Hello, I'm new to the forum and I have a question about recharging batteries. Photo below. I have been recharging several Surefire 18650 batteries that I've had for over 10 years. These were given to me along with several inexpensive Cree flashlights by a coworker several years ago. He also gave me two or three cheap chargers, all of which, I believe, came from ebay at that time. I've had fairly decent luck with these batteries, but there are a few that will not charge and I'm wondering if these have exceeded their lifespan. Several of these batteries have sat unused for a few years, and those are the batteries that will not charge.
I'm wondering if I should think about buying some new brand-name replacement batteries for my lights and headlamps.
Also, is there a rule for specific charge times with these older, cheap, chargers? The way they've always worked for me is that I put depleted batteries in the charger and plug it in and the red light comes on solid, then changes to green once the charge is completed. This can happen in a couple of hours or a few hours. With these batts that have been sitting for so long the light flashes between green and red continuously until the charge is complete, the stays green once the charge is complete. This can take several hours. Some batts don't even get that far, and the charger never turns green. How long is TOO long for recharging an 18650?
Thanks,
Cliff
I'm wondering if I should think about buying some new brand-name replacement batteries for my lights and headlamps.
Also, is there a rule for specific charge times with these older, cheap, chargers? The way they've always worked for me is that I put depleted batteries in the charger and plug it in and the red light comes on solid, then changes to green once the charge is completed. This can happen in a couple of hours or a few hours. With these batts that have been sitting for so long the light flashes between green and red continuously until the charge is complete, the stays green once the charge is complete. This can take several hours. Some batts don't even get that far, and the charger never turns green. How long is TOO long for recharging an 18650?
Thanks,
Cliff