AW 18350

[The Coach]

Anybody try the new AW IMR 18350 in their Tri-EDC yet? I have a couple on the way.

 

[faco]

Anybody try the new AW IMR 18350 in their Tri-EDC yet? I have a couple on the way.

I'm going to order a couple as well, what charger are you going to use ?

The only charger for RCR123s I own is the NANO, it works well But I'm thinking of buying a better quality charger. Time to research.............

 

[The Coach]

I have a couple of nano chargers too, but I was planning on using my Pila charger.

 

[javee]

whats the better battery to use for macs sst-50 the ultrafire or the aw imr 18350s. i know that they are all going to be able to use the 18350.

also whats a good charger for them?

 

[flashflood]

whats the better battery to use for macs sst-50 the ultrafire or the aw imr 18350s. i know that they are all going to be able to use the 18350.

also whats a good charger for them?

If the 18350 fits, by all means use it. It's a great form factor.

I charge everything on a FMA CellPro Multi4. Like any hobby charger, there's a bit of one-time setup and learning, but after that it's a breeze. Pila with spacers should work well too.

 

[smack2000]

I use my Tri-EDC body with 18350 on an SST-50 head all the time. The extra run time from the 18350 is kind of amazing. I charge mine with a Tenergy TB6AC -- a really versatile hobby charger that will pretty much charge anything.

Edit: I see you're asking about which 18350 -- I've only used the Ultrafire and have had no problems at all.

 

[rich297]

whats the better battery to use for macs sst-50 the ultrafire or the aw imr 18350s. i know that they are all going to be able to use the 18350.

also whats a good charger for them?

I've used both with a Mac Tri-EDC and I would recommend the AW IMR 18350. The Ultrafire 18350 is an unprotected LiCO cell while the AW uses the safer LiMN chemistry. I have never performed any runtime test with either cell, but my casual impression is that runtimes are similar. For sure the Ultrafire does not come close to its claimed storage capacity. AW has an excellant reputation within the CPF community for making high-quality batteries whether they be LiCO or IMR.

 

[javee]

yeah i just wanted to know which was a safer battery to use since this is my first time using a Lico cell battery.

 

[Brian1911]

I am using the Ultrafires with my Tri EDC and have no issues at all. I run the heck out of it then throw in on the hobby charger I have using magnets and the alligator clips. Never tested run times and I just charge it when I think I have used a bunch. I carry a spare in my pocket (nothing metal along with it) just in case but have yet to need it. Med setting is quite bright and does the job and high just seems to be for fun.

With these AM 18350 Batteries do they charge the same as the Ultrafires? I dont have a reason to switch as of yet and the Ultrafires have been used constantly since the first run Tri EDC came out. The same 2 batteries have been in rotation in my pocket and each has seen several charges.

 

[rich297]

I am using the Ultrafires with my Tri EDC and have no issues at all. I run the heck out of it then throw in on the hobby charger I have using magnets and the alligator clips. Never tested run times and I just charge it when I think I have used a bunch. I carry a spare in my pocket (nothing metal along with it) just in case but have yet to need it. Med setting is quite bright and does the job and high just seems to be for fun.

With these AM 18350 Batteries do they charge the same as the Ultrafires? I dont have a reason to switch as of yet and the Ultrafires have been used constantly since the first run Tri EDC came out. The same 2 batteries have been in rotation in my pocket and each has seen several charges.

AW IMR cells charge exactly the same as the Ultrafires.

 

[ElectronGuru]

I just charge it when I think I have used a bunch.

Extra care must be taken when using unprotected LiCo batteries, they are not for casual use:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?211899

 

[Brian1911]

Well I havent had an issue. I charge from a Hobby charger for Lipos at .50 and it peaks then shuts off at 4.07v. So far so good but if there is something dangerous I am not aware from please educate me. Its nothing for me to buy some better batteries if thats what I should do.

Thanks

 

[rich297]

Well I havent had an issue. I charge from a Hobby charger for Lipos at .50 and it peaks then shuts off at 4.07v. So far so good but if there is something dangerous I am not aware from please educate me. Its nothing for me to buy some better batteries if thats what I should do.

Thanks

Because the Ultrafire cells lack protection circuitry, you need to closely monitor the voltage of the cells with a multimeter. Full recharging is 4.20 volts, you should not discharge below about 3.6 volts and if you should inadvertantly discharge below about 3.2 volts, cell damage may occur and you should discard the cell. The primary danger is attempting to recharge an unprotected LiCo cell that was been over-discharged. They tend to explode.

 

[Brian1911]

Good info thanks for that.

Printed right on the cell are the voltage cut offs for max and min. I am sure you know more then I do about this stuff but it appears the cell has a cut off built into it. Good thing for me I just recharge often. I think I can notice a decrease in brightness on high and have had the cells to 3.80v at that time.

I am pretty sure my charger peaks a bit higher but the cells settle at 4.07v all the time and seem to stay there until I rotate the one in my pocket into the light and the the one in the light gets put back on the charger.

 

[javee]

so in terms of just sheer safety i should go with the imrs right?

 

[rich297]

so in terms of just sheer safety i should go with the imrs right?

Yes, in terms of safety, IMR's minimize the risks attendant with rechargeables. The only real downside to IMR's that I know of is slightly less capacity compared to LiCo cells. I prefer to sacrifice a bit of runtime in exchange for reduced hazard exposure. If runtime is of paramount performance, then LiCo is the way to go, but there again you can minimize the hazard risks by buying only protected LiCo cells. I don't consider them as safe as IMR's because protection circuits can and do fail but they're still a lot safer than unprotected LiCo cells.

 

[javee]

yeah im just going for safety... maybe after i familiarize my self better with theses better ill go for power... thanks though

 

[rich297]

yeah im just going for safety... maybe after i familiarize my self better with theses better ill go for power... thanks though

The IMR and LiCo cells operate within the same voltage range so its not "power" that is different, it's the runtime (ie. capacity) with the IMR having slightly lower runtime.

 

[javee]

The IMR and LiCo cells operate within the same voltage range so its not "power" that is different, it's the runtime (ie. capacity) with the IMR having slightly lower runtime.

okay that makes sense... thanks for the clarification.

what charger do you recomend for an IMR battery?

 

[rich297]

okay that makes sense... thanks for the clarification.

what charger do you recomend for an IMR battery?

Any charger that is designed to charge a LiCo cell will work for an IMR. Personally, I use a Pila IBC charger (about $50). A cheaper alternative is the Ultrafire WF-139 (readily available for about $20).