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Pila IBC™ 4-stage Charger
Charging process
Stage 1 – Automatic analyzing battery status
Stage 2 – Quick charge
Stage 3 – Slow charge
Stage 4 – Standby mode, trickle charge (Stats say this, but it does NOT trickle charge)
Specifications
AC/DC adaptor power in : 100 to 240 VAC (50/60 Hz)
AC/DC adaptor power out : 6 VDC / 2.5 A
DC/DC adaptor power in : 12 to 24VDC
DC/DC adaptor power out : 6 VDC / 3 A
IBC Charger DC in : 6 VDC / 2-3 A
IBC Charger DC out : 4.2 VDC / 600mA (per bay)
Charging time : approximate 3 ½ hours (room temperature)
Ambient temperatures : 0oC to 40oC (32oF to 104oF) for operation
-20oC to 60oC (-4oF to 140oF) for storage
Dimensions : Approx 95mm (L) x 55mm (W) x 48 mm (H)
Weight : Approx 130g (excluding adaptor and power cord).
Pila IBC Battery Charger includes 1 x AC/DC Adapter with US & EU pins (100 - 240 VAC, 50/60Hz auto-sensing), Carrying Bag.
1. What size cells does it charge and what doesn't it charge?
2. What spacers are needed for each cell?
3. What chemistries can be charged, and which never to charge?
4. Overcharging protection?
5. It says "Trickle Charge", but doesn't. Please Explain why.
6. Minimum voltage to initiate a charge?
7. Overheat protection?
8. Can it be left plugged in? With cells?
9. What voltages does it charge?
10. What current does it charge?
11. Reverse polarity protection? Short circuit protection?
12. Is the top-off applied AFTER the charge status light turns green?
13. What is the Reset Button for?
14. What do the lights mean?
15. Battery internal resistance tested prior to charging?
16. Can I use the Pila IBC Charger in my car?
Using the Pila IBC Charger
Place the charger in a nonflammable location, in case of fire. Place one or two cell(s) in the charger bay(s) with the appropriate spacer if required, then give them a quarter turn to make better electrical contact. ** When the light turns green, remove the cells and unplug the charger.
**If you have a protected cell that you believe was tripped and the charger signals the cell as damaged, press the reset button.
Error Signal - Green light on and red light blinking.
Each of the two stations on this charger is independent of each other. So, yes you can charge two batteries in different states of charge or just one battery.
As a rule of thumb you should not charge Li-ions at more than 1C so you should avoid charging batteries with a capacity lower than 600ma in the Pila IBC.
Useful Multimeter information for checking the voltage (how much fuel) is left in a Li-Ion cell.
The figures below are resting voltages, where the Li-Ion cell has been resting (not under load) for ~15 minutes. The figures are approximate, but they are a good guide.
4.2 volts 100%
4.1 about 90%
4.0 about 80%
3.9 about 60%
3.8 about 40%
3.7 about 20%
3.6 empty for practical purposes
<3.5 = over-discharged
Equation for to approximate time to fully charge.
for example:
*NOTE: The order of the questions have been changed to put similar questions together or combine them when it was appropriate. The following posts that only refer to a # might not be an answer to the posted question above.
Thanks to Silverfox, DM51, Hitthespot and LuxLuthor whom I've outright stolen from to create this compendium and the many unsung others. :thumbsup:
Last edited November 1, 2010
Charging process
Stage 1 – Automatic analyzing battery status
Stage 2 – Quick charge
Stage 3 – Slow charge
Stage 4 – Standby mode, trickle charge (Stats say this, but it does NOT trickle charge)
Specifications
AC/DC adaptor power in : 100 to 240 VAC (50/60 Hz)
AC/DC adaptor power out : 6 VDC / 2.5 A
DC/DC adaptor power in : 12 to 24VDC
DC/DC adaptor power out : 6 VDC / 3 A
IBC Charger DC in : 6 VDC / 2-3 A
IBC Charger DC out : 4.2 VDC / 600mA (per bay)
Charging time : approximate 3 ½ hours (room temperature)
Ambient temperatures : 0oC to 40oC (32oF to 104oF) for operation
-20oC to 60oC (-4oF to 140oF) for storage
Dimensions : Approx 95mm (L) x 55mm (W) x 48 mm (H)
Weight : Approx 130g (excluding adaptor and power cord).
Pila IBC Battery Charger includes 1 x AC/DC Adapter with US & EU pins (100 - 240 VAC, 50/60Hz auto-sensing), Carrying Bag.
1. What size cells does it charge and what doesn't it charge?
RCR123, *10440, 14500, 14670, 16340, 17500, 17670, 18500, 14500 up to 18650. It can handle cells up through 18mm diameter at least and 65-68mm in length, so 18650 on the large end.
*Don't run 10440 cells below 3.8 volts resting. The Pila IBC has a maximum charge rate of 600 mA, and the 10440 cells are about 320 mAh, so approaching 2C on a fully empty cell, but if the cell is around half full, the voltage will quickly climb to 4.2 volts and then the current will quickly drop off. Don't charge an empty (3.3 volts resting) 10440 cell with it, but if it is closer to half empty, it is pushing things, but still will be reasonably safe. The 10440 cell suffer a loss of cycle life by doing this, but that may be acceptable to some.
NEVER charge RCR2 or 10180.
*Don't run 10440 cells below 3.8 volts resting. The Pila IBC has a maximum charge rate of 600 mA, and the 10440 cells are about 320 mAh, so approaching 2C on a fully empty cell, but if the cell is around half full, the voltage will quickly climb to 4.2 volts and then the current will quickly drop off. Don't charge an empty (3.3 volts resting) 10440 cell with it, but if it is closer to half empty, it is pushing things, but still will be reasonably safe. The 10440 cell suffer a loss of cycle life by doing this, but that may be acceptable to some.
NEVER charge RCR2 or 10180.
2. What spacers are needed for each cell?
65mm-68mm length cells require no spacers. 50mm length cells fit with the included Pila screw-in spacers. The Pila spacers are not stackable. i.e., you can not use both spacers to fit smaller cells.
Other lengths need more creativity. For instance, a RCR123 needs the Pila spacer plus a nut and bolt of approximately 34mm. A better idea is to buy a dummy cell of a slightly longer length(without the Pila spacer) than needed and file it down. This avoids the extra contact point and is more stable because of the flat top and bottom of the dummy cell.
* Keep in mind that any added resistance effects the charger. If the cell has a protection circuit, that adds resistance. Finally, the spacer can add to the resistance. So if you must use a spacer, make it one spacer not multiple. i.e. don't use the supplied Pila spacer with a magnet because the resistance builds up. Just use a single longer magnet or bolt...
The effect of having extra resistance in the charging circuit is that the cells end up with less of a charge. Which isn't necessarily bad. You get more battery life (more recharges) but less runtime per charge.
Other lengths need more creativity. For instance, a RCR123 needs the Pila spacer plus a nut and bolt of approximately 34mm. A better idea is to buy a dummy cell of a slightly longer length(without the Pila spacer) than needed and file it down. This avoids the extra contact point and is more stable because of the flat top and bottom of the dummy cell.
* Keep in mind that any added resistance effects the charger. If the cell has a protection circuit, that adds resistance. Finally, the spacer can add to the resistance. So if you must use a spacer, make it one spacer not multiple. i.e. don't use the supplied Pila spacer with a magnet because the resistance builds up. Just use a single longer magnet or bolt...
The effect of having extra resistance in the charging circuit is that the cells end up with less of a charge. Which isn't necessarily bad. You get more battery life (more recharges) but less runtime per charge.
3. What chemistries can be charged, and which never to charge?
Charges 3.7V Lithium Cobalt Ion {LiCoO2} (such as Pila, AW), LiNiCoO2 (AW's NNP cells) and Lithium Manganese Ion {LiMn2O4} (such as Emoli, Konion).
AW's IMR cells - Lithium Manganese {LiMN} IMR cells have much lower internal resistance than regular Li-Ion 3.7V cells and they MAY end up with a higher ending voltage when charged. Please check the voltage of them right out of the charger to see if they are above 4.20V when fully charged with your charger. Overcharging above 4.25V may shorten life/cycles. Above 4.50V may even pop them or make them leak. DO NOT use the charger if it seems to overcharge IMR cells.
DO NOT charge Lithium Iron Phosphate {LiFeP04} (such as A123, Saphion)
AW's IMR cells - Lithium Manganese {LiMN} IMR cells have much lower internal resistance than regular Li-Ion 3.7V cells and they MAY end up with a higher ending voltage when charged. Please check the voltage of them right out of the charger to see if they are above 4.20V when fully charged with your charger. Overcharging above 4.25V may shorten life/cycles. Above 4.50V may even pop them or make them leak. DO NOT use the charger if it seems to overcharge IMR cells.
DO NOT charge Lithium Iron Phosphate {LiFeP04} (such as A123, Saphion)
4. Overcharging protection?
Yes. Charge termination is 4.20V. It will not initiate a charge on an already charged cell, at 4.17V. The Pila IBC uses the correct CC-CV algorithm, and it terminates properly at 4.20V.
5. It says "Trickle Charge", but doesn't. Please Explain why.
Technically, what happens is charging terminates when 4.20V is reached. Thereafter, there is voltage sensing and if it drops to 4.17 - 4.18V, it starts charging up to 4.20V again. It should not be called "Trickle Charging" since this was first designed and used in NiMH charging, and implies continuous, low voltage charging.
6. Minimum voltage to initiate a charge?
It will start charging a cell that is at 1 volt.
7. Overheat protection?
No.
8. Can it be left plugged in? With cells?
You can leave the Pila IBC charger plugged in all the time with batteries, but Pila recommends you remove the batteries and unplug the charger once charging is complete. Because we are dealing with a possible "Vent with Flame" situation, CPF also recommends that you remove the batteries and unplug it when the batteries are fully charged.
9. What voltages does it charge?
4.20 volts.
10. What current does it charge?
600mA at least, the closer to 600mA the more you have to watch heat build up.
DO NOT use on cells bellow 600mA. Charging a lower capacity cell, especially if the cell has been over discharged, exceeds the recommended 1C maximum charging rate recommended by the cell manufacturers.
DO NOT use on cells bellow 600mA. Charging a lower capacity cell, especially if the cell has been over discharged, exceeds the recommended 1C maximum charging rate recommended by the cell manufacturers.
11. Reverse polarity protection? Short circuit protection?
Yes in that it checks the cell to see if it is shorted.
12. Is the top-off applied AFTER the charge status light turns green?
No. Also DO NOT press the Reset Button to attempt to top off the charge on a cell.
13. What is the Reset Button for?
It is for cells that the protection circuit that has been tripped. It makes the charger skip the safety checks. It is also for cells that have been drained, but not enough for the charger to recognize it as needing a charge.
14. What do the lights mean?
No Batteries . . . Green on / Red fast blink
Charging . . . . . Greenoff / Red on
Full . . . . . . . . .Green on / Red off
Defective Cell . .Green on / Red fast blink
Charging . . . . . Greenoff / Red on
Full . . . . . . . . .Green on / Red off
Defective Cell . .Green on / Red fast blink
15. Battery internal resistance tested prior to charging?
There is a check done on the cell, but I don't believe it has to do with the internal resistance of the cell. I think it is looking for a shorted cell.
16. Can I use the Pila IBC Charger in my car?
To use the PILA in a car, you need a brick. Although the 12V adapter is shown in PILA sales pages, it DOES NOT come with the unit. Remember, there is a chance of venting with flame. So place it in a fire-proof container with tall sides.
Using the Pila IBC Charger
Place the charger in a nonflammable location, in case of fire. Place one or two cell(s) in the charger bay(s) with the appropriate spacer if required, then give them a quarter turn to make better electrical contact. ** When the light turns green, remove the cells and unplug the charger.
**If you have a protected cell that you believe was tripped and the charger signals the cell as damaged, press the reset button.
Error Signal - Green light on and red light blinking.
Each of the two stations on this charger is independent of each other. So, yes you can charge two batteries in different states of charge or just one battery.
As a rule of thumb you should not charge Li-ions at more than 1C so you should avoid charging batteries with a capacity lower than 600ma in the Pila IBC.
Useful Multimeter information for checking the voltage (how much fuel) is left in a Li-Ion cell.
The figures below are resting voltages, where the Li-Ion cell has been resting (not under load) for ~15 minutes. The figures are approximate, but they are a good guide.
4.2 volts 100%
4.1 about 90%
4.0 about 80%
3.9 about 60%
3.8 about 40%
3.7 about 20%
3.6 empty for practical purposes
<3.5 = over-discharged
Equation for to approximate time to fully charge.
Code:
1.5 X ####mAh
-------------------- = #.## hours
###mafor example:
Code:
1.5 X 2900mAh
-------------------- = 7.25 hours
600ma*NOTE: The order of the questions have been changed to put similar questions together or combine them when it was appropriate. The following posts that only refer to a # might not be an answer to the posted question above.
Thanks to Silverfox, DM51, Hitthespot and LuxLuthor whom I've outright stolen from to create this compendium and the many unsung others. :thumbsup:
Last edited November 1, 2010
Last edited:
I couldn't resist. I'm sure someone will have a more detailed answer for you.
