I recently bought a cheap “Ultrafire 1600 Lumen 5 mode CREE XM-L T6 LED Flashlight + Battery + Charger” off of ebay. I wasn’t expecting much for $23, maybe 400-500 actual output. Using my nitecore 2300mAh 18650 cells it throws a bit less than my MH40 Thor.
Anyway, it came with 2x UltraFire 2400mAh 3.7v 18650 (Protected). One was DOA at .7v and wouldn’t charge. The other worked fine and charged to roughly 4.15v. I received a replacement battery (same 2400mAh 3.7v 18650 (Protected)) from the seller. It came already at 4.15v. I threw it in the light and it worked great. I used it on max output for about 90 minutes and it gradually dimmed down so I decided to check the batteries. The good one was down to about 3.8v and the replacement was at about .5v.
I’m a novice as far as rechargeable Li-Ion batteries go; I’m not really sure what this means. The only thing I can think of is that the replacement battery is junk? I’ve got 2x Panasonic 3400mAh 3.7v 18650 on the way, with an i2 charger. Should I even bother trying to get another replacement battery from the seller?
Please don’t use those cell’s in series….you are heading into dangerous territory!If one cell went down to .5volts then the protection circuit isn’t working.You are setting yourself up for a reverse charge vent with flames, very dangerous!I would toss the .5 cell…don’t try and charge it, then wait for your Panasonic cells to arrive.There is a lot of good information about (safe) LiIon use here, please start reading and stay safe!
Heh, wow. So attempting to get another replacement would basically be a crapshoot as to whether or not I get a good one and a waste of time for both parties. :\
Oh well, guess I shall be patient and wait for the (hopefully)good ones to arrive.
I would toss the "better" one as well if it is the same brand as the crappy one. It sounds like the "protection" circuit is probably fake and continuing to use it may prove dangerous in the future.
If you do decide to keep it (for whatever reason) DO NOT USE IT IN SERIES WITH ANOTHER CELL.
Ultrafires are the too good to be true deal for their claims and price. I have bought several before I came here, and thrown out several duds too. I won’t ever order any again and the ones I do have I use in my c8 single cell lights and figure before to long they will be in the dump. J)
You do understand the fake/faulty protection circuits will also add to the risk of fireworks if you are using a cheap charger that may fail to terminate correctly? ie. A charger that has the name ****fire? It's not just the risk during discharge that we are thinking of.
I'm sure by now you are beginning to understand that this is not like your old NiMH chemistry. Despite the name being the same (Li-Ion) I hope you are also starting to understand that unprotected cells like these ar far more dangerous than the ones used in your mobile phone or laptop battery - which have fail-safes built-in to both the battery and the charging circuit.
Sorry to keep labouring the point, but hanging onto a cheap cell/charger combo is not worth the risk of burning down your house is it?
Alright, Alright. All the Ultrafire batteries have officially been bin’d, and the cheap charger will be promptly filled with bullet holes in a few days when I get around to it. At least I will get some satisfaction out of this whole ordeal.
Good news!LiIon can be very safe to use if done properly with decent quality cells and chargers.This is one area of “budget lights” that you really don’t want to go cheap….just not worth the risk.Sorry if it seemed like everyone here reacted a bit harshly, but we would like to keep you around!-Rick
If your serious about using it as a target, take us a video! :party:
It would be fun to watch & whenever someones asks about an extremely cheap charger we can link your video to show them its proper use!
