Battery Station RCR123A Batteries 'Lumpy'

[biker1]

I just received a couple of Battery Station RCR123A batteries.
I have a few AW18650 and AW1760 batteries. This is the 1st time ordering BS RCR123's.
On the BS batteries, I noticed 'lumps' along the circumference on the (-) side of the battery, where the red stripe is. The tiny lumps are sporadic,except for one lump which is more pronounced. The yellow & red wrapper cover these 'lumps.'
On the 2nd battery, it is smoother, but still slightly imperfect.
My AW cells are smooth as ice.

This is my 1st time with RCR's so I don't know if the lumps are normal, and part of the circuitry, or there for some other reasons..

I'd appreciate any feedback re: the above.

Thanks.

Btw, before & after charging on the Pila, the cells read >
#1 - 4.0V...............4.06V after charging
#2 - 3.8V...............4.06V after charging




I ordered 2 spacers which I am using to charge 1 cell (1 spacer on each end of the battery)
Are there larger spacers where (1) spacer can be used to charge 1 cell, or are 2 spacers per battery the norm?

 

[Black Rose]

Probably just the strip that connects the positive end of the cell to the protection circuit on the negative end.

The Ultrafire and Trustfire RCR123 cells are really "lumpy" in this particular area.

 

[biker1]

Appreciate the feedback.......

 

[45/70]

Yeah, sometimes the PCB has rough edges. This will make "lumps" as you have observed, also.

The bad thing about protected cells that have a lump where the protection circuit strip runs down the side and goes into the PCB, is if the shrink wrap should wear off. This could cause a dead short circuit against the inside of the battery tube of your light (the strip is positive, and is unprotected, as it is before the protection circuit). Usually the inside of the battery tube of most lights is anodized, however it's usually pretty thin. Just something to watch out for. Since it sticks up, it'll likely be the first place to wear though.

Dave

 

[biker1]

Before I read your post, and especially after reading it, if I can get an RCR123 battery that isn't 'lumpy,' and if it is available, that is what I would like to use, as I would not have to worry about the issue you stated.
That is why I was asking if this is the norm or not.
Are the AW R123's smooth in this area?

 

[45/70]

It does seem that the shrink wrap and the overall condition of AW's cells, are about the best. That's not saying you won't run into the odd one that isn't, but......

What I've done with various "Fire" cells that have the strip lump, is roll them on a hard surface, pressing down just enough (don't destroy the cell ) that it smooths out the lump. If it doesn't stick up, it's not likely to be a problem. Works for me anyway.

Dave

 

[biker1]

Thanks for that tip.
I'll get out my cookie dough roller

Edit:

I was going over the BS cells again, and both of the cells have a few flat spots on them that go lengthwise.
You can not only feel these flat spots, but when you roll them on a flat surface, they are unable to completely roll. They stop at the flat spots, and then when you push them slightly, they roll until the next flat spot.
I don't know if this affects performance, but I never saw any battery with flat spots like these. Shouldn't be too hard to make the surfaces cylindrical during production.

 

[HeyGuysWatchThis]

Read this thread, it may help explain what's going on here. The thread refers to 18650s, but the basic construction is the same. You should be able to figure out which components are producing the lumps on your new cells. The AW cells you have are probably just better assembled inside the shrink wrap. Some pictures of the batteries in question would be helpful here, too.

 

[biker1]

The yellow coating has now started to come off the battery (Happened after 2 uses) which eventually may expose the components.
Nevertheless, I have determined that the construction of theses batteries, at least the 2 I have, are not up to par, and they will be going back. Spoke with vendor the day after I received them, and made him aware of the issues. No problems.
AW's should be arriving today.

@ HeyGuysWatchThis
I will check that link later on. Thanks

 

[45/70]

I was going over the BS cells again, and both of the cells have a few flat spots on them that go lengthwise.

This is the metal strip that runs down the side of the cell which connects the positive terminal of the cell to the protection circuit at the base (negative) of the cell. This strip, having direct positive potential of the cell, is what you do not want shorting out against anything, as this strip is before the protection circuit. If it shorts out, you've got major problems. If the shrink wrap covering this strip is worn off off, I would no longer use those cells.

This is one of the major faults of protected cells, that makes them, under certain circumstances, more dangerous than unprotected cells. With flashlights (which the manufacturers of these cells never intended these cells to be used in, or to have protection circuits at the base), where you slide the cells in and out of the battery tube, it's potentially just a matter if time before the shrink wrap is worn off, and a short circuit occurs. This is why it is important to make sure the shrink wrap is not unnecessarily exposed, where it covers this strip.

Dave

 

[Connor]

Btw, before & after charging on the Pila, the cells read >
#1 - 4.0V...............4.06V after charging
#2 - 3.8V...............4.06V after charging

Since no one has commented on this yet:
Assuming that your Pila charger and multimeter are working correctly, 4.06V from freshly charged cells is unacceptable and indicates either very old cells, or cells of questionable quality.
New LiIon cells should definitely be in the 4.15-4.20V range fresh of the charger.

 

[45/70]

Assuming that your Pila charger and multimeter are working correctly, 4.06V from freshly charged cells is unacceptable and indicates either very old cells, or cells of questionable quality.

Actually 80% of original capacity is the general guideline for EOL of LiCo cells, which would be a rested voltage of 4.00 Volts. It is possible to go below that figure, but generally overall cell performance, eg. voltage under load etc, is poor below the 80% level.

Dave

 

[biker1]

Since no one has commented on this yet:
Assuming that your Pila charger and multimeter are working correctly, 4.06V from freshly charged cells is unacceptable and indicates either very old cells, or cells of questionable quality.
New LiIon cells should definitely be in the 4.15-4.20V range fresh of the charger.

Thanks for the feedback re: your helpful posts.
I didn't realize that the RCR123's should charge to the same level as my other 18650's, etc. but it is obvious they should, as they are all 3.7V cells :duh2:

My other cells have charged between 4.15V - 4.17V on the Pila, and measurements taken with the same RMS digital multimeter, Craftsman Model# 82003
So besides the BS batteries coating coming off after 1-2 uses, they are not charging to optimum specs.
If my 18650's charged to 4.06V, I wouldn't be happy

They are being returned, as I mentioned, and should have the AW's momentarily.
Thanks again

Edit: 1 cell just came off the charger @ 4.04V

 

[biker1]

Just picked up (4) AW R123A's -
Voltage readings as follows, before 1st charge >

#1 - 3.94V...........4.11V after 1st charge I have read whereAW R123A's (750mAH) end
#2 - 3.94V...........4.14V after 1st charge charging at a lower voltage then, say, AW18650's (2900mAh), while using the Pila.
#3 - 3.94V...........4.09V after 1st charge Something to do with the algorithm, and cell capacity. Would this be true?
#4 - 3.94V...........4.13V after 1st charge

Now charging on Pila IBC, and will take readings when done.

Btw, the AW cells are very smooth, with the slight 'line' you feel under the wrapper. Like night & day when compared to the battery station cells, regarding the visible wrapping of the battery, and the lack of 'lumps.'
Will see how they charge up.........

-I have tried to mark the AW's with a sharpie, but it rubs off pretty quickly due to the silver label. Any thoughts how to mark the batteries?
I can always put a piece of 3m 33+ tape on the battery, and mark it.