Can this battery be used?

[gratefulme]

I've had this battery sitting around for ever. Was just wondering if I can use it. amazon. com/Sony-NP-FG1-InfoLITHIUM-Rechargeable-Battery/dp/B0012DHJ44

It is only 3.6v 960mah. I wasn't sure since it's not 3.7v. Also it has 3 contact pads + - and one marked C. Not sure was the C stands for but if it is usable do I just ignore this and connect to the other two contacts? Thanks

[Dave Rickey]

It's a cell-phone Lithium Polymer flatpack. Yes, it can be used, it's a little trickier and potentially more dangerous (Li-Po packs can go up in flames rather spectacularly if they're shorted). It's doable, there are a few mods kicking around that use Li-Po flatpacks (although generally smaller ones).

"C" would probably be "Charge".

--Dave

[bigozone]

that C contact is for the internal charging circut of the cell phone to monitor the charging status

as i have been told the extra contacts are for monitoring and controling the charging of the cell.... i know when i didn't have continuity thru one of those extra contacts on a cell phone mod i built the battery would not chrage and the cell phone even gave a message saying UNABLE TO CHARGE BATTERY,, but the charging works after restoring contact between the battery and the contact pins of the phone.

if not using in the original device they were made for, i'm not sure how easy it would be to accurately charge that type of battery. i always use phones and rely on the internal charging feature of the phone....

[boondongle]

I've used cell phone batteries, but I've just cracked open the plastic case, exposing the prismatic battery inside. Then I cut off the circuitry attached to the battery, and...boom...flat 3.7v li-ion. Check the battery's voltage before you use it, though, I had a bunch of old cell batteries, and a few of them read almost nothing on voltage, so I got rid of them rather than risk charging them.