Are all 3.7v 2200mAH interchangable?

[dalekcommander]

Meaning; I have the LRB-168A's from Wolf Eyes. They are listed as 3.7v 2200mAH. Apparently from my web searches I am finding out that the designation LRB-168A is a WE only identifier.
One dealer sells these for 19.95 each.

I have found other "generic" 3.7 etc etc, on the net for as low as 5.95 ea.

So my question is can I buy any 3.7v 2200mAH battery for my M90, or is there a physical size difference in some brands?

I know that this might sound like a basic "duh" question, but this is my first experience with batts of this size and I don't want to screw anything up. Besides, it clearly says "unenlightened" under my name at the top of this post....so.....there.

 

[MatajumotorS]

Look here http://candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=140362
there you can buy what you need.
LRB-168A "168A" is the size - it is the same as 18650

*** The 5 digit number is deciphered like : 18650 = 18mm ( diameter ) X 65mm ( length ) where the last ' 0 ' stands for cylindrical cell

 

[dalekcommander]

A-HA! Thank-you, makes sense now.

 

[yellow]

there are 2 basic differences between those 18650s:
"protected" include a driver board that cuts the batt from the circuit when voltage goes above (charging) or below secure specs. Usually this circuit adds 2 mm length to the batts (means called 18650 but 66-67 mm in length).
"unprotected" do not feature this.

Your M90 is a high current drain device and will suck the batts empty very quick. Li-Ion is a bit of sensitive to over-/undervoltage (ONE single discahrge below the absolute minimum of 2.5 V and the cell is damaged).
protected is the way to go imho. There are several ppl here that You can purchase, then lighthound, dealextreme, ...

 

[DM51]

dalekcommander, you were quite right to ask and it is not a basic "duh" question. It is a pretty complicated subject, and the others above have given you good advice. There is a lot to learn about Li-Ion batteries and how to treat them.

You asked one specific question about the size of the WE 168a batteries: yes, they are slightly bigger than some other brands of 18650. They are a full 18mm in diameter and they are 68mm long. As yellow said, definitely go for protected cells. AW's are very reliable and good value IMO.

Do NOT worry about asking for advice - people will be glad to give it. There are plenty of useful threads to browse through in this forum.

 

[dalekcommander]

I appreciate the responses - and now I know the meaning of "protected" as well!
Crazy making! Until i feel out the various dealers and get a better handle on all this new fangled technology I think I'll stick to ordering from PTS.
Five 168a's came with my initial order, so I should be good for a bit.
Thanks again for the advice.
Time for bed.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Besides being longer, the Wolf Eyes 168A cells, and, I think, the Pila 600P cells, are a fraction of a millimiter wider than 18650 cells. As a result, they may not fit 18650 bodies, like the Leefs. If they do fit, be prepared to have whack the body on a table to dislodge the cells, or to push them out with a screwdriver.

I own about 12 Wolf Eyes cells and four Wolf Eyes fast chargers (the CH-02 and the car version, the DH-02). Frankly, Pila has pulled ahead in "smart charging" technology. The sooner you swith to Pila for charging, the longer your Wolf Eyes cells will deliver their full capacity.

 

[DM51]

Paul, that's interesting what you say about the Pila charger being superior to the WE CH-02. I know this is a bit off topic, but it will probably be useful info for the OP too, can you say the Pila is completely reliable in terminating charge at 4.20v or preferably slightly below that?

There's a lot of discussion in other threads about some chargers going over 4.2v (some of them, by the sound of it, WAY over). This is not so much a problem for the protected cells we're talking about here, but it would nevertheless be interesting to hear your experience as some cell protection circuits allow nearly 4.3v which is of course too much and seriously shortens the cell's life.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

I have been using 18650's, protected and unprotected in my various lights, from SF P91 type amp drain to low drain led applications. I have inadvertantly pulled some of my unprotected cells below 2.5 volts (even RCR123's) and have not damaged the cells. You do have to monitor unprotected 18650's, I use generic and LG18650's, but they are worth the effort as they can give longer runs, and handle peak voltage and amp drain better. Read the literature, and do not be discouraged by some of the "scare" threads and posts out there. Flashaholics need battery options and unprotected LiIon's are one of them.

Bill

 

[dalekcommander]

Oy! Okay guys, I don't know if I've opened a can o' worms for myself or what, but I checked out the Pila site to see the charger that Paul in Maryland had mentioned above. Couldn't stop there, had to look further. Wheels started turning.
I guess I could stay with the WE 168a's, ordering from PTS for now - but maybe I could get my paws on a Pila charger - got that part.
BUT
Next question - and again I appreciate your help and input here.
I have three S+W Delta Force lights that are normally powered by 2~Cr123's. I also have a 9v Falcata that eats 3~Cr123's. Both lights are stock - no changes. Now, can I replace the 123's with the Pila 600P and 300P rechargables for those lights? Would be nice to cut the cost of having to buy all those 123's.
I ask because I have read in some posts, etc., that bulb replacement is required to work with some batts (correct?), so is that a power rating issue or a physical batt size issue?

 

[dalekcommander]

The compatability chart on the site says the 123's are interchangable with their batts, but I was looking for some "first-hand" info before i buy........

 

[vampire's echo]

On a related question on the interchangeability of 18650s, could one take a protected 18650 from...say, AW, and charge it with a wolf-eyes charger and vice versa?

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

Paul, that's interesting what you say about the Pila charger being superior to the WE CH-02. I know this is a bit off topic, but it will probably be useful info for the OP too, can you say the Pila is completely reliable in terminating charge at 4.20v or preferably slightly below that?

I've used my Pila charger for only two cycles and haven't tested the voltage. I don't have fancy test equipment; just an $8 cell tester with an LCD voltage readout. I'm basing my verdict chiefly on postings from Silverfox, who uses the Pila and has repeatedly sung its praises. I'm nearly certain that his main point is that it consistently charges cells to the proper voltage--not far below 4.2V, not far above.

 

[Paul_in_Maryland]

On a related question on the interchangeability of 18650s, could one take a protected 18650 from...say, AW, and charge it with a wolf-eyes charger and vice versa?

Yes, if you use a spacer, such as two dimes.