Rechargeable 2032 batteries

[BiotechBen]

Hey guys, I'm in the market for rechargeable 2032 batteries + charger, have a number of devices that require 2032's and constantly buying new ones is starting to get annoying. Anyone know of a good battery+charger? Most of the ones I've seen online have been suspect at best, or manufactured e-waste.

[mariushm]

Go to a reputable distributor and buy them : https://www.digikey.com/short/tjnv59z0

The list contains 2020 and 2032   - 2020 is much thinner but you could just put a coin or some folded piece of metal to thicken it. Though note that the capacity of the battery is much lower, like 20-50mA for 2020 ... a non-rechargeable battery has around 220mAh , a rechargeable 2023 is around 85 mAh - 100mAh  and higher voltage  (3.7v) so you may want to add a diode in series with the output to drop around 0.5v - 0.8v (a basic 1n400* will work)

 

As for charging,  just use any lithium charger that can be configured to charge at very low currents. For example the recommended charging current for this 85mAh battery - https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/cornell-dubilier-illinois-capacitor/RJD2032C1/6159135 - is 40mA

 

A cheap MCP73831 linear charger - https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/microchip-technology/MCP73831T-2ACI-OT/964301 -  can be set to charge with as little as 15mA using a resistor or potentiometer... the components needed and the values are in the datasheet.

 

But fyi ... a non rechargeable battery is like 20 cents if you buy 50-100, so 11-22$ for 50-100 : https://www.digikey.com/en/products/detail/jauch-quartz/CR-2032-JAUCH-IB/9561007 or if you're in Europe  16 us cents + vat in your local currency if you get 50-100 : https://www.tme.eu/ro/en/details/bat-cr2032_a/batteries/akyga-battery/aky1075/

 

Just stock on them if you replace them so often.