Question on charging and using a 2 batt set

[oplholik]

Just wondering, as I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, but when charging two batts to use as a set, how close in voltage should they be? For example, I've never worried when one batt comes off the charger at 4.18, and the other is 4.19. But how far apart is too much?

 

[Bovinia]

That's a great question Op! I need to know the answer to this too. I'll see what I can find , and hopefully one of the smarter battery folks will chime in.

 

[caged]

CandlePowerForums

The people there are generally friendly (though sometimes grumpy) and know everything there is to know about batteries and charging, and then some. Most of the members are very thorough when testing batteries and chargers. If they can't help you, nobody can.

 

[Bovinia]

Thank you for the link Caged! We need the info on Op's question over here so everyone can read it...I'm still reading and researching

Yup, smell that smoke from my brain

 

[caged]

I thought I was a geek until I hit that forum. Then I just felt stupid.

They even have a forum dedicated to exploding batteries.

 

[Bovinia]

Same here lol, and yep I'm reading the exploding forum.

 

[caged]

I think it's important for others to realize about the exploding batteries on that forum -- most seem to be from user made mods where safety circuitry was probably considered optional. People trying to get as much power out of the device as possible.

 

[Bovinia]

Op, I'm still not finding the answers to your specific question, but we'll get it answered

Caged, I'm glad I recognize that I don't know enough about the subject to venture into an unknown. That's why I only use batteries Mike sells or recommends! Some of that reading over there is the makings of nightmares

 

[oplholik]

Thanks for taking it up Bov. I would probably just get a headache trying to find something like this.

 

[Bovinia]

I know that Markfm is one of the folks who will know the answer. I'm sure he'll check in some time today

 

[5cardstud]

If you're worried about batteries you should be using Hidrains but back to the question. Batteries like anything else wear and get weaker over time. They breakdown at different levels. If one battery got to weak it would cause an imbalance and one of the protection circuits would go off stopping anything from happening. If you took those same two batteries and put them in the charger in the opposite slot it would still have the same charge unless the charger is shot.

 

[BuzzKill]

I am going to caution on the safe side and say 1-2% or .04 - .08 volts max difference , I will have to try and find some more info on this .

 

[mwa102464]

You should keep your Batts in pairs, label then A-1 ,A-2 if running them in sets,,, a fresh set of AW Batts should come off the charger anywhere from 4.1-4.2 say and if there .1-.2 different that wont hurt anything,,, and they should always charge to 4V+ if not chuck em there bad, hope that answers the question. What we really need is the newer tester that is out now which test the internal resistance of the Batts. There is also a way to check this but I'm not getting into that here, but this is what people need to be more careful about in my opinion is when that internal resistance of the Batts start to rise and thats the time to also ditch them.


http://www.ecutool.com/VOLTMETER-OF-INTERNAL-BATTERY-RESISTANCE-SM8124_3410.html

I'm curious about this meter, says it will do internal Batt resistance, anyone know anything about this meter ?

Edit: just ordered this Meter, will report back once I have it

 

[oplholik]

I use AW protected in the Buzz Pro, and I have the sets numbered, and always use them together. Normally, I take them off the charger, then I let them rest a bit before checking, and they will read something like 4.17/4.18 or maybey 4.18/4.19. Yesterday I had a set come off the charger at 4.17/4.19. The 4.18 to 4.19 I never worried about, but the 4.17 and 4.19 got me to wondering just how much difference would be allowable. The one that read 4.17 I was able to get charged a bit more to be within the range I considered acceptable.

 

[mwa102464]

I think your still fine at those numbers myself,,,,, I jut ordered that meter in my post below and if it does what it says it will be a tool worth having for sure oplholik

 

[mwa102464]

I've also used other Mods where the Top Batt consistently has always drained faster and more then the bottom Batt and have never had an issue, not that this matter what I've experienced but still never had an issue ( AW Power cells Only ) and those where the black IC 16340's & LiFePO4's

 

[oplholik]

Would definately be interested in hearing what you think of that meter. Could be very usefull in determining when to ditch a batt.

You should keep your Batts in pairs, label then A-1 ,A-2 if running them in sets,,, a fresh set of AW Batts should come off the charger anywhere from 4.1-4.2 say and if there .1-.2 different that wont hurt anything,,, and they should always charge to 4V+ if not chuck em there bad, hope that answers the question. What we really need is the newer tester that is out now which test the internal resistance of the Batts. There is also a way to check this but I'm not getting into that here, but this is what people need to be more careful about in my opinion is when that internal resistance of the Batts start to rise and thats the time to also ditch them.


http://www.ecutool.com/VOLTMETER-OF-INTERNAL-BATTERY-RESISTANCE-SM8124_3410.html

I'm curious about this meter, says it will do internal Batt resistance, anyone know anything about this meter ?

Edit: just ordered this Meter, will report back once I have it

 

[mwa102464]

Exactly my thoughts oplholik , meter internal resistance when new, mark it on Batt, then monitor from there, when it goes up to a certain point ditch Batt. Anyways I ordered it, looked like a great tool to have for our Batts we use, was about $75 shipped, shipping was about $24 but I wanted it,, If it works as advertised I wont ever be second guessing again

 

[oplholik]

Hopefully, that meter, or one like it, will be available here soon with out the expensive shipping, and be a little cheaper to get.

Exactly my thoughts oplholik , meter internal resistance when new, mark it on Batt, then monitor from there, when it goes up to a certain point ditch Batt. Anyways I ordered it, looked like a great tool to have for our Batts we use, was about $75 shipped, shipping was about $24 but I wanted it,, If it works as advertised I wont ever be second guessing again

 

[5cardstud]

I've used batteries until they wouldn't charge and burnt up 3 sets testing LR attys/cartos on the new controller. I've also had them quit because of an imbalance but never had one explode. What I think is odd is people use LRs that cause a great deal more stress and if one would explode it would be because of too much stress. I think with Mikes PVs there is enough protection that your safe. As MWA pointed out you should use them in pairs. I got a few sets now getting ready for the trash because the charge just don't last very long on them any more.