Charging PILA batteries

[bagman]

Can you safely and effectively charge theold style PILA 150s, 150A and 168S abtteries in any Li_ion charger apart from their own please?

Also do the batteries have a time life span as well as a number of charges ife span?

I ask as I have had some PILA 150A's for about 3 years for ther oldest ones and just in the last week I have realised that 2, possibly 3 of them are knackered.

They have no where near 500 charges on them, in fact I'd be suprised if they have more than 50-100 at the very most.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Bagman,

You can charge any Li-Ion cell in any Li-Ion charger that utilizes a CC/CV charging algorithm with a 4.2 volt maximum voltage. The Wolf Eyes and old style Pila chargers did not follow this and were designed to only be used with protected cells. The new ICB Pila charger will work with all Li-Ion cells.

Li-Ion cells have a shelf life. They will die, even if you never use them. Storage conditions also influence the storage life. Li-Ion chemistry oxidizes on the inside and the oxidation rate is higher at full charge and empty.

Early cells were reported to have a life of 2 - 3 years. The current cells seem to be better and have a life of 3 - 5 years, under ideal conditions.

Ideal conditions include storing at 40 - 50% charge in cool temperatures (40 F). Storing cells at 100% full charge has been show to result in a 20% loss of capacity when stored at room temperature over a period of 1 year.

Tom

 

[bagman]

Thanks Tom, so just to check I can charge my old PILA cells in my new Ultrafire charger?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Bagman,

I am not familiar with the Ultrafire charger. Does it utilize a CC/CV charging algorithm and limit the voltage to 4.2 volts?

I also forgot to mention that Li-Ion cells do not like to be trickle charged, so the charger should also shut off at then end of the charge cycle. Also, keep in mind that the maximum recommended charge rate is 1 C.

OK, I just re-read you question... The old Pila cells are protected so yes, they can be charged on the Ultrafire charger.

Tom

 

[bagman]

OK, I just re-read you question... The old Pila cells are protected so yes, they can be charged on the Ultrafire charger.

Thanks Tom

 

[lrp]

I just got the Pila ICB charger and really do like it....it will charge cells to 4.2 than my other chargers would only charge to 4.1 & lower.

 

[bagman]

I tried one of the "nearly dead" PILA 150A batteries in the ultrafire charger last night and it seems to have it a charge where the PILA charger would not.

I have not tried it out in the light yet but will rpeort back when I've done so.

Could be that the PILA charger is at fault?

 

[Raoul_Duke]

Dont let the cell run down and trip the protection circuit if you can help it.
I hear that its better to keep them topped up even if only half depleted, than to risk running them flat.

 

[bagman]

Dont let the cell run down and trip the protection circuit if you can help it.
I hear that its better to keep them topped up even if only half depleted, than to risk running them flat.

Raoul - I always try and do this with my work lights (which I tend to top up after every shift if I have used the light for more than a couple of minutes) but the PILA got alot of workout in the loft getting ready to move last month and the light cut out several times.

 

[Hallis]

And this my friends, is why i love the search function. Kept me from posting the same question good info here.

Shane