BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

[drmarkf]

I heard about these on a podcast today (actually talking about the Sony version). I see there's only one review for the Oly BLH version, which says the fit isn't very good.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Newmowa-Charger-Olympus-BLH-1-Camera/

Before I travel somewhere remote with one of these as my only charger, has anyone else tried one?

I do have a decent single USB charger from ExPro, which is a brand I've so far always found reliable, but the dual one would be economical of space and USB sockets.

[Bengeo]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

Looks interesting. Your link didn't work for me. This was OK:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Newmowa-Charger-Olympus-BLH-1-Camera/dp/B06W2MHJXR/

[DavidB]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

Much cheaper than my https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Harbrimar]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

I always been a little reticent about using 3rd party battery chargers with OEM batteries (I only use OEM batteries in my cameras). However, there are other methods of charging your batteries from a 12v source using OEM charger and that is by using an Inverter.

They can be quite small see https://www.amazon.co.uk/75W12V-Mini...=mini+inverter but no review or this which is a little bigger and has lots of good reviews https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00HSGV1...i-a=B00HSGV1PW

I have a slightly larger inverter which I have used for many years without any problems or my car battery going flat!

[drmarkf]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

I always been a little reticent about using 3rd party battery chargers with OEM batteries (I only use OEM batteries in my cameras). However, there are other methods of charging your batteries from a 12v source using OEM charger and that is by using an Inverter.

...

I have a slightly larger inverter which I have used for many years without any problems or my car battery going flat!

Yes, I share your reticence. I doubt any of them are as reliable as Oly originals, which is a real issue if you're out in the boonies for a long time.

So far I have only taken the ExPro USB charger along as an additional, lightweight resource to add to one or two Oly original chargers. It has been useful, for example in Botswana tented safari lodges where power is only available for a limited number of hours per day, and is subject to regular outages anyway. It's important to maximise your time for charging. The ExPro does fully charge original Oly BLH-1s.

My particular needs don't normally stretch to in-car charging. In fact, on the same safari trips most of the vehicles either had one or two 240v UK-style sockets, or USB 2.1A sockets. The engines are usually switched on and off so often I'm also a bit concerned that might damage the batteries, too!

[Melaka]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

On safari I do most of my battery charging in the car with an Expro 12v charger. I also take an Oly charger to use in camp if need be.

[DavidB]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

Our daughter spent 6 weeks in Tanzania last year on a uni field trip for her dissertation.Her experiences with availability of mains charging are as above, or worse when relying on campsite generators.

I bought her a Panny camera with (in camera) charging + spare batteries + Anker power bank, but what failed was a cheap USB mobile phone lead taken instead of a standard mains charger.

Luckily, she had 2 phones, and it was the emergency non-smart phone with long battery life that couldn't be recharged.

So beware of relying on cheapo stuff.

[drmarkf]

[Beagletorque]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

The Olympus battery has 4 terminals, 2 for a thermistor sensor to stop charging if it gets too hot (which may cause it to explode!). That USB charger has 2 terminals and I guess it could be quite hot where your going on safari! You could add one of those folding solar panels to it though and not be so reliant on an energy supply.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-Foldable-Portable-Efficiency-Smartphones-16W-2-Port/dp/B01E8PCB8Q/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1544113761&sr=8-1-spons&keywords=usb+folding+solar+panel&psc=1

[drmarkf]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

Yes, thanks. Looks like these solar panels have improved a lot recently: I'll have a look at the situation early next summer before I go on my next trip.

I think I'll be sticking mainly to Oly's own chargers, but having options, especially when you're off in the boonies, is always good.

[Jim Ford]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

The Olympus battery has 4 terminals, 2 for a thermistor sensor to stop charging if it gets too hot (which may cause it to explode!). That USB charger has 2 terminals and I guess it could be quite hot where your going on safari! You could add one of those folding solar panels to it though and not be so reliant on an energy supply.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/RAVPower-Fo...ar+panel&psc=1

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/5V-21W-Solar-Power-Charging-Panel-Dual-USB-Charger-For-Mobile-iPhone-Tablet-NEW/253937076085?epid=11024649493&hash=item3b1fd44775:g:YlMAAOSwiWZbxmD1:rk:6:pf:0

I think mine is the same one, but rebadged. It works well.

Jim

[steverh]

Re: BLH-1 compact dual USB travel charger

I've just bought one of the Newmowa USB chargers as a backup for use when travelling in case the Oly charger fails for some reason. Seems to work fine.

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk