Pila IBC charger & IMR26650's....Are they compatable???

[F250XLT]

Can anyone tell me if my Pila IBC charger will be able to charge IMR26650's, or will I need to use my hobby charger? I actually have a Triton that I really don't know how to use that well, I used it to charge an FM85 I owned previously.

 

[TranceAddict]

if you are ok with jumper wires, the pila ibc will work flawlessly for you

 

[edelbrock]

I charge IMR26650's all the time on my Pila. The only drawback is the long charge time.

 

[F250XLT]

I charge IMR26650's all the time on my Pila. The only drawback is the long charge time.

How do you do it, jumper wires or other method?

 

[QtrHorse]

I can fit one 26650 battery directly in the charger. You have to rotate it so the positive contact on the battery makes contact to the positive charge button on the charger.

You can only charge one battery at a time.

 

[mrartillery]

I do this with my 26500's in my wf-139 but it should work the same for you with the Pila, except with the 26650 you may have to use charging magnet leads instead of battery holders.

 

[edelbrock]

I do this with my 26500's in my wf-139 but it should work the same for you with the Pila, except with the 26650 you may have to use charging magnet leads instead of battery holders.

I use a similar setup except I use a 3x18650 holder sold here http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=240139
The 3x18650 holder holds 2x26650's perfectly. The space between the two batteries is the width of the center contacts.

 

[F250XLT]

Thanks guys, I really appreciate the responses :thumbsup:

 

[45/70]

It seems like once you come up with a cradle to hold the cells, you may as well use your hobby charger. Just get/make a cradle that is parallel wired (unless you want to get into a balancing harness for series charging), and just use it to parallel charge your cells. The hobby charger would be faster, and as I understand it, the Triton is a very good charger, seems a shame not to use it. That said, yes, a lot of people use 18650 chargers to charge 26500-32600's etc.

Dave

 

[F250XLT]

It seems like once you come up with a cradle to hold the cells, you may as well use your hobby charger. Just get/make a cradle that is parallel wired (unless you want to get into a balancing harness for series charging), and just use it to parallel charge your cells. The hobby charger would be faster, and as I understand it, the Triton is a very good charger, seems a shame not to use it. That said, yes, a lot of people use 18650 chargers to charge 26500-32600's etc.

Dave

I don't really know how to set up the Triton, but I guess I can research it and try it. Also, I am not handy enough to make a cradle.

 

[Mjolnir]

I charge my 2 IMR 26650 cells with my IBC as well. I took 2 D cell battery holders and cut them in half. Then, I taped the halves together with a couple of millimeters of space in between them in order for the longer cells to fit in (since 26650s are a little longer than D cells). I then attached small alligator clips to the end of the holder's wires, which I can connect to the contacts on the IBC.
It does take quite a while to charge, but I already had an IBC. I will probably get a cheap hobby charger like the Turnigy accucel 6 at some point, as that would be able to charge the cells at 5A, which is completely safe for these cells.
You already have a PILA, so if you don't mind long charging times you might as well use it.

 

[45/70]

I don't really know how to set up the Triton, but I guess I can research it and try it. Also, I am not handy enough to make a cradle.

Well do learn and understand how to use it, if you go that way.

As I understand it, sednative can set up cradles that are wired in parallel. Wired in parallel, it would still work with the Pila, as well, but the charge time would increase, if you charged two (or more) cells per cradle.

It was just a thought!

Dave

 

[F250XLT]

It was just a thought!

Dave

And thoughts are always appreciated :twothumbs, thank you.