Rescuing IMR10440?

[Wolfman29]

Hey everyone -

A while back I bought two IMR10440s. They can handle ridiculously high discharge rates. All fine and dandy. However, I realized that one of them managed to drop to 1.6V or so, which I know is far below the safe operating voltage of li-ions.

However, I read somewhere that I could rescue li-ions? It wasn't a cheap battery, and may as well save it if I can, so what's the method? Trickle-charge until ~3.3V or something? I can't seem to find where I read about rescuing them.

 

[Blord]

Some chargers have a recycle mode. They can revive a death battery. Basically the battery is going to discharge and recharge several times. You can do it manually by discharge it with a load and recharge it again for a few cycles. Hopefully the battery will come to live or else it is going to the recycle box.

 

[Wolfman29]

So how would I do this manually? Trickle charge it till it's at like 3.3V, then discharge down to 3V, then rinse and repeat?

 

[HaloBlu]

I've never had to do it myself but trickle charging works on normal Li-ion (LiCo) at least.
Haven't read if it works on IMR LiMn but it worth a shot. On LiCo you have to bypass the protection PCB if it has one.

 

[Wolfman29]

Alright. Well then! When I get back to my dorm I'll try it out. But if it explodes, its YOUR FAULT! XD

 

[HaloBlu]

No, no, no, no,no no,no... I disavow all responsibility for any fire, explosion, destruction, maiming, disfigurement, coma, death & annoyance if it doesn't work.
I would trickle charge them Very slow anyway. Inside a Lipo firesafe bag. In a metal box. Buried a foot underground. Seriously, everyone should have at least a cheap Lipo bag.

Where are your IMR10440 from? BestInOne sells inexpensive ones that test very well.

 

[rhd]

Where are your IMR10440 from? BestInOne sells inexpensive ones that test very well.

Eeek, no. All of their IMRs, EXCEPT FOR the 10440s, are supposed to test well. See:
Bestinone.net IMR batteries current measurements - comment re 10440s

 

[Wolfman29]

I was kidding Bluefan

But mine are from AvidVaper - they are the only source I could find for cheapish IMR 10440s. And how slowly? And will there be any precursors like heating up or something if they are about to go critical (haha)?

 

[Fiddy]

guessing your charger doesn't recognize them that low?

Ive resurrected highly discharged Lithium cells by bringing them up to voltage on a Variable Power Supply on like 0.1C

Keep an eye on them temperature wise!

Hope they live.

Fiddy.

 

[Wolfman29]

I didn't want to risk shovin' em in my charger. So I will try charging them today ^_^

 

[HaloBlu]

Eeek, no. All of their IMRs, EXCEPT FOR the 10440s, are supposed to test well. See:
Bestinone.net IMR batteries current measurements - comment re 10440s

Sorry. Thanks Rhd for the quick correction & preventing me from leading anyone astray.
*edit* Hate the "spread some Reputation around" message.

Had plans that really need a good IMR LiMn 10440. If anyone runs into some that test well, do share please. :beer:

 

[Wolfman29]

So good news! I started trickle-charging this battery, and I think I rescued it! I trickled it at about 10-15mA of current inward and now it's sitting at 2.8V (I had to go to class, and didn't want to leave it unattended). Now I just need to finish trickling it and then draining it and repeat!