AW RCR123 reads 0.00v after being in Ra Clicky - help?

[gbelleh]

I grabbed my Ra Clicky off the coffee table last night (where it has been sitting, untouched for about 2 weeks) to try to look under the couch. Nothing happened when I clicked the switch. So, I grabbed another light.

This morning, I took out the battery to charge it (an AW RCR123 purchased within the last few months). The DMM read 0.00. I've never seen that before with a Li-ion rechargeable. So, questions:

Is this cell ruined and unsafe to try to charge?

Is there something wrong with my Ra Clicky?

The Ra Clicky was used about 2 weeks ago briefly with no problems. I have noticed that the Ra seems to drain batteries just sitting there, but usually only down to 3.8v or something. I didn't even know it was possible to drain these down to 0. So what's going on here?

Thanks.

 

[Fichtenelch]

There are some discussions going on in the batteries-forum here at cpf and there are ways to get the cell back to work again.
just make sure not to leave it longer in that condition.
I'd hook it up to a regulated power supply with around 4V for max. 30 seconds and check after that with a dmm.
Have you tried to put it in a normal charger? Maybe the ra clicky only soaked until the protection circuit kicked in...thats what i'd try first.

 

[notsofast]

Contact HDS customer service.

I had a battery drain problem, Henry said it is a bad capacitor that needs re-placing.

 

[fyrstormer]

Sounds like the under-voltage protection circuit kicked in and bypassed the interior of the battery to prevent continued discharging.

 

[gbelleh]

I'll contact Henry.

I haven't tried to charge it. Wasn't sure if it was safe.

I'd hook it up to a regulated power supply with around 4V for max. 30 seconds and check after that with a dmm.

I'm not sure what that means. I don't have much electrical experience or equipment, just a dmm to check my cells.

Thanks

 

[BigHonu]

Aside from letting your light sit with a battery in it for a couple of weeks without use, I wonder if there is a way to test for this bad cap? Reliability is a HUGE factor in my buying decisions.

 

[gnef]

What charger do you use for your li-ions? Most of them should have the voltage to overcome the protections device. If your battery was drained too low, it would kick in and open the internal circuit in the battery, which would be why it reads as 0.00 v. Your charger should be able to close the internal circuit and recharge the battery.

 

[gbelleh]

I have a WF-139. I'm attempting to charge it now. Everything seems ok so far. I didn't know they read 0 when the circuit kicks in.

 

[abarth_1200]

It wont take a charge, you need to jump start it, using another RCR123, use a bit of tin foil to short it only for a second then check voltage I have done this without fail.

 

[gnef]

I believe the WF-139 can reset the circuit, and you shouldn't need to short the cell.

 

[gbelleh]

Just checked it and it was at 3.84v. So, the WF-139 did reset it. Thanks for all the help.

 

[Igor Porto]

My WF-139 can't reset the circuits, I have to short the cell...

 

[DM51]

Some lights have a circuit that uses a very small amount of current even when the light is not in use. A cell can be drained to empty, but what happened in your case was the low-voltage protection cut in to prevent the cell over-discharging.

The protection circuit is usually reset when you put it on a charger for a few seconds - that usually gives it a sufficient jolt to bring it back to life. You can then charge it as normal.

The cell should be fine when you have recharged it, although if it was left in a discharged state for a long time it might not hold a full charge. Charge it to 4.20V and then take it off the charger when the light goes green and let us know what it reads an hour or so later, after resting. The cell is quite new, so I would not expect it to drop too much.

Your DMM is all you need to check Li-Ion cells - the state of charge and the health of the cell can be discerned by taking voltage readings.

 

[abarth_1200]

mine cant reset them either, maybe because it was an older cell that had probably been sitting for a while, who knows but good to hear you got it back to life

 

[gbelleh]

Ok, I got it charged up to 4.19 and after an hour, it's still at 4.19. So, it seems this cell is ok. Thanks again.

 

[ODatsBright]

Whew, glad I stopped in to read a bit. I almost threw away 5 14500's. Put them on the meter and they read 0 volts. I thought the low voltage circuit reset once the load was removed from the cell. I've got 2 in the 139 charging now....hope they revive.

Thanks again for the wealth of knowledge here.

 

[Bullzeyebill]

Whew, glad I stopped in to read a bit. I almost threw away 5 14500's. Put them on the meter and they read 0 volts. I thought the low voltage circuit reset once the load was removed from the cell. I've got 2 in the 139 charging now....hope they revive.

Thanks again for the wealth of knowledge here.

What light or lights do you have that causes your 14500's protection circuit to kick in?

Bill