A simple NiCd charger can be built using ‘junk box’ components and an inexpensive LM317 or 78xx voltage regulator. Using a current limiter composed of R3 and a transistor, it can charge as many cells as desired until a ‘fully charged’ voltage determined by the voltage regulator is reached, and it indicates whether it is charging or has reached the fully charged state. If the storage capacitor (C1) is omitted, pulsed charging takes place. In this mode, a higher charging current can be used, with all of the control characteristics remaining the same.
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