Recovering Over-Discharged Batteries

[Kemosabe]

I accidentally allowed my Sony 30A to get discharged to 1.4v. I guess I forgot to lock my chi you, which is uncharacteristic of me.

My xtar vp1 user manual says it can recover most over discharged batts. So I've got it charging now and it has slowly started to recover it. It's up to 3v and counting.

My question is: is it safe to use this batt? Further, is it safe to use this batt up to its original specs? I typically don't go over 10A, sometimes a touch more. Do you think I'll be safe or should I err on the side of caution?

Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers.

 

[Nikkita6]

I am patiently awaiting someone to answer ... I love all things batteries, so the answer to this is useful to know. Where is Badtitude??

 

[Thrasher]

in most cases once or twice is not going to ruin it completely, but the longer it stays that way and the more it happens the worse it is for the battery, what really happens is it will ruin the chemicals inside and possibly make the battery weak or unstable if it happens too much.

you should be good to go but try to keep it from happening too much or the battery will need to be replaced.

 

[Baditude]

I can't add any more than what Thrasher has said above.

No experience with this.

 

[Nikkita6]

I can't add any more than what Thrasher has said above.

No experience with this.

Ok Thrasher for the win ... I am too over protective with my batteries, so I have no experience with this either. My rate goes up when my batteries get to 3.6v, I will leave a party or a good plate of food just to get to a charger

 

[Ryedan]

I accidentally allowed my Sony 30A to get discharged to 1.4v. I guess I forgot to lock my chi you, which is uncharacteristic of me.

My xtar vp1 user manual says it can recover most over discharged batts. So I've got it charging now and it has slowly started to recover it. It's up to 3v and counting.

My question is: is it safe to use this batt? Further, is it safe to use this batt up to its original specs? I typically don't go over 10A, sometimes a touch more. Do you think I'll be safe or should I err on the side of caution?

Thanks in advance for any help. Cheers.

Kemosabe, have you by any chance ever measured the voltage of this battery under load with a known resistance coil and in a mod that you still have?

 

[emus]

Here is where I would store that batt if it passes Ryedan's load test.
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1173301

 

[Kemosabe]

Kemosabe, have you by any chance ever measured the voltage of this battery under load with a known resistance coil and in a mod that you still have?

I have. But I can't recall the results with very much accuracy.

 

[Kemosabe]

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it. Mucho gracias.

Ryedan, if I could recall the test results with accuracy, are you suggesting to do the same test and compare?

 

[Ryedan]

I have. But I can't recall the results with very much accuracy.

Ya, not many people do this, but I thought just in case ... Do you by any chance have a Nemesis or K100?

 

[Ryedan]

Thanks everyone for your input. I appreciate it. Mucho gracias.

Ryedan, if I could recall the test results with accuracy, are you suggesting to do the same test and compare?

That's what I'm thinking. For me, if the battery tested the same now as before I would consider using it. The more of a decrease in loaded voltage I saw the more I would be inclined to toss it. But I don't know where the line between good and bad is.

 

[Ryedan]

Here is where I would store that batt if it passes Ryedan's load test.
https://www.fasttech.com/p/1173301

Emus, that's the safest way to proceed if there is any doubt about any of this

 

[DrBeaker]

I don't know if this helps you or not. But I have used li-po, li-ion batteries with out circuit protection on rc helicopters aircraft and robots with high and deep drain. Many many times and the worst thing that has happened is I've had them puff up and not perform well over time. It would not surprise me if you dammaged a batteryenough you could get it to heat up and maybe catch on fire if you really drive the charging current high. But I think it is rare. Non the less l charge my battries on a ceramic plate and keep an eye on them. My aircraft cost way more than a mod does if I was really concerned about it I wouldn't do it.

 

[Rickajho]

It's not really the same because batteries in mech mods are put under very high amperage duress for short periods versus continuous discharge in R/C planes. It may be shorter duration, but it's a lot more stress in that brief period.

 

[Ryedan]

Ryedan, if I could recall the test results with accuracy, are you suggesting to do the same test and compare?

That's what I'm thinking. For me, if the battery tested the same now as before I would consider using it. The more of a decrease in loaded voltage I saw the more I would be inclined to toss it. But I don't know where the line between good and bad is.

Or if you have another of the same battery you can consider that one good and compare to it. I always buy in pairs and I have two of these.

 

[volume control]

It's not really the same because batteries in mech mods are put under very high amperage duress for short periods versus continuous discharge in R/C planes. It may be shorter duration, but it's a lot more stress in that brief period.

Its not in all situations, I have an RC car that pulls 10A no problem, and its not even near a lot of others ive seen out there. They aren't that continuous either, helis are, but cars are typically driven in burst. I was watching a video the other day where the guy has an 80A motor controller (ESC) and was stacking lipos =)


As far as how safe a battery is after an over discharge, I would always err to the side of safety and get rid of it. Its 10~ bucks, how much did the things cost that it could damage if it popped, how valuable is your face/leg to you? As another user stated one of the major noticeable issues is the puffing up of the battery and poor performance, which is typically experienced after extreme shock to the battery (such as an impact, over current, or over discharge situation) So while the battery may appear ok, it may charge up ok, its still a damaged battery, and this relates to a much higher risk of dangerous failure

 

[Kemosabe]

Ya, not many people do this, but I thought just in case ... Do you by any chance have a Nemesis or K100?

i have an hcigar nemesis clone scheduled to arrive tomorrow.

 

[Kemosabe]

when you guys say 'poor performance' are you referring to short battery life, or are you referring to the battery not being able to handle as many amps as it normally could?

 

[volume control]

when you guys say 'poor performance' are you referring to short battery life, or are you referring to the battery not being able to handle as many amps as it normally could?

Literally anything that you could classify as poor performance. Limited output and life of charge are both possible or likely factors. There is also power cutting or dropping unexpectedly that are also signs of a failing battery. Usually and without fail, they puff up like they are pregnant before the blow and it usually happens in use, then the real explosion comes when some fool tries to charge a bloated battery. The other circumstance of mishap is typically because someone forgets to lock their mod and falls asleep on the fire button or sits on it etc

 

[Baditude]

when you guys say 'poor performance' are you referring to short battery life, or are you referring to the battery not being able to handle as many amps as it normally could?

I define "performance" as both; being able to handle amp discharge and battery life.


I know no one likes to waste batteries, but they can be replaced relatively inexpensively when compared to the damage a bad one can make should it go into thermal runaway. It's impossible to know if a battery has internal damage. Having experienced a protected Li-ion battery vent flames in a mechanical mod before, I believe its better to be safe and not sorry.