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Compact 6V UL battery charger with foldable plug for outdoor camping gear

Time:2025-10-15 Views:0

  I. Analysis of the Core Requirements of 6V Chargers for Camping Equipment

  In outdoor camping scenarios, 6V batteries are widely used in camping lanterns, portable walkie-talkies, headlamps, small water pumps, and other equipment. Their chargers need to adapt to the characteristics of camping, where space is at a premium, power sources are scattered, and the environment is complex. Key requirements include:

  Ultimate Compactness and Convenient Storage: Space is limited in camping backpacks and gear boxes, so chargers need to be compact and lightweight, with a foldable plug (to prevent protruding parts from scratching other equipment) and taking up no extra space when stored.

  UL Safety Compliance: Outdoor electrical environments lack specialized protection, requiring UL certification (such as UL 1310 Consumer Power Supply Safety Standard) to prevent fires caused by short circuits and overheating, and to be compatible with flammable environments such as tents and wooden campsites.

  Precise 6V Compatibility: Camping equipment often uses small-capacity 6V batteries (such as 1Ah-5Ah lead-acid, NiMH, or lithium polymer batteries), requiring precise control of charging voltage and voltage. Current to avoid overcharging and damaging the battery (for example, long-term overcharging of camping lantern batteries can shorten their lifespan by over 50%).

  Durability in outdoor environments: The device must withstand common camping conditions, including low temperatures (-10°C) and high temperatures (50°C), light rain splashes, and accidental drops (such as from a camping table). The housing must be scratch-resistant and wear-resistant, making it suitable for complex outdoor environments.

  II. Core Technology Design of the Compact 6V UL-Certified Charger with Folding Plug

  1. Compact Size and Specialized Folding Plug Design

  Extremely Compact Size: Utilizing a "flat integrated structure," the charger measures ≤80mm × 50mm × 30mm (approximately the size of a deck of cards) and weighs ≤150g (40% lighter than a typical 6V charger), easily fitting into the side pocket of a backpack or the inner compartment of a camping gear box without taking up core storage space.

  The housing utilizes an integrated injection molding process, eliminating unnecessary protrusions and boasts a frosted, non-slip finish to prevent slippage during storage.

  Folding Plug: The AC three-prong plug features a "180° folding design" that allows it to be completely folded into the body when not in use (without protruding). This reduces the size by 40%, minimizing scratches on camping gear (such as tent fabric and sleeping bags).

  The plug connector utilizes a reinforced hinge (made of brass and supports 5000 It can be folded more than once, and has no looseness or poor contact issues during long-term use. It also has moderate damping when folding (opening force ≤ 2N) and can be operated with one hand.

  2. UL Certified Safety Assurance (Suitable for Outdoor Power Use)

  Compliant with UL 1310 Safety Standards: The charger complies with the UL 1310 Consumer Power Supply Safety Standard, meeting key safety indicators:

  Electrical Safety: Insulation resistance between input and output ≥ 50MΩ (DC 500V test), leakage current ≤ 500μA (under normal operating conditions), preventing the risk of electric shock in humid outdoor environments;

  Overtemperature Protection: A built-in thermal fuse (melting temperature 95°C) automatically cuts off power to prevent fire when the charger temperature exceeds 95°C due to poor heat dissipation (such as when charging in a sealed backpack);

  Overload Protection: When the charging current exceeds 1.5A (the safety threshold for small-capacity batteries used in camping), the charger automatically limits the current to below 0.5A to prevent damage from battery short circuits or misconnections;

  Additional Safety Design: The output terminal uses a reverse polarity protection connector (e.g., DC 5.5mm×2.1mm With a reverse polarity protection mechanism, this prevents hasty battery connection while camping, protecting both your gear and the battery.

  3. 6V Precision Power Supply and Compatibility with Small-Capacity Batteries

  Targeted Charging Mode: A two-stage charging curve is designed for small-capacity 6V batteries (1Ah-5Ah) commonly used in camping equipment to avoid high-current surges:

  Constant Current Charging Phase: Automatically matches the current to the battery capacity (adjustable from 0.3A to 1A, e.g., 0.3A for a 1Ah battery, 1A for a 5Ah battery), with a current accuracy of ±5%, quickly replenishing power while reducing battery polarization.

  Float Charge Maintenance Phase: When the battery voltage rises to 6.6V (lead-acid batteries) or 6.8V (lithium polymer batteries) and the current drops below 0.1C (e.g., ≤200mA for a 2Ah battery), the device automatically switches to a 6.3V float charge voltage to maintain a full charge without overcharging (ideal for "charging and storing in a gear box for backup" during camping).

  Multiple Battery Type Compatibility: Supports 6V Lead-acid batteries (such as camping lanterns and water pump batteries), NiMH batteries (such as walkie-talkie batteries), and lithium polymer batteries (such as headlamp batteries) can be charged without manual switching. A built-in battery type identification chip automatically matches charging parameters (e.g., NiMH batteries with a constant voltage of 6.5V and lithium polymer batteries with a constant voltage of 6.8V).

  4. Optimized Durability for Outdoor Environments

  Wide Temperature Range: Operating temperature range -10°C to 50°C, covering most camping environments (such as low nighttime temperatures in spring and autumn, and high afternoon temperatures in summer). It can still start and charge normally at -10°C (with a startup delay of ≤3 seconds), and can charge continuously for 2 hours at 50°C without triggering the overheating protection.

  Splash and Abrasion Resistance: The housing has an IPX4 rating (withstands low-pressure water jets from any direction, such as light rain during camping). Silicone seals are used at the interfaces to prevent water from seeping into the internal circuitry. The housing is made of wear-resistant ABS + fiberglass material (1.2mm thick), and has remained scratch-free and crack-free after 100 cycles of friction (such as rubbing against other gear in a backpack).

  Drop-Resistant Design: Internal components are secured with shock-absorbing adhesive (key chips and capacitors are encased in 0.5mm thick silicone pads), supporting 1.5 After a drop from a height of 10 meters onto a hard surface (such as campsite slabs or dirt), the panel remained intact, the plug was not loose, and charging functioned normally.

  III. Camping Scenario Application Solutions

  1. Charging Backup Batteries for Camping Lanterns (Core Requirements: Compact Storage, Long-Lasting Backup)

  Pain Point: Camping lanterns (such as lantern-style camping lanterns) often use 6V 2Ah lead-acid batteries. Carrying a backup battery is essential for nighttime illumination. The charger needs to be compact, not take up space in your backpack, and maintain a full charge after charging.

  Adaptation Solution: Fold the charger plug and place it in the side pocket of your backpack (measuring only 80mm × 50mm × 30mm, so it doesn't crowd other gear). Once you arrive at camp, charge it using the campground's public power supply (AC 220V) at a constant current of 0.5A to 6.6V, then automatically switch to float charge. Charging using the campground's public power supply (AC 220V) at a constant current of 0.5A to 6.6V, then automatically switch to float charge at 6.3V. A 2Ah battery can be fully charged in 3 hours.

  After fully charged, disconnect the power cord and place the charger and backup battery in your gear box. Float charge to maintain battery life. The battery retains over 90% charge for a week, allowing for immediate replacement if a camping lantern suddenly runs out of power at night.

  2. Portable Walkie-Talkie Charging (Core Requirements: In-Vehicle Charging, Drop Resistance)

  Pain Points: Camping teams often use 6V 1Ah NiMH walkie-talkie batteries, which require recharging with a vehicle power source during road trips. Furthermore, the walkie-talkies are often hung around the waist, so the charger could accidentally fall and require drop resistance.

  Adaptation Solution: Powered by a vehicle AC inverter (12V to 220V). The charger's foldable plug unfolds and plugs into the inverter. A constant current of 0.3A charges in two hours to fully charge a 1Ah NiMH battery.

  The charger's housing is durable and drop-resistant. If dropped from a 1.2-meter-high camping table onto the dirt, it will only sustain minor surface scratches, leaving charging functionality intact. The output terminal's reverse polarity protection prevents hasty battery polarity reversal, protecting the walkie-talkie's motherboard.

  3. Charging a Headlamp and Small Water Pump (Core Requirements: Power Bank Charging and Splash Resistance)

  Pain Points: When hiking and camping, the headlamp (6V 0.5Ah lithium polymer battery) and small water pump (6V 3Ah lead-acid battery) require power banks. Light rain is possible, so the charger needs to be splash-resistant.

  Solution: A USB-to-AC mini inverter (powered by a power bank) provides AC 220V input to the charger. The foldable plug reduces space and fully charges the 0.5Ah headlamp battery in 1 hour and the 3Ah water pump battery in 4 hours.

  In light rain, the IPX4 splash-resistant design ensures the charger remains water-resistant for 5 minutes and can be used again after drying. After charging the water pump battery, fold the charger and place it in a waterproof bag with the water pump to prevent moisture from getting in the water.

  IV. Core Performance Verification Standards

  Compact and Folding Performance Verification: Folded dimensions ≤ 80mm × 50mm × 30mm, weight ≤ 150g, and can fit into a 100mm diameter camping gear canister. The plug maintains good contact (no power outages) after folding 5,000 times, and the hinge remains intact.

  UL Safety Verification: Passes UL 1310 electrical safety testing, with leakage current ≤ 500μA, insulation resistance ≥ 50MΩ, and thermal fuse operating normally at 95°C. Overload (1.5A) limits current to below 0.5A within 3 seconds.

  6V Power Supply Accuracy Verification: Voltage error during constant voltage phase ≤ ±1% (e.g., output 6.534V-6.666V at a 6.6V setting), current error during constant current phase ≤ ±5% (e.g., output 0.5A at a 0.5A setting). 0.475A-0.525A);

  Outdoor environment verification: Charging started normally after 2 hours at -10°C; continuously charged for 2 hours at 50°C with the surface temperature ≤ 60°C; functioned normally after a 1.5-meter drop onto concrete; and after an IPX4 splash test, no signs of water intrusion were observed.

  V. Camping Product Selection Recommendations

  Prioritize compact and foldable designs: Choose models with a folded size of ≤80mm × 50mm × 30mm and a weight of ≤150g to ensure they fit in a backpack's side pocket or gear compartment. Check the folding plug for damping and firmness to prevent loosening during prolonged use.

  UL certification is essential: Products must be clearly labeled "UL 1310" or equivalent outdoor power safety certification to avoid safety risks posed by non-certified products in flammable camping environments.

  6V Compatibility: Based on the battery type (lead-acid/NiMH/Li-polymer) and capacity (1Ah-5Ah) of your camping gear, confirm that the charger supports the corresponding parameters. Prioritize models with "automatic battery type identification" to reduce the number of steps required.

  Outdoor durability: Prioritize models with IPX4 or higher splash resistance, a wide operating temperature range of -10°C to 50°C, and a 1.5V rating. This model is drop-resistant and suitable for camping in light rain, temperature fluctuations, and accidental drops.

  Power supply flexibility: If you often go camping, choose a model compatible with a car AC inverter. If you go hiking, choose a model that can be used with a USB to AC mini inverter (power bank).

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