Horsefly
Solar Wizard
Fair enough. Your position seems honest. I don't even know how to search for these well published papers about this topic. Do you have a couple you can point me to?I know that sustained low current charging in the upper knee causes cell degradation - it is well published. As there is no reason to go there - i think it’s a bad idea.
Here's the thing. We are probably both right, to a point.
My interpretation of what you were saying was that charging at 3.65V was fine right up until the current dropped to 0.05C, and at that point immediately it was a huge problem. My guess is that it isn't some step function at 0.05C, so I don't think that is what you meant. It's probably a more linear thing. There is probably some harm being caused at 0.06C, and that may even be the same as the harm caused at 0.04C.
I dunno. I don't have a clue. The specs seem to say that cells are rated for 3500 cycles (or whatever) when charged to 3.65V until 0.05C, and then discharged to 2.5V. That's one cycle. I've not seen anything that suggests if you only charge until the current drops to 0.07C you will get 4000 cycles, or that if you charge until you get to 0.03C you will only get 2000 cycles.
I really do want to learn, and appreciate your experience. If you can point me to anything that would help me be smarter, I would be forever thankful!