CR2 LiFePO4 batteries with charger

[randyc]

Ya Jaax, let me know how those go for you Time in, time out would be a plus ;P

I just got mine too and they're charging. According to the package they came in they're supposed to be 85% charged in 30 mins. I'll keep everyone informed because I'm a heavy vapor too.

 

[randyc]

And yes Jaax, that charger is scary looking. I'm scared to get too close to it!! But it's charging and we'll see.

 

[Jaaxx]

First set lasted about an hour of continuous vaping, but...

A. They were only on the charger for about 30-45 minutes, the light was green when I took em off.

B. I'm not sure both of them charged.

That charger sucks bad, I'm gonna have to figure out a way to shim it so that the spring makes positive contact with the battery without trying to push it out.

BTW - I'm on a second set now (4:45pm), that were charging for about 3 hours and I made sure they were both in good contact with the springs.

I'm gonna stick with the 510 atty until these die and I'll post an update.

 

[Jaaxx]

Here's a pic illustrating the comical horror of the charger.

 

[Jaaxx]

OK, this is gonna require a slightly more scientific approach. After 1 hour of a 3hr charge, no vapor.

1 battery reads a solid 3 volts, the other reads barely 1 volt.

I've got fresh batts on the charger, so I will test both before and after use this time. Maybe just a bad batt, but I'm guessing it's the crappy charger.

OK fresh off the charger both batts showing appx 3.9-4.0V

Put them in the BB, took one drag to make sure everything was kosher. Tested voltage at the atty, expecting between 7-8 volts. It shows right at 6v actually. I removed the batteries and retested, both right at 3v now. Lets see how long they last.

Update - Oddly, after 1/2hr of heavy vaping. Both batts now read 3.2 and I'm getting 6.4v at the atty as expected.

 

[DaMulta]

That sucks about the charger, but at least it works....I was hoping the charger would be a cr2 size charger.

I do have a CR123 charger that has an adapter for cr2. I bet I will be able to rig that onto this charger.

Sounds like they are vaping well at least. Mine are not here as of yet.

 

[Jaaxx]

Well, I've gotten about 2 hours out of this set so far. Voltage at the atty is now dead on 6v with both batts showing 3v. So I think my earlier problem may have been 1 of the batts not properly seated in the charger.

I'll know for sure when I switch over to the batts on the charger now (with the one that crapped out in an hour.)

 

[Jaaxx]

Well, that's that. 2-3 drags after my last post, zero vapor. Checked atty voltage @ 5.5v. Another drag, nothing. Checked atty voltage again @ 4.5v.

Oddly again, one battery is reading 3.0 and the other is 1.5.

So, 2 hours give or take. Not great, but about what I was hoping for considering the claimed mAh rating on these.

So far, I would say the batts are performing as they should. I recommend getting the batts only from South Summit (skip the combo kit) and looking elsewhere for a good charger.

 

[DaMulta]

LOL I didn't know the package was on my door step. The USPS lady never does that hehe.

These babies in the BB vape very good. I swear it's vapping just like it's big brother the SB. Store bought batteries don't pump out what these are pumping out.

I don't have my meter out right now to take a reading. Yet, from vapping on them it's really nice!

The Chrager does suck lol, but it does work. I have one set in my other charger ATM, and one in the charger that they came in. I can get the springs to line up if I try. I might just use that charger for cr123 lifep04 instead.

 

[crashtestjeep]

The batts are only 200mah, stock 510s are 180mah so that explains the shotty batt life

When you use two batts stacked, you are essentially pushing ...well...let me explain it like this.
Av+Bv=ABv
Batt A + BattB , Batt A is pushing 3v thru Batt B to get 6v....thats why one is dead, ones not dead.But, Im sure its at its safety cutoff limit. Thats why using batts in a stack is considered dangerous to an extent bc the battery closet to the atty is taking the brunt....

DaMulta-Only use the other CR2 charger if its for Lifepo batts-I hear its very dangerous to charge li-ions on lifepo chargers and vice versa, but again Im no expert on batts....hope they work out for ya! Although I know ur adventerous n prob know way more abt nbatts than me, just want u around a lil longer haha...

BTW- Since these are a first as we know it for protected CR2s, Im sure its just the beginning to better, more reliable ones and soon everyone will have them...I hope! May have to get a set come Jan!!! Let me know how they work next few days!!!

 

[lotus14]

Well, that's that. 2-3 drags after my last post, zero vapor. Checked atty voltage @ 5.5v. Another drag, nothing. Checked atty voltage again @ 4.5v.

Oddly again, one battery is reading 3.0 and the other is 1.5.

So, 2 hours give or take. Not great, but about what I was hoping for considering the claimed mAh rating on these.

So far, I would say the batts are performing as they should. I recommend getting the batts only from South Summit (skip the combo kit) and looking elsewhere for a good charger.

I've read several comments from Prodigy users having the same issue with LiPO4s - one batt discharging much faster than the other. I would if changing their position in the unit after an hour of vaping would make a difference.

 

[triplec76]

Couple of questions. First, I ordered the CR2's listed here, but didn't get the charger. Will any CR2 charger work?

Second, If the bottom battery is still testing at 3v, can you put a fresh battery at the bottom and move the previously bottom battery to the top of the stack? Or am I not understanding how that was just explained.....it would make it a lot easier to cycle batteries/charges.

 

[Jaaxx]

These chargers should work (with a cr2 adapter or a couple of washers) and are much better quality. Note that it must be set to the 3.0v postition not the 3.6v.

I've got one and am testing it now.

DealExtreme: $11.54 UltraFire 3.0V/3.6V CR123A Charger

 

[DaMulta]

The batts are only 200mah, stock 510s are 180mah so that explains the shotty batt life

When you use two batts stacked, you are essentially pushing ...well...let me explain it like this.
Av+Bv=ABv
Batt A + BattB , Batt A is pushing 3v thru Batt B to get 6v....thats why one is dead, ones not dead.But, Im sure its at its safety cutoff limit. Thats why using batts in a stack is considered dangerous to an extent bc the battery closet to the atty is taking the brunt....

DaMulta-Only use the other CR2 charger if its for Lifepo batts-I hear its very dangerous to charge li-ions on lifepo chargers and vice versa, but again Im no expert on batts....hope they work out for ya! Although I know ur adventerous n prob know way more abt nbatts than me, just want u around a lil longer haha...

BTW- Since these are a first as we know it for protected CR2s, Im sure its just the beginning to better, more reliable ones and soon everyone will have them...I hope! May have to get a set come Jan!!! Let me know how they work next few days!!!

I've been charging 3.0v lifep04 cr123a on the ZX-CR2 charger what seems to be forever now with no issues. Left them in it for days.....

output on the charger is 3.6-200ma

I'm charging one set in it right now.

Li-ion Battery CR2 & LIR123A 3.0V Charger(FC-ZK-CR2) - - Flashlight, LED Flashlight, Xenon Flashlight, CREE, SSC, Luxeon Flashlight & Accessories

Well they are not protected technically. They just happen to be a better battery design lifep04.

 

[crashtestjeep]

Ok cool, let me know how they work out, Im eye-in that SuperT6 pretty hard n loving the 6v vape, so would be ineterested in these batts for that purpose....
Also, are u saying its ok to use any CR2 charger for those batts? If so, I have a CR2 charger, just no batts....could save me a lil bit o cash...just didnt know if it was safe....Thanks for ur input!

I know ur always up for the challenges DaMulta

 

[Jaaxx]

Also, are u saying its ok to use any CR2 charger for those batts?

No, not any CR2 charger. The one I linked to has a switch you can set specifically for charging 3.0v lifepo4 cells.

The regular cr2 chargers for unprotected batts are for 3.6v batts. With the lifepo4's no explosions or anything would occur, but you would kill the battery in only a few charge cycles. Maybe only one.8-o

 

[DaMulta]

The back of the charger that came with them says that it charges at 3.6. A intelegent charger should shut off when the charge has hit it's point.

I've been charging 3.0v lifep04 at 3.6 for a long time now with no issues.

Now a 3v charger might be better tho, because it would charge the batteries slower.

 

[DaMulta]

Hehe I just gave them a dead short when meter checking them. They got hot, but didn't pop. Didn't seem to kill them, but it sure drained them fast. So I put them back on the charger, and they are taking a charge just fine.

I'm getting used to those springs already.

 

[crashtestjeep]

Jaxx, I have the charger u linked to, but also have a dedicated CR2 charger as well. Just wasnt sure if it was ok to use one that didnt specifically say Lifepo charger on it-

DaMulta-Ur crazy! i told u u were always adventurous n up to the challenge, haha! I also have a charger w/springs...def different,lol.

 

[Jaaxx]

I'm no expert on the subject, but my understanding is that regular 3.6/3.7v lithium chargers (especially those designed for protected cells) will overcharge to 4.2volts (or 4.4 for protected cells).

This would supposedly lower the lifespan of 3.0 lifepo4 cells.