AAA/10440 EDC Advice

[juhha]

I believe this is my 1st post here, so some introduction is necessary.

I found this forum sometime ago, when searching for a flashlight, and became(why oh why!!!!!) a full blown flashaholic.

I do have a couple(a lot) of flashlights, all li-ion, and I do know how to take care of them. Only got CR123 and 18650. Do own also a multimeter and have only one charger. This one.

Why am I asking for your advice?

A friend of mine (not adicted, but interested) bought this light, and showed it to me. I fell in love with that thin *******, and because I EDC 1xCr123 lights, it did feel quite light in my pocket. The light was quite allright for the use that I will give to it. Just for walking in the building without having to turn on the entire buildings lights. EDC....

I am going to buy it, and some 10440 batteries also.

My question is: does my charger charge these batteries? Are there any more lights(AAA/10440--10-20$/each--delivered to Portugal) that I should buy, or be worth taking a look at, besides the one I mencioned?

These lights are going to be used for EDC and I know the difference in output that these AAA flashlights have compared to Cr123, but, as I have stated before, I can't help myself. I don't own any of these flashlights, and I am willing to give these a chance.

Can you help me, please?

( I am sorry for any mistakes I made writing this post, but I english is not my native language )

 

[brted]

You are only supposed to charge li-ion batteries at 1C max. The WF-139 charges at 450mA, so it would be okay with a DX 500mAh 10440 if the 500mAh rating were true, but you might be more likely to see less (AW rates his 10440's at 320mAh) in which case you'd be overcharging. For 10440's, I use sku.14885, which charges at 330mA. Not sure what kind of sockets you have in Portugal, but this has a US-style plug (but is 110 or 220). I like mine, but it only charges batteries to about 4.12V instead of 4.20V.

As for other lights, I'm a fan of the Trustfire XP-E F23, sku.24291 which is pretty decent on NiMH's and very bright on a 10440. I've heard good things about that Tank007 though.

 

[juhha]

We do not use US style sockets, but with something like dx3529, it's ok to use those plugs.

As you stated, I would be better with dx14885 and should give dx24291 a go.

It seems I have to make another order on dx.

Thanks brted!:thumbsup:

 

[juhha]

After a patient wait, finally the tank007(s) arrived.

Tried them with a AAA, and they were quite good. Tried to put a 10440 on it, and the flashlight didn't close. Well, it kind of did, and worked fine, but it didn't fully close. It got 2~3mm short. The same lenght my 10440 are longer than a common AAA. They are 46mm long.... thought they were 44mm.

I bought sku.30788. Should I have bought sku.974?

Are there any other 10440, that are really 44mm(ish) long? Where should I buy them?

I'm still waiting for the TrustFire XP-EF23 to arrive, but will my 10440 fit in it?

 

[Ecolang]

I'm still waiting for the TrustFire XP-EF23 to arrive, but will my 10440 fit in it?

Fit in mine - even the longer protected ones

 

[joe1512]

Oh crap dude. Don't do this, please.

You must use a WF 138 to charge these tiny batteries. Otherwise you are charging with way too high of a current, which is bad.

Also, a 10440 only has a 400 maH capacity or so. Pulling more than .8 amps is hard on the battery and DANGEROUS.

An AAA light will easily pull more than 1 amp on high mode. I mean, people have gotten it to work, but I'd rather not carry a bomb in my pocket...

Go read up on battery safety and lithium ions. When they make a 10440 IMR, then this is feasible. Until then, either go with a 14400 (AA size) or the RCR123 lights instead. I EDC an itp A1 with an RCR123.

 

[juhha]

That's why I am asking before making any kind of mistake.

As advised by brted I had to buy a different charger for these batteries, because mine was not good.

Reading some threads about these batteries, and because the nano charger isn't available anymore, there is kind of a "recomendation" on this charger: DX. sku.973. From the dx posts, this is the WF-138, wich I bough, but still waiting for snailDXmail...

Thanks for your concern joe1512!

I do prefer the candle power of the cr123 based lights, but I would like to give these AAA lights a chance. That's why I seeked advice in this forum.

I'll have to purchase some another kind of batteries to fit in the tank007, because the ones that I got don't.( DX sku.30788)

Can you advise me wich ones, and where should I buy them?

 

[brted]

I got the unprotected blue 10440's and they fit in my Trustfire XP-E F23 and iTP A3 EOS. They are right at 44mm long. They are sku.974 at DX

 

[joe1512]

At the very least, use protected batteries. The A3 doesn't have any kind of low voltage shut-off as far as I know, but it does use regulated output.

Therefore, you won't really see the light dimming while your battery is strained and goes below the magical 2.5 Volts. At that time, it is struggling to produce 1.5 amps which is way over tolerence and at 2.5V the battery becomes unstable. At least the protected ones will shut off at 2.7 Volts, thus preventing damage to the battery.

I wish I could find the posts under Batteries Included that talks about the dangers of LiIon batteries when not used properly.

 

[brted]

Protected 10440's weren't even available until the last year or so and they are too long for many AAA flashlights. I keep a very close eye on the battery voltage and recharge at 3.6-3.8V. I'm also not using the light for long periods of time, rarely more than a minute at a time (the XP-E F23 only lasts about 15 minutes down to 3.6V anyway). I've never done a duration test on the A3 because it starts getting hot within seconds.

If you rely on your light's low voltage protection or the battery protection to kick in, you're waiting too long to recharge anyway. It is probably safe, but not at all good for the battery.

 

[juhha]

Just a quick update.

The TrustFire XP-EF23 with protected 10440, is quite awsome. I've been edc'ing the tanks and the itp with nimh, and was quite pleased with the light output, but the trustfire just blew me.

It's a tad heavy, but when I turned it on for the first time I almost "farted with its awesomeness"...

Never thought a small light could have such an output.

Thanks for your advices!
lovecpf, but my wallet hates it!

 

[brted]

Wait until you put one in the iTP . . . Not that you're supposed to do that, but you will definitely clear the room.