Battery ?

Sorry but recommending a Lii-500 to a complete n00b, while not inherently bad… I mean, if Venom can do with a simple and cheap charger to start with, why not a Lii-202 and/or Lii-100, any of their clones or something in the likes? With these chargers, charging Ni-MH and/or standard li-ion is just set and go, and they don't have lots of buttons and or functions Venom isn't even imagining he may need. On the other hand, it's already hassleful enough explaining to not so n00bs why their chargers can't accurately measure cell internal resistances just because of the fact that the mere rail to cell contacts DO add a significative resistance to the equation. Strictly speaking, voltage drop needs to be measured right at the battery terminals.

But hell, if this smells a smidgen negative I'm sorry. For whoever really wanting to properly take care of her/his butt my advice is: learn unceasingly.

Without a minimum of wisdom and battery knowledge behind, it's only a matter of time before another m@#$% puts another over-discharged for undetermined amount of time li-ion cell on a charger and it blows up on his/her face. :facepalm:

By the way, for those of you who care about battery longevity: BU-808: How to Prolong Lithium-based Batteries (briefing: up to 4x li-ion life cycle if we restrict SoC at up to ⅔)

Cheers ^:)

I agree and disagree with the above. Yes keep the kiss concept. Keep it stupid simple. A regular 202 or etc smart dumb charger would work.but op said wanting to start with nihm and move into lithium the 500 is idiot proof as well. Stick the cells in its determines chemistry and goes into default 500mah charging. Instead of spending more later on. Has one charger that’s ready for lithium and can test his nihm cells if he never does. And for the noobs instead of explaining everything if your not up to it. You just post a link like you did above and they woll read it.

Now when it comes to cells I just use them. If they were $20a cell I might consider 2/3 soc but $3-5 a cell plus countless free pack pulls. Use them and recycle them. Even using them charged up to depleted still looking at least two years of service. Maybe less if you cycle daily. For $3-5 for just one cell literally a USD penny per day. 3.65 for 1 year of charge discharge 365 cycles. That’s cheap enough I need full voltage 1200 half cycles

The reason I recommended the Lii 500 is it’s versatility for the “hobbyist”.

All one “has” to do is put the batteries in and the charger does the rest. It is as “idiot proof” as the Lii 100, Lii 202, or any other “idiot proof” charger…. simple as that.

But, if one so desires they; after learning how to use the other features the charger has…… can do more.

So, in my opinion; it is simple enough for the beginner & will do much more for the more desiring “hobbyist”. (as much as a $20.00 charger can do anyway…. :wink: . )
.

No apology necessary, it did not come across negative at all. :+1:
And what you said about “learning” is right on target. :slight_smile:

If a charger can run “muggle” simple and you have the option of getting more out of it for a smallish investment of time and $$$ why not get the lii 500 and grow into it?

Both Lii-100/Lii-202 and Colaier clones are so cheap you just can't go wrong purchasing them, even if you get something better. It's like driving an easy to handle sub-compact car for commuting into the city, to later switch to your sedan/SUV for other purposes. ;-)

And with regards to the ≈⅔ SoC to maximize life cycle, I prefer to remove a partially charged battery from a laptop because of the irksome inability to tune the maximum battery charging voltage. Full and hot cells in an always plugged laptop means early death for the battery, and those aren't cheap. Overhauling them can be done, but requires a lot of effort, tools and knowledge most can't/won't afford.

In my phone, I do the aforementioned up to ⅔ SoC on the battery thanks to a nifty app which plays me a tune when it reaches specific triggers (example: connected and battery >= 60%): 3C Battery Monitor Widget. The added benefit is that I actually spend less time plugged at the charger/PSU because my device's battery seldom enters the CV charging phase, which can be looong for these high internal resistance battery equipped devices.

Cheers ^:)

@ teacher If you don’t mind me asking which DMM do you have?

I read on the forum that some people like running fans while charging to help with heat. In your opinion is it a good idea and if the battery is venting does the fan push anything around in the room from venting? Also I read people bring solar panel with them camping for the charger. My question is can you charge in direct sunlight because of heat?

It seems like more and more manufacturer are going with usb chargeable light. Do you think that they will replace a charger like Lii500 or they are targeting the people that don’t want to buy a separate charger & battery? Something like the Nitecore Tip, do you have to take it apart to check the voltage or to inspect the battery or use it until the battery won’t take a charge no more?

When you said the Lii500 is idiot proof if you put the battery in and don’t touch nothing the charger will determine what battery it is, what to charge it at and so on?

I don’t know where the batteries are located in the plastic case, so when I try to crack it open with a screwdriver and/or a hammer I might hit or go through a battery causing more harm than good.

Start with finesse. I wriggle something sharpish into the seam at each corner then open the seam a little at a time until there is room for my fingers to pry it open. I never insert anything metal into the case, gotta respect the power of the cells.

Vaio laptop pack. This one can be pried open, but others are much harder (cutting disk + Dremel tool I used with a Dell netbook).

If the laptop pack has already taken a noticeable performance hit, don't bother.

Cheers ^:)

@ Venom…… Nope, I don’t mind at all. :slight_smile:

  • 1.] DMM’s
    ………a.] 2 or 3 cheapos
    ………b.] Equus Innova 3320 & 3300
    ………c.] Vici VC99
    ……………x.] These have been collected over many years
    ……………xx.] IF you are just going to measure battery voltage, a cheapo will most always work as well as an expensive one.
  • 2.] Fans
    ………a.] I don’t / haven’t, but it sure can’t hurt.
    ………b.] It probably would
  • 3.] Solar Panels
    ………a.] Hmm, never thought about it. Put panel in sun & charger in shade.
  • 4.] USB Charging
    ………a.] No, I don’t think so
    ………b.] Not really, they are just handy at times…IMO
    ………c.] Nitecore TIP…. Just use it & charge it
  • 5.] Lii 500
    ………a.] Yep, that is what I have been telling you. It will do it all for you OR you have the option to set it to do what you want it to. That consists of a few simple modes…. discharge capacity. charge capacity, etc., etc.
    IF all you think you will ever want to do is charge…. just get a charger. BUT, if you think you will want to learn to do more, you will have that option with the Lii 500 because it is an analyzing charger. Simple as that.
    .
    :slight_smile:

Uni-T UT120C review and tear down @ EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Seeing the UT120C for €13.03/$13.67, UT120A for €10.76/$11.29 on Aliexpress.

Review: Uni-T UT136B, Tired of the multimeter snobs? A very nice budget meter! @ EEVblog Electronics Community Forum

Seeing this one for €13.89/$14.57. Classic design with 10A shunt.

Cheers ^:)

@ teacher I was at at a local store and they had Eneloop 8AA & 4AAA 2C&2D & spacer with case & charger (cc17) for $32.99. Batteries was made in japan charger made in china. Do you think it’s worth it? I price it individually and it almost like getting the charger for free.

The only reason I ask about the Nitecore Tip, I was going to get one for somebody as a gift that know nothing about lights.

Someone told me the Uni-t ut61e, I’m not sure if it a good DMM or not or how they compare to the one you listed. What’s your opinion on the ut61e?

Hi Venom.
That sounds like a decent price for what you get… sure does. :+1:
Just curious, what store was it? No store in my town has them. :frowning:

Yeah, the TIP makes a nice gift! Just charge & use. :slight_smile:

I made a little typo I meant to write 8AA & 4AAA (fixed it). It’s called Eneloop Power Pack. Walmart has it and Target has it. You can go online to see if your local store has any.

Thanks for the info Venom.Wal-Mart here doesn’t carry Eneloops anymore & the closest Target is about 40 miles away. But that does sound like a fair price for what you get. :+1:

Ha, I had not even noticed the “typo”…. I read it like you meant lt. :wink:

At walmart.com, just add the Eneloop pack and something else to the cart that equal $2.01 and get free 2 day shipping.

Do you think it’s a good starter pack that I should pick up?

The UT61E was reviewed by HKJ, it's a nice tool if you're willing to afford it: Review of UNI-T UT61E digital multimeter

By the way, some of us use the advanced editor since it's way more powerful. If you see garbled text when doing a quote, it's more than likely because it is in the advanced editor format, so you may switch to it for the stuff to be seen correctly.

Cheers ^:)

I did notice something weird with the text,I didn’t know what/why it was doing it. I did’t realize there was a advanced format.

I didn’t think about WM.COM…… Seems like a pretty decent deal with all the extra’s in it. I use those C & D adapters from time to time…. and you’ll have one of those chargers to so you can get going. :slight_smile: