"Break In" Duraloops using MAHA MH-C9000?

[snatiep]

Hello Everyone!

Tomorrow my new MAHA MH-C9000 charger arrives.

I also have 4 packs of AA "Duraloops" still in the package waiting to be charged.

Should I go ahead and use the C9000's "break in" feature to prepare the new batteries?

Thank You for any help.

 

[ambientmind]

mine were charged a couple times, but the break in on the maha really helped them. they were typically between 1800-1900 mAh from the get go, now they are closer to 2000mAh after the break in. I ran some of them a couple times on the break in, which helped also. Be sure to discharge them before break in, since it starts off charging them anyway.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Snatiep,

Yes, use the Break-In on your new cells, however, first do a discharge on them to empty them. Then run the Break-In.

Tom

 

[dgrogers]

Hello Snatiep,

Yes, use the Break-In on your new cells, however, first do a discharge on them to empty them. Then run the Break-In.

Tom

Can you just use them normally for the first discharge or does it need to be a constant flow? I ask because some Eneloops just came in today and my C9000 isn't here yet. I need a set of AA batteries pretty much right now and the Eneloops are the only ones I have that are ready to go.

 

[Mr Happy]

Eneloops come pre-charged and ready to use right out of the package. Take Sanyo at their word and try them out :)

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Dgrogers,

Mr Happy beat me to it... :)

Use them, then do the Break-In.

Tom

 

[TakeTheActive]

Only a Rechargeable Battery Nerd runs a discharge on brand new batteries. :eeksign:

And I have the spreadsheets to prove it! ;)

 

[Hoggy]

Only a Rechargeable Battery Nerd runs a discharge on brand new batteries. :eeksign:

And I have the spreadsheets to prove it! ;)

he he..

I used a 4-pack of ROV hybrids right out of the pack for my TI-85 calculator for about 4 months or so. When I decided to label my batteries, I found they ranged from 153-588 in that calculator.
I had one come in at 23 - but recently the C9000 has missed termination twice on that one in an R&A mode(at 400ma charge rate) - so it's probably bad. (I also think I may have recharged one, leading to that 588 figure.)
Outside of that though, even the ROV Hybrids seem to be quite consistent.

 

[dgrogers]

Thanks. I just keep hearing everyone talk about doing a discharge and performing the break in cycle so I thought there was some advantage to using the discharge function and break in before using in a device.

Next question....since batteries like eneloops are (from what I hear) more sensitive to overcharging, is there any advantage to programing my own break in cycle in the cycle mode (charge at .1C, discharge at .2C) which wouldn't do the overcharging that the break in cycle does?

Also, if you have a set of eneloop type of batteries in a low drain device (such as a remote, which would take possibly a year or more before recharging is needed), should they be reconditioned after every use?

I do appreciate you guys for answering so many questions for us that or battery and charger challenged....

 

[Mr Happy]

The discharge and break-in is more important when the batteries will be used in high power applications, such as hot wire flashlights. With lower drain normal consumer applications (with the possible exception of digital cameras), you will be unlikely to see the benefit. Keep in mind that running a break-in on a C9000 is a rather nerdy thing to be doing and 99.9% of the population are not doing that with their batteries.

The "overcharge" of a break-in cycle is an intentional part of the process. If you program a different cycle to avoid it, you will not be doing a break-in cycle any more. It's like exercising. We exercise because it is beneficial for our health. We might also think it causes more wear and tear on our joints and ligaments, but that is not a reason to stop exercising.

If I had Eneloops in a remote, I would just do a refresh/analyze on them each year when they needed recharging.

 

[qazx]

Hello Snatiep,

Yes, use the Break-In on your new cells, however, first do a discharge on them to empty them. Then run the Break-In.

Tom

thomas distributing say you dont need to discharge first:

"Is it necessary to discharge the batteries before using the BREAK-IN mode?

Discharging prior to BREAK-IN mode is optional. Overcharging during the BREAK-IN mode does not harm battery as the charging current is very slow."

 

[Bones]

thomas distributing say you dont need to discharge first:

"Is it necessary to discharge the batteries before using the BREAK-IN mode?

Discharging prior to BREAK-IN mode is optional. Overcharging during the BREAK-IN mode does not harm battery as the charging current is very slow."

As you know, there are two major parts to a break-in cycle qazx, the timed 16 hour charge at 0.1C followed by a 0.2C discharge to 0.9 volts. Of course, to make the cell usable following the discharge portion of the break-in cycle, it must again be charged. The MH-C9000 accomplishes this with another timed 16 hour charge at 0.1C. At this point the cell has actually undergone 1.5 break-in cycles consisting of two timed 16 hour charges at 0.1C but only one discharge to 0.9 volts at 0.2C.

It's also my understanding that the charge portion of the break-in cycle primarily benefits the cells health by equalizing the electrolyte and re-saturating the separator, whereas the discharge portion primarily benefits the cells performance by breaking up crystal growths or granular aggregations which, in turn, lowers its impedance.

So, even though Thomas Distributing is categorically correct, by electing not to apply an initial 0.2C discharge to the cell before a break-in charge, you are also electing not to take advantage of its benefits on the cell's performance...

 

[WDG]

...the discharge portion primarily benefits the cells performance by breaking up crystal growths or granular aggregations which, in turn, lowers its impedance.

Which does a better job of this, 1000mAh or 100mAh discharge. Or, does it really matter?

 

[qazx]

It's also my understanding that the charge portion of the break-in cycle primarily benefits the cells health by equalizing the electrolyte and re-saturating the separator, whereas the discharge portion primarily benefits the cells performance by breaking up crystal growths or granular aggregations which, in turn, lowers its impedance.

So, even though Thomas Distributing is categorically correct, by electing not to apply an initial 0.2C discharge to the cell before a break-in charge, you are also electing not to take advantage of its benefits on the cell's performance...

yes, maybe they say its not neccessary then as a new cell wouldnt have any crystal build up.

 

[Bones]

yes, maybe they say its not neccessary then as a new cell wouldnt have any crystal build up.

Maybe, but their statement would then be dependent on the causes of crystal build-up. In which case, I would be interested in your understanding of those causes.