18650 Batteries - Charging/Use?

[da.gee]

Hello All,

First, what a great place! Flashlights are so cool.

I'm making the plunge into this world and have a Dereelight CL1H 5.0 on order. This light uses 18650 batts. I have also ordered from Battery Junction the following:

Ultrafire wf-139 Lithium Ion battery charger 14500 - 18670

Li-Ion 18650 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable battery FULLY PROTECTED with PCB Lithium Ion

Beyond charging in a safe area and keeping an eye on them while charging, are there any other precautions I should take? The wf-139 is smart charger so I shouldn't have to worry about overcharge yes?

Also when using the 18650s with the Dereelight, since they are protected, do I need to be concerned about anything in practical use?

Thanks much. Appreciating all your knowledge.

The Noob

 

[ak645]

Hi geeman

Welcome to CPF! According to testing done by others the UltraFire charger can continue to slowly charge after the light turns green.As long as you take the battery out within an hour or two of green light you're okay.Since the Tenergy cells are protected the worst that'll happen if it does overcharge is slightly reduced battery life.

Try to get used to recharging before the battery shuts itself off.Over discharge can also shorten battery life.If you don't have one already,invest in a digital multimeter.

No other issues.I have the DereeLight and love it! I'm sure you will too.

Andy

Hello All,

First, what a great place! Flashlights are so cool.

I'm making the plunge into this world and have a Dereelight CL1H 5.0 on order. This light uses 18650 batts. I have also ordered from Battery Junction the following:

Ultrafire wf-139 Lithium Ion battery charger 14500 - 18670

Li-Ion 18650 3.7V 2600mAh rechargeable battery FULLY PROTECTED with PCB Lithium Ion

Beyond charging in a safe area and keeping an eye on them while charging, are there any other precautions I should take? The wf-139 is smart charger so I shouldn't have to worry about overcharge yes?

Also when using the 18650s with the Dereelight, since they are protected, do I need to be concerned about anything in practical use?

Thanks much. Appreciating all your knowledge.

The Noob

 

[da.gee]

Thanks much. I've been reading like a maniac to try and get up to speed the last few weeks since I discovered this site. I apologize for the noob questions but when I see things like "explode" and "venting fire" I'm inclined to clarify the situation.

So, as long as I grab the batts within a couple hours of green light I should be okay. As far as battery shutting off, thus reducing life, this occurs sometime after the two hours yes?

I get to buy a new tool! Any good recommendations for a good Digital Multi-Meter?

How long to receive your Dereelight? Not that I'm excited or anything!

Thanks. G

 

[ak645]

Hi geeman,

You're Welome! Yeah there's a lot to learn but I can tell you've done some research and you've got the basics.

It's really impossible for anyone to say how much and in how long your UltraFire will over charge after the green light comes on.They all seem to be different and apparently some may not do it at all.Worst case is a slow trickle charge.I don't own the UltraFire but removal within 2 hours after green seems reasonable and shouldn't hurt anything.Sooner is probably better though.One of the reasons to buy a multimeter.

A fully charged Lithium-Ion battery is 4.20 volts +or-.05.Most over voltage protection circuits trip at 4.35.Most over discharge trip at 2.5 volts.A Li-Ion is considered fully drain at around 3.2 volts.Maximum current on your Tenergy's is 1.5 amps.Won't be a problem with the DereeLight as it only draws 900ma on high.

AFAIK the best digital multimeter is Fluke.Not cheap by any means but a reliable,accurate tool.If you plan on getting more into flashlights (and why not? it's a relatively harmless way to rid yourself of any excess funds) then it's a good long-term investment.

I got my Deree from John at LightHound so it only took a couple days.If yours is coming from China it will take longer.

Andy

Thanks much. I've been reading like a maniac to try and get up to speed the last few weeks since I discovered this site. I apologize for the noob questions but when I see things like "explode" and "venting fire" I'm inclined to clarify the situation.

So, as long as I grab the batts within a couple hours of green light I should be okay. As far as battery shutting off, thus reducing life, this occurs sometime after the two hours yes?

I get to buy a new tool! Any good recommendations for a good Digital Multi-Meter?

How long to receive your Dereelight? Not that I'm excited or anything!

Thanks. G

 

[da.gee]

Most helpful.

I will look into the Fluke and I'm starting to pay attention to different specs like how much a light draws, interchangeable batt-bodies, etc.

Phallic symbolism aside, flashlights are a pretty cool thing and some intriguing technology. All of a sudden I feel naked wihout my P2D so I don't know if this new hobby is contributing to my security or my paranoia!

Thanks again.