mixing AW IMR cells?

[Linger]

Hello,

How closely do you pair your IMR cells?
I have a dmm and I could ensure multiple cells have the same resting voltage (approximate state of charge) prior to use.

My question: I have a single AW IMR 16340 with one cycle on it (discharged to 3.7v), the cell is 3 mo old. Can I purchase another 16340 IMR and use them together for some 9v goodness?
I've also a single AW IMR 18650, maybe three cycles on this never below 3.6v, presumable same answer applies on buying a mate for this.

Or do I relegate the single cells to direct drive p7/mc-e use and purchase a matched pair of fresh aw imr's that remains forever together?

Linger (new to lithium powered incans...purchased a lumensfactory eo-6v and it's openned the incan door)

 

[xenonk]

It's not recommended to pair cells from different batches with each other, let alone a new one with a used one that's several months old. This is true of any battery type if you value your investment.

 

[Linger]

Thanx,
Just doesn't seem like people mention that when talking about their incan's. (i.e., "I popped in two IMR's into ...., then I tried a 3imr configuration.") I hadn't been getting the sense that every load is kept separatead unique. So thank-you for the reply, hoping to hear from others as well.

 

[GreyShark]

So what exactly happens if you do? Obviously the battery shouldn't explode. Does it just kill the battery or what?

 

[lebox97]

oy vay, huh?
"shouldn't explode"? :thinking:
sounds like you need to read up on the
Smoke and Fire, Hot Cells and Close Calls - The dangerous side of batteries threads

mixed voltage-mixed capacity-mixed cell in multi cell use/applications can lead to

So what exactly happens if you do? Obviously the battery shouldn't explode. Does it just kill the battery or what?

 

[KiwiMark]

Hello,

How closely do you pair your IMR cells?
I have a dmm and I could ensure multiple cells have the same resting voltage (approximate state of charge) prior to use.

My question: I have a single AW IMR 16340 with one cycle on it (discharged to 3.7v), the cell is 3 mo old. Can I purchase another 16340 IMR and use them together for some 9v goodness?
I've also a single AW IMR 18650, maybe three cycles on this never below 3.6v, presumable same answer applies on buying a mate for this.

I don't believe you would experience any problems mixing the cells. However you should not let them run down too low - one is likely to reach minimum voltage before the other and running an IMR too low will damage the cell. IMR cells are a safe chemistry, so there is no real danger - but you can wreck a cell and then you would have to throw it away.

Ideally you would use the cell you have in a single cell torch and buy 2 new ones to run together in a 2 cell torch.

 

[GreyShark]

oy vay, huh?
"shouldn't explode"? :thinking:
sounds like you need to read up on the
Smoke and Fire, Hot Cells and Close Calls - The dangerous side of batteries threads

mixed voltage-mixed capacity-mixed cell in multi cell use/applications can lead to

Is there a specific thread you are referring to? The only IMR related thread I saw for the past year was somebody who over-discharged one of his cells and wasn't sure if it was safe to put back on the charger. AW said it was fine and would probably only have slightly diminished capacity. Like KiwiMark said IMR's are safe chemistry so exploding shouldn't be a problem.

Now if you're talking primaries, unprotected cells, protected Li-Ions and that sort of thing, sure, kaboom is definitely a possibility.

 

[FlashKat]

If your IMR has only one charge , then there should be no problems mixing the cells. Others may disagree, but it depends how picky you want to be...such as maybe you buy the batteries 2 weeks apart. Some will no to mixing while others will say yes. If in doubt PM AW.