Lit Cyclist
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2019
- Messages
- 4
I've been trying to troubleshoot a problem, but I think I have narrowed it down to the batteries, so I'm posting in this thread for some help.
Based on the review published here at CPF, I purchased a Jetbeam BC-40 in late 2012, and I also picked up an intellicharger i4 charger, and a couple of NiteCore 2300 mAh 18650 batteries.
This combo has worked well as a bicycle headlight, though I needed higher capacity batteries for longer ride times, so I picked up some Made in Japan 3400 mAh 18650B cells from r-l sales. I've also used these cells in a homemade sled to power my taillight (DesignShine DS-500).
Here's the problem.
Late in 2015, I purchased some additional Made in Japan 3400 mAh 18650B cells from GearBest. These seemed to be fine, though I only rarely used them when my other cells were in need of charging.
I eventually soldered up a 4-cell battery sled (2S2P), and it worked fine to power my taillight using the GB cells during a 4-hour test run in my living room. Unfortunately, the taillight stopped working during my second ride while using the 4-cell sled with the GB cells. I found that jostling the battery pack can interrupt the circuit, but I inspected all of the solder joints and they were good.
In trying to troubleshoot, I tried the same GB cells in the Jetbeam, and gave it some hard bumps with my hand to simulate hitting a rough patch of pavement; the light would flicker or quit almost every time. When I removed the cells I noticed that the negative contact on both cells was now concave after tightening the end cap all the way. The r-l sourced cells have never flickered during a ride.
Are the GB cells possibly defective? Apologies if this is this a known issue that has been discussed here previously.
The GB cells work fine unless they are jostled in a flashlight or sled, so I don't trust them for use on a bicycle or being handled roughly. Do I write these off for on-road use?
L-R: GB cells 1-4, r-l cells 5-6
Cell 3 with concave negative contact
Cells lined up next to 2-cell sleds I purchased awhile back. This style has worked fine for years, though the contacts are exposed and need to be covered with tape.
L-R: GB cells 1-2, r-l cells 3-4
Based on the review published here at CPF, I purchased a Jetbeam BC-40 in late 2012, and I also picked up an intellicharger i4 charger, and a couple of NiteCore 2300 mAh 18650 batteries.
This combo has worked well as a bicycle headlight, though I needed higher capacity batteries for longer ride times, so I picked up some Made in Japan 3400 mAh 18650B cells from r-l sales. I've also used these cells in a homemade sled to power my taillight (DesignShine DS-500).
Here's the problem.
Late in 2015, I purchased some additional Made in Japan 3400 mAh 18650B cells from GearBest. These seemed to be fine, though I only rarely used them when my other cells were in need of charging.
I eventually soldered up a 4-cell battery sled (2S2P), and it worked fine to power my taillight using the GB cells during a 4-hour test run in my living room. Unfortunately, the taillight stopped working during my second ride while using the 4-cell sled with the GB cells. I found that jostling the battery pack can interrupt the circuit, but I inspected all of the solder joints and they were good.
In trying to troubleshoot, I tried the same GB cells in the Jetbeam, and gave it some hard bumps with my hand to simulate hitting a rough patch of pavement; the light would flicker or quit almost every time. When I removed the cells I noticed that the negative contact on both cells was now concave after tightening the end cap all the way. The r-l sourced cells have never flickered during a ride.
Are the GB cells possibly defective? Apologies if this is this a known issue that has been discussed here previously.
The GB cells work fine unless they are jostled in a flashlight or sled, so I don't trust them for use on a bicycle or being handled roughly. Do I write these off for on-road use?
L-R: GB cells 1-4, r-l cells 5-6
Cell 3 with concave negative contact
Cells lined up next to 2-cell sleds I purchased awhile back. This style has worked fine for years, though the contacts are exposed and need to be covered with tape.
L-R: GB cells 1-2, r-l cells 3-4