18650 Safety Recomendation

• Apr 1, 2012

• #1

bobo99

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Hey Guys,

Arbitrary question, my grandpa loves flashlights, and was thinking of giving him one of my extra bright LED :
UltraFire WF-501B Cree R2-WC 250-Lumen LED Flashlight Black (1*18650/2*CR123A) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

However it runs off an 18650, and even though I have a protected cell, I'm a little hesitant to give him that. He's in his older years, 70ish and isn't technical at all... I've never had any issues with them.

Would you guys give your grandpa an 18650 and a charger ?

Thanks.

 

• Apr 1, 2012

• #2

C

cilegray

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I definitely wouldn't....

After reading up that one story on CPF where a man around the same age as your gramps had a cell (and his flashlight) blow up and mess him and his kitchen up.

 

• Apr 1, 2012

• #3

LarryDFW

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bobo;

If it is a quality "brand name" single cell . . .

with a quality charger . . .

it is relatively safe.

Even safer would be a light with a charging port.

http://www.led-resource.com/2011/05/nextorch-mytorch-aa-and-mytorch-18650-review/

LarryDFW

 

Last edited: Apr 1, 2012

• Apr 1, 2012

• #4

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cilegray

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It's all about the end user. Given, the flashlight that blew up was a multi-cell setup, which gets more dangerous than a single cell...

If you think the cell could end up backwards in the charger, overnight.... find another gift

 

• Apr 1, 2012

• #5

bobo99

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This:
TrustFire Protected 18650 Lithium Battery (2500mAh 2-Pack Blue) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

and

something like this:
OEM 2*18650 Lithium Battery Charger (110V~240V AC) - Free Shipping - DealExtreme

But yea, high chance of it ending up backwards...lol

 

• Apr 1, 2012

• #6

LarryDFW

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bobo99;

I am not a fan of Trustfire cells, due to many heating issues I have experienced.

DX has a "rechargeable port 18650 light" for under $20.

LarryDFW

 

Last edited: Apr 1, 2012

• Apr 2, 2012

• #7

Hiemal

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Yeah, after the experiences I've had with Ultrafires and trustfires and "fire" batteries, I wouldn't buy them anymore...


Most of if not all "fire" brand batteries are either knock offs, old repackaged batteries, or outright fakes with lower capacity batteries held within...

Try to stick with name brand batteries like Sanyo, Panasonic, LG, Samsung, etc. They'll always be on spec in regards to rated capacity. Fire batteries lie out the butt with their ratings...

 

• Apr 2, 2012

• #8

BShanahan14rulz

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solarforce makes an L2 that takes lower voltage drop-ins and runs offa 2xAA.

I'd recommend getting one of the cheaper 1xAA lights you see on DX and KD type places. Easier to carry, easier to find batteries for. Light output isn't as impressive, but it will still be pretty useful.