- The Duracell Mobile Charger essentially serves as a portable power hub
- Allows users to charge AA or AAA rechargeable Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) batteries
- Also features an USB port to enable users to charge a wide range of USB-enabled devices with built in rechargeable batteries
- Contains 2 AA pre-charged rechargeable batteries
Product Description
Duracell Mobile Charger with 2AA Pre-Charged Rechargeable batteries (CEF23DX2) essentially serves as a portable power hub, delivering power from 4 charged batteries to a variety of high drain ranging from digital cameras to Blackberries to MP3 players 3 – of Mobile Charger; 2 Precharged Rechargeable NiMH Batteries.
NLee the Engineer @ 3:38 pm
The Duracell Mobile Charger (CEF23) is an extremely versatile charger. It actually has two operating modes, as selected by the MODE button:
1. As an AA/AAA NiMH battery charger, or
2. As an USB charger for USB-powered devices.
In battery-charger mode, the unit is a smart charger that accepts 1-4 AA/AAA cells in any combinations. The charger can be powered by either 100-240V universal AC input, or 12V DC input. This means you can also operate it from your vehicle’s cigarette lighter adapter. Note that the car adapter is included in the CEF23DX4N, but not in the CEF23DX2.
The charging current is 550mA for each AA/AAA cell. So it takes about 4 hours to full charge up the included 2000mAh low-self-discharge cells (which are the Duracell-equivalent of Sanyo eneloop). I consider this a good compromise between shorter charging time and longer battery lifespan. Once charging is done, the current is reduced to 25mA (actually 0-50mA pulsed at 50% duty cycle) in trickle charge mode.
One really nice feature of this charger is that it has four individual battery status indicator lights. The status light for each cell turns RED when charging, GREEN when the cell is fully charged. It will even blink if you accidentally inserted an alkaline cell.
In USB charger mode, the unit generates a regulated 5-volt supply at its USB socket. You can then connect an USB-powered device (such as IPOD charger) to this unit. Input power for this USB charger can be from one of the following sources:
1. From 100-240V universal AC input,
2. From 12V DC input (car adapter), or
3. From four AA/AAA NiMH cells in the battery compartment.
The third way is the most interesting, because in case of emergency, you can even use 4 alkaline cells to power this USB charger, in order to charge up your cell phone’s battery.
I must say that this charger is really well designed. It is a great bargain even if all you need is a simple battery charger. The USB charger mode is just an extra bonus.
Robert Salita @ 3:51 pm
Thanks to NLee’s excellent review, I was turned on to Duracell’s Mobile Chargers. Yes, the included batteries are hybrids similar Sanyo’s Eneloop. I own both and can’t perceive much difference. The recharger is an excellent value, as versatile as described.
Definitely go with Duracell Mobile Chargers if versatility is important.
Unfortunately Amazon’s description doesn’t do this product justice. This is a common problem and I’m sure sales suffer. I think Amazon and the product’s Product Manager share blame.
Sridhar LAGADAPATI @ 4:36 pm
This charger is working like a champ.Before buying this product I read all the customer reviews from Amazon web site and also from other sites then decided to go with this charger.
It comes with four individual battery status indicator lights. The status light for each cell turns RED when charging and GREEN when the cell is fully charged.
I bought Eneloop charger almost 5 months back but it worked only once after that it died.
Francis Arellano @ 5:50 pm
I am off to Peru for a 4 day trek to Machu Picchu. My needs were very specific:
1. Need a device to power my IPHONE 3G for 4 days with no access to an outlet.
2. Need a device that supports 110-240v for international compatibility once i’m back in the hotel.
This unit fits the bill perfectly, and for much less than proprietary IPHONE chargers.
Added bonus:
1. Supports readily availble AA batteries as power.
2. Will serve double duty as a charger for my Digital Camera batteries.
3. AA and AAA support so it will power my headlamp.
4. Utilizes battery or outlet to power USB charging.
5. Will charge/power almost any usb compatible device.
This all-in-one device has all the features I need.
To be fair, the downsides are:
1. It’s bigger than dedicated battery extenders.
2. It comes with 2 batteries but they only sell 4packs in the store so I have a total of 6 batteries and would have preferred 8.(1 full replacement set)
3. USB charger required all charging slots contain batteries to function.
4. Chemical smell.
5. Slower charge time vs. quick charger.
I highly recommend this unit to anyone who has the need to power/recharge USB gadgets on the go.
APB @ 6:10 pm
I wanted a smart charger that could charge less than a full batch of batteries and wouldn’t overcharge batteries that were at different charge levels. This one fits the bill, and it’s small enough that you can take it with you on trips (if that’s important to you).
I use it with Sanyo Eneloop batteries, which I highly recommend.