At what point do you replace worn or old Lithium Ion Cells with new ones?

[AMRaider]

I have several Lithium Ion cells that are about 6 years old at this point. Most of them I have used heavily, and they seem to be down to about 2/3 of their original capacity. They still work.. but the runtime in my flashlight is noticably less compared to when the cells were new.

It seems a little wasteful to replace (I could still keep them as backups I suppose) them since they still work, however, I would also prefer the longer runtime I got when they were new. I'm a bit curious to know at what point would you all consider cells old enough or "worn" enough to replace?

 

[Monocrom]

I'll usually replace mine when I notice that they're just not holding a charge like the used to. Basically, when I start getting drastically reduced runtimes from my lights.

 

[3_gun]

Depends on weather it's a work or play light. Tac lights get checked based on use or monthly. Everything get swapped out or recharged at 80%. Work lights, when they step down from turbo when you try to use it, it's time for new or recharging. Play lights get swapped when the light steps down at a mid range output. Play & work lights are usually used batteries recharged daily/weekly & backed up by a replacement. I no longer keep batteries in every light, instead I have a group of go to lights that get rotated based on the needs of the day & swapped out if the need is an outlier in performance needs. Still have to many but with cared for cells having a 10yr or better projected life I doubt that at my age I need to by anymore rechargeable batteries

 

[ebuchner]

I usually retire them individually once one of them goes way out of spec relative to the others. The most recent case was an IMR 18650 that read a full volt below the others after charging 😬

 

[leukos]

I keep running them until they die. I just move the worn out ones to the tool box or garage lights that may only see occasional use. The lights I take backpacking or other outdoor adventures or that use multiple cells get my healthiest batteries. I do the same with poorly performing NiMH, they end up in wall clocks.

 

[geisto]

If they are at 2/3s of their capacity it's time to get new cells. Recently retired 7 of my 10yr old NCR18650GAs that drop to 4.07V one day after being fully charged. Buy new cells, and get rid of the old....you won't miss them.

 

[Monocrom]

If they are at 2/3s of their capacity it's time to get new cells. Recently retired 7 of my 10yr old NCR18650GAs that drop to 4.07V one day after being fully charged. Buy new cells, and get rid of the old....you won't miss them.

You will if they're AW brand.
The absolute best ones that ever existed.... and they don't make them anymore.

 

[geisto]

You will if they're AW brand.
The absolute best ones that ever existed.... and they don't make them anymore.

*Puts away his 15yr old AW 17500s in the drawer* AW what? I don't know what you are talking about. 😬

 

[Monocrom]

*Puts away his 15yr old AW 17500s in the drawer* AW what? I don't know what you are talking about. 😬

I feel your pain, Brother.

 

[leukos]

Yup, still rocking the AWs in several non-essential lights!