Ran across this thread on a Google search and wondering if I might be able to use the BT-C3400 Charger Analyzer to test the mAh capacity of my cell phone’s Li-ion Batteries? Since cell batteries are of course square and will not load traditionally into the BT-C3400… my plan is to open the charger/analyzer and affix jumper leads to the /- terminal and then run/secure those leads to the/- terminals of my cell phone battery. Any thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated… also interested in any leads on any other chargers/mAh analyzers which may be more suitable for testing mAh capacity on cell phone batteries(?) Incidentally, I find it rather odd that someone has not designed a (economical) charger/analyzer to test all the square cell phone batteries on the market these days!?
As to your next concern about a dedicated charger/analyzer for cellphone batteries, perhaps IMO, manufacturers are afraid it won’t be a commercial success for the sole reason that only few people buy extra batts for their phones.
Great info (thanks) already planned on gutting my universal fit mobile phone charger, now looks like the bigger challenge is finding a relatively inexpensive charger/analyzer that can be set to charge low enough for a accurate mAh reading re my Samsung 3.8v 2600 mAh li-io’s. There are a few bare bones li-ion charge analyzers on ebay (price is sweet) but the Asian/English instructions look a bit challenging and unfortunately most listings aren’t providing a min/max charge rate spec, nor are they confirming if their units display analyzed capacity in mAh or %(?) Anyone know the min charge rate I should be shooting for in a charge analyzer to get a good mAh read for mobile batts… 50-60-100ma? Anyone by chance ever seen a c/a on ebay that even comes close to such low charge/test currents? Should I just go with the BT-C3400 and call it a day?
btw… had no intentions of high jacking this thread. If need be I can copy, paste and repost in the other thread if need be(?)
LCD Screen
Auto Circuit Detection
Built-in Protected Circuit
Over Voltage Protection
Short-Circuit Protection
Over-Charging Protection
Over-Discharging Protection
Operating Voltage 12V DC
Power Adapter Input: 100~240V~, 50/60Hz
Output: 12V DC, 3.0A
Charging Current range 200,300,500,700,1000,1500,2000
Discharging Current range 200,300,500,700,1000mA
Max. Charging Capacity 20000mAh
Operating Temperature 0 to 40 ℃
Voltage Deviation <0.04v
Current Deviation <5%
The charger has a standard 12V DC connector. You can just buy a 12V AC adapter with the desired line cord/plug as long as it can output at least 3 amps at 12V. Because of the issues on the V2.0, I actually use a 6 amp AC adapter, and that solves the problems that v2.1 fixed. The problem is that the charger basically uses PWM to charge, so during the charge cycle the peak current is a lot more than the average current, and the original 3 amp supply didn’t have enough output to provide the peak current required. A larger power supply solves that problem.
Hmmm? OK, but do you have any specs from an operation manual to show that the 3100 works with 'C' batteries? All the specs I have read on the 3100 do not list 'C' batteries as being compatible, but they list 'C' batteries in the specs of the 3400 as being compatible.
Nevertheless, do you have a pic showing real capacity with mAh with the exact same batteries in the test mode?
I think the question here is that if the 3100 was apparently not designed to work with 'C' batteries but does appear to be working with 'C' batteries, is it really working properly with 'C' batteries?
I'd love to see a pic with those same exact 2000 mAh batteries showing the mAh real capacity in the test mode. This would be very convincing that the 3100 works properly with 'C' batteries even though it wasn't apparently designed to work with 'C' batteries.
By the way, have you been able to get it to test for mAh real capacity with 'D' batteries?
And, to advance this discussion to the reported v3.1, this is the difference:
This is a customer made model. We changed some function like voltage for termination is changed to voltage with load condition, and discharge termination voltage is changed to a higher level to prevent charger from triggering protection for cells with protection.
I am guessing by your username that you are into eating right.
As you already know I’m sure, you can’t always believe what’s inside the package no matter what it says on the outside.
OK, I just had a little fun.
One legitimate concern could be that if one tries to charge a “C” or “D” cell that has too high of a capacity, the delta V voltage may be missed by the hardware. In order to detect the delta V, the recommended charging current for NiMH cells is approximately 1/2 C where C is the mAh capacity.
The OPUS will charge at a maximum of 2000 mA if only the 2 outer banks. Perhaps charging a 10,000 mAh “C” cell at 2000 mA is too low to enable the OPUS to detect the delta V point. I would assume there would be a secondary point of shutdown, perhaps as simple as a maximum measured voltage across the cell.
There probably was a time, well over a decade ago, when Delta -V charge termination required 1/2 C charge rate with some cell and charger combinations, but for any decent modern charger, and after battery capacity went up too, that’s rarely if ever the case. Most can detect fine at 1/4 C and some, lower still. I doubt you could even find one today that can’t do 1/3C unless it was just a defective design, some generic clone/garbage/whatever.
Consider 2600mAh NiMH AA cells. How many people are using 1300mA rate capable chargers outside of flashlight junkies and the R/C crowd? They really shouldn’t even if they could as cell impedance may be higher to achieve the higher capacity in the same cell form factor. A charger capable of 1300mA ought to have a cell temp shutdown sensor and might end up using it.