18650 - Part 5 - Opus BT c3100 v2.2 charger & discharger for li-ion battery cells

The Opus BT c3100 v2.2 is an ideal companion for the build of a Powerwall. It is able to charge and discharge 18650 cells through a complete cycle by itself.
The different modes are explained in this video, so there will be no more secrets for you.
If you choose this setup or the DIY setup as in part 4, that's up to you. Myself, I'm using both in combination.
You can also view my review on the LiitoKala Lii-500
• 18650 - part 16 - Liit... To
go to my KZbin Channel - Sailing and Electronics
/ @sailingandelectronics

[@piciu3]

thank you for this video , thanks to you I learned to use this opus charger . Respect.

[@joneidbo]

thx for clear concise explanation on the use of all the modes. :)

[@MichaelDFPV]

I just got this charger. Thank you for your video. Very informative and will explain. Thank you.

[@SophiaCypria]

AMAZING TUTORIAL FOR A NOOB LIKE MYSELF OPUS CHARGER NON SPARKY LOL !!! HAD NO IDEA HOW TO USE THIS DEVICE BUT THANKS TO YOU WONDERFUL ON HOW TO CORRECTLY SET 18650 BATTERIES FOR MY VAPING NEEDS MUCH LOVE XOX

[@jp040759]

Great review. Just what I was looking for. THANX!!!!

[@williamvaughan1218]

Precise and to the point. Much thanks

[@rossevans2814]

thank you for the in-depth review,

[@Sailingandelectronics]

Ross Evans, glad you liked it and hope you got the info you needed.

[@mikeibby69]

Learned a lot. Especially how to check MAH. I was using Discharge refresh instead of charge test. 👍 So is it best to do a discharge on a full battery to see the MAH

[@williamtech4668]

Just good content. Thx!

[@ronmiller1794]

love your vids. you remind me of red forman off of that 70s show.

[@Sailingandelectronics]

Kurthwood Smith ;-)

[@tv175s3]

Did you try to charge twins cells (2p from a laptop pack)? I found the cells getting hot before fully charged. Also with the TP4056 the twins getting hot. When seperated the charge fine. I don't why see reason why?

[@Sailingandelectronics]

KaeL no, didn't do that. Use single only. Only way to be sure.

[@SolarFoxy]

Hi, may I know how do you charge the battery to 4.0v with TP4056 ? If we can charge battery to 4.0v sharp without any surveillance , I guess would buy this TP4056 just for this purpose.

[@vassiliskasassoglou9122]

Very good thanks

[@KillerkoUK]

During the charge test, does it replace the discharged capacity with charged capacity when it fully charges after a discharge? Because that would kind of ruin the whole purpose of the test.. to obtain the capacity during a discharging.

[@azusscrambler5945]

its a great charger i own one!

[@tv175s3]

I'm using this charger too, I wish it has a Discharge Test mode, to first got to 4.20V and then do the discharge and stop. Then I can make the charger free for a new testing. And why not a Storage test mode? After discharge go to storage charge so the cell is ready to store.

[@jmonteen]

I don't have the ability to setup T4056 stations. I just use the Opus from start to finish. Is there anything wrong with just cleaning the harvested cell, using a voltmeter and writing the beginning voltage, do a charge/test on Opus and finish with Quick test? Do I need to do a full charge before doing the above steps. This also gives me a "close enough" reading for internal resistance. Am I wrong? How do I improve the above steps with minimal electrical knowledge.

[@Sailingandelectronics]

John Monteen, not a problem. It is best to use one type of capacity checker. That way the results are compareable. I started with tp4056,but now I'm using the opus all the time (have 5 units). They have overheating protection which I like when I'm not at home.

[@Sailingandelectronics]

John, I would suggest you try different times for IR. Or give a little pressure on the contacts and see if you get different values. I always check IR at full voltage. This is not necessary. Just don't do it in the lower volt regions. And don't forget to leave them for a couple of weeks to double check voltage for voltage drop.

[@vassiliskasassoglou9122]

Hello, can you please tell me how to find the posible high or low discharge rate of the Li cells ? Is not writen on the cells . Thanks

[@Sailingandelectronics]

Discharge to 3v and charge to 4.2v. This is for measurement only. For power wall be more conservative so cells will last longer.

[@vassiliskasassoglou9122]

@@Sailingandelectronics Thanks I mean how much can be the current Amp. for discharge or charge

[@TomlinsTE]

It seems like a lot of people write the capacity on their batteries. Does the capacity of the cell remain consistent throughout the entire life of the cell?

[@Sailingandelectronics]

TomlinsTE, no not for the entire life, but yes for this moment. It gives the opportunity to sort cells and count the average Ah per group of cells. All packs you will put in series will have to have the same Ah.

[@vapeking466]

Why do you recommend only charging vaping batteries to 4.0 or 4.1 volts?

[@Sailingandelectronics]

The same batteries, but if you want to keep them in good shape it is best not to charge them to their max AND min voltage. So for daily use/charge, 4.0 or4.1 would be safer bet. The cells in the powerwall will also be limited to be charged at 4 Volts. Not a Vapor myself, for the biggest cloud, you probably need the highest voltage.... just a guess here.

[@swordm4]

VapeKing he is wrong that for vaping you need to have it under 4.2V and for flashlight too...

[@tamijjasmini4wdresearchcen575]

can i break in battery with this? Like AA NiMh batteries charged to 1.55V? I'm really curious pls respond thanks =) Subscribed

[@Sailingandelectronics]

No idea, sorry.

[@MrProooosit]

I have one that look the same but the name is zeepin Bt-c3100 v2. 2 but in My eyes that are not useful to check capacity becouse of it discharge to 3.21v i use it only for charging, use Skyrc imax b6 mini for discharge but looking for a Charger that can discharge minimum 4 cell to 2.8v or at least 3.0v, that voltage have your Charger on discharge?

[@ruinunes8251]

I just subscribed to your Channel. I'm a new bee here to the batteries world. After watching your video, I'm intrigued with 2 things. 1- when the opus discharge the batteries, where the battery charge goes? 2- you are saying if we intend to use 18650 batteries to flash lights, we need a charger to charge the batteries to 4.0v, why is that? The only charger I have that came with my flash light, charges the battery to 4.2V. Will I damage the battery using it in a flash light or will I damage the flash light using a battery charged up to 4.2V? I have a few Sony 18650 cells that I took out from a cordless vacuum battery pack that its pcb went bad. The cells appears to be good and I'm using these Sony cells in my flash light. Also I was planning to make a small power bank with an empty power bank case from ebay/amazon with these cells as I have 6 of them. I probably will buy this Opus charger. Your advice is much appreciated.

[@Sailingandelectronics]

Hi, glad you like it. you have multiple questions in one... 1/ the discharged energie disappears in the form of heat. 2/Some flashlights have build in 'bms' (battery management system), but most do not have that. That means that you can drain a battery to beyond the safe 3V. On the other hand, you can insert a 4.2V battery if you want. For the flashlight this does not make any difference. However, if you want your batteries to last long, especially in something like a powerwall, everyday charged and discharged, it is advised to adjust the max and min values to about 3.2V as minimum and 4.0V as maximum. (not possible in a charger like the Opus and others) just a tip before buying the Opus .... I will try to finish my video on the Liitokala lii-500 charger this weekend. (much cheaper then Opus)

[@ruinunes8251]

Sailing and electronics Thanks man for the reply. I will wait for your new video then. Regards.

[@rtoebak76]

There is a switch inside the opus. You can set different voltages. Kijk maar. :-)

[@InterluxLv]

Opus discharges to 2.8V according the manual!

[@Sailingandelectronics]

The manual says 2.8V indeed, however I have never seen it below 3.0V. And when you take it out on it's lowest charge and test it with a voltmeter, it will already gone up to 3.2V in a couple of seconds. So it is not really discharged to that point I guess, but only touches the number (2.8V or 3V) which switches off the cycle and starts charging again.

[@MrProooosit]

Just ask about that, but see you have My answer here, i will look for another Charger with real disharging to 2.8 or at least 3.0v

[@leojango3891]

If you press and hold the display button for 10 seconds, the display will stay on untill you cut off the power.

[@Sailingandelectronics]

Leo Jango I'll definately try it, thx.

[@rowe39425]

just FYI there is a switch on the bottom when you open it to choose the charging voltage cutoff. I think it's 4.2 4.35 and 3.7 here is a video showing in depth someone else made. there are several models this brand that all have that switch kzbin.info/www/bejne/gJuQlWlsoK-tpsk

[@iyohannad.7400]

Thanks for the review. I learned a lot. I was drawn to your internal R measurement using the Opus. I have also watched your video about your SM8124 for measuring internal resistance. Very INFORMATIVE. I'd like to know how accurate is your internal resistance measurement against a paper and pencil calculation shown in this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/l6eWaZx4rciCnbM. The science in this video seems to be on solide ground. Please make a video on how this paper and pencil internal resistance measurement compares with your SM8124 and your OPUS B C3100. Thanks, Young...I hope I got your name right. More power to your video. - Lolo George

[@Sailingandelectronics]

Maybe an idea for a future video. However, the IR is most of the time below 100mOhm, which is good and perfectly useable. If 100 seems to be 98.5 or 103, this difference would not change anything.

[@clearriver5987]

this charger is beter than adeska charger more option , adeska charger a lot noise

[@1111TWIZZLE]

WARNING, you are so WRONG about leaving them unattended for long periods whilst asleep or out for the day. like any mass produced product, a few leave the factory with inbuilt faults or bad components, i had one unit that either the internal tempreture sensor failed, or the auto shutdown failed because either the fan had failed first or id just simply loaded a bad 18650 cell.i was not in the room when it happened, but the cell got RED HOT & EXPLODED setting the unit alight & spraying flameing parts about. luckily i was home but only found out when the smoke detectors went off. the room was full of smoke with the unit itself well ablaze & the carpet smoldering in 5 different places. they need checking on at least once per hour & if GOING OUT OR ASLEEP. TURN THEM OFF FOR PEACE OF MIND. i still have the unit if youd like to see photo proof...........