Charging Parallax Li-ion Power Pack-Charger Full Kit

DrPop

I'm mostly just curious: is there any real world difference in battery longevity of charging an Li-ion pack like this with higher or lower volt or amp rated power supply? For example, I have three I could use: Parallax 7.5V 1.6A; a 12V 1.5A; or a 12V 2A.
I would think the higher voltage or amperage rated PSUs might heat the battery and/or board more, but maybe not enough to matter?

Publison

The board is designed to take 12 volts input. The higher amperage voltage will cause the heat sinks to get warmer, not the battery. The higher amperage input decreases the charging time.

RS_Jim

Publison wrote: »

The board is designed to take 12 volts input. The higher amperage with cause the heat sinks to get warmer, not the battery. The higher amperage input decreases the charging time.

Don't you mean the higher voltage will cause the heat sinks to get warmer?
Jim

Publison

Jim. You are correct. I corrected my post. I was reading this as I was writing.

Connect a “center positive” 2.1mm wall transformer (such as Parallax #750-00009) to the
Charging Power Input jack as noted in Figure 3. The power supply should have a voltage output
between +5 VDC and +12 VDC. The amount of current necessary to charge the cells is
controlled automatically by the circuitry; however your wall transformer should be rated at 1 amp
or more to minimize charging time. If the charging current supply is too low, the charging
circuits may not operate. In addition, a lower current will not harm the cells; they’ll just take
longer to charge.

DrPop

Thanks, so it's mostly the board that takes the brunt of faster charging, not the cells.