PILA Charger-- Very Warm Batts. when done.

[dodari]

My PILA is maybe 3-4 weeks old. Tonight I noticed while charging a pair of AW IMR 18650s and later a pair of AW IMR 18350s that all the batteries were rather warm by the time they were through charging. They were strongly warm but not what I'd call hot. They were handelable to remove from the charger when done but still markably warmer than my old Trustfire would have them.

Just wondering if this a safety concern?

Thanks.

 

[pdib]

Does the PILA have a setting for charging rate?

Also, can you check the voltage of a freshly charged battery?

 

[Dturp]

Yeah that would make me nervous also. My trustfire even if i let charged batteries sit on it for long periods they don't even get warm.

 

[dodari]

Does the PILA have a setting for charging rate?

Also, can you check the voltage of a freshly charged battery?

There are no switches or such, that allow any rate other than what the PILA is fixed at at time of manufacture.

The 18650s both test at 4.21volt, the 18350s both show 4.18volts.

On the underside of the PILA an embossment says:

"DC OUT 4.2V/600mA x 2"

 

[pdib]

I don't understand this stuff like a professor; but I think the AW 18650 2000 mAh can be safely charged at a rate of 2A.
600 mA would be 0.6A. So . . . . that's weird, and that's not the issue then.

 

[dodari]

The 18650s are the 1600mAh (5.9WH) I got from RTD, also the 18350s are from same source. Sooooo...........? I dunno.

The batteries do get charged in notably less time than on say the Trustfire charger.

 

[pdib]

the 1600s have a max charging rate of 4.5A

 

[Dturp]

Just because the batteries come out right doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't being charged to fast does it? If the charger is putting out higher voltage then it's suppose to during charging but cutting off at the correct time it would make the batteries warm...correct?

 

[dodari]

Just because the batteries come out right doesn't necessarily mean that they aren't being charged to fast does it? If the charger is putting out higher voltage then it's suppose to during charging but cutting off at the correct time it would make the batteries warm...correct?

Well that seems reasonable but I'm electrically challenged may I say.

 

[six]

I don't understand this stuff like a professor; but I think the AW 18650 2000 mAh can be safely charged at a rate of 2A.
600 mA would be 0.6A. So . . . . that's weird, and that's not the issue then.

The AW rep who occasionally posts on candlepower has recommended 1A or less for 18650s and 600 mah or less for anything smaller than an 18650. Even though some of the spec sheets I've read on a few laptop batteries have indicated 1.75A or so is safe, I lean toward slow and steady and personally charge pretty much everything between 14500 and 18650 at 500 mah. I have a couple of smaller batts that I charge at 350 mah.

For the OP:

For the OP: 600 mah will make an 18650 pretty warm. If left on the charger after it indicates full charge and the battery doesn't cool off after a while, then the charger is malfunctioning. If the battery cools off while still on the charger after full charge is indicated, it's probably working as it should.

 

[dodari]

The AW rep who occasionally posts on candlepower has recommended 1A or less for 18650s and 600 mah or less for anything smaller than an 18650. Even though some of the spec sheets I've read on a few laptop batteries have indicated 1.75A or so is safe, I lean toward slow and steady and personally charge pretty much everything between 14500 and 18650 at 500 mah. I have a couple of smaller batts that I charge at 350 mah.

For the OP:

For the OP: 600 mah will make an 18650 pretty warm. If left on the charger after it indicates full charge and the battery doesn't cool off after a while, then the charger is malfunctioning. If the battery cools off while still on the charger after full charge is indicated, it's probably working as it should.

Next time I charge some I will monitor just what it does do at end of charge period. Thanks for the information.

 

[pdib]

I like a slow charge. Mine's 500mA. I've seen a number of sources stating the charge rates I mentioned above. However, I will continue to go with my thinking that slower is better. (Also, I would defer to the AW rep in any case)

 

[dodari]

Well, here's the link to the one I got.

Battery Chargers : Pila IBC Charger

I guess I'll just have to watch it carefully. Hope it doesn't kill the batts. earlier than they should. I've got some old batts. that are old enough to vote. Well, maybe not that old.

 

[six]

Well, here's the link to the one I got.

Battery Chargers : Pila IBC Charger

I guess I'll just have to watch it carefully. Hope it doesn't kill the batts. earlier than they should. I've got some old batts. that are old enough to vote. Well, maybe not that old.

That's a good little charger. I have one of those at the office. Pila makes good stuff. - I will say that I occasionally apply a little noalox on the contact points on mine (and my XTar chargers as well). I've needed a little dab now and then on all of my chargers that have that type of spacer in them.

 

[six]

I've seen a number of sources stating the charge rates I mentioned above.

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound like 1.75 to 2A wasn't an appropriate and safe charge rate. Just about any quality 18650 should be fine on a fast charger.

 

[darkzero]

Usually old tired cells get hot when charging, a good indication of end of life. But if all your cells get warm then thag is strange. And the Pila doesn't charge fast enough for it to get warm like that, not for any AW IMR cells. I charge my AW 1600s at 4.5A & they don't get warm.

 

[nerak]

My PILA is maybe 3-4 weeks old. Tonight I noticed while charging a pair of AW IMR 18650s and later a pair of AW IMR 18350s that all the batteries were rather warm by the time they were through charging. They were strongly warm but not what I'd call hot. They were handelable to remove from the charger when done but still markably warmer than my old Trustfire would have them.

Just wondering if this a safety concern?

Thanks.

I have three Pila's in use daily. I have used them for over a year. If I take the batteries out right after they stop charging then they are warm. It is not a problem, they charge to 4.12 and work fine.

It is best to let them rest before using. A hour or two if you can.

I do NOT worry about the warm battery. It is just how they are with a Pila from what I can tell.

My batteries are lasting a very long time. Over two years. I think using the Pila's has a little to do with it. They charge quickly and fully every time.

 

[dodari]

I have three Pila's in use daily. I have used them for over a year. If I take the batteries out right after they stop charging then they are warm. It is not a problem, they charge to 4.12 and work fine.

It is best to let them rest before using. A hour or two if you can.

I do NOT worry about the warm battery. It is just how they are with a Pila from what I can tell.

My batteries are lasting a very long time. Over two years. I think using the Pila's has a little to do with it. They charge quickly and fully every time.

Thanks, points well noted. And thanks to all who responded.

I am wondering if it might be good to put just a wee bit of Noalox on the connection points and the extension plug thingeys in the Pila?

I do like that it charges quickly, very handy.