Low voltages fresh off new Pila IBC - Problem?

[Bluehinder]

Hi,

This thread has prompted me to measure the voltages with my new IBC, one week old.

Something may not be right.

Using AW's new RCR123's out of the box, and a Fluke 112, I get the following on seven different cells when the light turns green (two cells at a time):

4.084
4.145
4.103
4.156
4.117
4.09
4.112

Using reset does not charge for more than a few minutes, with voltages virtually unchanged.

I double checked my Fluke with another reference meter, both read the same to the third digit.

I used the stock IBC spacer with a 15m aluminum spacer, good fit.

Should I return this guy for another? Any other thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Bluehinder]

Hi,

This thread has prompted me to measure the voltages with my new IBC, one week old.

Something may not be right.

Using AW's new RCR123's out of the box, and a Fluke 112, I get the following on seven different cells when the light turns green (two cells at a time):

4.084
4.145
4.103
4.156
4.117
4.09
4.112

Using reset does not charge for more than a few minutes, with voltages virtually unchanged.

I double checked my Fluke with another reference meter, both read the same to the third digit.

I used the stock IBC spacer with a 15m aluminum spacer, good fit.

Should I return this guy for another? Any other thoughts?

Thanks

 

[Black Rose]

Certainly doesn't seem right.

Do you have another charger you could use on some of those cells to see if their voltages go up?
That way you can eliminate the cells as having an issue.

 

[pobox1475]

Re: Pila IBC Charger Compendium

^ I just charged an AW protected 123 for about an hour and it came off at 4.0v. Difference of .1 or .2v is not enough for me to be concerned with.

 

[Bluehinder]

I've used seven different cells. Some AW, some MP and some Battery Station. Most new, a few a couple of years old. Always the same readings.

My latest was new MP at 4.103v.

All protected cells.

Does this really matter in the real world under load?

My inclination is to return it, but that is a pita. At least it does not overcharge, ever.

 

[Bluehinder]

Re: Pila IBC Charger Compendium

^ I just charged an AW protected 123 for about an hour and it came off at 4.0v. Difference of .1 or .2v is not enough for me to be concerned with.

I'm cool with that if it's meaningless in the real world. I'd just like to get the thoughts of the experts, as one who has no experience with the charger.

All I ever read about is 4.20 or concerns about a few 0.1v's over. Don't know if 0.1-0.2V is a matter of concern. I want the most punch I can get.

 

[pobox1475]

Re: Pila IBC Charger Compendium

For what I know the IBC terminates at 4.2v +/- a small amount. Most cells when removed from the charger will actually have an indicated voltage slightly below the termination voltage. IMO we are splitting hairs and a little lower term v will probably extend the life cycles of the battery. My readings are not the most accurate though. I just realized that my Craftsman meter does not have a 20v setting . I only thought about 2v when bought for NiMH. Hopefully one of our resident experts will chime in and enlighten us.

 

[Black Rose]

Well if it's consistently lowish on multiple brands and ages of cells, it definitely points to the charger.

 

[cernobila]

A minor point........To claim under warranty, I think it says somewhere that the Pila IBC charger is to be used only with Pila cells and Pila do not make RCR123 size cells, only 600 and 300. (similar to 18500/18650 and 17500/17670)

I also have similar results charging the AW RCR123 cells in the Pila charger, but works much better charging my AW 18650 cells.

 

[Seiko]

Just a thought, but try a second multimeter. Could be that your meter is off and not the charger..... Not likely with a fluke 112, but stranger things have happened.

 

[kitelights]

Well if it's consistently lowish on multiple brands and ages of cells, it definitely points to the charger.

...... or the meter, but most likely the charger. Can you borrow another meter to verify your results. That would eliminate that possibility and you would then know that it's the charger.

It would be useful to know the readings of the two cells that were charged together each time.

All of mine terminate within 0.02v of each other and settle within 0.01v of each other.

Your choice then is to return and exchange it for another unit or keep yours and use it. What you have will make your cells last longer (more cycles), but at slightly less runtime per cell.

 

[Bluehinder]

As I said mid way through my post, I also checked with another reference HP meter. Same out to 0.000.

It's not the meter.

 

[Bluehinder]

A minor point........To claim under warranty, I think it says somewhere that the Pila IBC charger is to be used only with Pila cells and Pila do not make RCR123 size cells, only 600 and 300. (similar to 18500/18650 and 17500/17670)

I also have similar results charging the AW RCR123 cells in the Pila charger, but works much better charging my AW 18650 cells.

You are correct, it does say that. And that, is Pila's official response.

I'm just curious what others have found when using the IBC "off label".

 

[Seiko]

As I said mid way through my post, I also checked with another reference HP meter. Same out to 0.000.

It's not the meter.

Opps missed that!

Too late tonight, but I have 4 or 5 batteries that I can to charge tomorrow.
Ill post specs after I do it.

 

[Bluehinder]

Opps missed that!

Too late tonight, but I have 4 or 5 batteries that I can to charge tomorrow.
Ill post specs after I do it.

Thanks man!

 

[DM51]

Bluehinder, you also posted this in another thread. Cross-posting is contrary to Rule #9 - it wastes space and causes duplication and confusion. I've moved the duplicate post here, along with replies to it.

 

[jirik_cz]

I think it is caused by the spacers, there will be some loses on their contacts. I have similar experience with my Pila IBC and AW RCR123 cells. So I rather charge them in WF-138.

 

[Oddjob]

My AW cells and Generic Cells both come off my Pila consistently at 4.16 to 4.17 volts.

 

[Turbo Guy]

Real world battery applications. A Li-ion charged to 4.0V is 80% fully, one charged to 4.1 is 90% full, 4.195 is 95% and 4.2 is 100 %.

Same battery ,same useage, charged to 4.1 instead of 4.2 will last roughly 4 times as long(number of cycles).

Filling a Li cell until it can not hold anymore at all is not good for them. If a charger charges automaticly to 4.1 or so be happy.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Bluehinder,

Keep in mind that added resistance effects the charger. R-CR123 cells have slightly higher internal resistance than 18650 cells do. The next increase in resistance is the protection circuit. Finally, the spacer can add to the resistance.

The effect of having extra resistance in the charging circuit is that the cells end up with less of a charge.

You can check your charger by charging a new 18650 cell and seeing what voltage it ends up at.

Tom