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Question about batteries

xirrious

xirrious

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Dec 25, 2013
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I am totally new to these forums and also to the laser hobbiest community. I recently purchased a 1.6w blue laser that uses 2x16340 batteries. The ones that came with it are rated at 1400mAh each, which needless to say is total BS. They last for around 15-20 minutes of actual run time with a full charge.

My question is this: I am looking into buying some AW brand 16340's that are rated much lower (either 550 or 750mAh depending on the type).. So I want to know should I buy IMR batteries which have intrinsictly safe chemistry as far as I understand and are rated at 550mAh, or buy the ICR type which has a different chemical component and a PCB for protection against different type of charge malfunctions. The ICR's are rated at 750mAh I believe, so I'd assume I'd get better life and more power out of those.. I just don't have a clue whether to go with IMR or ICR Lithium Ions and would appreciate anyones educated opinion on the matter greatly, because the chinese crap they sent with my laser just is NOT cutting it:yabbmad:

*edit* sorry for posting info that most of you already know and is totally obvious, as I said I'm totally new and just looking for a bit of help here, thanks !
 
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I am aware of lighthound, I was also concerned that the ICR's are actually slightly larger regardless of the name being the dimensions, does the PCB make an ICR battery larger? Sorry for such newb ass questions I feel like an idiot for coming here without knowin a damn thing about what im talkin about
 
Yes the protected cells are slightly longer, but still fit into most lasers that have a spring on the tailcap or on the inside.

And about asking questions: Don't sweat it, happy to help.

-Sal
 
Ok thanks that settles it for me then, may aswell go with the ICR's for the pcb and extra juice they're rated for. AW as far as i've read is known for quality and rating their products truly. Unless you have a better suggestion for brand that is, I don't like the ultrafires they're rated at 1200mah and still dont last. Of course maybe 20 minutes of real run time is all I can expect when drawing that voltage at 1.6w im not really sure. I got alot to learn!
 
Heres a pic of a non protected and a protected Am 18650 for example:
18650's.JPG

The difference in length is minimal. AW all the way baby. (The ultrafire came with a Chinese laser :P)

-Sal
 
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oh ya it was chinese. I have no probs with the laser I actually like it the build quality is pretty sturdy and nice and as far as my newb eyes can tell the diode is of quality. It has a weird type of effect when focusing it that I cant explain ill show pics of soon but other then that its great. just need batteries.

Im actually ordering another one just for the host cuz its all heavy duty and no safety keys n such which I'm not interested in as I don't have kids or anyone else who may misuse it.. Just need my green red and violets in a lower power so I can use em more for toys in a certain sense, cuz the one I have now is dangerous if used irresponsibly..

and that difference in size wont matter my cap is spring loaded it'll easily fit those NP at all.. I hope the AW's do me better then the ultrafires!

*edit* appreciate the help too BTW i'm really really getting into this new hobby i've found its great to have such a wealth of info and friendly people like yourself to help me out.. It's alot like Bluelight for pharmaceuticals and such but for Lasers!
 
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Some of the best lasers come from china (CNI) but it all depends on where in china. A lot of them are really good.

Your laser probably has some splash (Artifacts that project on the wall around the dot) its fairly common but nothing to worry about. Good to hear you have safety in mind, and yes lower power is great for indoors!
 
yes splash is what it is, sounds correct. It's sorta like a corona around the sun type looking effect if that makes any sense to you, only when I focus it on certain points though. of course I can focus the beam 2 inches from the apature(sp) and have a big rectangle on the wall as well so I'm assuming its all in the lense or maybe just the diode itself, either way its not much of an issue for me. once again thanks for all the replies and the help as I am like I said a total newb. I know alot of the physics behind how light operates and a bit about stimulated emmission but nothing really when it comes down to the practicalities of lasers ya kno
 
Its most likely the lens, and np man again, happy to help! Let me or any other veteran member on here know if you know if you have any other questions!~

-Sal
 
I'd only recommend IMR cells for high power DPSS lasers like a 800mW PL-E pro from jetlasers. In general they have lower capacity but can discharge at higher rates, useful for lasers that use only a single cell yet are current hungry, drawing 3A or more. Most of my batteries are from AW, they're solid. my 750mAh 16340s outperform the one pair of "1200mAh" 18350s ultrafires I have every time

Some lasers that call for 16340 can fit 18350, and in fact in my Rifle, the 18350s fit better. if you have some wiggle room, consider the 700mAh IMR 18350. they might fit better, have nearly as much capacity, and could be used in a high drain laser too if you ever plan to get one. if you dont plan to, stick with the ICRs
 
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I don't know what type of diode I have. Are all blue high powered DPSS? I'm assuming my laser is high draw as it.s 1600mw. I'm gonna go with the IMR and ICR 16340's and test which lasts longer I suppose. I can't find IMR's over 550mah so I'm thinking the ICR's will last longer as they're rated 750mah. I dont think the 18350's will fit but I could try that too.. The laser I got it the 2w blue one from lucklaser.. Not bad quality just bad batteries included with it..
*edit* Thanks tho that was the exact type of answer I was looking for!
 
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What is the current draw for this laser? This should have been the first question.

For anything besides name brand 18650, AW has been the go-to, this is true, but if your laser is trying to pull 3A from 16340s, you're not gonna have a good time.

ICR rule of thumb for larger cells is 2C const. discharge. For your typical ICR 16340, that would be ~1.2A max. const. discharge. I am of the train of thought that "larger cells" is 18650 and up, but a rule of thumb isn't a very concrete rule anyways. Just like how our laser diodes can be pushed farther than the datasheet (with the risk of killing diode), you can pull more current than recommended from a cell (with risk of killing a cell, a bit more spectacular than LEDing a laser diode), provided you using quality cells.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while IMRs generally have lower capacity than ICR, they benefit at high draws because their voltage doesn't sag as much when you crank up the amps.

If you got AW protected ICR16340, then at least you know you receive what you bought. AW does good job matching protection circuits to cells. If your laser cuts out, then you are pushing the limits of the cell too much. I would still suggest testing what your tailcap current is with a multimeter. This involves putting your meter into 10A ammeter mode, and replacing the tailcap with the meter.
i.e.: tailcap switch connects the back of the battery to the back of the laser body to complete the circuit. You remove tailcap and use your multimeter to do this instead. Put one lead on the back of the battery and the other lead onto bare metal on the threads or back edge of the laser host.
 
Thanks, I have NO idea what amperage it draws but it operates around 3.7V, i'll test it shortly I dont have a multimeter available until I get back to my other locale (in between places right now)
 
Xirrious;

At 1.6 watts it should be drawing ~ 1.2 amps (depending on diode).

A "name brand" ICR #16340 cell should deliver this current,

so that is the cell I would use for best running time.

Ultimately, going to a single #18650 cell from a good manufacturer,

and an efficient boost circuit,

will give you double the operating times.

(3400 mah for a 18650 vs. 750 mah for a good #16340)

LarryDFW
 
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Sorry to bump an old thread but I got The battery In the picture above of the 18650 in a 3400mah version and it doesn't work even in my laser that was designed for that size let alone others. Wasted 21 dollars think not having a button on top is why for some reason

Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk
 
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