It is understood that lithium-ion cells/batteries with nominal (load) voltage of 3.0 V require special chargers that charge at 4.4 ~ 4.5 V? Is that so?
What are suitable chargers for (re)charging these 3.0 V lithium ion cell/batteries (at CR123 or 16340 size?), please?
I haven't come across any (multi-purpose/multi-chemistry) charger, so far, that can charge these 3.0 V lithium ion cells.
Yes, actually I am aware that "standard" rechargeable lithium ion cells have a nominal voltage of around 3.6 ~ 3.7 V. And non-rechargeable (primary) lithium cells have a nominal voltage of 3.0 V.
But there are rechargeable lithium ion cells that have a "regulator" built in that supplies 3.0 V (instead of 3.6 V or whatever other voltage) when loaded.
Special chargers are (apparently) required to recharge these "regulated" 3.0 V lithium ion cells, and the charge voltage has to be (apparently) 4.4 ~ 4.5 V.
So, again, what are suitable chargers for (re)charging these "regulated" 3.0 V lithium ion cells, please?
However, I was/am also looking for clarification on proper charging voltages, in addition to suitable chargers.
I know for a fact that Tenergy 3.0 V rechargeable lithium ion cells require a charger with 4.4 ~ 4.5 V output. I believe these cells incorporate an (over charge/over discharge?) "protection" circuit in addition to regulating the voltage at 3.0 V. Maybe because of the protection circuit AND the regulation "circuit", it requires a higher charge voltage?
So if another (brand/model) 3.0 V cell has ONLY a regulation "circuit", maybe this cell requires a lower charge voltage (4.2 V?) instead of 4.4 ~ 4.5 V?
Please tell us, and give a link to the exact batteries you are refering too. There are several different methods that have been used to try to create a true 3V rechargable battery. Your question cannot be answered until we know the exact battery you are refering to.
The most recent technology is the Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries that have a maximum 3.2V output and can replace Lithium 3V primary cells in many application.
It can be seen that both Tenergy cells are rated at 3.0 V and are Li Ion type (and are not LiFEPO4).
And it can also be seen that the charger (model 01208) has 4.5 V output for charging these cells.
Another Tenergy charger I have has two slots (model PH-123A-3.0A) and has 4.4 V output.
The third Tenergy charger I have has four slots (model TN268) and has 4.5 V output.
So it appears that these (and presumably other similar) 3.0 V Li ion cells require 4.4 ~ 4.5 V charging in order to charge them fully(?)
Even though I have three Tenergy chargers for charging these 3.0 V Li ion cells, I am looking at getting a "smarter" charger that can charge these cells properly and can also give an indication of cell capacity (mAh) while discharging.
> Yes, hobby chargers may work, but may not be able to charge 4 or more cells independently (depending on how many outputs are available from the charger). Also these chargers can be quite expensive and probably outside my budget (around USD $50).
> That particular brand of cell and/or charger may well be "rubbish", but better quality cells and chargers exist with little or no problems. The Tenergy cells and chargers I have seem to be fine, except for the fact that those chargers do not provide a means to determine cell capacity.
> It is understood that the 3.0 V Li-ion cells with protection circuit etc can be charged using chargers with slightly lower voltage applied (4.35 V or 4.2 V). But because of lower applied charging voltage, the 3.0 Li-ion cells will not be fully charged (to their maximum capacity).
So. It is preferred to use a charger with 4.4 ~ 4.5 V output AND is capable of "analyzing" these 3.0 V Li-ion cells by discharging them to determine their real capacity.
So far I haven't found any analyzing charger that charges at ~ 4.5 V. And based on lack of responses so far, it seems there may not be such a charger?
That sounds like a proprietary battery, and usually you require a proprietary charger to go with it because it is non-standard and needs very specific charging voltages, cutoffs, etc…
You need to find the exact model number of the battery and what brand it’s from, then find it’s charger.
Regular lithium batteries are not 3.0v so you shouldn’t use and regular lithium battery charger for it.