RE: New 1100 mAh A123 available everywhere and no word here!
everydayflyer, have you taken temperature readings on these various charging schemes?
For instance, see below (note: assumes A123 cells; that is, both the standard M1 and the newer 1,100 mAh cells):
[Pack capacity mAh] [Temperature of pack] [Charging rate]
2,300 ? 10 Amps
2,300 ? (Your zip method) --> ~16 Amp average
1,100 ? 5 Amps (standard 4.5C, actually 4.95 Amps)
1,100 ? 10 Amps (basically 9C)
If you have not taken detailed temperature readings of the various packs at various
charging rates, have you at least physically felt the difference in the pack's temperature
directly after it was charged at the high charging rates over the "standard" charging rates.
If so, how do they compare? IMHO (again, I can be wrong on this and there may be some
danger involved), but if the 1,100 mAh cells are only slightly warm after a 10 Amp or 9C
charging rate, then you will probably only see about a 5 or so percent decrease in the cell's
life holding all other things constant, but the cell or pack is inherently safe during this rapid
charging regime.