I seem to be having problems sending email, so I'll clutter this comment thread to answer your email about the phone charger.
You might be able to find a cheap charger locally, but make sure it fits your phone, as we have used more than one charger connector over the years. I saw USB charging cables at a dollar store recently.
If the problem is at the charger end, you can cut the cable off and connect it to a power supply between 4.5 and 6V. If it's too high (but less than around 12V) the phone won't charge, but it shouldn't fry either. Connecting the battery directly to a supply in the 4 to 4.2 V range (NOT HIGHER!) for a couple of hours will charge it also. Try not to put more than about an amp into it.
(summarizing from email; repeating here in case anybody 'listening in' was wondering):
A phone is currently charging (at least according to its display) from a scrounged 4.4V wall wart connected to the cord snipped from the old charger. After a couple hours I'll unplug it and see how much charge the phone says the battery has then.
(no subject)
You might be able to find a cheap charger locally, but make sure it fits your phone, as we have used more than one charger connector over the years. I saw USB charging cables at a dollar store recently.
If the problem is at the charger end, you can cut the cable off and connect it to a power supply between 4.5 and 6V. If it's too high (but less than around 12V) the phone won't charge, but it shouldn't fry either. Connecting the battery directly to a supply in the 4 to 4.2 V range (NOT HIGHER!) for a couple of hours will charge it also. Try not to put more than about an amp into it.
(no subject)
(no subject)
A phone is currently charging (at least according to its display) from a scrounged 4.4V wall wart connected to the cord snipped from the old charger. After a couple hours I'll unplug it and see how much charge the phone says the battery has then.