AW 16340 750mAh (ICR123) charging with hobby grade charger

[BuzzKilla]

I have a hobby grade charger that i've used for charging my RC battery packs, so ive descided to have a go and try charging my 16340's.

I've done two full cycles on these batteries, vaped not bench drained. and the most i can pump into them is +/- 560mAh (charger shows this info).

I charge the 16340's at a rate of 0.7Amps as to not put any stress on the cell.

I run 6000mAh Li-Po's, so i am not used to seeing this larger a % of waste in an individual cell. RC battery packs are unprotected. all the voltage monitoring is done by the ESC/Transmitter. So i am unfamilliar with charging protected battereis, if that matters...

is it the internal battery protection that is either limiting how much it can charge or drain. does anyone else get these #'s?



Once i am comfortable with using my Hobby charger, i will make a 6 cell cradle with balancing, and hopefully be able to bring down charge time v.s. using a dinky wall charger

for reference:
-My PV
Precise 16340 (P16)
-My Charger
GT A6-10

 

[WillyB]

Don't know the answer or how accurate the charger reading is, but.

I charge the 16340's at a rate of 0.7Amps as to not put any stress on the cell.

That sounds rather high, certainly not stress free.

Here's some info on the AW2900 Li-Ion.

Capacity : 2900mAH ( rated at 0.2C discharge 4.2V - 2.5V @ 25℃ )

Operating Temp. : Charge 0 to 45℃ / Discharge -20 to 60 ℃

Recommended Charge Rate : 825mA ( ambient temp. 25 ℃ )

Seems less than 1C (your rate) would make more sense.

Try ~350mA and see if you get the same results.

 

[BuzzKilla]

thanks for you thoughts. i figured as long as i was under 1C it would be safe, my temp sensor never went off so i was under the assumption that the battery took the charge well. on my next charge i will try a 0.5C rate and compare the results.

I've just never tinkered with protected batteries, and i don't want to fry the over-discharge circuitry that is keeping these batteries alive.