The frog is a simple, but at the same time very useful device in everyday life. It is capable of charging lithium batteries of push-button telephones, smartphones, video cameras and digital cameras, regardless of their shape. Frogs have a low cost (especially Chinese models) and are very widespread in Russia.
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What is a frog?
The frog (or “frog” - as these devices are also called) is easy to recognize by two spring wires on the top cover, which are spread apart at the right distance - thanks to this they can be docked with various rechargeable batteries.
It is these contacts that should be connected to the battery, previously pulled out of the phone. That is, the device is suitable only for removable batteries (which means that for the owners of the iPhone and many other modern models from other manufacturers, this device is useless).
The frog is able to transfer energy to lithium batteries in the simplest way possible. Moreover, in some cases, it can charge even faster than the charging that comes with the kit.
Types of universal charges for phones
Now in stores you can find the following options for universal exercises:
- automobile (attached to the cigarette lighter);
- with a USB port (has a corresponding USB connector);
- with a plug for power from a household electrical outlet (standard).
In addition, models have recently appeared on the market that simultaneously have both a USB port and a plug.
Also, all modern frogs can be divided into automatic and semi-automatic. The main difference between the first and second type is the number of LEDs: the “automatic” has three of them, the “semi-automatic” has four. The fact is that automatic models are able to independently determine the polarity, and therefore the reverse polarity button (usually it goes under the designation CO) is missing on them.
Frog charger circuit
The schematic diagram of a classic frog is quite simple. Two movable contacts connected to the battery come from the controller. The role of the controller is performed by microcircuits of a certain complexity. The task of the controller, in particular, is to compare the voltage on the battery with the internal reference. When these two indicators become identical, the controller will turn off the power supply.
Another significant detail of universal charging is a bridge AC / DC converter with a built-in key for connecting the battery to a power source (mains). It is located at the very beginning, in front of the controller and contacts. The purpose of this unit is to convert AC voltage to DC.
When it is recommended to use a frog
Theoretically, the frog can be used with the same intensity as conventional charging. But in practice, it often acts as a spare charger. If the original memory is lost, then universal charging will allow you to stay in touch.
Sometimes after losing the charge, which came in the kit, it turns out that it is very difficult to find the right analogue. This is true primarily for older models of mobile phones, which are no longer available, but remain in use. The frog in this case can save the situation. And if for some reason the battery connector is broken, the toad is also able to help out.
Universal charging will certainly come in handy for those who have two or more phones of different models. Going on a trip, you can not take a bunch of power supplies with you, but get by with this one device.
Important! It is the frog that is used "to return to life" to fully discharged lithium batteries of mobile devices. The universal charger controller is not able to block the supply of voltage to a very discharged battery, and in this particular case this is an advantage, not a disadvantage.
How does the frog charger work?
One of the obvious advantages of this device is its small size. This allows you to easily carry it in a backpack, in a bag or pocket and stick it in any suitable outlet. The classic frog is powered by 110–220 volts. In this case, the output voltage is much less (for example, 4.2 Volts). As for the output current, it is equal to several hundred milliamps.
The charge occurs in the device automatically and is controlled by the chip. When you reach the maximum possible level of charge, the device turns off by itself. That is, nothing bad will happen if, instead of the required three hours, the battery will be in universal charge for a couple of hours longer. In general, the time it takes to fully charge the battery (digital camera, smartphone, player, and so on) depends on capacity. As a rule, we are talking about a period of from 1.5 to 5 hours.
How to use a frog to charge the battery
Of course, such a device as a frog is accompanied by instructions from the manufacturer. But it is often written in a foreign language (in particular, in Chinese), and therefore the user has to understand on his own.
The battery must be inserted into the frog so that the contacts of the universal charger are located on the terminals “plus” and “minus” of the battery. If the battery has three or four terminals, you should use the two most extreme of them.
If the polarity was selected correctly, then when you press the TE (test) button, the green CON LED will light up. After that, you can safely insert the entire structure into the outlet. As a result, the PW (network) indicator should light up, and then the CH (Charge) indicator. And when the charge is over, the corresponding FUL LED (full charge) will light up.
If the CON diode does not want to light up, then most likely you have a very dead battery. A battery with a nominal voltage of 3.6 volts may well be discharged below 3.2 volts, and in such a situation the mobile phone will not show any signs of life even if you connect a “native” charger.
The solution is simple: the battery must be connected arbitrarily, in any polarity, to the frog and plugged into the network for five minutes - the CH diode should blink. The task of universal charging is to give a strong boost to the battery. And then it can already be charged in the usual way.
Attention! Sometimes, with a damaged battery, the frog may show a full FUL charge, even if this is not true. It is unlikely to be able to fix it on your own - you need to call a professional wizard or just throw the battery out.
Safety precautions
- The first thing to always do is to insert a lithium battery between the contacts. And only then the device can be inserted into the outlet. If you act the other way around, you can get a tangible electric shock.
- There should be no flammable materials near the universal charging plug in the socket.
- The frog is intended only for lithium batteries, and therefore should not be used to charge other types of batteries.
- After the battery is charged, it is advisable to remove the universal device from the network.
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