Fenix PD35 and unprotected 18650's

I have just read a discussion on 18650's and the need for a protection circuit - or lack of need. Apparently, depending on the torch in question and the quality of the charger used then a protection circuit is often considered an expensive and unnecessary premium. I am told this makes it much cheaper to buy panasonic cells directly.

For charging I use an "XTar VP2" and am considering picking up a "Fenix PD35" to directly replace my VERY low quality 'UltraFire XML-T6'. Given this combination of charger and torch would it be safe to buy the cheaper, good brand panasonic cells? As things stand three AW branded 18650's actually cost more than the torch itself! If I could cut down on the battery outlay without losing either safety or run-time then it would be very welcome.

I welcome you chap's advice.

Protection only cost a Dollar per cell if you shop around.

Try www.mtnelectronics*dot*com/ if you are in the USA.

chuckhov said:

Protect only cost a Dollar per cell if you shop around.

Try www.mtnelectronics*dot*com/ if you are in the USA.

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Woah...!!! Panasonic NCR18650b 3400mAh for abut £5??? An equivalent battery is literally four times that much in Britain, at least from the place I buy my torches!!! Things genuinely are cheaper over there.

Yeah, but we all stay just as broke anyway:-(

It's a way of life for me...
-Chuck

I hear you Chuck! I hear you man.

He (Richard) does ship to the United Kingdom, but only quan.4 per package.

Still - Might be cheaper?

-Chuck

I think it might! I was just checking the British flavour of Amazon and two of the precisely same type are going for £20 - so about $35? So four from that chap would be about £15+international P&P. Even if it takes another tenner to get them over here that is a massive saving. I might drop him a line and see if he can give me a quote. By all accounts they are excellent batteries - no protection, but as I said above I think with the XTar charger I have that should not be an issue.

That said I'm not sure what the laws concerning lithium batteries are... They can be quite weird for the Royal Mail at least; sometimes you have to pay for a specialist courier.

Gemman Aster said:

I have just read a discussion on 18650's and the need for a protection circuit - or lack of need. Apparently, depending on the torch in question and the quality of the charger used then a protection circuit is often considered an expensive and unnecessary premium.......

Click to expand...

I found that the PD35 will dimm before you reach 2.5v. You will only be able to get the low mode even when on the higher settings. This should clue you in that your battery needs charging. I run most of my 18650 lights without protection circuits because they are a lot less money. But it does help to have a voltmeter and be fairly active in knowing your equipment.

Where someone would get into trouble by running a non-protected 18650 too low and ruining it is if you had the light set on the low mode for hours without checking the battery..........either with a voltmeter or by seeing if the light can still hit the higher levels of output.

I think this is pretty good advice. I always use unprotected cells in my modded PD35, but I also check the voltages before and after charging and make sure to recharge the battery pretty early on, usually once the turbo mode dims.

I ran protected cells in my PD32UE for a long time, then it seemed useless. It drops into a lower mode when necessary. Just recharge then.

chuckhov said:

Protection only cost a Dollar per cell if you shop around.

Try www.mtnelectronics*dot*com/ if you are in the USA.

Click to expand...

That's the way I went for my PD35 and it was due to recommendation here on CPF. So thanks to ya'll for mentioning it. I didn't see the appeal of unprotected when protected are $1 difference. So I just went w/ the less complicated method.

A few months ago I asked this information to Fenix.
They said this:
"PD35 can work with unprotected Panasonic NCR18650B.
There also have voltage limit in circuit board of PD35. It is 3.0V."

I did not understand if you live in Europe, if the answer is yes I bought NCR18650B at a good price on the dutch website Nkon

PM sent with some cell links,i sometimes use either pany 3400,3100 unprotected(or "naked" to Chris)

My prefered cell right now for a happy medium mah and A rating are pany BDs . Around £14 for 2 xBDs along with 2x3400 pany cells(same price for 2),£12 ish for 2x3100mah pany cells of which unless your really running the cells down(not advised) the 3100 mah make a good alternative. Pany PFs at 2900mah and 10a rating are another good option for £11.

Stefano said:

A few months ago I asked this information to Fenix. They said this:
"PD35 can work with unprotected Panasonic NCR18650B. There also have voltage limit in circuit board of PD35. It is 3.0V."

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Stefano, I have seen many of your helpful youtube clips and beam shots/reviews, they have helped me choose my next light.

When you say the PD35 has a voltage limiter, is it this that makes the mode selection button flash once the 3.0V is reached? Am I right in thinking that the mode button flashes?

mountain_man said:

Stefano, I have seen many of your helpful youtube clips and beam shots/reviews, they have helped me choose my next light.

When you say the PD35 has a voltage limiter, is it this that makes the mode selection button flash once the 3.0V is reached? Am I right in thinking that the mode button flashes?

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Hi mountain_man
Sorry for the delay but I see only now your message.
I never used the PD35 until voltage of 3 V
I've never done a test, but if you are using a battery (unprotected battery) until the voltage of 3 volts the voltage is interrupted (cut-off) and the torch turns off..
This to keep the battery.
I have PD35 (2013 version - 850 lumens) and the mode selection button does not flash..
As far as I know not even blink later versions of PD35
Maybe you confused with Nitecore P12 - it has a selection key way that starts to flash intermittently when the voltage reaches 3.6V
Usually Fenix flashlights warn of low battery voltage with an intermittent led flashing every few minutes.
(Terrible translation with Google Translate)