Pila charger is still solid red after 12+ hours w/ my 18650

[Wacki]

Is my brand new charger broken?

Quick Summary:

• Right lane - 3 hours charging
• Right lane - 7 hours charging
• left lane - 2 hours of charging
• Still a solid red light on whatever lane I put the battery in.

Whole Story:

I placed 1 brand new Tenergy 18650 in the charger for 3 hours during that time the LED was solid red. The battery accidentally fell out as I was moving the charger and so I placed it back in and went to bed. When I woke up the light was still solid red. Went to work and I plugged the battery into a different charging lane around 10PM EST. It's almost midnight and the light is still solid red.

 

[Ragiska]

Re: Pila charger is still solid red after 14+ hours w/ my 18650

and what is the cell voltage?

 

[Wacki]

The cell I've been charging has a voltage of 4.14. I bought a 4 pack of Tenergy 18650s and the other three are in the 3.7-3.85 range brand new / out of the box.

 

[oldways]

Did you hit the reset?

 

[TooManyGizmos]

Try another cell ......

If it does the same .........

I'd be contacting the seller for an exchange of the charger ...........

It seems to have a problem ?
~

 

[Wacki]

Did you hit the reset?

Doesn't the reset light only work when the light is solid green?

 

[Wacki]

how long does a 18650 2600mah normally take to charge on a Pila?

 

[jmcf1949]

My AW 18650's take three to four hours. I don't think I'd have the nerve to leave em charging while I slept. The risk is a bit much.

Jim - Semper Fi

 

[hank]

You can say that again. Here, I'll say it for myself:

I don't think I'd have the nerve to leave em charging while I slept.
The risk is a bit much.

Also, the whole outfit ought to be on a fireproof surface; someone suggested a nice big clay flowerpot, which I find somewhat reassuring.

Not that I'd go to sleep with it plugged in though.

 

[oldways]

Doesn't the reset light only work when the light is solid green?

Mine will glow red sometimes when a battery with 4.12 or so is inserted. Hitting the reset starts the charge. Try it. It wont hurt anything.

 

[Wacki]

I've hit the reset button, unplugged the charger etc and I'm trying again. I'm also charging a second cell in another bank.

At what voltage do I know the battery is done charging?

Thanks,

 

[Wacki]

Here's an odd behavior. I remove the battery and place it back in. The green LED goes solid. I hit the reset button and the red light has been solid for two hours. The battery is not very warm.

Is this normal?

 

[lebox97]

have you contacted the seller???
sounds like a problem with the charger, but
it also sounds like you are only having a problem with 1 of the 4 cells???

until you tell us what all the cell voltages are coming off the charger... we won't know for sure.
(perhaps the ICB on the one cell is stopping charge at 4.15, and the charger is trying to take it to 4.17-4.2?) :thinking:

BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE CHARGER IS NOT TRYING TO CHARGE IT ABOVE 4.2V+/- if it is UNPLUG IT NOW and sent it back - it is defective.

another clue is you said it turned green when you put the cell in - which indicates the PILA thinks it is at correct voltage.
Again, measure cell voltage, and use it, why keep trying to top up a cell that appears to not want to top up?


PS: I charge up literally hundreds of 18650's every month using a PILA IBC and a WF-139 - have never had a concern about sleeping while I am doing it... but then I only use reputable cells, and also have chargers set out in middle of hard floor separate from everything else

Tod

 

[MarNav1]

Ammo can

 

[flatline]

Ammo can

That's what I do. Charger in an open ammo can sitting on top of a granite counter by the door. If things suddenly go south, I can grab the can and chuck it outside without risking life and limb.

 

[Christoph]

... The battery accidentally fell out as I was moving the charger and so I placed it back in and went to bed. When I woke up the light was still solid red. Went to work and I plugged the battery into a different charging lane around 10PM EST. It's almost midnight and the light is still solid red.

How far did the battery fall? maybe the battery is damaged.
C

 

[Wacki]

How far did the battery fall? maybe the battery is damaged.
C

doubtful, it only fell about 1 inch.. into my hand.

 

[Wacki]

have you contacted the seller???

No but I will

sounds like a problem with the charger, but
it also sounds like you are only having a problem with 1 of the 4 cells???

I will test the other cells when I get back home Tuesday.

until you tell us what all the cell voltages are coming off the charger... we won't know for sure.
(perhaps the ICB on the one cell is stopping charge at 4.15, and the charger is trying to take it to 4.17-4.2?) :thinking:

The cell I've been charging has a voltage of 4.14 fresh off the Pila. I bought a 4 pack of Tenergy 18650s and the other three are in the 3.7-3.85 range brand new / out of the box. I will try the giving the others their first charge on Tuesday.

BE ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN THE CHARGER IS NOT TRYING TO CHARGE IT ABOVE 4.2V+/- if it is UNPLUG IT NOW and sent it back - it is defective.

Well if battery's ICB is stopping it at 4.15 then how would i tell the charger is attempting to get to 4.2+

another clue is you said it turned green when you put the cell in - which indicates the PILA thinks it is at correct voltage.
Again, measure cell voltage, and use it, why keep trying to top up a cell that appears to not want to top up?

Because I wanted to see if the top up ever stops. As I left it running overnight, I'm not sure it does.