KD Li-Ion protected 32650/32600 and cc/cv charger

[Shsesc]

I can never get links to KD to work so this is the item name... Protected D Li-ion (32650/32600)(2 cells) and Professional Charger Kit.

I bought this back in december and just got them, but when I ordered it it was one battery and one charger for ~$30. Anyway one battery charges and the othe won't . Both chargers work on the good battery, the other battery won't light the red led on the charger, it lights it dimly green.

I've been going back and forth with Jerry at KD Sales who told me that I should check the charger, I did, here's what I wrote to him...

"Both chargers test at 4.2V with contacts open, and put 4.2 Volts at about 320mA to the one battery that is stuck at 3.9V and the other battery gets no current when on the charger. Could the protection circuits on the batteries be malfunctioning?

Update, after charging all night the 3.9V battery is now at 4.2 and the red light is off on the charger. So I have only one bad battery, unless it is expected that the battery should charge faster than that. What should I do about the battery that is telling the charger it is full, but is only at 3.4V?"

He hasn't gotten back to me, but it's night over there now. I usually email them at night here so I get a reply quicker.



Also to anyone considering this charger, it's been extended with epoxy to the length of the KD cells from a normal D size cell holder. one came broken and I had to hold it together with twist ties and a rubber band from some leeks I bought.

 

[PaulH]

Hi Shsesc,

I have had this charger for a couple of days now. My first D LiIon Charged pretty well, but the second was interruped. I found the fault to be in the connector plugs, that link the charger lead to the battery cradle. Basically, the contact is very tempramental - I kept having to twist, turn, and bend the contacts to get the light to go to red (charging) again.

I bought some more connector plugs over the weekend - used them to replace the dodgy ones, and now it charges perfectly - the last cell stopped charging at 4.21, and measured 4.19 after 5 minutes rest.

Might not be the same problem as you have got, but you never know!

By the way, I used these leads (Tamiya connectors):
http://www.vapextech.co.uk/acatalog/Sub_C_Batteries___Leads___Fittings.html

The cradle doesn't look as though it is going to last too long!

 

[Shsesc]

Thanks for the reply!

Both chargers work with the good battery, one does have a finicky connector, but that's not what is causing this issue. One of the batteries, I believe, is malfunctioning.

 

[stabby888]

i had a question about those protected batteries. What is the height of one cell (32600/32650)? so a single D li-ion. the reason i ask is because on kaidomain and on best buy offer they list this at 9.50cm. I think that may be a typo. but just being sure.

 

[KiwiMark]

i had a question about those protected batteries. What is the height of one cell (32600/32650)? so a single D li-ion. the reason i ask is because on kaidomain and on best buy offer they list this at 9.50cm. I think that may be a typo. but just being sure.

Definite typo - mine measure 6.61cm

 

[rayman]

Got 3x protected 32650 and wanted to use them in a 3D Maglite but they don't make contact in it. So can I use one of this rar earth magnets to make contact or are there any risks?

rayman

 

[ljw2k]

Rayman can i ask where you bought your batteries and charger please as i am finding it hard to source them.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

Can't comment on the best source for the batteries, but with respect to the charger - while it is by no means the best charger in the world - you may find that the Ultrafire WF-188 would be a better bet (once you have the batteries!) That is if you want a nice, handy, self contained charger. A better bet all around would be a hobby charger of some kind. Not as handy, but a better charger.

With regards to your other question about batteries for use with an SST-90 LED, IMR batteries may be a better solution - they handle higher current draw better than LiCo chemistry batteries. Run times are lower due to lower capacities, but it would be safer, and you'll likely get better performance from the LED.

If you plan on using multiple Li-ion cells, you'll need a driver to reduce the voltage going to the LED.

 

[ljw2k]

Thanks for the eply appreciated but sorry if this sounds like a dumb question but what is "IMR batteries" are they like Sanyo Enloops ?

 

[alpg88]

Thanks for the eply appreciated but sorry if this sounds like a dumb question but what is "IMR batteries" are they like Sanyo Enloops ?

not at all

 

[Stephen Wallace]

IMR batteries are a type of Li-ion battery, but with a different chemical composition to most - Lithium Manganese rather then Lithium Cobalt. Size for size, they have less capacity than the Lithium Cobalt batteries (though in the case of cheap LiCo batteries, they are often over-rated, and don't actually have the capacity they state - LiMn cells tend to be rated more conservatively..... or honestly!). The IMR batteries can safely provide higher current draw than LiCo.

As for the Eneloops, they are NiMH cells - Nickel Metal Hydride. This is an entirely different type of chemistry. They give a nominal 1.2 volts per cell, rather than the 3.6 or 3.7 volts of the Li-ion batteries. As such, voltage wise, you need three Eneloops (or other NiMH batteries) for each Li-ion cell. They are known for their low self discharge characteristics - they hold their charge better than other NiMH cells. There are other brands of LSD cells out there, but the Sanyo Eneloops are still considered one of the best - if not the best - brands out there. They don't hold a candle to the IMRs in this respect, but I believe that they are also well regarded in terms of current handling, though some NiMH brands did do better in that respect. Can't remember the names of them off the top of my head, but I don't think that they are available anymore, so Eneloops are generally considered the best NiMH batteries at this time.

 

[ljw2k]

Thanks very much for the information Steve much appreciated an makes much more sense now.

 

[Stephen Wallace]

One thing I forgot to mention is that if you were to decide to use multiple Eneloops in a battery holder - members fivemega and mdocod sell them in the Custom and Modified Flashlights BST area - NiMH batteries use is safer than that of any of the Lithium based batteries.

 

[ljw2k]

Thanks Stephen i did see them adapters and they do look sweet but i need now is to source a SST-90 LED, W65S-F11-GN100 but finding it hard

 

[Stephen Wallace]

If you are looking for a specific version of the SST-90, rather than just grabbing what's available here and there on the internet, your best bet is probably going to be going through the European distributor - probably end up being more expensive though: -

www.ebv.com

I have no idea if they would sell individual LEDs, or if they could in turn put you in touch with a European retailer.

Another option is to post a Want To Buy thread in tghe appropriate section of the CPF Marketplace.