Lithium-Ion Battery Charging and Using

Posted by: @makersmarquee

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I searched this category along with accepted suggestions for this and couldn't find anything, so I apologize if I missed something. I watched the LiPo battery video and it was informative, but I'm hoping to learn more about Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries and specifically charging them and using their power. I feel like most small rechargeable devices have Lithium-Ion and it would be nice to hear with Bill's explanation method about what kinds there are, what charging circuits to use, and how to properly use the power from them to power our custom circuits. Maybe this is too basic, but I keep wanting to use these batteries in my projects but am not sure how, I think a DroneBot Workshop explanation would help. 

Bill covered Lithium in the video at HERE

@erwthgerth Here is the YT video link as well VIDEO

Posted by: @makersmarquee

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I'm hoping to learn more about Lithium-Ion rechargeable batteries and specifically charging them and using their power

Are you speaking of 18650 type batteries?  I was considering doing an episode on using them.

😎

Bill

@dronebot-workshop That would be a good topic. There are a lot of fake 18650's out there, I have seen them advertised as high as 9,900mAh. As you well know it's just chemistry and size does matter. The 18 in 18650 is the diameter in mm and the 65 is the length. That volume of the chemicals can only produce about 2600 to 3500 mAh's. There are also some with buttons and some without, plus some have built-in charge protection but not all button styles have that. Very confusing and dangerous. I have bought several times from AliExpress, some are fakes, and from local suppliers. Amazon has fakes too. I look forward to your coverage of this topic.

@dronebot-workshop I am sure you will find it, but 18650 Canada and USA are top quality and lot's of technical data.

I had an incident with putting a battery in the charger. ALWAYS insert the NEGATIVE

@dronebot-workshop I am sure you will find it, but 18650 Canada and USA are top quality and lot's of technical data.

I had an incident with putting a battery in the charger. ALWAYS insert the NEGATIVE end last. If you slide in the positive end last, there is a very good chance some battery constructions can short between the positive part and the negative case. I am not 100% sure but it may be more likely on button tops but in any case if you go bottom last you only short minus to minus so no harm. Ask me how I know 😲 

Just a word of caution..... I had an old Lithium pack from a bike, so once powerful. I had to replace it. Then this voice said to me, are they really dangerous ? So outside on a stone path I shorted out a cell that was past it's best but I never expected what happened, it went off like an oxyacetylene cutter, long serious flames.

I've seen pictures of what was left of a motor car after an RC modeller charged his batteries in the car.

Treat them with respect.

There is a well known name that got it wrong a while ago, Boeing used a big lithium battery in a new design, it tried to melt a plane. It's called the Dreamliner, hastily changed to Nightmareliner.

@hilldweller ANY time you are charging a Lithium battery, it should be in a fireproof case sitting on a fireproof slab (pizza stones are great for this) OR charge it on a cement slab outdoors. Obviously use a quality charger, burning down your house by using a cheap charger is not wise especially if the insurance company finds out.

Amazon Canada link to Fireproof Bags

Amazon Canada link to  Quality Charger

Posted by: @dronebot-workshop

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Are you speaking of 18650 type batteries?  I was considering doing an episode on using them.

😎

Bill

@dronebot-workshop Yes, those and other Li-ion type batteries like this. 

Posted by: @zander

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Bill covered Lithium in the video at HERE

 

@zander He covers Li-Po extensively, I'm more specifically interested in the 4.35V Li-Ion type batteries for smaller devices.

@makersmarquee Ok, what are the 4.35V called, I never encountered those before.

@zander sorry, I meant 3.7v to ~4+ V lithium ion cells and packs.  Again, I'm not too familiar with the options available. I'm just looking at what I have on hand from dismantled electronics.

@makersmarquee I think you mean 3.7V like 18650's and several other sizes. The >4V is when charging, the output or nominal voltage is 3.7V. Handy to connect 2 in series giving 7.4V then put that into a Buck converter to produce 5V or even an LDO if it's low power. For the newer 3.3V tech a single cell and LDO is a good choice.

@makersmarquee  OK, consider the suggestion as approved!  I've been meaning to cover these batteries and charging them.

😎

Bill