Tor, the XP8000 is a seelf contained li-po battery pac with 12v 18v and 5v usb connectors. It uses a simple 18v charger, so I figure all the LI Po charging circuitry is build into the pac. I used it all summer as a travel charger for cell phone, mp3 player, and camera. But my real intention when I purchased it was for the bike light.

While I wouldn't think twice about breaking open and hacking a NiCd pack, I'm reluctant to mess with LiPo. Hence my frustration with the 12v connector.