Urgent 18650 Battery Help

[mig]

I am in desperate need of some community help with my 18650 protected batteries. They are being used by a few people we give to in our company. Problem is the battery wrapping is not strong enough, causing the metal strips to contact the inside of the flashlight body over time, resulting in them tripping. Is there any way i can solve this problem without buying new flashlights with internal charging capabilities.

If I use unprotected cells could this cause danger to the people who use them? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Tia,
Mig

We use the ultrafire batteries in a similar type ultrafire WF-1000L Flashlight (only 120 Lumens or so though) with a digital li-ion dual barrel charger.

 

[TomInOregon]

I'm not sure I fully understand the problem. Is something rubbing on the outside casing of the batteries? Can you wrap them in tape and just replace the tape when it starts wearing through?

Tom

 

[mig]

Thanks for the reply. It just seems that it is negligence on the part of the operator over time. Normally around 3-4 months.

 

[mig]

Also tried wrapping them in tape but then they cant fit into the flashlight body as it is a tight squeeze.

 

[Lighthouse one]

1. If youare not using AW batteries...try them...better quality.

2. I have used unprotected batteries for several years. Protected ones will cut out and just go off. THe unprotected ones will dim slowly- but you have to catch them, and not run them dead. It can kill the battery if you go much below 2.5 volts.
They are not more prone to flame out- just requires a bit of understanding by any operator.

 

[mig]

Do the aw batteries use the same kind of plastic covering?

 

[yeti@home]

You might try some heat-shrink tubing. It's tough stuff and not too thick…a few mils at most. It's probably pretty much what the battery manufacturer put on to begin with.
yeti@home

 

[mig]

Will have a look into that. Might find a tougher grade of plastic wrapping.

 

[csshih]

Do the aw batteries use the same kind of plastic covering?

the AW batteries still use plastic, but it seems to be more resilient.

 

[waddup]

try this

http://www.acehardwaresuperstore.com/star-brite-liquid-electrical-tape-p-66303.html?ref=42

 

[Juggernaut]

Why is this under LED flashlights:thinking:?, As a reminder for the future, please post in the correct section: this belongs in the batteries / electronics section.

 

[richardcpf]

AW cells might have more resistant plastic covering, but someday they will tear appart as well.

I have an AW 2200 that has a "cracked" plastic cover, an older Trustfire cell which is in perfect conditions, and another trusfire that came teared out the DX bag.

You might have a very tight battery tube, or you are not carefull enough when inserting the batteries.

Anyways the best way is buying a stronger plastic wrap and heat gun it.

 

[Norm]

Retrain staff to be more careful when handling cells :whoopin:
Norm

 

[csshih]

hmm.. how about covering new cells in tape? would that possibly work?

 

[old4570]

Ok I understand ..

Just use some ordinary office tape , the clear stuff ..

Wrap a little on the top end and the bottom end of the battery , use just enough so the battery will still slide into the flashlight body without binding .. This will align the battery and stop it from making contact .

:wave:

 

[DM51]

Your urgent request for help would be more successful if you posted it in the correct forum.

Moving it to the Batteries section...

 

[VidPro]

you could re-wrap them with something substantial, or buy ones that dont skimp on most important things to begin with.
http://www.batteryspace.com/78-3widthpvctube.aspx

crappy batteries dont just have crappy skin, thier ugly goes all the way to the bone :devil:

handing unprotected cells to consumers is a misteak, they will ruin them for you, and then you wont have to worry about the insulation you will have to worry about deep discharge or if somone gets the bright idea of charging it on the wrong thing.

a light that has a proper cutoff could potentially use a unprotected cell, with a charger with a proper cutoff, but people who do such things KNOW a lot about the specs, have meters, and wouldnt ask that question even