Report/Lithium packs recycling

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What

There were 4 packs and some singles of lithium batteries laying around the Base. I took them, cracked open the cases, tried to recharge individual cells. Kept the cells that are able to hold some charge, dumped the others into according type of waste.

Why

  • I wanted to assemble a battery pack for our devices.
  • Lithium batteries degrade when shelved and uncharged.

How

  • Cut the side opposite to terminals with a hacksaw, then pry carefully until it cracks open.
  • Measure the pack for undervoltages.
  • If no undervoltages, try to charge the whole pack. Note the number.
  • Disconnect from the control circuit and cut some metal strips to be able to charge individuals.
  • Cycle-charge indivudial cells and mark the capacity measured.
  • Keep the good ones and profit.

Equipment used

  • IMAX B6 charger
  • 3 x 8 cell pack, 1 x 3 cell pack, two cell phone batteries

Result

  • Cell phone batteries had cap. 400 mAh, were dumped.
  • Out of 27 individual LiIon cells 14 were dead.
  • The capacities of the rest lay in the interval of 700 - 1600 mAh (these have original capacity 3000 mAh and more)
  • The good ones are being cycle-charged to confirm the capacity for possible re-packing.
Marked as * Type Capacity estimate [mAh] ** Located
A1 Li-Po 200 Recycle bin
A2 Li-Po 200 Recycle bin
A3 Li-Po 0 Recycle bin
A4 Li-Po 0 Recycle bin
A5 Li-Po 1600
A6 Li-Po 1400
A7 Li-Po 0 Recycle bin
A8 Li-Po 0 Recycle bin
B1 .. B8 Li-Po 0 Recycle bin
C1 Li-Po 1400
C2 Li-Po 1900
C3 Li-Po 1600
C4 Li-Po 1700
C5 Li-Po 1100
C6 Li-Po 800
C7 Li-Po 1800
C8 Li-Po 1600
D1 .. D3 Li-Po 1700

/* black marker /** most of the cells were charged only once or twice and not fully discharged before