Reports

Charging Ni-MH, NiCd batteries for Xbox360 controller

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My son plays TV games for Xbox360 and the cable of the controller has broken. He told that his friends used Ni-H batterries for the controller. The controller has wireless function. His freinds did not replace the cable, as it is expensive. My son bought two Ni-H batteries. I told him not to buy a charger because I can charge them by my power supply. I recommend him to buy spares.

Charging tests for Eneloop and Evolta

I charged them measured by panel meter of my big power supply at first. I happned to test Eneloop and Evolta one another. I attached two testers for measuring current and volt. One is an old analog tester which was given by my father a long time ago. The tables shows the records of charging a pair of Ni-MH batteries for Eneloop and Evolta each.
Tbl.1 Current for Eneloop
TimeVoltCurrentNote
14:212.68160mAJun18
20:292.6810mA
-2.83150mA
23:442.8380mA
-2.95200mA
01:392.95140mAJun19
10:042.9550mA
15:122.9555mAJun20
23:592.37
Jun27
-2.61150mA
21:272.7150mAJul02
07:512.710mAJul03
-2.92200mA
10:192.92135mA
10:242.92125mA
11:282.9230mA
16:303.03140mA
16:303.03110mAWarm
17:572.91300mAJul13
20:412.9890mAJul14
13:182.42-Jul24
13:193.00330mA
13:553.00250mA
14:463.00230mA
16:413.00180mA
18:403.0080mA
07:283.0070mAJul25
18:583.0070mAwarm

Tbl.2 Current for Evolta
TimeVoltCurrentNote
22:422.44-Jun23
-2.62120mA
13:112.44zero
-2.81210mA
02:202.61-Jul02
-2.61150mA
07:202.76140mA
13:542.95200mA
21:252.95?
00:512.37-Jul08
00:532.80160mAJul08
16:042.99185mAJul09
19:092.9980mAWarm
19:092.9120mA
00:082.9240mAJul11
01:462.91290mAJul17
14:053.03130mAJul18
Fig.1 DM-310MV, SP-10D

I found that both of Eneloop and Evolta have to charge less than 3.0V for a day. Batteries were warm, when I charged them over 3.0V for a long time. The data of Volt includes drop of current meter. The probe voltage is 40mV, when the current is 80mA. So the internal resistance is 0.5 Ohm. Drop voltage is 0.15V in case of 300mA, and is 5% of 3.0V. If I want to charge the Ni-H battery, It needs more than 60mA at least. Measuring devices are,

19:34 Jul24 GMT+9

Check charging voltage again

I usually have charged two Evolta batteries that stays at little charging current for a day or two days. I found them very warm. They broke down, because I applied too high voltage or did not stop charging at the little current. I bought two Eneloops for broken Evoltas.

Tbl.3 Low application voltage
VoltageCurrentTime
2.6V70mA-
2.56V20mA55min
2.57V10mA2h 29min
2.67V[1]65mA-
2.67V20mA3h 2m
2.66V10mA1h 23m
2.59V10mA10h 10m
2.59V0mA4h 4m

Tbl.4 Another pair of Eneloop
VoltageCurrentTime
2.61V40mA-
2.62V50mA18min
2.62V40mA20min
2.67V20mA1h 49m
2.67V15mA1h 38m
2.66V10mA31min
I measured voltage of two Eneloops, when Xbox360 controller did not work. The controller controls Xbox360 by wireless. Their voltages were 1.189V and 1.188V by Sanwa PC510. I think that termination voltage is 1.2 V not to feed current for Xbox360 controller nearly. If charging termination voltage is 0.2 V higher as lead battery, application voltage of two series will be 2.8 V. Charging currents were 20 and 50 mA, when I applied 2.4 and 2.5 V. I began charging at 2.6 V. The current was 70 mA. The table shows the result. I increased application voltage at 2.67V[1], so the current increased at 65 mA. I started the test at 15:36 on 1 Febrauary and finished at 13:39 on 2 Febrauary.

I measured open voltage of the batteries that were 1.315 V. They applied Xbox360 for a few minutes. The open voltage dropped at 1.305 and 1.310 V each.

I charged another pair of Eneloop. The open voltage were 0.997V and 1.077V before charging. After the charge, the both batteries were 1.341V.
9:58 Feb07 2012 GMT+9

Increased charging voltage

Tbl.5 11=1.174V 12=1.183V
VoltageCurrentTime
2.85V220mA-
2.88V70mA?
2.74V[2]0mA13min
2.67V20mA8h 27m
2.72V35mA36min
2.73V20mA1h 54m
2.77V20mA[3]3h 41m
Tbl.6 Increased application
VoltageCurrentTime
2.71V130mA-
2.70V50mA50min
2.75V30mA7h 33m
The another pair of Eneloop discharged at once. I increased application voltage. The pair of Eneloop open voltage were 1.128V and 1.148V before charging. After the charge, the open voltage were 1.371V and 1.370V. Current indicator fluctuated a little, when it indicated 30mA.

I marked number of 11 and 12 for dissipated ones at once. The open voltage of 11 and 12 were 1.174V and 1.183V. I decreased application voltage that showed 2.88V.[2] The Alinco power supply output may drift. The current indidcator fluctuated a little at the stage of 20mA.[3] The charged open voltage of 11 and 12 were the same 1.387V. As max output voltage of DM-310MV is 15V, 0.1V is 0.6%. Usually power supply may allow a few percent of max output. I had better check power supply for Eneloop batteries to do more pecise test.
15:43 Feb07 GMT+9

Changed power supply Alinco DM-310MV for my hand-made voltage regulator

Tbl.7 21B=1.132V 22B=1.094V
21A=1.407V 22A=1.406V
VoltageCurrentTime
2.80V*170mA-
2.69V*80mA6min
2.76V*130mA1h 6m
2.67V100mA32m
2.79V70mA2h 28m
2.79V70mA48m
2.73V40mA7h 55m
2.77V45mA8min
Fig.2 Hand-made regulator
I have changed power supply Alinco DM-310MV for hand-made voltage regulator. I charged Eneloops numbered 21 and 22. The table shows the result. The suffix A and B mean After and Before. I changed application voltage 2.80, 2.69 and 2.76V for adjusting current. * means new application voltage. Charging current decreases because the batteries generates increasing voltage. I stopped charging because the current increased. The regulator's open output was 2.86V. So there is voltage drop 0.09V because of the current meter Sanwa SP-10D. It seems tha the internal resistance is 2.1Ω. I measured 0.84Ω by Sanwa PC510 tester. I put the broken Evoltas and measured voltage across the current meter. They were 2.76V and 2.70V. The current meter indicated about 100mA. The voltages included the battery voltage. The voltage drop was 0.06V. So the internal resistance is 0.6Ω. I also measured voltage drop of the current meter by another tester PC510, when the current meter indicated 30mA at constant. The across voltage was 0.016V, the internal resistance is 0.53Ω
9:18 Feb11 GMT+9

Changed measuring true application voltage

Tbl.8 PS=2.87V before, 2.86V after
Evolta
VoltageCurrentTime
2.70V100mA-
2.73V90mA9min
2.75V75mA1h 44m
2.76V70mA36min
2.77V60mA2h 12m
2.78V60mA3h 18m
2.82V30mA10h 14m

Tbl.9 11B=1.213V 12B=1.216V
11A=1.428V 12A=1.428V
PS=2.87V before, 2.86V after
VoltageCurrentTime
2.65V135mA-
2.76V70mA2h 27m
2.78V60mA1h 47m
2.79V55mA2h 15m
2.79V50mA1h 47m
2.84V20mA9h 16m
I have continued the same measuring condition, when I had used another output terminal of power supply Alinco DM-310MV to measure allication voltage of Evoltas and Eneloops. I was to measure true application voltage excluding voltage drop of the current meter. Instead of it, I have to pull out the plus probe of SD-420 and push into another jack to measure the supply voltage. I charged the broken Evoltas. The table shows the result. The open voltage of charged Evoltas were 1.423V and 1.425V. My hand-made regulator drifted at 0.01V during 18h 13m. Otherwise power supply Alinco DM-310MV may drift at 0.03V quickly.

I also charged Eneloops at the same power supply voltage.
22:17 Feb12 GMT+9

Lowered application voltage to 2.83V from 2.87V

Tbl.10 Evoltas 1.413V, 1.410V
PS=2.81V before, 2.85V after
VoltageCurrentTime
2.65V100mA-
2.72V70mA1h 11m
2.75V50mA3h 31m
2.76V40mA2h 8m
2.77V40mA3h 59m
2.77V35mA3h 19m
2.78V25mA8h 43m
2.77V5mA*7h 36m**
2.78V6.5mA* 4m
2.81V20mA4h 1m

Tbl.11 21B=1.194V 22B=1.192V
21A=1.417V 22A=1.416V
PS=2.83-4V before, 2.83V after
VoltageCurrentTime
2.64V115mA-
2.74V50mA4h 47m
2.75V50mA1h 39m
2.78V25mA9h 54m
2.79V20mA3h 32m
2.81V10mA4h 50m
I lowered my hand-made power supply voltage from 2.87V to 2.83V because I worried about overheat by excessing application voltage. The table shows the result. It took a long time to get charged voltage more than 2.8V. It took 24.7 hours.

Tbl.12 Impedance effect of SP-10D
RangeMeasurementDrop
500mA25mA25.7mV
25mA4mA4.57mV
I started to charge Evloltas at 2.81V of power supply. I tried the broken Evoltas to finish charging at 2.82V. They could use batteries for XBOX360 controller. I found more than 2.8V necessary for XBOX360. Although I charged for a long time, the application voltage was 2.78V. The current meter indicated 35mA at 500mA range. I was doubtful why the application voltage did not rise up in spite of 35mA. I tried 25mA range of Sanwa SP-10. Oh, it indicated only 5mA. I confirmed measuring voltage across a resistor for current measuring and excess protection by Sanwa PC510. PC510 measured 3.93mV that meant 3.93mA for nominal 1 Ω. I increased power supply voltage after 7h 36m.** It was 2.83V. I increased 2.85V. I think that impedance of 25mA range is larger than 500mA range. I also measured at indicated 25mA. The table shows the result. Impedance of 25mA range is larger than 5.6 times. It took 23.5h to get application voltage 2.81V. The open voltage of power supply was 2.84-5V.

I happened to find that a site measured characteristics of discharg below 1V.[1] Eneloop seems to break at 1.1V, when it loads 5Ω. I find that Xbox360 controller stops working at 1.1-1.0V. The design is reasonable, I think.
22:39 Feb23 GMT+9

Errors among testers
I knew that Sanwa SD-420C measures little than Sanwa PC510. I tried charging a pair fo NiCd batteries which I bought a few years ago. I measured the open voltage of them by PC510. They were 1.112V and 1.055V. I began to set up TDS310 with my tiny regulator. Measuremtn of TDS310 showed 2.87V of open power supply voltage, otherwise SD-420C was 2.84-5V. PC510 showed 2.873V for the same voltage. As the result of measurement of power supply, I trust PC510 and TDS310.
18:46 Feb27 GMT+9

Slip2 showed that aplication voltage increases a few mV per minute

Tbl.13 Setup of TDS310
Time DIVVolt scaleM1M2
25ms (2kS/s)500mVMeanMean
I removed Sanwa SD-420C and SP-10D from the measuring system. I ran TDS298, Kiri198 and Slip2 on WindowsXP Home of 400MHz PC. I tried charging two NiCd batteries and got listing of application voltage at every minute. I was surprised at less than mV order noise. I show the measuring setup of TDS310. I selected low sampling rate 2kS/s to lower A/D noise, but I did not select Tek Roll. It is too slow to display at real time. I could select 256 averaging, because signal change is very slow. M1 and M2 showed high resolution by 256 average. I have attached to a protection resisitor of 1Ω, so difference from M1 and M2 is voltatge drop by the resistor. The NiCd battery spent 70mA even at 1.4V. It took only 1h 33min.
20:47 Feb27 GMT+9

Don't NiCd and alkaline batteries apply for Xbox360 controller?
I have some NiCd batteries. I had charged two NiCd batteries at more than 1.4V. I passed them for Xbox360 wireless controller. They ran out when my family saw DVD at once. I measured the open voltage of them, 1.220V and 1.120V. I do not know why they dropped the voltages at once.

My wife gathered used alkaline batteries which were used for Xbox360 controller at home. I picked up them and measured the open voltages. I marked them numbers. They were No.1 1.251, No.2 1.251, No.3 1.239, No.4 1.252, No.5 1.254 and No.6 1.255V. All the six batteries were more than 1.25V. Why did they supply enough current? Their expirate term was December 2010. Is internal resistance very large because they were old? Their brand was Fujitsu.
22:16 Mar08 GMT+9

Slip2 showed that a used alkaline battery ran out below 0.7, 0.3 and 0.05V

I want to know that used alkaline batteries can be used for lightening LED. Some LED lights at 5 mA when a few volts load. So I measured how long application voltage kept with Tektronix TDS310, TDS298, Kiri198 and Slip2 when I loaded 2Ω. I thought that the current would run a few dozen mA at least, even if the internal resistance is large. A site shows that old alkaline battery has 1.2Ω.[2] Slip2 showed that the application voltage dropped below 0.3V sharply,

Rec--Date----------M1 [V]
3429 1203090159 000.297
3428 1203090158 000.303
3427 1203090157 000.311
3426 1203090156 000.318
3425 1203090155 000.324
3424 1203090154 000.334
3423 1203090153 000.357
3422 1203090152 000.386
3421 1203090151 000.457
3420 1203090150 001.011
3419 1203090149 001.223

Forward voltage of diode is about 0.7V, Loss of collector-emitter of transistor is 0.3V. The load of 2Ω was too small. A used alkaline battery might run within a few mA usage. I show the listing by Slip2.

TDS298 ver1.01.0004, Kiri198 ver1.00.0031 and Slip2 at design time worked well for nine hours on Window98 of 400MHz PC.
14:28 Mar09 GMT+9

Slip21 showed charging chart

BATvolt
Fig.3 Pair 1
BATvolt1
Fig.4 Pair 2
I programmed displaying a graphical chart at real time. Application Slip21 added real time chart function to show the result of Tektronix Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO) on Wiondows98. The charts shows the result of two different pairs of two Ni-MH batteries. Unit of Y axis is voltage. The blue lines are regulated constant voltage. The green lines are measurements of application voltage of two series of Ni-MH batteries. X axis is sampling point. 600 points mean 600 measurement times. The sampling time is 1 min. 600 points are 600 minutes (10 hours). Record numbers of Pair 2 were 4577 through 5082 in Slip.dat The measurement system is, 12:31 Apr22 GMT+9

[1] Denchi no seinou hyouka
[2] Denchi no naibu-teikou to jyuden

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