Arctic Glacier Temp Charge Testing.

UpDate:

I am charging at this time.

Started the charge of the frozen battery. Our static information at the start of the test is as follows.

Jan 4 2012

2:51 pm

3.162 volts static

-2.9 F

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3.920 volts...........zero time...........20 amps.........-2F

3.808 volts...........:47 sec..............15 amps.........-2F

3.697 volts...........1:26 min............10 amps.........-2F

3.548 volts...........3:00 min............5 amps..........-2F

3.540 volts...........4:52 min............5 amps..........-2F

3.631 volts...........29:03 min..........5 amps..........-10F

3.630 volts...........44:20 min..........5 amps..........16F

3.650 volts...........50:15 min..........5 amps.........-16F

3.429 volts...........53:00 min..........2 amps.........-16F

3.410 volts...........56:28 min..........2 amps.........-18F

3.432 volts...........1:26:40 min.......2 amps.........-20F

So very cold temps will require being warmed so they can actually take a good charge. At this rate it will be well into tomorrow before the cell is charged enough. So an unprotected cell will require insulation and a warmer to keep it just above freezing so it can take a charge. According to the information here anyone with an Elcon won't be able to charge a pack because the pack will spike up higher than the cut off voltage and when the charger sees the voltage up that high it will shut off thinking its full. Ooooops.

So the cold forces the voltage to spike at normal amperage to above the recommended voltage of 3.65 volts. In keeping with our recommended charge algorithm it will be impossible for the elcon to charge unless the cell is above freezing. My two graphs show at a temp that is cold but above freezing.

The dry ice is keeping the cell from warming up and since the amperage is so low it does not have much chance to warm up. At least not until the dry ice is gone or the cell removed from the cold environment.

Any ideas about charging above the recommended voltages to force feed the cold cell? Think that might damage the cell? What we need to know is if I can like go to 4.6 volts and then taper off until I reach like 5 amps? Mmmmmm.

Pete