New to rechargeable batteries.

[Alteran]

I am wondering where to get good lithium-ion protected rechargeables. I am mainly looking for RCR123a and 10440. I am hoping not to spend too much, I really just need a small, simple charger. I would need the RCR123as to be usable with the P1D-CE, Amilite Neo T5, and preferably nearly all LED lights. I'm having trouble finding out where to get what I need, and if anybody knows, it's the good people at CPF.

 

[Alin10123]

Check AW's for sale thread in the dealers section. He should also have an affordable charger for you to charge your R123 cells with.

 

[Alteran]

What exactly is the difference between protected and unprotected, as I think protected are better, but I can't find protected 10440s anywhere.

 

[DM51]

Protection circuits prevent a battery from high or low voltages and excessive current demands.

With a protection circuit, a cell is kept within safe limits - it will not charge to more than 4.2v or discharge below 2.5v, and it will usually be blocked from delivering current at more than 2C (C is the figure in amps/milliamps that corresponds to a cell's rated capacity in AH/mAH).

Unfortunately the diameter of 10440s (10mm) is too small to fit a protection circuit.

 

[Alteran]

In that case, how can I not over- or under-discharge too much?

 

[Alin10123]

In that case, how can I not over- or under-discharge too much?

If the cells are going into a light. As soon as you notice any sort of noticeable dimming shut the light off right away. Don't try to turn it back on as this may further discharge the batteries. As far as charging goes. If you are using AW's charger, it will stop charging automatically when the cells get up to 4.2 volts (the hot off the charger voltage for lithiums).

 

[Kilohana]

Check www.juicebattery.com

I bought mine at Fry's Electronics and it works great. (Frys.com)

 

[DM51]

Get yourself a multimeter and check the voltage as cells come off the charger. With unprotected cells, watch them very carefully and take them off charge as soon as the light goes green. Do NOT leave them on longer - Li-Ions can blow up if over-charged. If the cells overheat it is dangerous, so check this during charging.

 

[Alteran]

Can't I get a charger that has overcharge protection, IE it shuts off when the charge gets to a certain level?

 

[coppertrail]

During charge, I test my 14500/10440 cells with a DMM every 10 minutes. My charger terminates voltage @ 4.29V. which is a bit high for my taste. I pull them at 4.15-4.2V.