AW's 10180's are not long enough right now (Oct 09)

[EngrPaul]

I bought 4 10180 cells from AW, and none of them work in my Wee Ti. They are too short, the cell does not make contact before the tube bottoms out on the cap.

Looking for suggestions, thanks for the help.

 

[orb]

Re: AW's 10180's for the Wee are too short - Don't work!

Actually Paul our 10180 cells come from AW. Some of the 10180 cells do come in a bit short & we have had to make a small adjustment to new Wee's going out.
There is a tiny 0.5mm thick magnet available (I got some from AW) That provide a fix for this. Best to stick the magnet to the negative end, the insulation rap stops from moving about for a potential short which would make come on.
Another option would be to float a small amount of solder onto the positive copper disc on the LE. I hope you find a good solution.

 

[EngrPaul]

Re: AW's 10180's for the Wee are too short - Don't work!

Actually Paul our 10180 cells come from AW. Some of the 10180 cells do come in a bit short & we have had to make a small adjustment to new Wee's going out.
There is a tiny 0.5mm thick magnet available (I got some from AW) That provide a fix for this. Best to stick the magnet to the negative end, the insulation rap stops from moving about for a potential short which would make come on.
Another option would be to float a small amount of solder onto the positive copper disc on the LE. I hope you find a good solution.

Thanks Rob, that's very helpful.

 

[fyrstormer]

I just cut the plastic wrap off the negative terminals of my 10180s. I think the solder bead on the copper disc is a better solution, because I've noticed that some of the new 10180s actually have the positive terminals inset very slightly, which makes it impossible for it to contact the flat copper disc.

 

[JB in SC]

Is anyone still having issues with 10180's being too short. I want to order a few here in the states, but am hesitant. My Wee SS has exhibited exceptional battery life. I am using one of the 100mA USB chargers.

Tnx,
JB

 

[MikeSalt]

Never had an issue with the cells provided by Rob

 

[MikeSalt]

Never had an issue with the cells provided by Rob

Spoke too soon, the cell with my Wee SS does appear a little too short. I can turn the light on, but I have to screw down harder than I would like. Works fine in my girlfriend's Wee NS though, so I've put it in hers, and I'll be using my older cells in the SS.

Rob, what will be the cost of the 0.5mm magnets should I require new cells? Does anyone know why AW has made them shorter? The positive terminal now sits flush to the top, rather than proud. Can AW be convinced to continue to make the older designs?

 

[JB in SC]

Could anyone provide a side by side photo comparison of the two batteries?

Tnx...

 

[MikeSalt]

Could anyone provide a side by side photo comparison of the two batteries?

Tnx...

Will have to wait until my girlfriend and her camera get home. To give you a visual picture, the new cells have have insulation slighly covering the negative terminal. At the top, rather than the positive terminal sitting proud of the insulation by ~0.5mm, it sits flush. It may not seem a lot, but on such fine-threaded flashlights it can make the difference.

 

[JB in SC]

OK, I think both of my batteries are the short versions. The + terminal appears to be flush and the - terminal insulation is slightly raised, but I'll be looking out for the photos to be sure.

Tnx

 

[MikeSalt]

Sorry, I forgot to get those photos for you last night. I'll try again tonight.

 

[Henk_Lu]

Weird, that the required cells are too short for the light! I don't have my Wee yet, so I'll get newer cells and hope that the magnet solution is a good one! Is there no danger of a short?

I studied AWs sales-thread today and he says that the Nano charger can't be used to charge them, which seems quite normal, as it charges with 300mAh, while the cell has a capacity of 90 mAh. Lummi however says it works, but the charger isn't included with the Wee (but with the Raw). How do you charge your cells?

 

[JB in SC]

I use the mini USB charger by Sabrewolf here on CPF, he offers a 100 mA and 300 mA version. It's handy and works great. I have a recent Wee SS and I'm thinking the batteries I have are the short versions. It requires a little more tightening, but not any more than an Arc AAA Ti.

 

[Dog Chaser]

I've used the Nano charger a number of times without any ill effects. Should I not?

 

[orb]

There are no worries at all with the nano CR123 charger we supply. When measured the max current seen to the 10180 cell is no more than 100Ma which quickly drops as the cell begins to charge.
These have been used for years & no reports of any mishaps what so ever.

 

[JB in SC]

There are no worries at all with the nano CR123 charger we supply. When measured the max current seen to the 10180 cell is no more than 100Ma which quickly drops as the cell begins to charge.
These have been used for years & no reports of any mishaps what so ever.

The Nano works fine.

 

[zipplet]

I can confirm orb's statement about the nano charger having measured the current myself. I'm happy using mine to charge them, and I'm of the paranoid type (when it comes to safety).

 

[MKLight]

Re: AW's 10180's for the Wee are too short - Don't work!

Actually Paul our 10180 cells come from AW. Some of the 10180 cells do come in a bit short & we have had to make a small adjustment to new Wee's going out.
There is a tiny 0.5mm thick magnet available (I got some from AW) That provide a fix for this. Best to stick the magnet to the negative end, the insulation rap stops from moving about for a potential short which would make come on.
Another option would be to float a small amount of solder onto the positive copper disc on the LE. I hope you find a good solution.

Would using a little bit of glue on the magnet and securing it down on the negative (or positive) end work okay to make it more permanent? I have the magnet and the glue - or I'm thinking of getting a solder gun...?

Thanks,
MK

 

[JB in SC]

Re: AW's 10180's for the Wee are too short - Don't work!

Putting glue on the magnet might act as an insulator. No current, no light

 

[MKLight]

I thought that might be the case. :shrug::thinking: Thank you for the confirmation. I definitely won't do it now.

Thanks!
MK