Panasonic Website Further Updates

[flecc]

I've now added an illustrated Technical section to the lithium battery page of my Panasonic unit website, plus an illustrated page of charger details. Both the lithium battery and charger are linked to under the "New Type Unit" heading on the Index Page.

My particular thanks to Fecn for additional details and measurements on these.

In this connection there have been various contributions from users over the years and I've now acknowledged them at the foot of the Panasonic Index Page. Here's the direct links:

Lithium Battery Technical section

Charger Section

Panasonic Index Page with acknowledgements

Finally, I've also added a Panasonic index page link to the NiMh charger item for the Old Type Unit
.

 

[Fecn]

Thanks for incorporating all that info Tony.

 

[Dynamic Position]

Flecc,

Does the drift in registration affect subsequent charge times?

If the BMS cannot display the charge accurately via the LED's, does the charger also receive an inaccurate indication as to the remaining charge level, thus forcing it to deliver a sub-optimal charge!

A possible reason to complete a reconditioning charge sooner than waiting for the cold winter weather to go away.

 

[flecc]

Flecc,

Does the drift in registration affect subsequent charge times?

If the BMS cannot display the charge accurately via the LED's, does the charger also receive an inaccurate indication as to the remaining charge level, thus forcing it to deliver a sub-optimal charge!

A possible reason to complete a reconditioning charge sooner than waiting for the cold winter weather to go away.

No, the inaccuracy is due to losing the correct meter zero point to measure from. The BMS when charging monitors the cells individually and will complete the correct charge and balance the cells regardless of the original meter circuit error. The meter circuit and the BMS are independent.

There's no reason not to complete a conditioning charge sooner in cold weather, the recommendation to leave it being simply that the cold weather can recreate the error making it a less valuable exercise. If it's known the cold weather is the cause of an error, allowance can be made for that until warmer weather returns rather than having the inconvenience of repeated conditioning cycles.
.

 

[Dynamic Position]

Having an automatic storage mode means one of these batteries can be safely stored almost indefinitely since lithium cells do not suffer from self-discharge.

Flecc,

The above quote from your article is quite reassuring, but indefinitely may be just six months!

Another quote from a 50 Cycles translated document supplied with my ProConnect S states in the battery sleep mode section:

! The battery must be fully charged at least every six months - otherwise irreparable damage may occur.

I don't expect many users of this Panasonic Battery on Pedelec Forums will leave the battery unused and sleeping for it to cause a problem, but it might be worth keeping in mind?

 

[flecc]

Yes, as you say it's unlikely that one would be kept uncharged for that long, even a Winter's downtime well short of that, but worth bearing in mind. In practice though, it's very unlikely that one would fail even if kept uncharged for longer since as said, lithium based cells do not self discharge. Obviously like any manufacturers, Panasonic/Kalkhoff will play safe with precautionary instructions to protect themselves.

If we obeyed all the precautionary instructions that come with every product bought, we'd either become nervous wrecks through worrying or give up consumerism.
.