18650s & Ultrafire WF-139 Charger.

[Monocrom]

Can someone tell me how long it takes for the Ultrafire charger to charge up two 18650 cells?

I was using my Solarforce L600 at work a couple of nights ago, when it suddenly went out. (I think the protection must have kicked in).

Tonight, while at work, I tried to recharge the two AW 18650 cells that were in the light. About 3 1/2 hours later, still nothing.

Looking at Lighthound.com (where I got the cells and charger), I now noticed that this charger won't charge up over-discharged cells.

Could that be why I got nothing after I re-inserted the cells into the light, after 3 1/2 hours? If the protection kicks in, does that mean the cell is over-discharged? And if so, can someone suggest a better charger and where I can get it? Or, do I just need to wait longer and toss the cells back on the charger for a few hours?

I'm new to using rechargeable cells in lights. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Raymond]

new to rechargeable lights with 3K posts? That's impressive

I read that sometimes the protection needs to be reset by a 5V pulse. Some chargers can do that themselves, but I don't think the WF-130 can do that.

IIRC, the cell should read 0V when the protection has kicked in. That would be easy to check if you have a multimeter nearby

Maybe there is some info in the sales thread in the marketplace?

 

[Monocrom]

new to rechargeable lights with 3K posts? That's impressive

I read that sometimes the protection needs to be reset by a 5V pulse.

What can I say, most of my lights are CR123-based or use more common primaries. I have an Inova T4 and an Energizer rechargeable that use self-contained cells and cradle chargers. (I'm starting to like those more than putting an 18650 into a light).

Must admit, I didn't know about that "reset" requirement. Thanks for helping me out with that bit of important info.

Sadly, don't have a multimeter.

I've heard that Pila makes a top-of-the-line charger. (Will have to look into that).

I guess in a way, I'm lucky. Didn't invest too much money into lights that take 18650 or other rechargeable batteries.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[Raymond]

you can buy from them directly (free shipping in the US)
http://www.pila-usa.com/Pila_PayPal.htm

I've ordered my first 18650 charger/light/battery just yesterday. I'm just reading up on all the info now ( my impression is that li-on rechargeables are a long way from becoming as mainstream and foolproof as nimh batteries.)

 

[Monocrom]

you can buy from them directly (free shipping in the US)
http://www.pila-usa.com/Pila_PayPal.htm

I've ordered my first 18650 charger/light/battery just yesterday. I'm just reading up on all the info now ( my impression is that li-on rechargeables are a long way from becoming as mainstream and foolproof as nimh batteries.)

Thanks again for the help.

I don't have PayPal, but I have friends who do.

Also, I agree with you about that last part.

 

[coppertrail]

I've heard that Pila makes a top-of-the-line charger. (Will have to look into that).

My Pila charger and some AW 18650/14500/RCR123A cells arrived yesterday.

One thing I noticed about the pila charger is the light seems to turn green around 4.15V and then trickle charges to 4.20, at which point the charge is cut off.

So far, I'm impressed with both the Pila and AW's cells. BTW, to charge RCR123A cells in the Pila, I purchased a couple dummy CR123A cells from AW and his spacers for the WF-139 work great in the pila if you want to charge 14500 cells

 

[Monocrom]

You guys have both been a big help. Thanks.

 

[USM0083]

You guys have both been a big help. Thanks.

It takes my -139 between 4 and 5 hours to charge a pair of AW 18650s.

They are used in a Ultrafire WF-500/HO-R5 and I charge them every week. It gets about 5 mins of use every day.

 

[Monocrom]

It takes my -139 between 4 and 5 hours to charge a pair of AW 18650s.

Perhaps keeping my AW 18650s on the charger awhile longer would have produced better results. I'm not sure.

Does the protection ever kick in on your AW 18650 cells?

If it does, and you're able to still fully charge them up; I might not need to get another charger.

Thanks for the help.

 

[mdocod]

I've kicked the protection on my AWs numerous times and been able to charge them on the 139 without any problems, but I have heard all sorts of bizarre reports of problems for all sorts of various reasons. It's also possible that the cells protection circuit "died" completely and is now permanently shutting the cell "off" so to speak.

 

[Monocrom]

I've kicked the protection on my AWs numerous times and been able to charge them on the 139 without any problems, but I have heard all sorts of bizarre reports of problems for all sorts of various reasons. It's also possible that the cells protection circuit "died" completely and is now permanently shutting the cell "off" so to speak.

Thanks for letting me know about your personal experience, and about those weird reports you've heard. This is the first time I'm hearing about such things with regards to protected cells.

I'll toss my 18650s back on the charger for a couple more hours, once I get back to work on Monday, and see if that will help. Thanks again!

 

[Monocrom]

Update:
~~~~~~

Yup.... Tossing the two 18650 AW cells back on my Ultrafire charger for a couple of hours definitely did the trick. Total charge time, for Friday of last week and yesterday, was 5 1/2 hours.

When the charger indicated that the cells were done, I took the cells off the charger, waited a few minutes, then I popped them into my Solarforce L600 and got.... NOTHING!

Pressing firmly on just one portion of the outer, circular edge of the momentary tailcap switch caused the light to come on. But that didn't last too long. At this point, I wasn't sure what the problem was. I determined it wasn't the bulb. Taking the 18650s home, I tested out each one in my only other 18650 compatable light; my Tiablo A9S. (A far better quality light than my L600). Both cells worked perfectly. This also proves that the WF-139 charger works properly too.

That just leaves two possibilites, the crappy tailcap switch is even worse than I initially thought it was. Or, the light should never be used outdoors while it's raining. (Yup, I used my L600 at work.... outdoors.... during a mild rain. Guess those O-ring seals might not have done a great job).

Or maybe the Solarforce L600 is just a POS.

I'll do my best to get it working again. But I'm not expecting much.

Thanks again to all of you who helped me out. You guys are great! :twothumbs