Charging RCR123a with Pila IBC charger

[vudoo]

Hi guys,

I using my PILA IBC charger to charge a Tenergy 3.0V 900mah RCR123a batteries with a cut down bolt as a spacer. Even after charging it for about 4 hours, the battery only reads 3.7 volts. Is there a reason why it won't charge anymore? Will it take longer because of the battery or could the bolt be providing too much resistance? I have a DMM but am unsure as how to test for resistance.

 

[Oddjob]

I don't think that the Pila can charge 3.0 volt cells. It is supposed to stop charging at 4.2 volts which is the normal cut off for 3.7 volt RCR's. You need to use a charger specifically for 3.0 volt cells I think.

 

[TooManyGizmos]

.
DO NOT charge Tenergy 3.0V 900mah RCR123a batteries with that charger !

It is not the correct charger for that.

It is for regular RCR123A's that reach 4.20 volts .

There is a special charger for those 3 volt rechargeables .

.

 

[vudoo]

How can you tell if one charger will be suitable to charging a battery? I know that the PILA IBC is highly rated and reading through posts, its been recommended that it is capable of charging a range of batteries from RCR123a's to D cell's (with a D cell holder and leads).

I can only see 3 variables, the voltage in, DC output and mah figures.

 

[CaseyS]

Most Li-Ion batteries that are RCR123 size or larger are electrically compatible with the Pila charger. You chose one of the few batteries that isn't. The Pila charger can be used with any 3.7V Li-Ion batteries that have a capacity larger than the Pila's charge rate. Your batteries are 3.0V. Tenergy offers this one if you can find it:

http://www.tenergybattery.com/index...facturer_id=0&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=27

 

[vudoo]

So as long as its a Li-On battery with a voltage rate of 3.7 volts and a capacity greater then the PILA's 600mah output, it should be fine to charge with the PILA?

 

[CaseyS]

That's correct. If you're buying new batteries, these are the most popular around here because of their safety and quality control record:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=200812

They're also available through 4sevens and lighthound.

 

[TooManyGizmos]

.
vudoo ,

I copied this warning directly from the Battery Junction website which sells the Tenergy 3.0v 900ma rechargeable :
........................................................................................
Warning:

Charge ONLY with our Tenergy branded charger linked below. Do not mix/match with primary cells or other rechargeable CR123A cells. Do not mix these cells and the 750mah Tenergy cells concurrently in the same device. Do not mix charged and uncharged cells in any device.

• You must use the 3.0V RCR123A Li-Ion 900mAh battery charger linked below to charge these batteries. Please do not use other charger, including any 3.6V Li-Ion bttery charger, which can not full charge the 3.0V Li-Ion batteries.
• For SureFire and other brands of incandescent(halogen, kyrpton, zenon, etc) flashlights under 7.2V we do not recommend this setup. We typically do NOT recommend these for any bulb flashlights - you use them at your own risk in these types of devices despite the voltage regulation at it takes the voltage regulation ~12 milliseconds to activate. They work GREAT for LED flashlights!

..................................................................................................

Don't know where you got em , but I'm sure MattK the owner of Battery Junction would be glad to explain to you why he posted that warning. He is an active CPF member on here.

The Tenergy LifePo 3.0v essentially has the same warning about charging.


That's the best answer I can give you - so be safe / and prosper .
.

 

[vudoo]

That's correct. If you're buying new batteries, these are the most popular around here because of their safety and quality control record:

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=200812

They're also available through 4sevens and lighthound.

Excellent, now at least I know the rule when working out what the PILA can and can't charge. Thanks!

 

[vudoo]

.
vudoo ,

I copied this warning directly from the Battery Junction website which sells the Tenergy 3.0v 900ma rechargeable :
........................................................................................
Warning:

Charge ONLY with our Tenergy branded charger linked below. Do not mix/match with primary cells or other rechargeable CR123A cells. Do not mix these cells and the 750mah Tenergy cells concurrently in the same device. Do not mix charged and uncharged cells in any device.

• You must use the 3.0V RCR123A Li-Ion 900mAh battery charger linked below to charge these batteries. Please do not use other charger, including any 3.6V Li-Ion bttery charger, which can not full charge the 3.0V Li-Ion batteries.
• For SureFire and other brands of incandescent(halogen, kyrpton, zenon, etc) flashlights under 7.2V we do not recommend this setup. We typically do NOT recommend these for any bulb flashlights - you use them at your own risk in these types of devices despite the voltage regulation at it takes the voltage regulation ~12 milliseconds to activate. They work GREAT for LED flashlights!

..................................................................................................

Don't know where you got em , but I'm sure MattK the owner of Battery Junction would be glad to explain to you why he posted that warning. He is an active CPF member on here.

The Tenergy LifePo 3.0v essentially has the same warning about charging.


That's the best answer I can give you - so be safe / and prosper .
.

The Tenegy kit came with 4 batteries and its own charger...but I was going to give away 2 batteries and the charger to a mate as long as the PILA could charge the 2 that I would keep. Otherwise I would have never tried to charge it with the PILA. When I did the trial charging, I kept a very close eye on it

 

[45/70]

Apparently the Tenergy 3.0 Volt cells are diode corrected for voltage, deducting from the information in the warning TMG posted. The problem with trying to charge them in a 3.6-3.7 Volt charger like the Pila is that they won't get a full charge. This type of 3.0 Volt cell requires a higher charging voltage than normal 3.6-3.7 Volt cells.

On the opposite side, trying to charge a 3 Volt LiFe cell in a 3.6-3.7 Volt charger will overcharge and eventually damage it, as the voltage is too high.

Any of the above mismatching of cell to charger is relatively safe, you just end up with less than half charged cells, or damage to the cells from overcharging. The dangerous combination is if you try to charge a 3.6-3.7 Volt cell in a charger designed for 3.0 Volt diode corrected cells, like one for the Tenergy's you have. This would apply a voltage (4.4-4.5) to a 3.6-3.7 Volt LiCo cell that could come dangerously close to causing a "venting with flame" incident.

Always make sure you use the proper charger for the chemistry/voltage of the cell you are charging.

Dave