Report/Lithium packs recycling
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
