To determine if an AC-DC adapter with a polarity switch can charge a 12.6V 2500mAh lithium-polymer (LiPo) battery, you need to consider several factors:

1. Voltage Compatibility:

• Battery Voltage: The 12.6V rating of your LiPo battery indicates it’s likely a 3-cell (3S) LiPo battery, which has a nominal voltage of 11.1V and a fully charged voltage of 12.6V.
• Adapter Voltage: Ensure the AC-DC adapter’s output voltage matches the battery’s fully charged voltage (12.6V). If the adapter outputs a different voltage, it might not be suitable for charging the battery.

2. Current Rating:

• Battery Capacity: The battery has a capacity of 2500mAh (2.5Ah).
• Charging Current: Check if the adapter can provide an appropriate charging current. Generally, LiPo batteries are charged at a rate of 1C, where C is the battery’s capacity. For a 2500mAh battery, this would be 2.5A. Ensure the adapter can supply enough current for efficient charging.

3. Polarity and Connector:

• Polarity: Ensure the adapter’s polarity switch is correctly set to match the polarity of the battery’s charging connector. Incorrect polarity can damage the battery or cause unsafe conditions.
• Connector Compatibility: Verify that the adapter’s connector matches the charging port of the LiPo battery or that you have the correct adapter or connector to ensure proper connection.

4. Charging Circuit:

• Battery Management: LiPo batteries require a specific charging protocol to ensure safety and longevity. A proper LiPo charger includes a balancing circuit to ensure each cell is charged equally and safely.
• Adapter Limitations: A basic AC-DC adapter does not provide cell balancing or charging management, which are essential for LiPo batteries. Using a standard adapter without a dedicated LiPo charger can be risky.

Summary:

• Adapter Voltage: Must match the battery’s fully charged voltage (12.6V).
• Current Rating: Should be adequate to provide the necessary charging current (typically 2.5A for a 2500mAh battery).
• Polarity: Ensure correct polarity is set.
• Connector: Ensure compatibility with the battery connector.
• Charging Management: Ideally, use a dedicated LiPo charger that includes balancing and safety features.

Recommendation: For safe and efficient charging of a LiPo battery, it is best to use a dedicated LiPo charger designed for the battery’s voltage and capacity. An AC-DC adapter alone might not be suitable due to the lack of cell balancing and safety features.