Are there any guides on proper/safe charging amps??

[1pt21]

So I finally managed to pickup my 1st hobby charger (accucell 6), really nice charger for the $$ and easy to use.

Anyways I'm familiar with most of the settings with the exception of being able to pick my own charging amp levels.

Can anyone point in the right direction of where I should be setting the amps to get a good charge rate but also remain safe and treat the batteries fairly well? I find myself scared to crank it up over 1 amp so far :candle:

I will be charging primarily Li-ions of all sizes, IMR's and Lifepo4's (A123 26650's).

Thanks so much for the help, I did try searching.

:wave:

 

[LEDninja]

Using Li-ion cells in LED flashlights safely
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=235164

 

[1pt21]

I feel like such a newb for posting this, buuuuuuut.

What are "C's".. I know volts, amps, etc... But C??

Is there some type of conversion to something I'm more familiar with? Is it like Inches and Millimeters... Degrees and Celsius?? :D

 

[TakeTheActive]

I feel like such a newb for posting this, buuuuuuut.

What are "C's".. I know volts, amps, etc... But C??

Definition: Please explain V)olts, A)mps, R)esistance, W)atts, and C)apacity - TakeTheActive​

 

[1pt21]

Definition: Please explain V)olts, A)mps, R)esistance, W)atts, and C)apacity - TakeTheActive​

LOL shoulda known it was all right there one way or another.. Thanks a lot, fellow central jersian :wave:

What town are you in??

Thanks again for the help guys!!!

 

[LEDninja]

What are "C's".. I know volts, amps, etc... But C??

Say you have an Eneloop battery.
It is rated 2000 mAH. It will provide 2000 mA for 1 hour. That is 1C. Current to drain the battery in 1 hour.
If you run it at 1000 mA it will last 2 hours. That is 0.5C. 0.5X current to drain the battery in 1 hour.
If you run it at 4000 mA it will last 0.5 hours. That is 2C. 2X current to drain the battery in 1 hour.

Max charge or discharge rate should not exceed 2C for Li-ion batteries.
Smaller Li-ions like 14500 or 16340/RCR123A are usually ~700 mAH. So max charge or discharge rate should not exceed 2C or 2*700=1400 mA.
18650 are 2000 mAH+ They can be used up to 4000 mA.

Some LEDs like the P7/MCE/SST50 run at 2800 mA or more. Very few torches are made for them using CR123A batteries as the current the LED draws is above the 1400 mA maximum of the batteries.

There are newer chemistries which allow use at higher than 2C. I do not know too much about them.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello 1pt21,

With NiMh and Li-Ion cells, the highest charge rate you should use is one that completes the charge in about 1 hour.

To figure out what rate to use, check the labeled capacity of the cell and set your charge rate to the same value. For example, if your cell has a capacity of 2000 mAh, your maximum charge rate would be 2000 mA. This is also referred to as a 1C charge rate.

Tom

 

[1pt21]

Can't thank you guys enough for the helpful info and detailed/easy to understand explanations :twothumbs

Hello 1pt21,

With NiMh and Li-Ion cells, the highest charge rate you should use is one that completes the charge in about 1 hour.

To figure out what rate to use, check the labeled capacity of the cell and set your charge rate to the same value. For example, if your cell has a capacity of 2000 mAh, your maximum charge rate would be 2000 mA. This is also referred to as a 1C charge rate.

Tom

Is it true that the Lifepo4's I have obtained can handle a higher charge/discharge rate than your typical LiIon??

 

[45/70]

Is it true that the Lifepo4's I have obtained can handle a higher charge/discharge rate than your typical LiIon??

That depends on the individual cell. Some can take a high C rate charge (A123's for example), and some have a recommended maximum charge rate of 1C (some of the 'no name" LiFe cells, particularly in the smaller sizes, like Cr2). It's best to see if you can find the data sheet for the specific LiFe cell you're trying to charge.

Dave