18650 Batteries

[Spires]

Hi Guys,
I was wanting some advice please. I am thinking of purchasing a couple of 18650 batteries for a Fenix hand torch. According to instructions these batteries can be used, with caution! Recommended manufacturer? LG or Samsung seem to be a good choice. Capacity? 3000mAh/20a or 2500mAh/15a - Any preference? Is PCB an issue? Torch is not new, but didn't want to damage it by using these batteries.
Many thanks,
Paul.

 

[NewStuff]

It's hard to go wrong with Samsung 30q cells. Decent capacity, decent discharge ability, not stupidly expensive.
18650.com, or on ebay the sellers Torchy or Ecolux are decent.

 

[Pitlamp]

FWIW (as I'm far from expert with sparks) I bought some Panasonic 18650s in August 2015, to use in some very bright diving lamps (fairly high drain). They've given me excellent (trouble free) regular service for almost 4 years and their capacity doesn't seem to have tailed off. The particular item in question is no longer available on Amazon but there's plenty of others.

I think, to a large extent, you get what you pay for.

New Stuff's suggestions above may well be better though, as battery evolution is really rapid these days.

 

[Ian Ball]

This guy's site is old looking but has built up superb data

 

[Madness]

I had some Samsung 30Q from 18650.uk recently. Decent price, fast delivery and not fakes.

Check the maximum current requirement of the torch. High current drain batteries have a lower capacity, whereas lower current drain batteries generally have a higher capacity.

I use 3400mAh Panasonics in my caving lamp for longer duration, but it only draws 1050mA on high setting. Samsung 30Q have a lower capacity but I use them in hand torches that are capable of direct drive as they allow the emitter to draw more current and produce more light.

 

[Fulk]

I've used Fenix's own batteries for some time now with no problems at all.

 

[Maj]

I found this a useful site  http://www.torchythebatteryboy.com/p/18650-batteries-chargers.html  but almost too much info to try and wade through on discharge rate at various currents, which batts met GB specs, which were probably fakes full of packing. 

I ended up buying 2 x 18650 2600mAh from RS components for about ?13.50 inc P&P.  https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/speciality-size-rechargeable-batteries/8801558/   


Maj.

 

[Fulk]

I didn't realize that there are so many types of 18650 batteries (as in Maj's first site) out there; I particularly 'liked' the one claiming 12 000 mAh, that was tested for 554.

Caveat emptor, huh?

 

[Spires]

Thanks for your replies. I have tonight ordered two 18650 batteries and a charger; Samsung 2500mAh/20A batteries. I look forward to trying them in my Fenix torch.
Cheers, Paul.

 

[yuvals]

It is too late for this time but for the future 30q or any other high discharge cell has no impact on a current regulated lights such as the Fenix. The maximum current is usually limited to 2.8A so you can use almost any cell and get the same maximum output level.
For the same size and roughly the same wight you can get a 3.4Ah cell which provide a lot more lightning time.

 

[Ian Ball]

I believe the high output cells are designed for the vaping market where high current draw makes a difference?  Constant draw at that rate would I assume make the cell super hot and is only a few millimetres from your led which is also generating heat.
Without any knowledge or research, I favour the cells at the back of the helmet so to keep the two heat sources on the lamp separate to aid cooling, and not just balancing issues.

Although I suppose if the lamp housing is getting hot, then it's doing it's job as the heat sink!

 

[andrewmcleod]

One day I hope to make a watercooled lamp where excess heat is diverted into your undersuit

Battery technology and cooling, not LEDs, are the main limitations on light output at the moment...

 

[royfellows]

I am currently experimenting with a 9K lumens 16 volt sealed rechargeable caplamp. Its uses XHP 35 quads as main beam, 4 series XPLs as floods, and 4 series Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000 mAh cells.
Some results are encouraging. Standard beam is nearly 300 lumens and it runs for about 24 - 27 hours before going into a slow death. A Eco Drive does about 160 lumens for 2 days.
Long way from production though, I have issues with the charging and the overheat alarm transducer for starters, but being resolved.

 

[NewStuff]

I believe the high output cells are designed for the vaping market where high current draw makes

Not really, it's only now that cells are manufactured specifically for the Vaping market.

High discharge ability, while not needed in and of itself for most "standard" lamps, provides a nice side effect of cooler cells when running at lower discharge currents.

There are some big torches out there that will certainly make use of a decent discharge ability. My TK35 will run on recycled cells but it's not great. It's a little better on high capacity, low discharge cells, but it really gets going with Samsung 30q's.

 

[Fulk]

Morning Roy, did you track down the source of that funny 'whining' noise that your lamp was emitting in Henfwlch Mine a week or two ago?

 

[royfellows]

Morning Roy, did you track down the source of that funny 'whining' noise that your lamp was emitting in Henfwlch Mine a week or two ago?

That lamp was the experimental job described above, and yes, the overheat alarm issue. Its not supposed to do anything until the lamp reaches 65 C.
I am dumping the piezo anyway now for a flashing red LED that will probably not respond to any premature low signal from the LM 393. I am thinking of users with medical issues that could be affected by high frequency sound. I appreciate my attention being drawn to this.

 

[ZombieCake]

... experimenting with a 9K lumens 16 volt sealed rechargeable caplamp. Its uses XHP 35 quads as main beam, 4 series XPLs as floods, and 4 series Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000 mAh cells.

I was wondering, how does that compare with the output of the primary weapon on the Death Star?  My trusty Sten Light is getting on a bit now and I don't think they can be upgraded anymore.

 

[Fulk]

It's very bright, ZC!!

 

[royfellows]

It also does 160 lumens for 2 days. Not a typo.

 

[AnthonyB]

... experimenting with a 9K lumens 16 volt sealed rechargeable caplamp. Its uses XHP 35 quads as main beam, 4 series XPLs as floods, and 4 series Samsung INR 18650-30Q 3000 mAh cells.

I was wondering, how does that compare with the output of the primary weapon on the Death Star?  My trusty Sten Light is getting on a bit now and I don't think they can be upgraded anymore.

I believe the Death star was only 4500 lumens.