23
a) Selecting the charging parameters
All parameters must be correctly set before each charge. Using incorrect settings can cause fire and injury
as well as material damage.
b) Selecting the charging current
Excessive charging current greatly reduces battery service life and, in extreme cases, can cause fire or explosions.
Selecting the appropriate charging current for a battery type is, therefore, very important. The charging and dis-
charging current are determined by the C-coefficient of a battery pack. Most conventional battery packs have the
C-coefficient indicated on the type plate.
The requisite charging current for a battery is calculated according to the following formula:
Capacity in mA x C-coefficient = charging current
For example:
1000 x 5 = 5000 mA
A 1000 mAh battery with a coefficient of 5C requires a charging current of approx. 5 A.
If you can’t determine the C-coefficients of a battery pack, always take a coefficient of 1C and calculate the charging
current using that. This is always a safe charging current. Please keep in mind, however, that the charging times can
vary according to the actual, but not verified, battery data.
c) Characteristics of suitable battery types
Ni-Cd/Ni-MH Pb
Li-Fe
Li-ion
Li-Po
Li-HV
Rated voltage
1.2 V
2 V
3.2 V
3.6 V
3.7 V
3.8 V
Final charging
voltage
1.4 V
2.4 V
3.6 V
4.1 V
4.2 V
4.35 V
Storage voltage
Not sup-
ported
Not sup-
ported
3.3 V
3.7 V
3.8 V
3.9 V
Discharging voltage 0.5 - 1.1 V
1.8 V - 2 V
2.6 - 2.9 V
2.9 - 3.2 V
3 - 3.3 V
3.1 - 3.4 V
Before charging
voltage
/
2 V
2.9 V
3.1 V
3.2 V
3.2 V
Balancer charging
Not sup-
ported
Not sup-
ported
Supported
Supported
Supported Supported
Charging without
balancer
Supported
Supported
Supported
Supported
Supported Supported
Number of cells
1-16S
1-12S
1-6S
1-6S
1-6S
1-6S
Charging current
(max.)
16 A
16 A
16 A
16 A
16 A
16 A