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Old 03-28-10 | 09:48 PM
  #39  
morph999
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Joined: Jan 2009
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Let me just say a few more things about when you charging them. When you first get the batteries, I would charge all the cells first with that small 3.2v single cell charger that I recommended. Put it on and leave it and it will charge all of them to 3.65v. This will balance all of your cells for you. Once each cell is done, move it to the next cell in the pack. Do all the cells with it. After that, you will have all cells fully charged and balanced. They might be a little off on the voltage. Some might say 3.63v or 3.55v or 3.54v...do not worry about this. That is normal. As long as you charge them to full and the red light turns to green showing a full cell, that's all you need to worry about. Once the cells are charged, they will often fall back down to about 3.50v or 3.55v. This is normal. They settle down after charging. Do not feel like you have to put them back on the charger or try to balance them to the exact voltage. It's more about full capacity rather than what exact voltage each pack is. As long as each cell is charged to full capacity, then you are good.

After you charge all the cells with the small charger, then you can start using the 12v black and decker charger because now you've top balanced all of your cells and none of the cells will overcharge....they will all reach about full at the same time. Then for the first 10 charges, I'd top them off each time with the small charger after first using the 12v B&D. After you get about 10 charges/cycles in, then you can balance them (top them off with small 3.2v charger) just every 4 or 5 charges. They will get more balanced with time because lithium needs an "awakening" period.
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