Bats (in the Belfry)

[Nate Graves]

Other than being a really good Dispatch song...batteries.

I know from general advice that it's always best to drain your batteries before charging them, I assume this is true for the Volcano and Magma bats, but how about the PCC? Related to that, what sort of batteries are in the PCCs?

I'm assuming the Magmas are...120/180 maH? Any word on what the Volcanos are?

Are the batteries swappable should we...say, disassemble a Volcano or Magma bat? Could I reconnect the terminals and create a longer-lasting version?

This naturally leads into the question of how the PCC (or the USB charger for that matter) determines when the battery is fully charged.

Lastly: has anyone noticed a time difference between using the PCC vs the USB charger? Is either/or better for the lifespan of the Volcano/Magma bats? I realize it might be marginal to nonexistant, but these...are the things I wonder!

Thanks for your time, firebats.

[Arclight]

I tend to try to be random in my charging of batts and PCCs....All recharchable batts can get a "memory", or the "memory effect" when constantly charging and discharging the same. I tend to try to top off my charges once and a while to break the pattern. I do this moreso with my mods, than my Magma batts.

[geekdgirl]

What do you mean by a memory effect, Arclight?

[Spliner]

Li-Ion batteries are not 'supposed' to have a memory effect. I do however try to drain them completely myself to improve their longevity over time. Some rechargeable batteries will remember when you charge them, so if you only use them down to 50%, then charge them repeatedly, they'll begin to run out at 50% rather than at 0% like they are supposed to (actually Lithium-Ion protected batteries won't allow you discharge them below a safe level anyway).

Spliner

[Nate Graves]

I realized (pretty quickly afterward) that the NiMH/Li-Ion answer was easily figured out elsewhere. Edited the main post to reflect this...the other questions are still relevant though.

On the "memory effect"...I was always under the impression this was something specific to Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries and not so with NiMH or Lithium Ion.

[Starkweather]

I realized (pretty quickly afterward) that the NiMH/Li-Ion answer was easily figured out elsewhere. Edited the main post to reflect this...the other questions are still relevant though.

On the "memory effect"...I was always under the impression this was something specific to Nickel Cadmium (NiCd) batteries and not so with NiMH or Lithium Ion.

For the most part, you are correct. Which is why I dont use NiCd batteries in my airsoft assault rifles... rate of fire slowing down when I'm pinned down behind a building against 3 ex military guys--not good!

Li-Ion batteries really should not display a memory effect. I've heard so many different theories on this particular battery tech however, its ridiculous. The bottom line in, top em off whenever you want, but completely cycle them once and awhile and you should be fine.

[Spliner]

As far as whether they are interchangeable.. yes.. more or less. When people talk about "Mods" they are referring usually to a battery mod. We use a 510 (or whatever connector we choose) connector just like what is on the stock batts, and attach larger 3.7v Li-Ion batteries to it with a button and/or other bells and whistles. You can use a Volcano battery on a Magma Atty, you can also use a Volcano atty on a Magma battery. The only difference between those two are the way the polarity is wired on the connector and the size of the battery.

Spliner