Need battery charger advice for my 32650's

[cdrake261]

My tenergy lithium ion charger doesn't cut it as a makeshift charger for my four 32650's, so I'm looking into some cost vs. features of several chargers and what's best bang for buck, quick to charge, low cost, etc.

I want to be able to charge all four cells at once and balancing is a must.

Pro's and con's of the following chargers would be appriciated!

Turnigy Accucel 6

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...cer_Charger_w_accessories_USA_Warehouse_.html

Turnigy Accucel-8

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._150W_7A_Balancer_Charger_USA_Warehouse_.html

iCharger 106B-plus

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6792__iCharger_106B_plus_250W_6s_Balance_Charger.html

iCharger 208B

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9005__iCharger_208B_350W_8s_Balance_Charger.html

iCharger 1010B+

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6609__iCharger_1010B_300W_10s_Balance_Charger.html

 

[malow]

i got a accucell-6, but now, i wold buy a iCharger 106B-plus instead and use pc power supply to "go cheap" ;P

higher power, more features, more efficient, higher precision/quality.

 

[cdrake261]

Is it the higher wattage that can charge your batteries faster or higher amperage?

 

[HKJ]

Is it the higher wattage that can charge your batteries faster or higher amperage?

Depends, you need enough of both.
To charger a LiIon at 3 ampere you need: 3*4.2 -> 12.6 watt, to charge 4 LiIon at 3 ampere you need 4 times the watt i.e. 12.6*4 -> 50.4 watt.

When you charge a single cell the ampere will usual be the limit on a hobby charger, but with multiple cells in series the watts will be the limit.

I like the iCharger chargers, they are very versatile and has a lot of power. The 208B can also record the data from a charge or discharge and you can later download it to a computer, with the other iChargers you need the computer connected while charging.

 

[cdrake261]

What power supply would I need then?

 

[cdrake261]

Anybody have any idea what measure unti the charging and discharging rate is? I've seen it used on here a lot and google search not really saying much...

Protected against: overcharge, overdischarge, short circuit
3.7V, 5500mAH (ea. battery)
Weight (ea. battery): 4.7 oz
Discharge rate: 0.4-0.6C
Charge rate: 0.45C
Dimension (ea. battery): ~2.5 in (L) x ~1.25 in (D)
Compatiable with Photic 1200 (2-2.5 hr @ 1200LM)

 

[HKJ]

C is the capacity of the battery, i.e. a rate of 0.45C is 0.45*5500 -> 2475 mA for this battery.

 

[cdrake261]

C is the capacity of the battery, i.e. a rate of 0.45C is 0.45*5500 -> 2475 mA for this battery.

Ah...so by that I need to make a maximum charge rate then?

 

[KiwiMark]

My tenergy lithium ion charger doesn't cut it as a makeshift charger for my four 32650's, so I'm looking into some cost vs. features of several chargers and what's best bang for buck, quick to charge, low cost, etc.

I want to be able to charge all four cells at once and balancing is a must.

Pro's and con's of the following chargers would be appriciated!

Turnigy Accucel 6

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/...cer_Charger_w_accessories_USA_Warehouse_.html

Turnigy Accucel-8

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/..._150W_7A_Balancer_Charger_USA_Warehouse_.html

iCharger 106B-plus

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6792__iCharger_106B_plus_250W_6s_Balance_Charger.html

iCharger 208B

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__9005__iCharger_208B_350W_8s_Balance_Charger.html

iCharger 1010B+

http://www.hobbyking.com/hobbyking/store/__6609__iCharger_1010B_300W_10s_Balance_Charger.html

Of those 5 chargers I have bought 4 of them and still have 2 (The 106B+ & 208B).

I wouldn't buy the 1010B+ because for similar money you can get the 208B which is a better charger unless you need to charge more than 8 Li-ion cells in series at once (which I never have).

The 208B is the best on that list in capability & features. It is the only one that can be powered by 4.5V to 32V input which gives a bit more flexibility in power supplies. I have a 19.5V laptop power supply and most hobby chargers can be powered by 10V to 18V so it would be a bit risky to try the laptop power supply with them. It also can charge at up to 20A and 350W (you can't exceed either the amps or watts) which would be way more than I'll ever need.

For less money the 106B+ is a good choice, it can charge at up to 10A or 250W (whichever limit you hit first) which is probably enough for most applications and up to 6 Li-ion cells in series (no problems for your 4 x 32650 cells).

Either iCharger not only are built better, but the UI is more of a breeze to use. They also offer some customisation that the Accucell chargers don't like being able to tweak up the CC/CV threshold voltage. The iChargers also support connecting to a PC for data logging - the older 8150 used to offer that but the newer version no longer does.

The iChargers come with a temperature probe which is good for inserting into stuff, but I bought the optional temperature sensor which is better for connecting to cylindrical cells: http://www.progressiverc.com/magnetic-temperature-sensor.html
This allows another safety check while charging or discharging so the charger can stop if something is going wrong with the cell.

 

[cdrake261]

Of those 5 chargers I have bought 4 of them and still have 2 (The 106B+ & 208B).

I wouldn't buy the 1010B+ because for similar money you can get the 208B which is a better charger unless you need to charge more than 8 Li-ion cells in series at once (which I never have).

The 208B is the best on that list in capability & features. It is the only one that can be powered by 4.5V to 32V input which gives a bit more flexibility in power supplies. I have a 19.5V laptop power supply and most hobby chargers can be powered by 10V to 18V so it would be a bit risky to try the laptop power supply with them. It also can charge at up to 20A and 350W (you can't exceed either the amps or watts) which would be way more than I'll ever need.

For less money the 106B+ is a good choice, it can charge at up to 10A or 250W (whichever limit you hit first) which is probably enough for most applications and up to 6 Li-ion cells in series (no problems for your 4 x 32650 cells).

Either iCharger not only are built better, but the UI is more of a breeze to use. They also offer some customisation that the Accucell chargers don't like being able to tweak up the CC/CV threshold voltage. The iChargers also support connecting to a PC for data logging - the older 8150 used to offer that but the newer version no longer does.

The iChargers come with a temperature probe which is good for inserting into stuff, but I bought the optional temperature sensor which is better for connecting to cylindrical cells: http://www.progressiverc.com/magnetic-temperature-sensor.html
This allows another safety check while charging or discharging so the charger can stop if something is going wrong with the cell.

Quick couple questions then...

1) For my 4 x 32650's, how can I tell what max amp/wattage to charge them at in series?

2) When you figure out the last question, how big of a power supply do I need to charge everything up? I have access to couple OEM power supplies....

 

[HKJ]

1) For my 4 x 32650's, how can I tell what max amp/wattage to charge them at in series?

In series you have the same current all the way, i.e. if you use 2500mA for one cell, you also use 2500 mA for 4 cells.
2500 mA is 4.2*2500/1000 -> 10.5 watt for one cell and 4 times that for four cells (42 watt).

2) When you figure out the last question, how big of a power supply do I need to charge everything up? I have access to couple OEM power supplies....

Add 20% to the above power and some for the chargers internal use and you have a good estimate of the power supply. I.e. something in the 55 to 60 watt range is fine.

 

[KiwiMark]

Quick couple questions then...

1) For my 4 x 32650's, how can I tell what max amp/wattage to charge them at in series?

2) When you figure out the last question, how big of a power supply do I need to charge everything up? I have access to couple OEM power supplies....

I usually charge my 5000mAh 36500 cells at 2 to 2.5 amps (somewhere around 1/2C or below), for that the 108B+ with a max of 10A would have no problem and even charging the 4 in parallel you wouldn't need more than 10A. In fact for all my Li-ion cells I look at the capacity and half that for the mA that I charge at. For my 2400mAh 18650 cells I'd go somewhere around 1.2A, though if there isn't any hurry I might just make it a nice round 1A.

For power supplies you can go as high as you like as long as you have at least as much as the charger is putting out + a margin above that - what HKJ suggests sounds good 60W or above and you should have no problem. I use a computer PSU that happily runs my 2 hobby chargers without getting the slightest bit warm - it is overkill but it was something I had lying around.

 

[cdrake261]

would the Accucel 6 be powerful enough to charge 4 Lithium ion 32650's and some pink 18650's? or would the 106b or Accucel 8 be a better choice?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Cdrake261,

Welcome to CPF.

Chargers have specifications. If you study those specifications you can determine if the charger is suitable for the job at hand. For example let's speculate that your 32560 cells have a capacity of 3000 mAh, and you are interested in charging at a 0.7C rate. If you want to charge each cell individually, you would need a charger capable of charging to 4.2 volts at 2100 mA.

If you want to charge all 4 of your 32650 cells at once, you have two choices. You can hook them up in parallel, or series.

In parallel you need a charger that charges to 4.2 volts and the current can be up to 8400 mA. In series you need to worry about balancing each cell, so you need a charger that has balancing capabilities, charges to 16.8 volts and can charge at 2100 mA.

The charger specifications should give you either the maximum voltage or the maximum number of cells you can charge in series, along with the charging currents. Be advised that they sometimes give the maximum charging current possible with a particular configuration, and that charging current won't be possible with other configurations. Sometimes they will give you charge rate capabilities for different configurations and you can go from there.

I always advise people to put a lot of thought into a charger purchase. It can be an investment that will provide you with years of charging pleasure.

Tom

 

[cdrake261]

C is the capacity of the battery, i.e. a rate of 0.45C is 0.45*5500 -> 2475 mA for this battery.

In series you have the same current all the way, i.e. if you use 2500mA for one cell, you also use 2500 mA for 4 cells.
2500 mA is 4.2*2500/1000 -> 10.5 watt for one cell and 4 times that for four cells (42 watt).



Add 20% to the above power and some for the chargers internal use and you have a good estimate of the power supply. I.e. something in the 55 to 60 watt range is fine.

Hello Cdrake261,

Welcome to CPF.

Chargers have specifications. If you study those specifications you can determine if the charger is suitable for the job at hand. For example let's speculate that your 32560 cells have a capacity of 3000 mAh, and you are interested in charging at a 0.7C rate. If you want to charge each cell individually, you would need a charger capable of charging to 4.2 volts at 2100 mA.

If you want to charge all 4 of your 32650 cells at once, you have two choices. You can hook them up in parallel, or series.

In parallel you need a charger that charges to 4.2 volts and the current can be up to 8400 mA. In series you need to worry about balancing each cell, so you need a charger that has balancing capabilities, charges to 16.8 volts and can charge at 2100 mA.

The charger specifications should give you either the maximum voltage or the maximum number of cells you can charge in series, along with the charging currents. Be advised that they sometimes give the maximum charging current possible with a particular configuration, and that charging current won't be possible with other configurations. Sometimes they will give you charge rate capabilities for different configurations and you can go from there.

I always advise people to put a lot of thought into a charger purchase. It can be an investment that will provide you with years of charging pleasure.

Tom

according to my battery supplier, my max charging amperage is 2475mA...so 4.2*2500/1000 -> 10.5 watt per battery, times four is 42 watts.

So technically as long as my power supply exceeds 60 watts, an accucell 6 would get me by in charging four 32650's at 2500mA or less....correct? I do not have a lot of money right now and need something that works with no thrills, I'll want to get a nicer one later.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Cdrake261,

Looking at the specifications for that charger, it should work fine.

Tom

 

[cdrake261]

Hello Cdrake261,

Looking at the specifications for that charger, it should work fine.

Tom

Thank you, that's what I needed to know

 

[KiwiMark]

would the Accucel 6 be powerful enough to charge 4 Lithium ion 32650's and some pink 18650's? or would the 106b or Accucel 8 be a better choice?

The 106B+ would be a better choice, but a dearer one.

according to my battery supplier, my max charging amperage is 2475mA...so 4.2*2500/1000 -> 10.5 watt per battery, times four is 42 watts.

So technically as long as my power supply exceeds 60 watts, an accucell 6 would get me by in charging four 32650's at 2500mA or less....correct?

Yep - >60W input should easily handle 42W output. If your power supply is between 10V & 17V and can handle more than 60W then it should work just fine with a hobby charger and 4 Li-ion cells charging at 2.5A

I do not have a lot of money right now and need something that works with no thrills, I'll want to get a nicer one later.

If you just can't spare the money to buy the 106B+ right now then I'd suggest you get the Accucel 6 as it will do the job just fine. The 106B+ is a better charger with a nicer UI and enough charging amps to charge 4 x 32650 cells in parallel at 10A (~2.5A per cell) - it is the better choice. The Accucel 6 could charge the 4 x 32650 cells in parallel, but only at 6A (each would receive ~1.5A) or it could charge the 4 cells in series with balancing leads at 2.5A and that would work just fine.
So what I'm saying is that the 106B+ is better, but the Accucel 6 will work well and do the job that you want it to.

 

[cdrake261]

I would love to have the icharger, but money is too tight at the moment, thank you for your quality post.

 

[cdrake261]

Another noob question, with the accurcell 6 charger, do I need to buy anything extra to balance charge the cells?