AW IMR 16340 problem

[kyhunter1]

I bought a new set of AW IMR16340 cells because of the safe chemistry and being able to safely use them in series. I used two of these in a surefire 6p with malkoff M60 drop in. I pull the cells just as the light starts to dim and recharge. I checked the batteries with a multi meter before putting them in the charger and one of the batteries reads less than one volt. The other battery was almost 4 volts. I did this a couple of times to see if the same result would happen again.... it did. I dont have any problem getting both batteries to charge back up to 4.2 volts as I check them with a multimeter and dont allow them to overcharge. Do I have a defective cell? Is something else Im not aware of going on here?

 

[lebox97]

sounds like a bad cell... have you contacted AW? :shrug:

 

[kyhunter1]

Not yet.

 

[AW]

What is the runtime on your M60 with these two cells?

 

[kyhunter1]

Around 30 minutes.

 

[AW]

The runtime sounds normal on these 550mAH cells. I am guessing the lower voltage cell is the one near the M60 module ?

 

[kyhunter1]

Yes

 

[AW]

Can you try reversing the cell position and see if it is the same cell registering the lower voltage or the placing of the cells causing the cells to imbalance?

 

[kyhunter1]

It will have to be tomorrow. Getting ready to call it a night.

 

[bluecrow76]

Now that's service. Three responses within 30 minutes from the manufacturer! :twothumbs

 

[Fallingwater]

What's this safe "IMR" technology? First time I hear about it, and I'm definitely intrigued. What are the specs? Capacity, voltage, etc? Does it charge like normal LiIon?

 

[HKJ]

What's this safe "IMR" technology? First time I hear about it, and I'm definitely intrigued. What are the specs? Capacity, voltage, etc? Does it charge like normal LiIon?

The have the same voltages as regular LiIon and can be charged on the same charger, but they has a bit lower capacity. The do not have any protection pcb and allows high discharge current.

Check AW's sale thread for actual specifications.

 

[kyhunter1]

Back online again tonight. I did three charge/discharge cycles with the cells. Each time there was an imbalance between the cells. It was not always the same cell. The cells always easily charged back up to 4.2 volts. On one discharge, the lowest voltage cell was at the tailcap. The other times, it was at the lamp. I no longer think I have bad cells. The IMR 16340 cells are good for what they were designed for, just not for my application. For now, I will be sticking with primaries since you get three times more regulated output with a M60, and I dont use my light continually. 20-30 minutes of regulated runtime is not good enough for me. Still dont know exactly for sure why I have a imbalance between the cells after the discharge. I may buy another set later on when they boost the mah capacity of the IMR 16340 significantly. Will be purchasing a set of the IMR 18650 cells for my incan soon.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Interesting, maybe the IMR's do not like to be driven sedately, and will perform better at higher amp drain, meaning that they may become better balanced at higher amp drain. Regular RCR123's would be better suited for driving the M60, and runtime should be better.

Bill

 

[Yoda4561]

I'm interested in the real cause behind this. I was just about to get some imr16340's for my M60 as well (get the lithium ion rechargable feet wet as it were). Could you recharge both cells and use them individually with a spacer, to make sure they both have matched capacities?