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Li-ion question

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Dirtnap - 26 Dec 2003 23:39 GMT
I have a few Li-ion batteries.
For long term storage should they be fully charged
or near-full discharge like NiCads?
Brad Lorance - 27 Dec 2003 00:31 GMT
store them fully charged.......they say you can let those sit for a couple
of years and you might only lose .1 to .2 of a volt even

Brad

> I have a few Li-ion batteries.
> For long term storage should they be fully charged
> or near-full discharge like NiCads?
Randall Roman - 27 Dec 2003 16:28 GMT
The Schulze charger instructions say to store them discharged.

> I have a few Li-ion batteries.
> For long term storage should they be fully charged
> or near-full discharge like NiCads?
Red Scholefield - 27 Dec 2003 23:41 GMT
Which would cause one to wonder if they really know anything about
batteries, particularly lithium-ion/polymer.  Maybe something was lost in
the translation. :-)
--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

> The Schulze charger instructions say to store them discharged.
Col - 27 Dec 2003 17:18 GMT
> I have a few Li-ion batteries.
> For long term storage should they be fully charged
> or near-full discharge like NiCads?

Ive li-ion battery (Nikon) for my camera and it says to store discharged.
James D Jones - 27 Dec 2003 23:01 GMT
>>I have a few Li-ion batteries.
>>For long term storage should they be fully charged
>>or near-full discharge like NiCads?
>
> Ive li-ion battery (Nikon) for my camera and it says to store discharged.

That's interesting since I've also seen cautions that discharging below
a certain voltage can permanently damage them.

Jim - AMA 501383
Red Scholefield - 27 Dec 2003 23:36 GMT
If lithium cells they drop below a certain voltage will not recover on
charge. They should always be stored charged and then charged at least once
a year.  Any advice to the contrary is from an OEM that likes to sell
replacement packs at exorbitant prices.
--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

> >>I have a few Li-ion batteries.
> >>For long term storage should they be fully charged
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> Jim - AMA 501383
tapio.linkosalo@helsinki.fi.invalid - 28 Dec 2003 01:13 GMT
In rec.models.rc.soaring James D Jones <texasrcflyer@yahoo.com> wrote:

:> Ive li-ion battery (Nikon) for my camera and it says to store discharged.

: That's interesting since I've also seen cautions that discharging below
: a certain voltage can permanently damage them.

ANd the reason is:

-Lithium batteries (both -ion and -polymer) do not self discharge (the rate
is practically zero)
-It is safer to store batteries empty. In case of accidental short, the
energy content does not cause external damage (although short will descharge
the battery to damaging levels).

-Tapio-
Red Scholefield - 28 Dec 2003 01:28 GMT
An your logic has a serious hole in it.

Given: There is a voltage below which lithium cells will not recover.

Storing them in a discharged condition will allow them to self discharge
(and they do have a finite self discharge rate) to below the voltage at
which they will no longer be rechargeable.

I suggest you review the lithium cell manufacturers application literature -
not some whiz bang charger manufacturer trying for an edge over the other
whiz bang manufacturers.

--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

> :> Ive li-ion battery (Nikon) for my camera and it says to store discharged.
>
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> -Tapio-
tapio.linkosalo@helsinki.fi.invalid - 28 Dec 2003 13:33 GMT
In rec.models.rc.soaring Red Scholefield <redscho@bellsouth.net> wrote:

: Storing them in a discharged condition will allow them to self discharge
: (and they do have a finite self discharge rate) to below the voltage at
: which they will no longer be rechargeable.

: I suggest you review the lithium cell manufacturers application literature -
: not some whiz bang charger manufacturer trying for an edge over the other
: whiz bang manufacturers.

Kokam claims self-discharge of 5% per six months, i.e. about 10% per year.
Given that any decent cut-off logic leaves quite some headroom between the
cut-off and destructively discharged levels, you should be safe storing the
cells uncharged for a time period like one year. If you plan longer storage
time, maybe you should sell the cells anyway to a fellow electric flier and
buy new ones when you need them, with better capacity and charge/discharge
properties. It still is safer to store any cells, if their chemistry allows,
with minimal energy content, i.e. uncharged.

-Tapio-

-Tapio-
Red Scholefield - 28 Dec 2003 18:32 GMT
From the Kokam application notes:

"Kokam cells are shipped with a 50% charge and should receive charge to full
capacity with the appropriate charger before use.  Li Poly cells may be
stored at full charge or discharged to 50% capacity for storage. "

Note they DO NOT say to store them discharged.

--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

> Kokam claims self-discharge of 5% per six months, i.e. about 10% per year.
> Given that any decent cut-off logic leaves quite some headroom between the
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> -Tapio-
Randall Roman - 28 Dec 2003 21:09 GMT
From the Schulze Charger Manual:

"Maintenance:  Discharge with 1C down to above listed discharge voltages
(3.0V per cell).  Always store these cells in discharged state.  If stored
fully charged, the result can be a permanent reduction in capacity."

> From the Kokam application notes:
>
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
> Check us out for "revolting" information.
Red Scholefield - 28 Dec 2003 21:47 GMT
Who are you going to believe, the cell manufacturer or the charger
manufacturer?

Panasonic:
"4. Storing the Batteries
The batteries should be stored at room temperature, charged to about 30 to
50% of capacity. We recommend that batteries be charged about once per year
to prevent overdischarge."

--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

> From the Schulze Charger Manual:
>
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> > http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
> > Check us out for "revolting" information.
tapio.linkosalo@helsinki.fi.invalid - 28 Dec 2003 22:24 GMT
:>> From the Kokam application notes:
:>> "Kokam cells are shipped with a 50% charge and should receive charge to full
:>> capacity with the appropriate charger before use.  Li Poly cells may be
:>> stored at full charge or discharged to 50% capacity for storage. "

:> From the Schulze Charger Manual:
:> "Maintenance:  Discharge with 1C down to above listed discharge voltages
:> (3.0V per cell).  Always store these cells in discharged state.  If stored
:> fully charged, the result can be a permanent reduction in capacity."
: Panasonic:

: "4. Storing the Batteries
: The batteries should be stored at room temperature, charged to about 30 to
: 50% of capacity. We recommend that batteries be charged about once per year
: to prevent overdischarge."

: Who are you going to believe, the cell manufacturer or the charger
: manufacturer?

Three quotes, all different. Even if you decide to discard the charger
manufacturer's view, which manufacturers recommendation are you going to
follow?

-Tapio-
Don Hatten - 28 Dec 2003 23:07 GMT
Actually Kokam's and the manufacturer's instructions are saying essentially
the same thing.  Store them with 50% to full charge.  Schulze is saying
store discharged.

I vote "no" on Schultze and will store with a charge state.

Don

> :>> From the Kokam application notes:
> :>> "Kokam cells are shipped with a 50% charge and should receive charge to full
[quoted text clipped - 20 lines]
>
> -Tapio-
tapio.linkosalo@helsinki.fi.invalid - 29 Dec 2003 14:13 GMT
In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:

: Actually Kokam's and the manufacturer's instructions are saying essentially
: the same thing.  Store them with 50% to full charge.  Schulze is saying
: store discharged.

Panasonic says 30 to 50%, Kokam 50 to 100%, so I suppose the absolute
correct way to store your Lipolys is to store them with 50% of charge,
right?

-Tapio-
Don Hatten - 29 Dec 2003 17:00 GMT
The absolute correct way to store the battery is to NOT discharge them.

Don

> In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> -Tapio-
Casey Wilson - 29 Dec 2003 17:28 GMT
   I'm getting the bottom line of this thread as bad news. Maybe Red will
answer this.
   Several months ago, I invested in a Lithium Ion battery for my
laptop/notebook computer.  Two days ago, while on a Christmas trip, the
battery ran down just 35 minutes after I turned the computer on. Typical
usage in the past has been four+ hours.
   I put it on charge overnight and after ten hours, the "power meter"
registered 46% and still charging. My recollection is that it used to charge
fully in less than three if the computer wasn't turned on, and maybe five if
it was working.
   The 46% is not relevant, I understand that. Whatever its accuracy, it is
however precise and shows 46% reliably.
   I think I can put a finger on the cause. I got distracted once and left
the computer running on the battery and went off for a weekend. The
automatic shutdown trips at 10% on the power meter, but I also know about
the self-discharge phenom.
   So here's the question for Red, is there any way to
recover/revitalize/restore the battery?  Or do I go pay $120 for a new one?
I haven't looked to see what alternative technology is available from the
manufacturer.
Red Scholefield - 30 Dec 2003 11:58 GMT
Before tossing the battery I would try to charge it with another charger.
Lap top computers were notorious for having poor charging systems.  Seems
that computer designers fancied themselves a lot smarter than lowly battery
manufacturers and do a much more elegant job of battery maintenance with
exotic programs.

If it doesn't come back I know of no way to "rejuvenate" a lithium battery.
You might consider replacing the cells yourself rather than buying a whole
new battery as the mark up on the original equipment packs seems to be the
means to recover some profits in the very competitive lap top business.
--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

>     I'm getting the bottom line of this thread as bad news. Maybe Red will
> answer this.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> I haven't looked to see what alternative technology is available from the
> manufacturer.
The Natural Philosopher - 30 Dec 2003 13:05 GMT
>     I'm getting the bottom line of this thread as bad news. Maybe Red will
> answer this.
[quoted text clipped - 16 lines]
> I haven't looked to see what alternative technology is available from the
> manufacturer.

All you can do is simply keep charging it and hope. If the over
discharge protection wasn't up to it the battery is shagged.

Lots of e-flyers have found this on Nimh and Li-Ion. Over discharge them
(too far or too fast) and capacity is permananetly lost, also the cells
may go out of balance, resulting in some cells getting overcharged,
which is frankly dangerous with LIPO.

Best thing is to somehow access individual cells, and recharge each one
and work out if they have correct capacity. OTOH the time and equipment
probably costs more than a new pack.
The Natural Philosopher - 30 Dec 2003 13:01 GMT
> In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> correct way to store your Lipolys is to store them with 50% of charge,
> right?

That's been my experience across manufacturers. On Lithium POLYMER at least.

The gereat danger is over discharging,

and they do this all by themselves, albeit slower than Nicad or NiMh.

The danger of storing a charged pack is accidental shorting, explosion
and fire. Ypui need to be aware and take precautions as to where and how
they are stored. Cool temperures lesseen self discharge, insulation
lessens shorting, and storing in a fireproof safe is no bad thing.

> -Tapio-
Ron Sitnick - 30 Dec 2003 13:29 GMT
Good morning all!
Just bought my son an E-maxx for the holidays.
So far so good but this weekend one of his 2400mAh batteries split its
plastic casing.
Battery seems OK. Is there a way to check it? Is this common?
He probably charged it 2 or 3 times over the weekend and I'm pretty sure
they were cooled down first.
How long should NiCads cool before a recharge?

Also...
Are there any good books on RC car/truck maintenance.
Want to get further details on things like shocks, motor cleaning etc.
Have 2 cars now and haven't really done this before.
(Other's a Rustler... also electric)

TIA
--Ron
djindivik - 05 Jan 2004 10:52 GMT
The way I figure it is this, If, i said IF, it takes a cell 3 months to self
discharge, then storing it fully charged, gives it 11/2 months head start on
one that is stored at 50% charged. Yeah ! So storing ANY cells, Ni-cads,
Nimhs, whatever, fully charged, gives them a longer storage life. But I
suppose that is too simple for the boffins out there.  Ray
> In rec.models.rc.soaring Don Hatten <hattend@starband.net> wrote:
>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> -Tapio-
Red Scholefield - 28 Dec 2003 01:33 GMT
And just how does Nikon suggest you do this? Let the camera run until the
lights go out?  My Sony has an automatic shut down before you even get close
to the threahold voltage that will destroy it's Lithium battery.
--
Red S.
Red's R/C Battery Clinic
http://www.rcbatteryclinic.com
Check us out for "revolting" information.

> Ive li-ion battery (Nikon) for my camera and it says to store discharged.
Col - 29 Dec 2003 20:48 GMT
> And just how does Nikon suggest you do this? Let the camera run until the
> lights go out?  My Sony has an automatic shut down before you even get close
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> > Ive li-ion battery (Nikon) for my camera and it says to store discharged.

Looks like a Nikon as do most cameras share that in common with "your Sony"

You just dont charge it up before you store it. If the camera wont come on,
then as far as Im concerned its flat, end of story. Iv`e had it for 3 years
been stored a few times for a couple of months without use, and it still
lasts as good as it ever did. so for me their advice works fine.

Now do I listen to you, a seemingly self rightous jumped up tosser or Nikon?
mmmm................... tough one!

col.
 
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