Tenergy Solis charger. AAA, AA, 9V, LiPo modes, reconditioning, and troubleshooting. Get the most from your charger.">

Tenergy Solis Smart Charger Setup Guide: LCD & Modes Explained

The Tenergy Solis charger is powerful but can be intimidating. Four bays, LCD display, multiple modes, and confusing buttons. This Tenergy Solis smart charger setup guide covers everything: charging NiMH AA/AAA, reconditioning dead batteries, testing capacity, and troubleshooting. Master your Tenergy Solis in 10 minutes.

Contents: Buttons explained | Mode selection | LCD symbols | Charging times | Reconditioning guide | Capacity testing

What's in the Box

• Tenergy Solis charger (4-bay, AC powered)
• AC power cord (USA plug)
• User manual (keep for reference)
• Carrying bag (soft case, some bundles include)

Not included: Batteries, USB cable (not a feature), 12V car adapter.

Button Layout and Functions

The Solis has 5 buttons and one LCD screen:

• MODE button – Cycles through: Charge → Discharge → Recondition → Test -
• CURRENT button – Adjusts charging current (200mA, 300mA, 500mA, 700mA, 1000mA)
• DISPLAY button – Toggles screen info: Voltage, Time, Capacity (mAh), Current
• SLOT button – Selects individual bays (1-4) for mode/current changes
• ENTER/START button – Confirms mode and starts operation

LCD Screen Symbols Explained

SymbolMeaningWhen to Use CHGCharging modeDefault for fresh batteries DSGDischarging modeBefore reconditioning REReconditioning modeReviving "dead" NiMH batteries TESTCapacity testMeasuring actual mAh mACharging currentLower current = cooler battery

Setting Up: Basic Charging

1. Plug in charger (LCD lights up)
2. Insert up to 4 AA or AAA batteries (any bay works individually)
3. Default mode is CHG (charging) at 500mA
4. Press START – charging begins, LCD shows progress bars
5. Charger beeps when done. Remove batteries

Charging times (2000mAh Tenergy AA):
- 1000mA: 2.0-2.5 hours (fast, warmer batteries)
- 500mA: 4.0-4.5 hours (balanced, recommended)
- 200mA: 10-11 hours (slow, coolest batteries)
Recommendation: Use 500mA for most charging. Use 200mA for overnight charging.

Reconditioning Mode: Revive Dead NiMH Batteries

This is the Solis's killer feature. NiMH batteries develop "memory effect" after hundreds of shallow discharges. Reconditioning mode:

1. Insert battery, press MODE until "RE" shows
2. Press START. Charger fully discharges, then slowly charges, repeating 3x
3. Process takes 12-24 hours
4. If battery recovers, capacity increases 20-50%

I revived 3 Eneloop batteries that were reading 0V. After reconditioning, they held 1800mAh (originally 2000mAh).

Warning: Do NOT recondition LiPo batteries (fire risk). Only NiMH.

Capacity Test Mode: Find True mAh

Fake/cheap batteries lie about capacity. Test yours:

1. Fully charge battery first (CHG mode)
2. Press MODE until "TEST" shows
3. Press START. Solis discharges fully, measuring mAh
4. Result shows on LCD after test completes (2-5 hours)

I discovered AmazonBasics 2400mAh batteries tested at 1800mAh (25% below claim). Tenergy batteries tested within 5% of claimed capacity.

Charging Different Battery Types

Battery Type	Solis Compatible?	Recommended Current	Notes
NiMH AA/AAA	✅ Yes	500mA	Perfect
Li-ion 18650	✅ Yes (with spacers)	700mA	Requires metal spacers (not included)
NiCD (old)	✅ Yes	200mA	Recondition recommended
9V NiMH	✅ Yes	300mA	Use side terminals
LiPo (RC packs)	❌ No	N/A	Use dedicated balance charger

Troubleshooting Common Solis Issues

Battery not detected / "NULL" on screen

Fix: Battery voltage below 0.8V. Try reconditioning mode. If still NULL, battery is dead (internal short).

Charger gets very hot

Fix: Reduce current to 300mA or 200mA. Ensure vents are clear. Battery heating is normal; charger should be warm but not too hot.

Battery stops charging after 5 minutes

Fix: Dirty battery contacts. Clean with rubbing alcohol. Also, battery may be full (check voltage).

LCD shows ERROR

Fix: Battery inserted backwards or short circuit. Remove and reinsert correctly. If persists, battery is dead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Solis charge one battery at a time?

Yes. Each bay operates independently. You can charge 1, 2, 3, or 4 batteries.

Does the Solis work with Eneloop batteries?

Yes perfectly. The reconditioning mode works on Eneloop dead cells.

How do I know when batteries are fully charged?

LCD shows "FULL" on each bay. Also, charging current drops to 0mA and beep sounds.

Can I leave batteries in the charger after it finishes?

Yes. Solis trickle-charges to maintain full capacity. But remove within 24 hours for best battery life.

Final Verdict

The Tenergy Solis is the best smart charger under $40. The LCD, reconditioning mode, and independent bays make it superior to cheap chargers. Use this Tenergy Solis setup guide to master all features and extend your battery life by years.

Back to Tenergy ecosystem review →

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The information provided on this website is for informational and educational purposes only. Product details, pricing, and availability may change over time. Please verify all information directly from the official website before making any purchase decision.