Poll - What Voltage Does Your Pila Charge to?

[chewy78]

3.8- 3.85 volts is around 40- 50 %. the optimum storage voltage. I keep my unused li co ion cells at that voltage in the re fridge at around 40 degrees f

[ElectronGuru]

This isn't a big deal. There isn't one right answer, only your answer.

If you like your cells charged to max voltage every time, get a CV charger.

If you like your cells charged to an individually tailored point, get a CC/CV charger.

If you got one and want the other, return it or trade it.

[sonofjesse]

I see 4.13 to 4.15. I"m very happy with that. I would rather error on the .05 of safety Very happy with this purchase.

[Kestrel]

I'm not an expert here but I clearly recall older postings to the effect that a small cell (RCR123/IMR123) will come off @ ~0.03v offset compared to an 18650 from the same charger. I can't recall for certain which comes off higher since it wasn't my test data, but I believe that this is another complication to the polling data.

Edit: Someone else stated this better in your other Pila thread:

Different battery types, ie: 18650s, 16340, 14500s will charge to different states, because of their size, I guess. A least this has been my experience anyway. With new AWs of those 3 sizes, The rcr123s top off @ 4.16-4.17, the 14500s @ 4.17-4.18 and the 18650s @ 4.19-4.20. Consistently.

So even if everybody has identical Pila's (which they of course don't), if they are charging 18650's they might report 4.20v while others charging RCR123's might report 4.17v.

[Russel]

I disagree, as I understand it the life of a Lithium Ion cell can be greatly influenced by the amount of time spent at 4.2 volts. [...]

Yes, that is why it is suggested to store Li-ions at 3.6-3.7v. A cell in use does not stay at 4.2 for very long, likely under a minute.[...]

Don't forget the time spend at constant voltage on a CC/CV charger.

[45/70]

Don't forget the time spend at constant voltage on a CC/CV charger.

Or, the time spent at over 4.20 Volts when using one of the many CC only chargers. This condition is much worse, as far as wear and tear on Li-Ion cells.

Chargers that use voltage checking, such as the WF-139 (which claims to be CC/CV, but is actually CC only), in their charging algorithm are mostly junk anyway. So, if you insist, or it is necissary to keep cells topped off, use a Pila, or similar actual CC/CV charger. Your cells will thank you for it.

Dave

[Owen]

Chargers that use voltage checking, such as the WF-139 (which claims to be CC/CV, but is actually CC only), in their charging algorithm are mostly junk anyway.

I had one of the early WF-139s, and it charged cells to 4.35V.

My Pila IBC can vary a bit with the size and age of the cells. Two brand new AW 3100mAh 18650s that came today charged to 4.21V.

[loquutis79]

So I sent a e mail to Lighthound re: my Pila. Still wondering why I get 4.13v charges and also why the left side bay often does strange things. Either solid green with fast flashing red at start of charge or sometimes the end of a charge. The AW can go on at 3.7v and either need a reset to start, or it can charge along with the right side and do the same flashing at the end of the charge. It will still come off at 4.13-4.16. So it does charge. I don't think the brand new AW's are faulty as the warning flashing would indicate. Maybe I have a faulty Pila.
I am starting to wonder about the "great" Pila. Maybe it is only great with Pila batteries.Where is that WF-139 again...

[RGB_LED]

Good thread... I've had my Pila for quite some time now and, initially, I consistently received measurements of 4.20v with AW 18650's and AW14500's once the light turned green. Sometimes, I would pull them off the charger before the green light and they measured between 4.13-4.19v. Now, I'm noticing that both my protected 18650 and 14500's give readings of 4.22v if I leave them in till the light turns green. I wonder if I may need to replace my protected 18650's and 14500's.

Interestingly, my unprotected 18650's all measure between 4.13-4.17v when I pull them off as soon as the light turns green.

[Norm]

I haven't seen any mention thoughout this thread of meter inaccuracy, it seems all readings are presumed to be 100% accurate.

Norm

[loquutis79]

Yes Norm, I have used three different meters. None of them are Flukes but are pretty good anyway. All measure exactly the same.
I too, could not help think about the possibility that the batteries were at fault. The thing is, all four of them are brand new. So I cant honestly believe that it is the AW's.
I guess as long as they are charging I am sort of ok. However, matched sets for my TK35? Forget that! And charged? Yes, but how well is this Pila looking after my costly AW's with reguards to longevity? Who knows.

I don't want to dislike the Pila charger, I really don't. I simply am calling into question how fantastic these really are, and are the WF-139 sort of units really that bad.
Or did I simply get talked onto the Pila bandwagon by to much reading about them where everyone POSSIBLY has a biased opinion? [I say this with all due repect]

I will continue using it as I believe what everyone claims about the way it charges and terminates. I will be a very unhappy camper if the battery life craps out after 300 cycles. The WF139 would do the same at $12.00 per unit.

Just my humble 2 cents worth. :]

[Norm]

Loqqutis my comment was not directed toward you, just a general observation.

Norm

[loquutis79]

Oh, I know. No worries. Just the diatribe running around in my head this morning.

[loquutis79]

So here's something. I just got a budget torch in the mail along with a charger and a Trustfire 18650. Pushing the charger aside, I stuffed the Tfire into my Pila. What do you know, it charged right up to 4.19V.
So maybe it has not been the Pila all along. Maybe all my brand new AW's are not as new as I would like??
I think I'll send another e-mail. A Trustfire at 4.19V and four AW's only ever get to 4.13 these days.