My Eneloops - How often to run refresh/analyse or break-in cycle?

[turnipfarmer]

I have been searhcing on the forum but can't quite find my answer that I'm looking for 🙁

I have had some Eneloops that were manufactured Aug 2010 but I have used them quite regularay since March this year.

BI Capacity March 2011
1 - 2009
2 - 1984
3 - 1989
4 - 2006

Charge at 1000 May 2011
1 - 2005
2 - 2082
3 - 2114
4 - 2086

Charge at 1000 July 2011
1 - 2053
2 - 2109
3 - 2134
4 - 2127

Now these batteries are now dead again and before I charge them again I was wondering how often should I run a break-in cycle or refresh cycle again to keep maintenance and performance up? Is it every 30 days?

thanks guys

 

[samgab]

Well, it's a matter of opinion, and what you personally want to do, but I can tell you what Sanyo say, about their cells:
in the eneloop handbook:

What is Refresh Function?

This function is to remove ” Memory Effect” . This is achieved by discharging the batteries first and then recharging the batteries to its full charged. However, eneloop battery does not experience the effects of "memory effect", so eneloop does not need to use the ‘Refresh Function’.

And what does Maha say?

Refresh and Analyse Mode:

...Recommended once every ten cycles for NiMH batteries...

Break-In Mode:

...Recommended once every 30 cycles for NiMH batteries...

So you can do whatever you are comfortable with. eneloops are pretty forgiving, as rechargeables go, but it certainly won't hurt to do a periodic R&A cycle.

 

[45/70]

Hi turnip. I'm not sure how you searched, but if you type "Eneloops - How often to run refresh/analyse or break-in cycle?" into the search box at the top of this page and check "CPF Only", you will get some answers to your questions. You can ignore the first result.

Seriously, this question comes up frequently, but I do a "break-in" about once a year. Some say this isn't really necessary with LSD cells, I figure it can't hurt though and it gives me a fairly accurate capacity of my cells, for the purpose of evaluating their general health.

The only times I really do a "refresh and analyze" is if I want to match cells for a particular series application, or if I'm just curious as to the approximate capacity of the cell(s), and don't want to wait for a "break-in" to complete. If you you use your cells regularly, as I do, and pretty much discharge them, at least once in a while (discharge meaning, discharge to about 1.20 Volt open circuit voltage), a "refresh and analyze" probably isn't necessary, as far as keeping the cell healthy.

Dave