Hi, I have some new batteries and wondering Maha recommend break in. But 16hr slow charge on a new battery? Isn’t it better to discharge then break in?
Even with the slow charge rate is there any detrimental affect of charging a factory full cell, Seeing the break charges to 1.6 times the capacity on top of whatever capacity the battery holds.
I would personally discharge them before doing the break-in. Especially since the C9000 has a dedicated mode for this purpose.
16 hours at C/10 is the "standard" forming charge for these types of cells and will do no harm. Realistically, most of us probably use around C/2 or C/3 for everyday charging.
(C is the capacity of the cell. For example 1900mAh for a regular Eneloop)
From using mine, I got the impression that it was better to not discharge them first, but to just do the break in.
i am in the not worth breaking in camp, use the batteries and charge as needed, though eneloops come from the factory typically with 60-80% charge so i will fully charge them before first use if i need full battery life
edit: i forgot to mention if you look it up online eneloop has said many times they don’t fully charge batteries before they leave the factory, so you would never get any fully charged to begin with
I have a Maha C808M that also has the “deep battery conditioning system”. I use it.
From Maha manual: - “Makes use of a deep battery conditioning system that charges, deep-discharges, and then recharges batteries automatically, whipping them into shape to ensure that they provide the best possible performance. Conditioning takes up to 7 hr to complete for AA and AAA batteries, and up to 30 hr for C and D batteries. Can be used to revive degraded batteries and rejuvenate seldom-used ones to keep them functioning well.”
Keep in mind that just because the battery is new, it doesn’t mean the battery is any good. Let the charger do it’s thing and confirm the battery is in good shape.
My 2 cents.
I’ve tried running the break-in protocol, and I’ve tried just topping them off and running them like they were rented, and I couldn’t see a bit of difference.
I always number new batteries with indelible marker so I can keep them in sets and not accidentally pair a weak one with a good one. The broke in sets still offer the same run times as the ones not broke in. I do run them through the ‘refresh / analyze’ cycle every fourth or fifth use, but I’m not sure if it helps much. It just reassures me they’re still even in capacity, is all. Out of 20-odd I have in use, I’ve still never had to toss one.
For what it’s worth, a while back I opened an 8-pack of Eneloops with a manufacture date of June 2006. All tested 1.28 v exactly, and all charged up fine and ran like champs.
Just out of curiosity, I just now popped open another new 8-pack of the same date (I have several packs), and again, all show 1.28v.
i have used the refresh function on some of my old batteries (not eneloops, i have not had any yet that display poor performance), and i capacity test once in a while (if i feel like it every year or two, eneloops have always come out fine), but i see no need to break in batteries, i just charge up and use, my lights, camera and gps can break them in just as good as any charger, but i begrudge nobody their break in, i just submit that its unlikely to do any good, your just wasting cycles (on some jobs i have drained the gps and/or camera everyday, so 500-1500 cycles can come rather quickly)
So If I discharge new out of pack at .5c and charge at 1c would that be advisable. Then charge as normal. Run a refresh every so often so keep them excercised.
Ive done break-in with some batteries, whilst none with others. Im not 100% but I would advise to do the break in since it might give you slight advantage regarding cell capacity.
I find it easier to put into break in and at least let it charge at 0.1C, discharge, IMO, is not as important, as long as battery gets discharged to its max.
I also have Chinese analyzer-charger and that one has timer function, I can select current and charging time and leave it as is, helped to form-in brand new Energizer NiMh’s just fine and I got above-rated capacities which I didnt see after two regular charge-discharge cycles ;)!
So, short answer - yes, break-in mode might form batteries and I personally would do so with brand new batteries.
Sometimes break-in/timer mode will save you some time compared to few charge-discharge cycles and whats best is that its only one program to run and you dont have to check batteries and restart charge/discharge sequence every time the charge is done with the batteries.
i’m not big on charging at 1C, i prefer not to go over 0.5C (battery life, heat generated, etc.), and refresh as you see fit, i’ve read a lot about NiMH and refresh is mostly just using up cycles unless the battery has lost capacity which i have not yet had happen on an eneloop (i’ve capacity tested a few times after 100-200 cycles), but eneloops are not expensive so either way won’t harm much