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Probably done to death but these things do advance pretty quickly.
Anyone have recommendations for the above batteries and charger?
I am thinking cost vs performance. ie value for money.
They will only be used in one device (a head torch so far) and only using one at a time.
I see there are a heap on trade me but don't know anything about them.
What is the UltraFire stuff like?
Not sure about chargers but be very careful that you buy the original batterys
there are heaps of cheap copies floating around and there have been several e-cigs that have been damaged buy them
Ok @199p. Thanks.Quote:
Originally Posted by 199p
What is a e-cig?
How do I know what is a copy?
Any brand/model recommendations?
Ultrafire is normally rubbish. Have seen some with amazingly low capacities. The ones to go for, that I've found good, are Panasonic, Samsung and Trustfire 'flame'.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
I've been ripping apart old laptop battery packs (very carefully) that mostly seem to have Samsung or LG batteries and use those in my headlamps. Most of the packs die when the circuit board in them goes belly up and stops charging cells. At some stage I'll set up a small spot welder using a starting solenoid and add protection boards to them.
Ok. Thanks @gadgetman.Quote:
Originally Posted by gadgetman
What about chargers?
Does this set look ok?
SAMSUNG HIGH POWER BATTERIES 18650 + CHARGER 1YR W | Trade Me
Nitecore chargers are fantastic. Not the cheapest, but you will have it for a long time.
Once you get a charger and a set of good 18650's, you will find yourself getting devices that use these more and more. Their capacity is awesome compared to NIMH cells, or alkaline batteries.
I like these as they comfortably take the longer protected cells.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
Buy TrustFire All-in-One Charger (for 10430/10440/14500/16340 /17670/18650/CR123A)
The Nitecore are probably a better charger but it is a real squeeze to get Panasonic cells into.
Na, you need protected cells, and preferably of a known capacity.Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
If I was in the market for more: 2 x Panasonic 18650 batteries 3400mAH PROTECTED | Trade Me
And a Nitecore i4 charger: I4 Nitecore Intelligent Charger : ORIGINAL ! | Trade Me
I have no issues with the protected panasonic 3400 cells in a nitecore d4. Was the issue the length or width of the cells? The D4 takes 26650 cells, so width would never be an issue.Quote:
Originally Posted by gadgetman
Thanks @quentin.Quote:
Originally Posted by quentin
The blurb on the trade me ad says the batteries are 2600mh with PCB (protection circuit board). Is this not the go?
Length in the I4.Quote:
Originally Posted by quentin
That would be my recommendation too.Quote:
Originally Posted by quentin
E-cigs are a new way to get your nicotine. No smoke just vapor and heaps of flavours like redbull etcQuote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
Og samsung and lg seem to be the best bet.
Whoops, only read the first few lines. (capacity and protected cell both in there if I read the whole lot):oh noes:Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
2600mAh is a pretty low capacity nowdays. Try for something around 3200 - 3400mAh. If you see anything above 3400mAh, it is going to be a case of Chinese exaggeration.
Like the ones with 10400mAh! :DQuote:
Originally Posted by quentin
Haha. Ok. I'm not trying to give up smoking so a damaged e-cig isn't really going to be an issue. I thought it might be some electronic technical term I hadn't heard of.Quote:
Originally Posted by 199p
Hahaha only point is the dodgy battery can damage what ever they are in :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Shearer
@gadgetman can you charge individual batteries in the nitecore charger or do you still need to do it as a pair?
Singles are fine.Quote:
Originally Posted by Tombi
I use Panasonic batteries and one of these Pila IBC Charger I was told any brand of battery with fire in the name.....could start a fire and.... I had an ultrafire 18650 in a head torch .....suddenly my forehead started getting very warm the alloy torch body was baking hot, I tossed the battery immediately. I always charge my 18650's on a concrete floor away from anything that could catch fire. I know a guy who plays with model helicopters he charges his Lion batteries inside some kind of special bombproof bag on top of a concrete block. It's very unlikely that anything will go wrong but..........
So after throwing out the battery that got hot in you head torch, did a replacement without "fire" in the name run any cooler?
I use one of these:
BT-C3100-V2-1-Digital-Intelligent-4-Slot-LCD-US-Plug-Battery-Charger
You can even test the capacity to catch tired and fakes. Works brilliantly even on long protected cells.
That looks an interesting charger - esp for picking up bad batts
How do I test what batteries are not working as well as they should? I have 8 Trustfire batteries that seem to charge well but I think at least two seem to be an issue but I am not sure what ones. Put them in the torch and it turns on but will turn off not long after. What should the voltage be when fully charged? And if they are below this, toss them?
They should be about 4.2V fully charged. Not sure on the lower cutoff voltage, likely around 3.6V, when discharged.