li-ion 3.6 or 3.7 volts what is the difference

Hi.

My digital camera takes a 3.7volt battery , but i have seen lots on ebay with 3.6volts on them.

WHY.

Regards

John.

Hello TinderBo.

When Li-Ion first hit the market they have a mid point voltage of 3,6, they were charged to a maximum of 4.1 volt.

Li-Ion cells after -95 has a nominal voltage of 3,7 Volt and they should be charged to 4,2 Volt.

Nowadays 3.6 and 3.7 volt cells are the same.

Anders

Petrol, gasoline, same thing. They are interchangeable.

Hi.

I read that charging a 3.7 lin-ion to 4.2 will reduce it`s life, and that 4.0 will prolong it`s life at a loss of some capacity.

But if you charge a 3.6 in a 3.7 charger will not the 3.6 be more likely to be overcharged as you don`t know what the chargers max charge voltage is.

So would it not be best to just stick to 3.7 volt battery`s , or is overcharge protection built into the battery`s

Thanks

John.

Anders said:

Hello TinderBo.

When Li-Ion first hit the market they have a mid point voltage of 3,6, they were charged to a maximum of 4.1 volt.

Li-Ion cells after -95 has a nominal voltage of 3,7 Volt and they should be charged to 4,2 Volt.

Nowadays 3.6 and 3.7 volt cells are the same.

Anders

Click to expand...

TinderBox (UK) said:

Hi.

I read that charging a 3.7 lin-ion to 4.2 will reduce it`s life, and that 4.0 will prolong it`s life at a loss of some capacity.

But if you charge a 3.6 in a 3.7 charger will not the 3.6 be more likely to be overcharged as you don`t know what the chargers max charge voltage is.

So would it not be best to just stick to 3.7 volt battery`s , or is overcharge protection built into the battery`s

Thanks

John.

Click to expand...

They are virtually the identical battery. It's just a difference of what nominal voltage the manufacturer sticks on the label.

TinderBox (UK) said:

Hi.

I read that charging a 3.7 lin-ion to 4.2 will reduce it`s life, and that 4.0 will prolong it`s life at a loss of some capacity.

But if you charge a 3.6 in a 3.7 charger will not the 3.6 be more likely to be overcharged as you don`t know what the chargers max charge voltage is.

So would it not be best to just stick to 3.7 volt battery`s , or is overcharge protection built into the battery`s

Thanks

John.

Click to expand...

You.ll right about the first sentence, if you charge them to 4,1 or less than 4,2 Volt you'll prolong their life.

The true 3,6 volts that would be charged to 4,1 Volt is no more in service life, they don't produce them no more.



Anders

Hello Anders,

In general you are correct, however, Saft is still making 3.6 V Li-Ion cells and is recommending charging them to 4.1 volts. I don't believe these are available to the general public as they are intended for space and military applications.

Tom

Hello Tom.

Aha, didn't know that, thanks Tom.

I don't think they sell cells in "our" sizes like 16340 17640 16340 and so on.

http://www.saftbatteries.com/Technologies_Lithium_Liion_301/Default.aspx

Anders

EDITED: Good questions! I have a handful of Ultrafire 3.6V cells that I've always wondered if I could charge them in my Ultrafire WF-139 chargers.

Anders said:

I don't think they sell cells in "our" sizes.......

Click to expand...

She sells sea shells on the sea shore;
The shells that she sells are sea shells I'm sure.
So if she sells sea shells on the sea shore,
I'm sure that the shells are sea shore shells.

Don't know about Saft sizes, but I'm sure this babe could set us up will some sizable sea shells, for sure.

I've always thought 3.6 and 3.7 Volt cells were the same, just rated differently. Interesting.

bluecrow, are you sure that's not 3.0-3.7 Volt? I have a 138, and it's 3.0 Volt for LiFePO4 and 3.6 for LiCO.

Dave

45/70 said:

bluecrow, are you sure that's not 3.0-3.7 Volt? I have a 138, and it's 3.0 Volt for LiFePO4 and 3.6 for LiCO.

Click to expand...

You're absolutely right. I was thinking of some blue Ultrafire 3.6V cells and wrote about my Powerex 3.0V cells instead! Updating my above post shortly. Thanks!