18650 and others battery issue (not charging)

[Scoooter961]

If anyone else has the problem of their batteries not charging or not registering voltage, I bought the below charger and have been able to re-charge batteries that other chargers couldn't.

Not a ad of any kind, just happy that I have batteries I thought were trash and now aren't.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B01N4NS31O/ref=ppx_od_dt_b_asin_title_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[tbone1004]

I would urge you to consider getting a battery tester for those batteries that measures internal resistance and capacity as you may find that the batteries are actually trash. When they get deep discharged like that, there is usually high internal resistance which can cause them to fail spectacularly during charging...

https://www.amazon.com/Opus-BT-Inte...ds=battery+tester+18650&qid=1611844508&sr=8-7

 

[Scoooter961]

I would urge you to consider getting a battery tester for those batteries that measures internal resistance and capacity as you may find that the batteries are actually trash. When they get deep discharged like that, there is usually high internal resistance which can cause them to fail spectacularly during charging...

https://www.amazon.com/Opus-BT-Inte...ds=battery+tester+18650&qid=1611844508&sr=8-7

Is there any way to check it with a multi meter?

 

[tbone1004]

Is there any way to check it with a multi meter?

nope, it's done during charge and discharge cycling. You really need a high end charger, it's a bit of a soapbox that I get on, but it's an important one

 

[fmerkel]

Agree with @tbone1004.
With a basic charger like that you can charge successfully, but you don't really know much about the battery other than "go, no go".
Some chargers do have a 'save' function for over discharged batteries. OTOH, over discharge is not good for NiXX and is REALLY BAD for Li-on. Some chargers not being able to charge cells like that is considered a safety feature.

To get real info you need an analyzing charger, like in the link.

 

[Scoooter961]

Ok have either of you used that specific charger or have any other recommendations if I am going to buy one? A bunch of those reviews say they had fan bearing issues...

 

[tbone1004]

This one is also good, have one of those. The fan on the Opus isn't hard to change though if it goes sideways, but I much prefer the Opus from a user interface. I have to actually read the manual from Xtar every time I need to use it for anything other than charge.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DJ8H1Q6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also have one of these which is what I use primarily when travelling because it is USB based. It will give cell resistance, but can't cycle the batteries so you can't burn test them. Since I am a cave diver, the battery endurance is rather important to me, so I run my cells through the Opus once or twice a year and all new batteries when purchased to make sure that their capacity is in fact what they claim. I use the Nitecore when I am travelling and since that gives out the resistance, you can gauge cell health with that. Realistically though you need one of the chargers that can discharge first though.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JPL476H/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[Scoooter961]

Ok thanks for the help. I sure don't want the fireworks while charging. Is it ok to use the opus charger in a lipo bag?

 

[tbone1004]

Ok thanks for the help. I sure don't want the fireworks while charging. Is it ok to use the opus charger in a lipo bag?

When you are doing the cycling, I would recommend leaving it outside of the bag. It discharges by connecting the batteries to a resistor which generates a lot of heat, hence the cooling fan.

 

[hilljo88]

I have also found that what I thought was a bad battery was actually a bad, cheap charger. When I got a better charger, the “bad” battery turned out to be fine.