C-9000 questions

[cckw]

I just got my C9000 and have questions. First I want to refresh some old cells. I have read a lot about this but only have found the hi/lo for charge and dis-charge. So two parts:

#1 what % of capacity have you guy found best for this?

#2 If a battery is not labeled what do you use?

I am doing both AA and AAA

 

[Mr Happy]

For old cells it is almost certainly best to run a break-in cycle as the first action.

If the cell is not labeled you will have to estimate the capacity using the charger. For AA cells, run a refresh/analyze using 1000 mA to charge, 500 mA to discharge. For AAA cells, use 500 mA charge/200 mA discharge. Whatever capacity that gives you, use that for the break-in cycle.

 

[cckw]

I used your numbers, I first ran a refresh to get the numbers, (that's what the cool kids do, right?) now running break-in then will run the numbers again.

thanks for the help

 

[Mr Happy]

At the end of the break-in cycle the capacity will be displayed. You can use that capacity as the next best estimate for the unlabeled cells.

The break-in capacity should be larger than the first refresh/analyze capacity. If it isn't any larger there will be no point in continuing with further rescue attempts.

Also, every time a refresh/analyze or break-in cycle finishes the cells will be left fully charged. So you can run a discharge cycle on them at that point to get another capacity measure before doing further refresh or break-in cycles.

 

[cckw]

At the end of the break-in cycle the capacity will be displayed. You can use that capacity as the next best estimate for the unlabeled cells.

The break-in capacity should be larger than the first refresh/analyze capacity. If it isn't any larger there will be no point in continuing with further rescue attempts.

Also, every time a refresh/analyze or break-in cycle finishes the cells will be left fully charged. So you can run a discharge cycle on them at that point to get another capacity measure before doing further refresh or break-in cycles.

Dope! I read that when reading & deciding to get it, but forgot to do it. I assume it is better to discharge but not required, right?

 

[Mr Happy]

Dope! I read that when reading & deciding to get it, but forgot to do it. I assume it is better to discharge but not required, right?

Right.

 

[cckw]

I'll ask this here rather then start another noobie thread.

When opening new Eneloops, is it 100% OK to use them a couple times before running the break-in, or should I be strict and always do the discharge & break-in?

 

[TakeTheActive]

YANEQ...

...When opening new Eneloops, is it 100% OK to use them a couple times before running the break-in, or should I be strict and always do the discharge & break-in?

Hello all. New guy here. Finding out I may be a flashaholic/gizmoaholic. Anyway I just got a Maha C9000 charger and the AA eneloop batteries are on the way. As I understand it they come charged and ready to use out of the package? If so does this mean that you don't have to run them throught the break in cycle like other rechargeable Nimh batteries?:shrug: Thanks for the info. :thumbsup:

Reference: eneloop question :wave:

 

[cckw]

Re: YANEQ...

Reference: eneloop question :wave:

Yes, I saw that thread, but it didn't especially answer my question. the difference may be splitting hairs but running the first few cycles without break-in, then running break-in: does that still get you the exact same break in advantage that doing it out of the pack provides?

Also, Do stored batteries need refreshed? how often?

 

[SilverFox]

Re: YANEQ...

Hello Cckw,

In general, all new cells will benefit from going through the break in process. This is also repeated every 20 - 50 charge/discharge cycles. When the Eneloop cells first came out, they were quite fresh and there was no observed difference in capacity between cells just put into use, or cells that had gone through the break in. Recently, some of the Eneloop cells that were manufactured 2 - 3 years ago have showed improvement after the break in.

So, in general cells should go through the break in before putting them into service, but there can be some exceptions.

NiMh and NiCd cell storage depends on how you want your cells to perform. When cells are stored discharged, and cycled through a charge/discharge cycle every 30 days, they remain vibrant. Under less demanding conditions, cells can be charge up and stored. It usually takes several charge/discharge cycles to get them back into shape after extended storage, and sometimes they never make it back to a vibrant state.

The low self discharge cells seem to be an exception. They hold their charge for an extended period of time, so you can probably limit the break in cycle to once a year and still end up with vibrant cells. We are still learning about these cells.

Batteries work best when they are used, and slowly die when they are stored.

Tom

 

[Turbo DV8]

Re: YANEQ...

Batteries work best when they are used, and slowly die when they are stored.

But don't cells also slowly die when they are used? A good question might be, do they [LSD] die more quickly being used, or stored charged?