Charging 18650's

[Stuartcall]

I got my sony VTC5 today, I'm currently using an iTaste VTR. The lights go green when 100-50%, yellow from 50 to 20% (I think) then red below that, it flashes red when it won't fire any more.
When should I charge the battery? When it flashes red? Or should I do it when it starts to go red just to be safe?

 

[Marc411]

When it goes red is a good time to charge it. My wife has the MVP and I ask her to give it to me when it goes yellow just to make sure she doesn't cycle it all the way down.

 

[Stuartcall]

I didn't think it made a difference on an MVP because it's just an internal battery:O

 

[dice57]

it's best not to over drain imr batts, can cause them to lose the ability to hold a charge. I don't like going below 3.5 volts, usually swap out around 3.7. Best to start the day on a full charge. But then I have lots of mods and exta batts, so always have enough to swap out several batts at the same time.

 

[Huh?!]

The general rule of thumb is that you do not want to overdischarge/overdrain your battery. Most people will recharge their batteries once they drop below 3.5 volts or so. What type of charger are you using and does it have a voltage readout? If you are not able to see voltage readout on the battery, then I would put it back on the charger a short time after the light turns yellow. Definitely recharge it when it turns red and do not let it drain so low that it flashes red and won't fire.

 

[Stuartcall]

I've got 2 batteries, the VTR doesn't have a voltage reader on it, just the coloured lights, would you say it's alright to charge it when it turns red?

 

[Stuartcall]

That sounds reasonable, thanks guys!

 

[Stuartcall]

One more thing, is it okay to start charging it now, then finish charging it later? There'll be no use in between, I've switched to my other one. I want to start charging now, but I'm going out soon, then finish charging later on. Would that be okay?
Sorry about all the questions, this is my first external battery device

 

[readeuler]

According to the VTR user manual, it goes to yellow at 3.75 or lower, switches to red at 3.61, and shuts off 3.3.

All of these are above 3 volts, which should be a fine range to run VTC's. I believe 2.5 is the absolute lowest limit, but I'm not positive about that.

That said, I've been switching to a fresh battery not too long after hitting red. I don't have VTC's, but that's when I've been switching. I don't think any voltage at which the VTC will operate is particularly detrimental to the battery, but you can always play it safe. I think the 3.61 volts when I turns to red is a fairly conservative time to recharge.

 

[Stuartcall]

Oh thanks a lot man! I never seen that bit, just got told how to use it and vaped away! Any thoughts on my last question too?

"One more thing, is it okay to start charging it now, then finish charging it later? There'll be no use in between, I've switched to my other one. I want to start charging now, but I'm going out soon, then finish charging later on. Would that be okay?
Sorry about all the questions, this is my first external battery device"

 

[edyle]

One more thing, is it okay to start charging it now, then finish charging it later? There'll be no use in between, I've switched to my other one. I want to start charging now, but I'm going out soon, then finish charging later on. Would that be okay?
Sorry about all the questions, this is my first external battery device

Yes that's ok.



http://batteryuniversity.com/learn/article/charging_lithium_ion_batteries