Pila IBC & RCR123 Solution Needed

[CREEper]

So.... I am finally switching to rechargeable batteries and picked up a Pila IBC charger and some AW cells. Works great with 18650's, but for RCR123's I am not sure what to use for a spacer? I thought a dummy cell could be used, but the ads for them state not to use them in a charger? I have heard some people use nuts and bolts, but I would think there is a better way, maybe?

Input appreciated, I need to get these batteries charged!

Thanks

 

[asdalton]

I use a dummy cell that I got from AW.

Another workable, although clumsy, solution is to stack the two battery spacers that come with the Pila charger.

 

[Justintoxicated]

So.... I am finally switching to rechargeable batteries and picked up a Pila IBC charger and some AW cells. Works great with 18650's, but for RCR123's I am not sure what to use for a spacer? I thought a dummy cell could be used, but the ads for them state not to use them in a charger? I have heard some people use nuts and bolts, but I would think there is a better way, maybe?

Input appreciated, I need to get these batteries charged!

Thanks

Sorry no help but where did you decide to get the charger. I'm looking for one for around $35, otherwise I can't justify the price since I can get a ton of 123's for the price of the charger alone.

I really want to switch to rechargeables too. I'm also curious on the spacer, I know 4sevens sells some, I don't know if they will fit in your charger. However the look like steel ball bearings?

 

[Henk_Lu]

Good that I just found this thread, I ordered a Pila at bugoutgear (more than 35$ unfortunately, I don't think you'll get a new one for this price...) and I didn't know about the missing spacers.

Those from the 139 won't fit, much too small. I just ordered two dummies from AW, they can be used for charging he says, resistance neglectable! :wave:

 

[CREEper]

Henk_Lu,

Can you point me to the website where you ordered the AW dummy cells, I am striking out on finding them.

Can anyone give some insight why the dummy CR123's advertised at Battery Junction state they should not be used in a charger?

Thanks guys!

 

[Henk_Lu]

CREEper,

Here you go, the complete sales-thread (to order some cells with the dummies) :

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=200812

The dummies-thread :

http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/showthread.php?t=91932

Just paypal and wait (like me)...

 

[Hack On Wheels]

This is what I did for my 139 (I don't have a Pila), but it might work for you... I took a Kroll switch spring (Minimag spring might work too) and put that in, then I fitted the 16340 cell in, compressing the spring. Slightly sketchy, but it worked for me.

Not quite the neat and tidy solution that you are looking for, but there you go.

 

[CREEper]

Thanks everyone, definitely some good ideas! I think I will order some dummies, still curious about those advertised as not for use in chargers :shrug:.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Henk_Lu]

Can anyone give some insight why the dummy CR123's advertised at Battery Junction state they should not be used in a charger?

Indeed, I can, the explanation is : USA!

As manufacturrs for micro-wave ovens have to tell people that such an oven must not be used to dry wet elephants inside (as they are too big), Matt has to tell you that these dummies can not be charged!

He doesn't mean tha you can not use it as a dummy in a charger, he simply wants to make clear that putting it ALONE in an RCR123 charger will provoque a short circuit, as it would be the same like conecting the two contacts of teh charger with a wire. What's more, they wouldn't take any charge, even without a short circuit...

 

[Justintoxicated]

Thanks everyone, definitely some good ideas! I think I will order some dummies, still curious about those advertised as not for use in chargers :shrug:.

Thanks, Mike

my guess is would be to cover their asses, some idiot may stick it in a charger as the actually cell to charge. Or perhaps the resistance is too much such that it could cause your cell to overcharge? I don't know enough about the effect of adding resistance.

 

[Billy Berue]

I have these and they work perfectly with both the Pila IBC and the WF-139.

http://www.lighthound.com/15mm-Charging-Spacer-Aluminum_p_25.html

 

[csshih]

added resistance would probably cause your cell to undercharge, I thought?

 

[CREEper]

Actually, the Battery Junction site states that using the dummy in a charger will cause a short circuit...

I emailed BugOutGear, where I purchased the charger from, and received a reply stating they could not answer my question as to what to use for a spacer. Seems odd since it is a product they sell.

Billy - I like the looks of those, maybe thats the route I will go.

Thanks, Mike

 

[Billy Berue]

added resistance would probably cause your cell to undercharge, I thought?

I haven't experienced that issue with mine. Perhaps it's because RCR123a's tend to have issues with over-charging, so maybe this helps balance that out?? :shrug:

All I know is that my AW protected RCR123a's consistently come off the Pila at ~4.15v, and off the WF-139 at ~4.25v (a little high for my liking). I use this spacer with both of these chargers.

 

[Justintoxicated]

can these spacers also be used for RCR2s?

 

[45/70]

I emailed BugOutGear, where I purchased the charger from, and received a reply stating they could not answer my question as to what to use for a spacer. Seems odd since it is a product they sell.

BOG probably said that, because Pila states that you should only charge Pila cells in their charger.

In fact, the 600mA rate is a bit high for some RCR123's. Most 1200mAh, 1000mAh etc. RCR123's are actually only about 450-550mAh. With the recommended maximum charge rate for Li-Ion cells being 1C, that is too fast a charge rate for them. The same would apply to RCR2's 14250's and such.

People charge some of these cells in the Pila and don't seem to complain. The cells probably don't last as long though.

Dave

 

[TooManyGizmos]

Henk_Lu,

Can you point me to the website where you ordered the AW dummy cells, I am striking out on finding them.

Can anyone give some insight why the dummy CR123's advertised at Battery Junction state they should not be used in a charger?

Thanks guys!

You could ask MattK directly ....

But I think they mean not to confuse them with rechargeable cells and try to charge them - cause it would create a direct short in the charger.

I imagine they are OK if you use them as a spacer to charge another cell. Thats what spacers are for , to fill in the gap when charging shorter cells. Spacers are usually just solid aluminum , I think.

Don't charge 10440 cells in your PILA - their Ma rating is too low.

Before you use any batt , with a spacer , make sure the charger output is not more than the Ma rating of the battery .

( IS that correct - SILVERFOX , don't wanna supply mis-information )

If I posted any error - please let me know .
.

 

[CREEper]

I understand about keeping the charge rate under 1C, the AW RCR123's I have state they are 750mah, so I would assume with the Pila's 600ma charge rate I should be good. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, I'm trying to go about this in as safe a way as possible.

Thanks again, this forum is #1 lovecpf

 

[45/70]

Yes you'll be fine with AW's . His are one of the very few RCR123's that measure 600+mAh.

Edit: You are correct TMG.

You probably could charge 10440's with the Pila. I wouldn't try it, I doubt they would "vent with flame" or anything (No Guarantees ), but they'd probably only last 5-10 cycles, if that.

Dave

 

[texbaz]

All I know is that my AW protected RCR123a's consistently come off the Pila at ~4.15v, and off the WF-139 at ~4.25v (a little high for my liking). I use this spacer with both of these chargers.

I have had the same results with my Pila charger and the AW RCR123, they only go to 4.14v or 4.15v. When I charge my 18650's they come off at 4.19v-4.20v consistently. I use 2 sets of spacers in each bay for the AW RCR's the ones that came with the charger and the aluminum 14.95mm ones I purchased from AW when I bought the WF139 2 years ago. seems like I just can't get the RCR's past 90% charge.