Battery Charging

[Humanoido]

When charging batteries, remember to keep an eye on all batteries every half hour, otherwise set an alarm based on time less than the estimated full charge time. I'm finding that the recharge rates vary and the battery charger light is not an accurate indication of the full charge or charging status. It seems these batteries reach a full charge and if not removed, will become warm to the touch. They will also give off a significant battery chemical odor, more noticeable when the charger lid is slid open. If any of these conditions happen, immediately remove the batteries because they're usually fully charged! I've tested three brands, metering each brand at various stages, both under load and not, and at various charging times.

humanoido

[isobot]

all great info!!! be sure to post this on the you know who site ok... hope to see you back humanoido

[Humanoido]

It's posted, and I'm there, always looking for new material about i-SOBOT. How about creating a list of i-SOBOT links, and blogs, that can add new information to our data base?


humanoido

[isobot]

thanks... will look into that... I see you found that review I posted on our site!!! really god one I must say...

[ebill]

When charging batteries, remember to keep an eye on all batteries every half hour, otherwise set an alarm based on time less than the estimated full charge time. I'm finding that the recharge rates vary and the battery charger light is not an accurate indication of the full charge or charging status. It seems these batteries reach a full charge and if not removed, will become warm to the touch. They will also give off a significant battery chemical odor, more noticeable when the charger lid is slid open. If any of these conditions happen, immediately remove the batteries because they're usually fully charged! I've tested three brands, metering each brand at various stages, both under load and not, and at various charging times.

The eneloop charger supplied with the i-sobot is really quite gentle - 150 mA for the 800 mAh AAA cells. A fully charged NiMh cell warm to the touch is very normal, and there is no damage to the cells. A cell too hot to handle is a problem, but my experience with the supplied charger is that it doesn't happen. I have used after market chargers with higher charge rates without excessive heat.

Battery odor? All I can detect is the odor of warm plastic of the charger. Wonder what the significant battery chemical odor is?

Bill

[Humanoido]

The batteries became only warm to the touch, not too hot to handle. The batteries have a certain odor when they become warm. It's definitely not from the charger plastic. I removed the batteries and confirmed these were the source. I don't how to identify the chemical agent but will ask a friend in molecular chemistry the next time we talk. He's also studying fuel cells and I think he has one built and working. If there's any new development, it will be reported here. Thanks.

humanoido