TuhOz,

That is a HUGE increase (500%).

Mainly due to the higher average voltage, the Samsung cell will maintain.

The increased capacity will also maintain high power output,

for longer run times.

LarryDFW

Thanks Larry, liked all the batts and chargers so, ordered more today! AMB! -Glenn

Hi LarryDFW,

If I buy the new Samsung 3000mah #18650 Li-Ion Batteries, how can I charge them to 4.35v if the dual charger on your website charges each cell to 4.2V ?

There are a couple of options for charging to 4.35 VDC.

The Ultrafire WF-139 charges ~ 4.35 VDC.

batteryspace smart-charger-0.5a-4.35v

Cottonpicker on CPF forum has an accurate 4.35 VDC charger.

If you charge several cells at once,

then I would use an adjustable switching power supply @ ~ $50.

I now have available . . . a 4.35 VDC charger . . .
since Sanyo, Samsung and LG have changed to 4.35 VDC

for their latest & most powerful cells.

LarryDFW

Larry,

I ordered a charger and pair of 3000mAh cells from your site... I'm just wondering how they typically take to arrive ??
No hurry or anything. I've got some of your old pink Sanyo 18650's and they're still going strong!

Also, will the Samsung cells be OK being charged to only 4.2v?

What do you mean by "changed" ?

When did they changed to 4.35V ?

Hi Larry.

Ordered my 2 Samsung 3000mAh 18650's on the 19th and they arrived at my doorstep in the UK today - 27th. Thank-you

It's a damn shame I broke the laser they were intended for half hour after I ordered them, but they'll keep until I get a replacement

Stix62;

What type was it . . .

and what happened ?

LarryDFW

Here is an inexpensive switching bench supply for charging

BOTH 4.35 VDC and 4.2 VDC cells.

0-30V, 0-3A Mini Bench Supply-MPJA, Inc.

It can also test laser diodes for operating data.

All the new high capacity (3000mah) Samsung, Sanyo and LG cells are now 4.35 VDC

LarryDFW

It was my son's laser actually,,,just like this one > 100mw Military Handheld Green Laser Pointer
There was a fault with it and within a second or so of being turned on the beam would dim dramatically. I had a quick look (unscrewed both ends....lol.) and decided there was nothing I could do about it.
So I put the ends back on,,threw in a battery,,,and hit the power button - but Nothing!!
I'd put the battery in the wrong way round
I put it back it the right way and still nothing - so I'm assuming I've killed it that way .

edit: Larry, I hope you don't mind me asking again, but about 3 1/2 months ago you were asked if you knew of any good 16340's on the market. Is the answer still No?

I have found some Sanyo #14500 quality lithium cells (840mah).

I have NOT found any name-brand #16340 lithium cells.

All the #16340 cells I've used had a very short useful life.

Go with #18650 cells if at all possible.

Finished design on 4.35 VDC chargers now for all the new #18650 high capacity cells.

LarryDFW

New Sanyo, LG & Samsung 3000mah cells are all 4.35 VDC.

In fact Sanyo has quite a few cells that are 4.40 VDC now.

LarryDFW

Finished final testing the new 4.35 VDC charger tonight.

It is designed for ONLY the new generation of Samsung, Sanyo and LG,
3000mah cells.

It charges @ 900 ma for one cell (50% faster than my standard charger).

It is checked for proper charging voltage before shipping.

Pricing is $17.95 for single quantities.

Order info is on the web page in signature.

LarryDFW

P.S. DO NOT use this charger with 4.2 VDC lithium ion cells.
(I have another 4.2 VDC charger for those)

Here are some photos of the New 4.35 VDC 900ma Charger:





Thanks;

LarryDFW

Am I correct in understanding that it is the norm to use the unprotected version of the Li-Ion on lasers? I have always used high quality protected versions in all of my flashlights.

I have used & abused almost a thousand 18650 lithium ion cells.

My opinion is to use only "name brand" Panasonic, Sanyo, LG or Samsung cells.

They have been thru U.L. #1642 testing which is very demanding.

These are the "high quality" 18650 cells . . .

and will perform reliably for several hundred charging cycles.

LarryDFW

I realize you can use unprotected cells in lasers, flashlights, drills, computers.....Is it the norm to use unprotected Li-Ion batteries in lasers?

Do the PCB's cause issues due to high amperage draws or do the laser drivers shut down if the voltage gets to a level that would permanently damage the battery or other reasons that make them undesirable for lasers???

I have always used protected cells even in lights that have built in protection.
I'm new to lasers and am just trying to understand the what and whys of the battery selection.

I have used hundreds of lithium ion cells in many applications.

I tried protected lithium ion cells, and had high failure rates.

I then switched to Panasonic, Sanyo, LG, and Samsung cells . . .

and the failure rate dropped dramatically.

These "name brand" cells are also the only ones tested to stringent U.L. 1642 standards.

I consider that U.L. testing to eliminate cells with any weaknesses.

The 3100mah Panasonic cells have a new "safety layer" to minimize overheating.

LarryDFW

So you are saying that using any cell with protection is a bad idea in a laser? Even Sanyo, LG, Panasonic and Samsung cells that are protected?

Sanyo, LG, Panasonic and Samsung DO NOT make "protected cells".

That means you usually have a low-bidder protection circuit board,

sometimes along with a metal connector down the side of the cell.

Those are the parts I don't trust.

Larry

Besides the fact you don't trust the PCB's used on batteries is there any logistical reason not to use protected batteries in lasers?

I have seen many protected cells just shut down from the high current draw in units that I have built especially with 445's running high amperage driven by boost drivers that can draw 3A+ from the power source.

I tend to avoid protected cells as well unless it is like an AW cell where the protection circuit was designed to allow those discharge rates. They are high quality cells but expensive. If you are really concerned with having protection the AW is what I would suggest. Otherwise the unprotected Sanyo's are my choice for quality cells at a reasonable price.

Thank you. This is what I was trying to find out. I use protected 18650 batteries everyday in flashlights without any problems. I'm only drawing 1.5 amps max.

I avoid the protection circuits because I think they are the most likely item to cause failure in the complete cell assembly.

They also add ~60% more internal resistance to the internal resistance of the cell,

reducing efficiency and power output.

I have used over 500 "name brand" cells for years in demanding applications . . .

without even seeing one of them vent from overpressure.

I have even abused a few to see how they reacted.

LarryDFW

So just to clarify

445nm = pink or purple Samsung?
552nm. = same question..
on the site they both are labeled low IR
and nop matter what these are kicka$$ batteries
thanks