There are plenty of devices these days that have built-in rechargeable batteries, but there are also a good number that still run on traditional AA or AAA batteries. These batteries can be replaced at any time, which actually means devices can last longer in the long run. They can also be wasteful, however, if you need to constantly buy new ones, especially if you quickly go through packs in a matter of weeks.
There are, of course, rechargeable variants of these cylindrical batteries, but the chargers for them have fallen behind their peers in terms of design. They have taken the easiest shape to work with and stuck to it for years, driven by profit margins rather than a thirst for innovation and exploration. This DIY charger, in contrast, thinks outside the box, literally and figuratively, to offer an interesting automatic AA battery charger that functions almost like a dispenser.
Designer: Max.K
There is wisdom in not fixing what isn’t broken, which is probably why NiMH battery chargers haven’t changed their appearance in years. The typical box design allows you to efficiently charge multiple batteries at the same time, which is probably the best situation if you’re dependent on these batteries. They’re not exactly satisfying, though, especially if you’re looking for gadgets that have value beyond their function.
SPINC is a battery charger that offers a little bit more novelty and curiosity in exchange for that multi-battery charging capability. It can charge only one battery at a time, which can take more than a few minutes, but it can actually hold more than just one battery. You can, in practice, queue up a few batteries and it will automatically charge one after the other without human intervention.
The trick is a special mechanism designed to load a single battery one by one and then eject the fully charged battery down the line. It’s like a battery dispensing machine, except it accepts drained batteries instead of coins. You probably won’t wait for batteries to finish charging, but when you do catch the moment, it becomes an interesting and memorable experience.
This design also makes SPINC look interesting as it sits on your desk. In fact, it actually functions as a clock as well, so it can justify its presence among your tools and stationery. Admittedly, the single-battery mechanism won’t satisfy heavy battery users, but designing one that can charge multiple batteries simultaneously could be a worthy challenge.
