Multiple LED lights and multiple rechargeable lithiums

[Vortus]

One of the biggest concerns over rechargeable li-ions is :poof:. Multiple cells making the potential for issues that much greater. However, with the massive influx of multiple 18650 and 26650 lights out there, really have not been hearing about any battery issues. Are they there just not advertised or reported? Esp considering that many of the lights are now using 3+ cells, and made by cheaper manufacturers. Or have the drivers and set ups pretty much nullified the issue?

 

[TEEJ]

For those with real lights and real cells, its pretty much a non-issue. So it happens, and, you hear about it if it was anyone on here at least, but, if you puruse the vapping sites, etc, where they also use li-ions, etc, they have a slightly higher incidence as they use notoriously higher percentages of "Fill-in-the-blank-Fire" stuff, no protection circuits, etc.

So, overall, its proving pretty safe.

I have maybe 100 cells or so in constant use, and, dozens of lights...and, NEVER a single problem of any kind.

The ONLY cells I have EVER had a problem with are alkalines...so I pretty much stopped using them when it became apparent they were mostly good for corroding things, and mostly bad at powering them.

:D

 

[Vortus]

I only have a couple multi cell lights not counting nimh powered lights. But a few are currently tempting me, but was just wondering about the safety. As I doubt many unwiling to pay for a high grade light bother with good meters and chargers as well for maintence. Even with that, there has been a surprising lack of problems that made me wonder if the improvents in batteries and lights had made it pretty much a non factor.

 

[Russel]

For those with real lights and real cells, its pretty much a non-issue[...]

What would you define as real cells? Protected? Certain brands?

 

[bietjiedof]

Vapping?

 

[TEEJ]

What would you define as real cells? Protected? Certain brands?

Not counterfeits, new cells from reputable sources and reasonably predictable internal resistance, sure, protected cells add, well, protection....and, lights with protective circuits also add a layer of protection...as do good chargers, etc.

I prefer to use certain brands, as they're proven reliable and good performers. I like Eagletac 3400's a lot because of their performance, and that they fit into everything I need them to fit into. I have some others that are really fat (Xtar for example), and they are too big around to fit into some lights, etc.

Kallies Customs, AW, Readilast, Xtar, Eagletac, have all been great. I tend to get only 3400's of anything lately...but I have a lot of Tenergy 2600's, plus 2900's and 3100's of the previously mentioned ones in the mix too.


A DMM can be inexpensive, and if you get the Cottonpicker, teeny and easy to have along too. A DMM is a vital tool to cell health, as the voltage coming out of the light, and off the charger/on the shelf, tells you so much in a second or so of time.


So by real I just mean you know its not a fake one, as the fake ones have unpredictable internal resistance...and for a multi-celled light, the differences in resistance are what goes :poof:



:D

 

[127.0.0.1]

since the huge wave of fires from HP and Dell packs, chinese and other suppliers of battery packs and cells
have had a smackdown laid on them. All genuine li-ion product is built a lot better than 5 years ago, [and most
lights come with a warning phrase about the batteries and charging...]

I think the risk is very low nowadays, as long as you did not get a counterfeit relabeled cell or pack. those
are still everywhere on fleabay and a dime-a-dozen....

to be safe,
a) you still need to keep your charging setup on top of something non-flammable, and
even better, in a non-flammable nook or special-place that can handle a possible cell-on-fire incident
and not burn the rest of the house down.
b) test the charge of the cells before charging, directly after charging, and a few days later, see if they
hold a charge.
b1) if you use multiple cells in the same light, ensure they all discharge, charge, and hold a charge pretty
close to each others reading, and stop using one if it provides readings out-of-the-ballpark of the others

for checking the charge on li-ions I just use my cottonpickers display USB charger

 

[Russel]

[...] So by real I just mean you know its not a fake one, as the fake ones have unpredictable internal resistance...and for a multi-celled light, the differences in resistance are what goes :poof:



:D

OK, that makes sense. Thanks for the explanation.