Pila IBC Charger Review

[criollo]

Karl, Here's what i got from AW's battery sale thread.


Size Reference :

18650 = 168A / 600P
17670 = 168S / 600S
18500 = 150A / 300P
17500 = 150S / 300S

*older version Pila Batteries



Best regards,
Cassian

 

[DM51]

Karl, the Pila cells are very good, but they are also very expensive. You'd be better off getting AWs (IMO) and spending the extra on a 2nd IBC charger. That's what I would do, anyway.

You should not use this charger for any cell with a capacity smaller than 600mAh. That means it is OK down to RCR123 and 14500, but not for RCR2, 10440 et6c. Certainly not for 10180!

The reason for this is that Li-Ion cells should not be charged at >1C, and the Pila IBC output is 600mA per bay.

For a 10180 Li-Ion, I would recommend a coin cell charger, but some people have been using 10440-size Nano-chargers (no accidents reported so far).

 

[karlthev]

Thanks guys, most appreciated!!


Karl

 

[CandleFranky]

A question about the IBC --> The Ultrafire 139 overcharges cells after some time through his tickle. But the Pila IBC has tickle too. Does it also overload cells when I leave them in the charger? :thinking:

 

[DM51]

No, it does not. Please read post #9 above.

 

[CandleFranky]

No, it does not. Please read post #9 above.

They call it "CV stage", another name for the same thing. The question is --> Will the Pila IBC overcharge the cells if they are not removed in time - like the Ultrafire Charger? :thinking:

 

[DM51]

No, it will not. The charge terminates properly. However, you should remove the cells from the charger anyway.

CV stands for 'constant voltage'. It is applied during the second stage of the charge, at 4.20V. When the current drops right down, ie when the cell is fully charged, the charge terminates.

 

[Lite_me]

after some time through his tickle.

My mind wandered completely off the intended subject matter when I read this.

 

[CandleFranky]

My mind wandered completely off the intended subject matter when I read this.

:mecry:

No, it will not. The charge terminates properly. However, you should remove the cells from the charger anyway.

Yes, of course. Thank you! :thumbsup:

 

[bobstay]

What voltage does the AC adapter put out? Is it 12V, so it could be used in a vehicle (with appropriate lead)?

 

[DM51]

The adapter output is 6V. The DC in socket on the charger itself is 6V. You might be able to find a 12V > 6V step-down unit somewhere.

 

[Hitthespot]

What voltage does the AC adapter put out? Is it 12V, so it could be used in a vehicle (with appropriate lead)?

Like Dave said the output is 6 volts but there is a DC to DC adapter available. Specifications below. Copied from the Pila Web site.

DC/DC adaptor power in : 12 to 24VDC
DC/DC adaptor power out : 6 VDC / 3 A



Bill

 

[ernsanada]

This is from the Pila Charger.

 

[Hitthespot]

That's interesting. The AC plug is listed at 2.5 amps output and the DC cord is listed at 3 amps output. Does that mean it charges faster on 24vdc than on 120vac. Now that I think about it, my cell phone charges much quicker in my car than on the AC charger. I wonder why?

Bill

 

[etc]

Thanks for the review, I plan to get this charger.

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

etc - Also check out the thread Pila IBC Charger Compendium. It will answer a lot of questions.

 

[EngrPaul]

IBC Charger DC in : 6 VDC / 2-3 A
IBC Charger DC out : 4.2 VDC / 600mA x 2

To use the PILA in a car, you need a brick. Although the 12V adapter is shown in PILA sales pages, it DOES NOT come with the unit.

By comparison, the UltraFire WF-139 "Rapid Charger" has a 12VDC~400mA input and 450mA x 2 output... OK for RCR123's. You could make a DC adapter without DC-DC conversion, just get the right plugs.

I have both of these chargers.

 

[bullfrog]

Looked but could not find a definitive answer (I'm assuming NO):

Will the Pila IBC charge AW's LiFeP04 RCR123a?

If not, does anyone know of a charger that is on par with the Pila? I already have the UF-138 charger that AW sells...

Thanks!

 

[Flashlight Aficionado]

Looked but could not find a definitive answer (I'm assuming NO):

Will the Pila IBC charge AW's LiFeP04 RCR123a?

No it will not. I fixed my description of Lithium Iron Phosphate to include LiFePO4 and added the chemical shorthand to the other chemistries.

 

[varuscelli]

etc - Also check out the thread Pila IBC Charger Compendium. It will answer a lot of questions.

As my own personal side note, that's a great thread, Flashlight Aficionado. :thumbsup: