Any problems with NiteCore 18650's?

[jweb]

I have 4 of these: "NiteCore 2300mAH NL183 High Discharge Performance w/ Integrated battery overcharge/discharge protection circuits". I usually use them in a flashlight which uses a Cree XML-T6 and they tend to perform extremely well.

I thought I would try one in the 405nm setup I put together from parts from DTR (405nm diode in the module with driver) and an S4 host from Survival Laser. Apparently that was a bad idea...should have stuck with the Panasonic 18650's I've been using. These NiteCore are about 4mm longer than the rest of the 18650's I have.

I put the battery in the host, turned it on and the beam flashed very bright for about 2 seconds then went dark. Didn't even go LED...just dark. Took the battery out of the host, tried my trusty Panasonic 18650 and still nothing. I get voltage on the output of the driver, and if I hook up a high output Cree LED the driver powers it so I assume the driver is ok.

Is is possible that the NiteCore battery with it's "High Discharge Performance" gave it a 'kill surge'?

I just ordered a new 405nm from DTR in the meantime.

 

[Sta]

It's unlikely that Nitecore batteries would cause such damage. Nitecore batteries are just protected versions of rebranded Panasonics, I believe.

405nm diodes are finicky, and I've had two of mine die for no reason at all. So this situation is unfortunately pretty common.

 

[CynicalBrad]

Yeah. 405nm diodes love dying for no reason whatsoever. Have had a few randomly die on me too. Some zombie, others led, while sometimes they just stop emitting.

As for the nitecore batteries, I believe the general opinion is that they are decent for their intended use aka flashlights. The 4mm of extra length is the protection circuit on the base of the battery.

 

[jweb]

Guess it's just my bad luck then lol
I've got 1 working still, and another that I built for a friend that is still working, but this one that I just happened to swap in a NiteCore gave up the ghost out of the blue. Seemed a big coincidence as it was running strong up until that point.

After I get this one fixed up I've got my sights set on a NUBM44 450nm.


btw CynicalBrad - Love the 350z in your avatar. Those have always been a favorite of mine. Not so much a fan of the 370's though.