charging multiple IMR26500s

[ifpo238]

I am building a 5x AW IMR26500 modded light. Is there a charger out there that will charge the 5 cells simultaneously, or would I need to buy multiple chargers? I may also build a 2x 26500 ROP of some sort, so the ability to charge up to 7 of these cells would be even better.

Brand new to rechargeables, so I really appreciate your taking the time to provide guidance.

Danka mucho!

-j

 

[smopoim86]

RC Hobby charger with either some cell holders or magnet leads connected to the balance tap.

 

[Bones]

This thread speaks to your query ifpo238:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com ... post3073396
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[buickid]

AW says IMRs can be charged in series without special treatment, ie balance leads.

They are safe chemistry and can be use like NiMH cells and you don't need a protection circuit for NiMH cells.

RC people find some interesting fact about these safe chemistry cells that they seem to self balance themselves to within 0.01V when used in series. If the voltage output of the serial charger is within spec., chance of overcharging individual cell is slim. The ability of accepting a fast charge up to 3C is a plus. This means charging not-so-balanced cells in parallel will be fine as well ( the initial few seconds of current flow between cells is usually high for unbalanced cells during parallel charging ).

 

[ifpo238]

AW says IMRs can be charged in series without special treatment, ie balance leads.

I'm intrigued by this, mostly because I don't know how to "balance" them, anyway... Is anybody here actually doing this? Does it seem to be working? Can you recommend a charger (along w/ any mods I'd need to make to make it work with my setup)?

Thanks!

-j

 

[ifpo238]

bump
z

 

[smopoim86]

bump
z

What additional info were you looking for. You've been given a couple decent options. More detail of what more info you need would be more helpful than a simple bump.

 

[ifpo238]

Sorry. I was just wondering if anyone here was charging these cells in series without balancing them. I'm new to rechargeables, so I wanna make sure that whatever I do is safe.

Thanks!

-j

 

[KiwiMark]

What is your budget?

I have this:
http://www.hobbycity.com/hobbycity/store/uh_viewitem.asp?idproduct=7028
It is good for up to 6 Li-ion cells and up to 5 Amps and for the price it is hard to beat. It needs 12V DC, power it from a spare PC ATX PSU (fairly easy to do).

 

[ifpo238]

That looks awesome. Thanks!

-j

 

[KiwiMark]

That looks awesome. Thanks!

-j

Yeah, it is bloody good! I just wish I knew about it earlier, if I'd known I could get something that versatile for 35 bucks then there are some chargers I would not have bought.

I bought 2 of these for charging my 32600 cells and 2 of a 1 amp, 2 cell (CC/CV 8.4V 1A) charger that looks similar. Although between them I can charge 2 of 1 cell at 2A and 2 of 2 cells at 1A that still doesn't equal what I can do with the hobby charger - up to 6 cells at up to 5A. Considering that I spent about $70 at Kaidomain for 4 chargers that work OK but don't offer any settings I can change or LCD readout to let me know what is happening, I just wish that I had come across the hobby charger first.

I have used my hobby charger to charge all sorts of cells, also to discharge and measure the capacity of my 32600 cells (Kaidomain claim that they are 5000mAh cells, I now know that they really are), to cycle some stuffed AA NiMH cells and to charge my 6 x 4Ah NiCd D cells from my Mag 6D. For the cost of is this is a really nice little charger to use for a wide variety of battery charging needs.