Quality #18650 Batteries & Charger

[LarryDFW]

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

 

[LazyBeam]

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?

 

[Brenner]

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 am working on a 4.35 VDC charger . . .
since Sanyo, Samsung and LG have changed to 4.35 VDC for their most powerful cells.

LarryDFW

What do you mean by "changed" ?

When did they changed to 4.35V ?

 

[Stix62]

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

 

[LarryDFW]

Stix62;

What type was it . . .

and what happened ?

LarryDFW

 

[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

 

[Stix62]

Stix62;

What type was it . . .

and what happened ?

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?

 

[LarryDFW]

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

 

[LarryDFW]

What do you mean by "changed" ?

When did they changed to 4.35V ?

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

 

[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)

 

[LarryDFW]

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

Thanks;

LarryDFW

 

[The Grand Pooh Bah]

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.

 

[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

 

[The Grand Pooh Bah]

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.

 

[LarryDFW]

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

 

[The Grand Pooh Bah]

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?