Electronic – Using ptr-10401 LiPo Charger on a 24.8 Whr battery

batteriesbattery-chargingsparkfun

I just got in a LiPo charger (ptr-10401) and I want to use it to (yes I know slowly) charge a 24.8 Whr Lithium Polymer battery.

My question is pretty simple. Does this device contain the required logic to safely charge this battery? Meaning, if I were to plug it in and leave it would it be safe (I am not going to do this)

I was looking for laymen documentation or a tutorial but the only thing I could find was the VERY detailed documentation for the LiPo charger.

It's still to far beyond me (but I am trying, I just got Circuit Analysis for dummies)

Below are the parts and the links

I haven't hooked anything up. I want to make 100% sure this is a safe method for charging before I do this.

https://www.sparkfun.com/products/10401

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http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Internal-Battery-replacement-dajn-fit-for-iPad-1st-gen-/231044587897

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Best Answer

Having used the Sparkfun battery charger you listed (and in general designing with the Microchip MCP73831 battery charger), I have found that while it is supposed to be be safe, the Sparkfun device will get alarmingly hot when charging a large, almost empty battery from 5V USB power. I suspect this is simply due to the linear nature of the battery charger and the small un-heatsinked package., but I would be a bit weary of leaving it plugged in unattended because of this.