:thumbsdowHi, I was not sure where to post this as it conserns both flashlight and batteries so here goes. I brought a Olight M30, 139 charger and 4 18500 batteries about a month ago. I had problems right from the start with the light only running for 25-30 min on a charge. Someone suggested I get a muilti meter. After chargeing the batts, running the light and checking the voltage in the batteries when the light went out 3 of the 4 PROTECTED batteries come out of the light with 00volts. I dont know a hell of a lot but arnt PROTECTED cells not ment to drop below a certain level! Anyone have any idears what could be makeing this happen. Bad cells, bad charger or could the Olight M30 be at fault here. The Dealer I got this setup off has not been to helpfull yet! The batteries are Ultra-fire 18500 PROTECTED cells.
Olight m30- ultrafire 139 problems
- Thread starter wirehair
- Start date
Help Support Candle Power Flashlight Forum
Painful Chafe
Enlightened
- Joined
- Jan 16, 2009
- Messages
- 406
I think, but I'm not positive, when the battery voltage drops and the protection kicks in, the circuit "opens" which would give you the 0 volts reading.
Put them all on the charger and fully charge them. Then test the voltage. You should be up around 4.2 volts. Maybe you can then put two in the light and run it for 10 minutes and take another voltage reading. It is strange though the both batteries read 0 volts when you take them out. You would think if one was bad and kicked into protection the other would still read voltage.
I have the exact setup you have, M30 with 2 Ultrafire 18500's. I just checked the voltage with approx 10 minutes of runtime. Both batteries are at 3.6.
Put them all on the charger and fully charge them. Then test the voltage. You should be up around 4.2 volts. Maybe you can then put two in the light and run it for 10 minutes and take another voltage reading. It is strange though the both batteries read 0 volts when you take them out. You would think if one was bad and kicked into protection the other would still read voltage.
I have the exact setup you have, M30 with 2 Ultrafire 18500's. I just checked the voltage with approx 10 minutes of runtime. Both batteries are at 3.6.
DimeRazorback
Flashlight Enthusiast
Try some AW 18500's from lighthound.
I use these and the same charger and have nil issues!
I use these and the same charger and have nil issues!
To start with I had 1 good and 1 bad battey in the light each time,. I found this out by testing them when the light went out, eg, 1 would read 00v and the other would read something like 3v. So I put the 2 good sells togeather, fully charged them and put them in the light. Again when the light went out 1 cell tested 00v and the other approx 3v. So now I have ended up with 3 of the 4 cells that drop to 00v when used.
DimeRazorback
Flashlight Enthusiast
Yeah i remember your original issues.
It may be an expensive experiment, but i really do suggest getting some AW cells.
At least then you can narrow it down to either the light or the batteries.
It may be an expensive experiment, but i really do suggest getting some AW cells.
At least then you can narrow it down to either the light or the batteries.
Like others have suggested, get good batteries first. All my Li-Ion batteries are AW protected. I had to be patient to save up for them, as I like to have many extras and spares ready, but I trust the batteries. I have had only one go flaky on me, and just don't use it anymore, all my other ones are working well. No matter who makes it, they will go bad over time, so make sure you purchase enough so you aren't stranded.
lightmyway
Newly Enlightened
Save yourself a lot of frustration and get the AW cells they work.
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At the end of the day I think the supplier should be replacing everything, as it is not working and never has. Only trouble is to send everything back to the USA from New Zealand would cost more than the product is worth! I wish they would just say, Hey we know you are having trouble and as a sign of good faith and to save you considerable cost we will replace your faulty goods, after all it was faulty when WE sent it to you.
. I wonder if Matt is reading this?
. I wonder if Matt is reading this?
i don't know where you got your cells from as you didnt say, i had this problem with some cells that i ordered from a popular site whose initials are 2 letters, one near the front of the alphabet and the other near the end of the alphabet, 
Ordered 2x protected 14500s and tested them with my cheapo DMM when they came in, 1 read 0.0 and the other 3.8 volts, tried charging both and when i put them in my UF-WF138 charger, the 0.0 one turned green almost immediately while the other charged itself to 4 plus volts.
I took some pictures of the DMM reading, sent in a customer service ticket telling them about the 1 dead cell and received an email telling me that they would replace it. I expected one replacement cell, but they sent me TWO instead, both working fine.
Get back to the seller you got the cells from, enclose a picture of the DMM reading and see what they say, it should be replaced.
Ordered 2x protected 14500s and tested them with my cheapo DMM when they came in, 1 read 0.0 and the other 3.8 volts, tried charging both and when i put them in my UF-WF138 charger, the 0.0 one turned green almost immediately while the other charged itself to 4 plus volts.
I took some pictures of the DMM reading, sent in a customer service ticket telling them about the 1 dead cell and received an email telling me that they would replace it. I expected one replacement cell, but they sent me TWO instead, both working fine.
Get back to the seller you got the cells from, enclose a picture of the DMM reading and see what they say, it should be replaced.
Sounds like the same place, they have had a number of emails from me telling them what has been happening, including the problem of the cells dropping to 00volts but they have not been very helpfull:thumbsdow This has been going on for 3 or 4 weeks now and has realy spoilt the fun of getting my first good flashlight.
sent you a PM fellow CPF-er hopefully it will be of some use in resolving your problem
DM51
Flashaholic
I'm afraid this is yet another tale of woe with Ultrafire cells. To put it simply, Ultrafire cells in general, and these ones in particular, are no good. You should send them back and get a refund, if the postage is worth it. If not, you'll just have to put this episode down to experience. Either way, don't persevere with trying to recharge them - they could blow up in your face.
I'm moving the thread to the Batteries section.
I'm moving the thread to the Batteries section.
