I don't want my DX cells any more.

[jalbam]

Hello to everyone!

I'm new here, my name is Joan. I like very much flashlights but I am discovering this world, so I am a newbie yet

I am afraid because I read about that dangerous Li-On batteries that explode.

I'm using 18650 and 123 cells in some of my flashlights and I would like to change my cells for other ones much more safer. I bought all of them on DX (DealExtreme).

Those are all the Li-On batteries I own:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19770
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.19624
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4757
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.13811
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.24980

And this is the charger that I'm using:
http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.4151

I read about AW cells, but I am not very sure if they are very safe. I've never heard that brand before. Is AW a trusted registered brand or is only made by a forum user?

If AW are not very sure or no are the safest, I want to found the safest. I don't mind the price if they are safe.

I'm looking only for rechargeables. I would like to buy 18650 and CR123A's 3.7v (not 3.6v or 3.0v).

Where can I buy it online?

I'm thinking about Duracell, Engergizer and such, but I am not sure if they produce this type of cells.

Thank you in advance!

Cheers,
Joan.

P.S: Sorry about my English, I'm Spanish

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

I use AW batteries, and they have so far been safe and reliable.

IIRC LiFePO4 batteries are very safe, and have a long life (over 1000-2000 cycles) at the cost of a reduced capacity and lower voltage.

Can anyone verify that?

 

[Kestrel]

I think that Pila is a well-respected brand, so you might want to look into those.

AW is considered pretty much tops here on CPF. Also, _great_ customer service, world class.

My two lumens,

Edit: IMR chemistry (rechargeable, same voltage, 3.7) is considered to be substantially safer than standard LiIon rechargeable chemistry, however their capacities are somewhat less. AW has a line of IMR cells that you might find of interest. Much has been written about these by far more knowledgeable folks (Mdocod for starters).

Edit #2: You definitely want a far safer charger - the Pila IBC charger is considered to be by far the safest 'entry-level' LiIon charger available, and will do both LiIon and IMR cells. A very good charger which comes highly recommended around here.

 

[mudman cj]

I also suggest a safe chemistry such as the IMR cells. Another popular safe chemistry is the LiFePO4 as mentioned by Tekno_Cowboy, but they are lower voltage (3.2V or 3V under load). They also require a special charger.

IMR chemistry is about 3.7V under load and can be charged with the same chargers used for 'regular' Li-ion cells (LiCo chemistry), plus they provide almost the same voltage under load as LiCo cells and are therefore generally drop in replacements. Despite having lower capacities, this is really only true at low current rates. For example, the AW IMR16340 outperforms AWRCR123 (LiCo) at currents over 0.5 Amps.

AW has IMR cells for sale in the sizes you mention and his cells are among the very best in construction and safety. But don't use the charger you have for IMR cells because they do not have circuits to limit the charging voltage. You need to get a quality charger that limits the charge to 4.20V maximum. I suggest the Pila IBC charger.

 

[Kestrel]

I read about AW cells, but I am not very sure if they are very safe. I've never heard that brand before. Is AW a trusted registered brand or is only made by a forum user?

AW resides in Hong Kong and, from my few conversations with him, requires QC & QA a few steps beyond the normal level of the China-mfg cells. He also has stated an interest in sourcing the highest-quality component parts such as protection circuitry and PTC's for the protected LiIons compared to some of the other manufacturers.

 

[VidPro]

interjecting, the IMR arent protected, that isnt nessiarily going to help out a "newbie" <-- his words. while they wont have huge problems, without applied manuel protection of the cell, it will just be dead too.

i HATE ultrafire cells, but i dont fear them, and i own some of them, well the ones that arent in the trash. if you have a meter, and can check things, explosions dont happen very often, even leaking wont happen very often.
They dont happen because people are aware usually of the issues and problems. a little knowlege can go a long way, even if a ultrafire cant

 

[jaundice]

Joan;

In another thread in "Smoke, Fire and Close Calls" sub-forum, I detailed how a AW's safety features prevented a bad situation from getting dramatically worse. Basically, I inadvertently caused a dead short on an AW 18650, and instead of blowing up, it vented it's electrolyte. So there was no smoke or flames. I'm a big believer in AW.

Basically, AW has his battery cases constructed in a way that in the event of a lot of heat (like a dead short), the cases will vent rather than build up pressure and risk a fire.

That said, I do have a couple of DX 17670s that I use without too much worry. Assuming you use the proper care, I wouldn't worry too much about DX cells. The real danger is in charging them, or having a freak accident like I did, where the protection circuit was crimped in such a way that it shorted the cell.

-John

 

[Wattnot]

You don't have the greatest charger and you don't have the greatest cells but I feel you are over reacting. Just follow common sense lithium handling "rules" and you should be fine.

Like be around while the charger is charging and when they're done, take them off the charger. Lithiums do NOT need, nor do they like, being trickle charged. The cheaper chargers are guilty of doing just that. The short version of this rule is "don't overcharge them."

Don't drain them too much. They might be protected but the protection circuitry shouldn't be relied upon too much. When the light starts to dim, switch the battery out.

Don't mix anything not the same. That means don't mix different capacity cells in a multi-cell light and don't mix different charge states in a multi-cell light. I would even try to avoid mixing brands. If all of your lights use ONE battery, this is not an issue.

That's pretty much all I can think of. Trustfires are actually pretty good and have been rated and tested by people here. Ultrafires, not so much but I still feel you'll be okay if you follow the "rules." I don't know about Soshine.

The biggest problems have been from Chinese maufactured PRIMARY (non rechargeable) lithium CR123 batteries. Those I would avoid as a rule.

Oh and yes, AW cells are considered some of the best as well as the Pila charger.

 

[Youfoundnemo]

IMR's would be your best bet, from my knowledge they dont go boom they just die, wont hold a charge and the charger (a cheap dx one) wont charge them. They are your best bet IMO

 

[Greg G]

I have about a dozen AW 2200mah batteries that have served me very well for about a year now. Hard to go wrong with them in that size.

I also have some Eagletac 18650's that are doing well, but I have not had them long. It will take some more time to judge them.

 

[yellow]

You are over-reacting!

1st: they all seem to be protected
2nd: ALL these "incidents" - which are VERY VERY VERY VERY VERY few, as compared to how many ppl use these cells, compare with that much higher number of cellular packs failing - came from user fault, or have been created with reason.

f.e. check those "exploding Li-Ion pack" videos which might have caused Your fear:
they are heavily overloaded and even then it needs quite some time till they start to vent.
Look how bored the ppl there are, till it finally goes , they must have waited much longer than they have planned.
Also the wires to these packs: how thick they are --> to stand the current pushed through them.
that is no "normal use"!!!! So dont panic.

 

[Chodes]

AW says:
"IMR is safe chemistry just like LiFePO4 and cells made with this chemistry will not vent with flames."

See post #4:
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?t=240077

You should remember that these cells have no protection circuit and can deliver more current than LiCo cells, there is a new risk of very high current in the event of a short circuit. Similar danger exists with high current NiCads and NiMh cells, just something to be aware of.

 

[NoFair]

I'd keep the cells and get one of the recommended chargers above.

Li-ion dangers are very small if you use a little bit of common sense.

Welcome btw

Sverre

 

[flasohollic]

Yep, i have one of those chargers and its not safe at all.. some off cells get hot and expanded when using it so i throw it away..

 

[jalbam]

Thank you very much for your replies

Now I am more relaxed, hehehe. I think I will buy some AW's cells and a Pila IBC charger when I have the money, if they are well safe

Thanks,
Joan.

 

[Niconical]

AW batteries are generally agreed to be the best you can get.

Buy them when you can, it will be money well spent.

 

[Niconical]

Something else, if you want CR123A primary batteries, contact batterystation. Their brand are well liked and respected on CPF, and they do a great price box of 50 cells with priority shipping to Spain. I should know, I have more than 100 with me right now

PM me if you want the details.

 

[JBorneu]

During normal use, charging li-ion cells has the most potential for dangerous situations. Make sure you always take the cells off the charger when the light turns green until (and even after) you get a better charger. The cells you're using arn't very good, but they arn't timebombs either as long as you don't short circuit or overcharge them.

The thread linked in my signature is a good introduction to working with li-ion cells.

 

[KiwiMark]

Thank you very much for your replies

Now I am more relaxed, hehehe. I think I will buy some AW's cells and a Pila IBC charger when I have the money, if they are well safe

Thanks,
Joan.

Hey there Joan - could I suggest that you buy the charger first. No matter what Li-ion cells you buy it is always good to have a quality charger that you can trust to charge the cells safely. With Li-ion cells it is the charging that carries the greatest risk and a good charger will lower that risk a lot. In the meantime - keep an eye on the batteries while they are charging and feel them now and then to ensure they are not getting too hot.

 

[Linger]

Hello,

http://www.batteryuniversity.com/

Is a great resource. Unfotunately it seems German and English are the only two languages. Google translate + your very good English skills will be more then enough, it is written in very plain language.

:welcome:

-Ryan