponds to specified parameter on the charger body. You can, of course, set the charging current using the trimmer at will and another. When the device's light alarm turns on, indicating the end of the charge, the charging current is reduced to 70 mA, and the voltage on the battery is set within 4.15V. The full charging process lasts about two hours, that is, the same as when charging in the device with its original charger. Download the full version of the instructions on the forum.

Homemade toad

After analyzing several Frog memory schemes, I settled on one of them. I decided to make it as an attachment for charging NOKIA (I think many people have them, and I have a few of them lying around) to charge a Li-ion battery 18650 . In the NOKIA charger itself, the output from the transformer is almost 7V, which should be enough for a set-top box.

For the battery itself, you will need a battery compartment to mount it on the side of the case. On the lid there is an output of four LEDs and a microswitch. In the meantime, a signet on CMD and simple radio elements has been developed for the circuit, installed on top of the board. Download it.

The enclosed signet has already been mirrored; please send it for printing immediately. The photo simply shows the arrangement of the elements as it should be.

Next, I soldered a separate memory card and tested it - it works great! With the specified details, the charger output is 4.2V. I put a used battery on charge - the charge rises. The LM358 chip was installed soldered, taken from God knows where. I used a power supply with a 6V 0.45A output.

I drew and checked the circuit diagram - Igoran.

Discuss the article CHARGER FROG

Articles and Lifehacks

Knowing how to charge a phone with a frog, you don’t have to worry: in emergency situations, the user will definitely not be left without communication.

How to use a frog

1. Disable your mobile device.
2. Remove the battery from the device.
3. Take the charger and press a kind of clothespin on the frog. This is necessary in order for this modern device opened.
4. The gadget's battery is inserted into the equipment. This will need to be done so that all terminals match exactly. Some devices are equipped with four terminals.

   You only need to use two of them. To do this, you should use only those parts that are on the side.

5. After the phone battery is correctly located in the frog, you need to press the TE button. It is located on the left. The correct connection will be indicated by the green CON LED lighting up.

   If the part does not start to glow, then you will need to check again that the terminals are connected correctly.

Charging instructions

• Connect the device to the network. When the device is connected to the outlet, it should blink. The CH LED is activated.
• You will need to wait a bit for the battery to fully charge. A special indicator will indicate the completion of the procedure. There is a left "beacon" on the charger.

  It is designated FUL. When the indicator lights up, you can remove the phone battery. This indicates that it is fully charged.

Typically, the LED labeled CON will not light up in this situation. For the charger to start working, it is recommended to connect the frog to a power outlet and leave it for 5 minutes.

In most situations, the problem is caused by a completely discharged phone battery. Usually after 5 minutes the LED begins to emit a greenish glow.

This indicates the normality of the process. If this does not happen, it is recommended to check the voltage level in the network and the serviceability of the frog.

A recently introduced charger, popularly called the “frog”, thanks to versatility, has become very popular. It can charge almost everyone's batteries mobile devices: phones, tablets, pocket computers, cameras, video cameras. The main condition is that the batteries must be lithium, others will be damaged.

In contact with

Advantages of frog charging

These include:

Kinds

Standard models are designed for connections to household outlets with a voltage of 220 V. 12-volt varieties are available for use in cars. To operate a charger equipped with a cord with USB connector to connect to a PC, 5 V is enough. In addition, they are divided into automatic, which independently establishes the correct polarity of the connection, and semi-automatic, in which this is done manually with the TE button.

The charging process is monitored using indicators located on the case:

• FULL lights up when the battery is fully charged;
• CHARGE signals that the process has started and is proceeding normally;
• POWER indicates a connection to a power source;
• When CON is green, it indicates that the battery is connected correctly; when it is red, you need to change the polarity using the TE button.

Charging rules

Using a frog to charge batteries is easy. To do this, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:

If the CON does not light up when you connect the battery, the battery is likely low and needs a boost. To do this, connect the device to a power outlet and wait a few minutes. With correct polarity CHARGE will light up, if not, then you should change the poles and start charging. It happens that when connected to an outlet, POWER and FULL light up at the same time. This occurs due to poor contact between the terminals of the device and the battery. You just need to reinstall the battery. If, when connected to an outlet, the FULL indicator immediately lights up, it means that the battery has worked as long as it is supposed to. You'll have to buy a replacement. Fast charging(5 - 10 minutes) means that the phone's battery will not be used for long.

Making your own charging frog

Make a full-fledged universal frog charger from scratch with your own hands it will be difficult for a non-professional. If you can’t buy it, then remake an old charger from mobile phone Many people can play a frog. All you need to do the job is a piece of sheet plastic, a spring from a clothespin, 2 paper clips, and some wire.

Instructions on how to use a frog - clothespin.
It is necessary to clamp the battery into the frog so that the contacts of the charger are on the + and – terminals of the battery. If the battery has 3 or 4 contacts, you usually need to use the outer 2.
If the polarity of the connection is correct, then when you press the TE (left) button, the first green CON LED will light up. If it is not lit, press the right CO button (polarity reversal) and repeat pressing the first button. On some frogs, CON may light up when connected without pressing the button - also the correct polarity. There are also models that DETERMINE THE POLARITY THEMSELVES. Accordingly, there is no right polarity reversal button.

If everything is fine - CON lights up green - plug it into the outlet. PW (power - network) lights up and CH (charge - charge) starts to light or flash. When charging is complete, the right FUL LED lights up.

If CON does not light up at all, the battery is probably dead. Then connect randomly in any polarity and plug it into the network for 5 minutes (not for long - it’s not scary). If CH (charge) blinks, then the charge is in progress and everything is correct, otherwise, change the polarity with the right button and see how CH behaves then.

If PW (mains) and FUL (fully charged) light up immediately, then most likely the battery in the frog is not in contact (it lights up without a battery at all) - move it towards the contacts.

Sometimes, with a faulty battery (if one cell dies), the frog can show a full FUL charge even if it is far from normal voltage. The charging current just doesn't flow anymore - that's all.

If a cell phone with a dead battery does not turn on for charging or shows no signs of life at all, then read below.

It must be said that if a battery with a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts drops below 3.2 volts, then the mobile phone may not show signs of life at all, even when a standard charger is connected. That is, the controller sees that there is no battery at all and does not turn on the charge. In this case, the frog is an irreplaceable thing - by turning on the battery for 5 minutes through the frog, you give a boost to the battery, after which it can already be charged in the phone itself.

An additional 3rd contact on the battery is usually a signal from a controller chip (or simply a thermistor), which are located inside the battery itself and prevent overcharging and overheating - they give a signal to the charger ( cell phone) limit the current or turn off the charge altogether. There is no such control in a frog and charging it is considered worse than the charger that came with your device. I would not recommend leaving the frog unattended for a long time, especially if your battery gets hot when charging, etc.