A123 26650 charging solutions

[KevinL]

Hey folks,

What are you all using to charge the A123 cells? I'm thinking of working on a project - a ROP with these basically (what else did you expect from me, I am not very creative ) but I'm reading stuff that charging to full 4.2v with a standard Li charger is detrimental to the cells even though you can technically do it and get away with it.

http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_5400866/tm.htm

And what appears to be the official word from A123Systems:
http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_4667844/mpage_3/tm.htm#

 

[KevinL]

I've found this:

http://www.batteryspace.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=1106

Are the A123 cells LiFePO4 and are these chargers compatible?

 

[Fallingwater]

I'm using a Hyperion 5i AC/DC charger. It can charge A123, and by extension other LiFe cells as well.

It is, however, not cheap.

The chargers you link to should work, but if termination voltage is 3.8 it's still 0.2v higher than the LiFePO4 official full charge (3.6).

 

[KevinL]

Thanks appreciate you pointing out the little discrepancy in the numbers. I'll need to look into that.

I just read the Hyperion's manual, doesn't seem to indicate that it can safely cut off at 3.6V though. In fact the manual says that you shouldn't charge 3.6V cells with it. Did I miss something or do you have a different setting you use?

Also, it's got an interesting name.. Hyperion EOS 5i.

Every time I see "EOS 5", I think of something very different.. check it out

 

[aussiebuddha]

I use a bantam bc6 for my RC a123, its a great charger, and costs $100 only..
(cheap for RC chargers)

 

[Luxbright]

Hi Kevin,

the Schulze nextGeneration Charger had this in their instruction manual:

Norminal voltage: 3.2 V/cell
Max.charge voltage: 3.65 V/cell
Min. discharge voltage: 2.0 V/cell
Selecting the fast charge current: Up to 2 C
Maximum contin. discharge current: Up to 15 C
Long time storage: The manufacturer recommends that 30% to 50% state of charge at 23 degree C is best for a maximum time of 6 month. It offers a compromise between impedance creep and storage safety. Then discharge and charge to 50% capacity.

Typical: These cell are even recommended as receiver batteries (2 cells have about the same voltage as 5 fully charged Nickel-cells), but also recommended for feeding a motor.
Hint: The most common form of this battery type is the "Saphion" or the "A123" cell.

Terry

 

[KevinL]

Very nice good to hear from you too!

Do you happen to have one of those chargers?

Wait.. maybe I'm not so keen to cough up $289 for one of those :thumbsdow

 

[Luxbright]

Yes, I have the nextGeneration 6.30-5 plus bought in Germany by my nephews in Holland and given to me as a present. Was actually asking them to buy it for me though

First time using it:

Very happy with it, charges faster than my Triton. Bundled with the charge/discharge logging software.

Terry

 

[KevinL]

Wow, VERY nice Glad you are happy with it.....

I had the Triton, hated the Triton. Hated the charging problems, the fact that the banana jacks were so hard to clamp onto anything, so much so that I ended up charging all my Li-ions on that cheap DSD charger, hard as it is to believe. Generally I'm not too fond of expensive and exotic chargers with too many dials. My favorite chargers have all been the affordable ones, surprisingly.

What's that 12V supply you're using for it? I might need one. Normally I tap +12VDC from my computer but I'm no longer using traditional desktops with ATX power that I can wire up my Molex-cig-lighter-12V socket to.

 

[Luxbright]

I'm using the Muchmore Powermaster World Edition2, DC 12 to 16 Volt
24 Amp.

Terry

 

[KevinL]

Powerful sia

How much did it cost you? and I assume the plug on the right most part of the blue box is the standard 240V power cord..

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Kevin,

If you have a few hours to spare... this thread is very informative.

Tom

 

[Luxbright]

Paid S$215.00 for it from Tamiya Hobby Shop along Ubi Ave 3. Yes thats our 240Volt PS cord.

Terry

 

[jimjones3630]

Tom thanks for beating me to the punch. That is great thread and great group which am member.

Especially helpful I found is how to use a bench current control and volt control power supply as a charger.

Jim

Hello Kevin,

If you have a few hours to spare... this thread is very informative.

Tom

 

[Fallingwater]

I just read the Hyperion's manual, doesn't seem to indicate that it can safely cut off at 3.6V though. In fact the manual says that you shouldn't charge 3.6V cells with it. Did I miss something or do you have a different setting you use?

Also, it's got an interesting name.. Hyperion EOS 5i.

You're looking at the wrong Hyperion charger.
My charger's full name is Hyperion 5i dp AC/DC. The AC/DC part is important: it says this is the newer charger that has dual inputs and the program to charge LiFe cells. The older, single-input 5i can't do that (at least until they upgrade it).

 

[LuxLuthor]

I bought my second Hyperion 1210i from www.cheapbatterypacks.com that now does the A123 cells.

 

[KevinL]

That RCgroups thread gives me a headache just looking at it. Thanks for the suggestions, but I googled it and gave up some time ago.

The whole mess of new cells, new chemistries, new chargers, new exploding batteries makes this all way too overwhelming for me. Maybe my pioneering days are over, it's time to quit while I'm behind. Off to buy another Surefire (only cuz it's the brand I know best.)


luxbright: I see you have gone SERIOUSLY upmarket with the charger solutions.. at one point of time it was DSD chargers and Maha C777s that stuff is just absolutely way too rich for my blood... $550 on a charger rig! That'd buy me all the CR123s I ever wanted!

 

[Fallingwater]

The whole mess of new cells, new chemistries, new chargers, new exploding batteries makes this all way too overwhelming for me

To me it's very interesting. More than flashlights, in fact, which is why I call myself a batteryholic but not a flashaholic.
I can't wait to see how LiFe develops...

 

[Luxbright]

HI Kevin,

The reason being I'm toying with the idea of giong RC probably helicopters.
This is where a good and reliable charger comes in handy. Actually, I'm paying for the capablity of charging two different chemistries batteries and also the built in balancer. Less messy.

I have sold of the C777 (cheaply) immediately after aquiring the Triton. May sell of the Triton later too.


Cheers
Terry

 

[KevinL]

HI Kevin,

The reason being I'm toying with the idea of giong RC probably helicopters.
This is where a good and reliable charger comes in handy. Actually, I'm paying for the capablity of charging two different chemistries batteries and also the built in balancer. Less messy.

I have sold of the C777 (cheaply) immediately after aquiring the Triton. May sell of the Triton later too.


Cheers
Terry

Dude, as I said you are SERIOUSLY going upmarket what, strike 4D while I was away? RC helos.. now that's an expensive hobby! (guess I shouldn't talk too much either, I acquired a lot of 'other' gear since then too.. )

We have to catch up for coffee sometime. I am still up to my neck in problems but closer to Christmas will be a good time.