[ELECTRON] Lithum cells.

[Clive Mitchell]

Have I missed some lithium chemistry breakthrough or something?  I was
always under the impression that the majority of rechargeable lithium
ion cells had very strict upper voltage charging thresholds of 4.2V
beyond which damage or violent failure could occur.

I've been testing a load of solar powered gadgets including torches
and outdoor lights and the open circuit voltage across the cells has
been well above the 4.2V mark with some gadgets having a solar panel
and diode as their entire charge circuitry and putting out well over
5V open circuit.  And these aren't the protected lithium cells with
the built in overcharge circuitry.

-- 
Clive Mitchell.

http://www.bigclive.com