I'm afraid to use my brand new draco!

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L

lostinwv

Newly Enlightened
Joined
Jan 31, 2009
Messages
95
I just received my draco from Modamag today, and it sure is beautiful. I bought it prior to researching the battery that comes with it. I've read enough about the "dangers" of unprotected rechargable Li-ion batteries since placing the order (in the battery forum) to be afraid of them at this point. I don't want to accidentally overcharge, overdischarge or otherwise misuse the battery that came with the light- mostly b/c I'm afraid of doing something dangerous like starting a fire or exploding the battery and hurting myself or my kids.


I'm an absolute simpleton when it comes to electronics, so I can't possibly work with a voltage meter or anything like that. I find the information from the experts in the battery forum to be confusing. If there are some very elementary measures I can take to use/recharge the battery properly, such as taking care to stop running the light before the battery is totally dead, I can deal with that just fine. But I'm afraid I'll have to unload this light if recharging involves anything more than putting the 10280 in the charger that came with it and just waiting for a light to pop on indicating full charge. Can anybody "shed some light" on this for me? :crackup:Thanks in advance for any reassurance, instruction, or clarification you might provide to a guy who is new to cfp and loving it here so far!

Edit: btw, I posed a similar question in the battery forum, but I think it is being overlooked so I'm hoping to get some responses here in the LED forum.
 
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I've had my Draco for over a year and it's with me and used every day. Did you buy the Nano charger for it? That's what I use. I've never had any issues with over charging, over-discharging ect. I run mine each time until the battery is depleted and the light goes into moon mode. I don't use it beyond that point. Moon mode tells me I need to charge it up. Most of the Lithium-Ion problems are associated with lights that use multiple batteries. Use and enjoy it!
 
Is this a multi-celled light?
as in, do you use more than 1 battery?

I was under the impression that it was less likely for things to blow if you were only running 1 cell.

Also, if the battery is discharged past a certain, it damages the battery internally, giving it less "storage."

Personally, I've overdischarged many 18650 cells, and none of them have acted up yet.

I think most dangers come from using primary lithium cells.

then again, I might not know what I'm talking about.
 
BVH,

First of all, thanks for replying- I really do appreciate it:thumbsup:

I do have the charger that came with the standard draco package (it says UltraFire on it).

Sounds like I can just put pop the battery in the charger after it is depleted and wait for a light to go from red to green? (I'm guessing on this one...)

Btw, what do you mean by "moon mode?"

Thanks again

Dave
 
While I understand your feelings, lights are made to be used. Period. Just familiarize yourself with li-ion safety, make sure to recharge the battery often, and you'll be fine.

(Moon mode is when a regulated light goes dim, once the battery can't sustain maximum brightness.)
 
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There's no meters or other ancillary equipment to use to charge the single Draco battery. Simply put it in the Nano charger. The led will turn orange/red. Take it out when the led turns green. That's it. I've left mine in the charger after the led turned green for hours and hours with no issues.

Moon mode is when the light output suddenly and unmistakeably falls to almost nothing. You can't miss it. You can stare at the led without going blind.
 
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:welcome: I had very similar questions when i first got into rechargeable.I was pretty much told by all that if you don't know how to use them don't.But really if you search you will get all the info you need.I am no expert on this topic but what i would do is see if you can buy protected cells for your light.With them your half way there.Then get a volt meter they really are very easy to use just set the dial to volts put one lead ''wire'' on one end of the battery one on the other thats it.Good luck
 
csshih said:
Is this a multi-celled light?
as in, do you use more than 1 battery?

I was under the impression that it was less likely for things to blow if you were only running 1 cell.

Also, if the battery is discharged past a certain, it damages the battery internally, giving it less "storage."

Personally, I've overdischarged many 18650 cells, and none of them have acted up yet.

I think most dangers come from using primary lithium cells.

then again, I might not know what I'm talking about.
Click to expand...

It's just a single battery. Sounds like the main risk relates to ruining the battery capacity -- this is a danger I can live with. I hope to be smart enough to not overdischarge though...
 
I don't have an ultrafire charger small enough for the small Draco battery but the one I do have uses the same led colors for charging and charged - red to green. In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) you don't need to worry about finding a protected battery. I don't think one is made this small, but I am not sure. And if one is made, it may not allow enough current flow to light the Draco. But I don't want to get too technical here. Just remember, when the light drops to moon mode, simply don't use it any longer. Your best bet is to have two batteries. When the one dies, pop in the other one and put the depleted battery in the charger. This way, you'll not have to wait.
 
BVH said:
I don't have an ultrafire charger small enough for the small Draco battery but the one I do have uses the same led colors for charging and charged - red to green. In My Humble Opinion (IMHO) you don't need to worry about finding a protected battery. I don't think one is made this small, but I am not sure. And if one is made, it may not allow enough current flow to light the Draco. But I don't want to get too technical here. Just remember, when the light drops to moon mode, simply don't use it any longer. Your best bet is to have two batteries. When the one dies, pop in the other one and put the depleted battery in the charger. This way, you'll not have to wait.
Click to expand...

The charger I got is big enough that a very small spacer (included) will need to be used. I'm sure it will work just fine. I'll take your advice on rotating the two batteries that came in the package. Good evening,

Dave
 
lostinwv said:
It's just a single battery. Sounds like the main risk relates to ruining the battery capacity -- this is a danger I can live with. I hope to be smart enough to not overdischarge though...
Click to expand...


From what I know, the most dangerous time is when you're actually charging the battery, but I'm not trying to dissuade you from using your new tool, just trying to keep you informed.

Reckless as I've been, I've never had any problems with the ~20 ancient 18650s I have. (some 1 year old, some 5+ years(cap on 5 year olds aren't very high))

(long story short, I had 18650s from laptop battery packs before I came to cpf.. used to charge them with one of those wall warts.... and powered 5mms with them, shorted them often (burnt fingers), and made dents.)

Keep the warnings in the back of your head, but don't worry too much.

Take Care,
Craig
 
BVH said:
I've had my Draco for over a year and it's with me and used every day. Did you buy the Nano charger for it? That's what I use. I've never had any issues with over charging, over-discharging ect. I run mine each time until the battery is depleted and the light goes into moon mode. I don't use it beyond that point. Moon mode tells me I need to charge it up. Most of the Lithium-Ion problems are associated with lights that use multiple batteries. Use and enjoy it!
Click to expand...

+1

Also, they don't make a protected 10280.

Love my Draco!
 
Thanks for all the useful information guys- I feel much better about the battery issue now. I have been playing with the light since last night, and I absolutely love it! I cannot believe how powerful this thing is. Everyone should have one of these!

Dave
 
I just read a thread from Jonathan (Modamag) ... I wish I had copied and pasted the link before I closed the window. Anyway, basically he mentioned that during the early stage of development for the Draco, he basically tested the unprotected cells for safety reasons. He tried to "purposely" make it explode by overcharging and discharging it. Jonathan said that these cells are simply too small to go :poof:
 
Glad to hear that you grew comfortable with this type of battery and it's operation. One you understand the basics it's really no sweat. The best rule to follow diligently is to stop using it once the light dims and then get in on the charger. The best thing about that pocket rocket is that you'll never grow tired of it.
 
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