Older Pila Li-Ion Charger - Is it safe?

shuter

Enlightened
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
682
Location
North Dakota, USA
I have this older Pila BC2 Li-Ion charger that came with a light I bought. It has an output of 1.5A X 2 which is two and a half times the output of the IBC. Almost .5 C for AW's new protected Li-Ion C cell.

Is this charger as safe to use as the IBC?

lights045.jpg


lights043.jpg
 
Last edited:

SilverFox

Flashaholic
Joined
Jan 19, 2003
Messages
12,449
Location
Bellingham WA
Hello Shuter,

That charger does not limit the voltage to 4.2 volts. It relies on the protection circuit of the cell to terminate the charge. Most protection circuits don't kick in until around 4.3 volts, so you will loose cycle life if you use it.

It will over charge an unprotected cell.

Tom
 

shuter

Enlightened
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
682
Location
North Dakota, USA
Tom,

What do you think. Would I be better off charging a AW C Li-Ion protected cell using the IBC at a charge rate of 600 mA (a charge rate of .18C) but cuts off at 4.2V. Or use the BC-2 that charges at 1500 mA (a charge rate of .45C) but will overcharge to 4.3V? Which in your estimation is likely to cause the least damage or shortening of cyle life?
 

SilverFox

Flashaholic
Joined
Jan 19, 2003
Messages
12,449
Location
Bellingham WA
Hello Shuter,

Your cells will last longer if you use a charger that limits the charge voltage to 4.2 volts. This means that you would be better off using the Pila IBC charger, even though it takes longer to charge.

Tom
 

mdocod

Flashaholic
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Messages
7,544
Location
COLORado spRINGs
as an alternative option...

You could install a small voltage meter on the older Pila, and always monitor when using, use it to bring the cell up to ~4.1V, and if you want to take the time to top it off, switch it over to the newer Pila...

Problem with this option is that us humans get distracted too easily...
 

shuter

Enlightened
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
682
Location
North Dakota, USA
You may as well ask me to fly to the moon. I know you must think it silly but I just don't know what I'm doing when it comes to electronics. I do appreciate the suggestion but I think it's best I don't use the IBC. Have a great Christmas.
 

9x23

Enlightened
Joined
Jan 21, 2005
Messages
209
Location
NorCal
Hello Shuter,

That charger does not limit the voltage to 4.2 volts. It relies on the protection circuit of the cell to terminate the charge. Most protection circuits don't kick in until around 4.3 volts, so you will loose cycle life if you use it.

It will over charge an unprotected cell.

Tom

Hello Tom,

Thanks for the info! I've also got one of these and was planning to use it as a backup but I don't think I will now. You've got me thinking about investing in a Bantam charger, especially now that I am planning to use AW's C cells in addition to the other li-on cell sizes I already have. Maybe what this old charger may be good for is to modify it to be used as a battery holder for the Bantam.

9x23
 

mdocod

Flashaholic
Joined
Nov 9, 2005
Messages
7,544
Location
COLORado spRINGs
For anyone watching this thread, please be aware that all of the wolf-eyes chargers still in production use the protection circuit to terminate the charge as I understand it, they are similar to the older Pila charger in this respect.
 

chewy78

Enlightened
Joined
Feb 2, 2008
Messages
594
Location
wi
wolf eyes ch-02 charger should be ok if you use cells with heavy duty pcb's such as wolf-eyes or aw
 
Last edited:

shuter

Enlightened
Joined
May 2, 2007
Messages
682
Location
North Dakota, USA
I put the BC2 charger in the trash. I don't want to be using a charger that treats my batteries improperly when there are chargers available that will safely charge them and maximize their lifespan. I thank Silverfox and Mdocod for taking the time to help me understand that chargers shortfalls.

Aircraft800 has assembled a turnkey charging system for me with a 110V>12V converter and a custom four slot charging bay (mailing today) that will properly charge all of my Li-Ion cells. :D
 
Top