Hi guys, I am having difficulty finding a button top Li-ion 3.7v 600ma battery. Its called a 14430 apparently. Could anyone recommend a place to buy a couple?
I have not opened the flashlight head up, as it appears to be a cast aluminium solid body.
Mine is the older model: UniLite HV-FL7R Rechargeable LED Torch (350 lumen Hi/med/lo/strobe)
Would a 14500 battery work? The new model uses a 14500, but not sure if the chemical make-up of both these batteries are the same. I am in the UK, so not sure of limits posting these internationally.
Ahem, sorry about the dirty lens, its my workhorse light
Yes, 14500 would work fine, if you can get it to fit inside. If you don’t find any 14430 Li-Ion, you could use LiFePO4 instead. That size cell is used a lot in solar pathway/garden lights, so can be found at places like Lowe’s and The Home Depot. They have a lower voltage, but should work okay. They just won’t give you as much run time.
EDIT: My links are to stores in the U.S.A. If you don’t have these stores available, try your own local “Home Improvement” stores.
Yeah, I missed the part about it being charged in the light. My bad.
…however…
…it is well known that the LiFePO4 can survive being overcharged to Li-Ion voltage. And I’ve done that myself with some LiFePO4 cells that I have, before I got a charger that can terminate at LiFePO4 voltage. Several times, I’ve used my Nitecore D4 and let it charge the LiFePO4 cells until it terminated, and have never had any problems. The life of the cells may be reduced, but they don’t become dangerous in the process. I do properly charge them now that I have a charger that can do so.
The 14430 cells are very expensive here in the UK, around £13 or $16
I wasn’t sure if the 14500 cells are all LiFePO4? or its possible to get Li-Ion versions?
If you value your cells as well as your flashlight, don’t use LiFePO4 in that flashlight.
If, however, the cells are just a means to the end of making the flashlight do it’s… uh… “flashing of the light”, LiFePO4 cells can be used if no other options become available. Just don’t expect them to live for as long as they are rated for.
Another option is to use the LiFePO4 cells, but don’t charge them inside the light. Use a dedicated charger that will terminate at the correct voltage.
The package labeling will tell you. It should say “Li-Ion” or “Lithium Ion”, or at least be marked “3.7V” or “3.6V” if it is Lithium ion.
Alternatively, it will be marked “LiFePO4” or “Lithium Iron Phosphate” or sometimes just “Lithium Iron” or marked “3.2V” or sometimes “3.0V” if it is Lithium Iron Phosphate.
It may take a while to arrive, but it'll reach home. Ordered batteries this way many times in the past (shipped by China Post Registered Airmail LoL). This other seller ships to me via PostNL which is faster, but I see it is not available for the United Kingdom.
Likely the same cells in case you are wondering. Buying this way you are ditching the middlemen.
