iMax 80W B6AC - need a 18650 holder to test mAh of the battery - can I use this:

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
1

Hello.

I have ordered a EU Plug 80W iMAX B6AC Balance Charger Charging Fr Lipo Polymer NiMH NiCd Battery and I have seen lots of videos on youtube (like this, just not with iMax, but they are out there)where they are using this charger to test batteries, but they don’t tell how they do it. I can’t believe it just is to plug in the clamps from thee iMax and then test the batteries?

I did order this item, and my question is, can I use them to test 18650 batteries with the iMax?

Or can that damage the battery or iMax?

Can I do it so simple that I only put two small thin magnets on both side of a 18650 battery, and then fasten the clamps from the iMax directly on the magnets?

Can someone advice me how I can use the iMax the best way for testing my 18650 batteries for real mAh.

Ps! I have also ordered two BT-C3100 charger/discharger v2.1 so I can them to test my batteries. But I think the iMax will come here first.

2

Both the battery holder and the magnets will work.

Pop a 18650 cell into the battery holder and use the alligator clips to connect to the holder leads.

Or, you can use the magnets as well.

3

Thank you, made my day better. What with the charger, do you have to mod it before you can use it. It has one thing going for it, and thats the possible to test other batteries as well in the same holder.

4

No mod needed, you can just scroll through the menu and select Li-ion Discharge to test out your cells. Should be fairly simple to use.

5

I was talking about the little charger here, that I seen many testers has on their iMax. It has a normal EU plug. Can I just use the alligator clips on the socket of the charger?
On some videos I have seen they have taken it a part, and using alligator clips directly on cords from the charger.

6

Oh, I think I understand what you mean. Are you trying to use the small EU charger as a cradle for your 18650 battery and use the iMax to run a discharge test?

I’m not sure if the small charger draws current from the cell if it’s not plugged in. If it does, that will lower your mAh rating from the iCharger. To prevent that, you can take the charger apart, strip the PCB of its components, making sure the charger does not draw any current.

7

Ok, I think I like the first idea better, just use the holder. I have ordered a holder for AA batteries and one for 26650. So then I can use them. Together with my BT-C3100 charger/discharger I can make me a image of what the real mAh is on the batteries.

8

Check it out here: http://lygte-info.dk/info/HobbyChargers%20UK.html

9

I have both, a hobby charger and the Opus BT-C3100, so I have gone through both the ins and outs of these chargers.

The hobby charger will test your imagination and will to explore its versatility (following the suggestions from the other members’ posts), so enjoy it while still waiting for the Opus.

It’s good the OP states that the hobby charger will arrive ahead of the Opus. Good for you! Don’t ever make the mistake of using the Opus first…or else you will be spoiled of its versatility AND simplicity to use that in the end chances are your hobby charger will gather dust.

10

I have build myself a cradle out of a cheap sliding charger, but if I needed to do it again I would consider this thing:
https://www.fasttech.com/products/1883214

It is important to measure the discharge voltage on a cell while discharging and to compare it with the value displayed on the charger to get a clue of the resistance of holder and cable.

11

the holders you linked are poor because of high resistance.
i use these

12

universal kelvin contact holder.nice!

13

What type should I order, they have 12 cm x 71 mm, 14 cm x 65mm and 14 cm x 71mm.

14

The 71mm are better because there are some protected cells available which are about 70mm long. The 12cm/14cm is only the wire length, I would recommend the 12cm because they have already bananaplugs and that is why I chose this to link in my post above.

Of course the standard hobbychargers don’t take profit from the four wires and maybe needs some changes, but the holder itself looks good to me, so if anyone tries it out I would be glad about some feedback if it behaves like I imagine.