18650 noob.

Hey, fellow flashlight-enthusiast-type persons!

I’m new to the 18650, so new that I don’t have any yet. Can you guys/gals learn me some education?

What are the differences between batts with different mahs, is it just capacity or are there differences with self discarge like with nimh rechargeables? Or do they self discharge at all?

What should I be looking for in a battery for a p60 type light or maybe a Convoy M1?

Finally (for now…) can anyone direct me towards a good cell/charger at budget price (under $20 or abouts)?

Any guidance would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks.

The question you have asked is complex regarding batteries, it’s not just capacity in the lithium range but chemistry as well, I suggest a bit of reading
Here

And welcome to BLF!

If you want to learn about batteries the Wiki is great.

If you're looking to buy batteries, and a charger, there are basically three things you need. A good charger, good batteries, and multimeter.

I suggest going with protected batteries to start, the Keep power 18650 3400mAh, are very close to being the best: https://budgetlightforum.com/t/-/18737

For a charger, there are many options, decide if you are ok with charging 2 batteries at once, or want to charge four or more. Personally I use Soshine, and Nitecore i2/i4 chargers.

Use the multimeter to make sure your batteries are not discharging below ~3.0v, and also that they are not being overcharged by the charger to past 4.2v. If you are using more than one battery in a light make sure they are of the same voltage, and if you notice too much a difference after use (more than .2v) stop using them together, get another set. (You can still use the batteries in lights that take only one 18650 battery at a time.)

STAY AWAY FROM CHEAP CHARGERS AND XXXXFIRE CHEAP BATTERIES. This is what leads to all the stories of explosions, and accidents.

Hi EDC. Welcome to our lovely BLF forum.
:bigsmile:

Hey, thanks for all the welcome and links to info. Wow, I had no idea how complicated (and dangerous) 18650 batteries or other lithium rechargeables could be. Since I’m on a tight budget and apparently good batts/chargers cost more money (I should know this being a AA and AAA light fan but got fooled by how cheap some of the awesome lights are) I’m gonna take this a bit slower. Not stop, I’m still interested in the possibilities, but slower so I can save up and get good quality equipment.

I’m such a dope sometimes; at my age (37) I should know that anything new worth getting into requires baby steps.

I’ll still have questions for you all. Thanks.

Robby.

(Damn, that Convoy M1 seems cool!)

Convoy lights generally don't like protected batteries. They're too long.

Does that not apply to fully charged too? (also total noob - no cells, charger or flashlight yet).

So far I have 4 cells on order. I guess there is no way to see if my 4 cells are within 0.2V difference before I get a flashlight? With the troubles getting cells from HK etc the last thing I’d want is to buy a 4 cell flashlight, and then find out one of my cells was 0.2V out and I should have gone for one 3x18650 and one 1x18650 flashlight instead. (There are chargers that will accommodate charging three and single cells?)

Hope my questions are also useful for the OP.

Not as much because after they come off the charger they should all read around 4.2v. With time though some batteries don't hold up as well as other.

I guess you can discharge the batteries in something else, other than a light. For the most part you should be fine simply using good batteries and a good charger, that doesn't overcharge.

There are many chargers that accommodate more than 2 batteries. Soshine, Xtar, Nitecore, etc,. If you have the funds for it the VP1 would be an ideal choice since it will show you the voltage right on the charger. Of course multimeters are pretty cheap too, so my suggestion would be to go for a nitecore i4 charger, and a multimeter (if you don't already have one).

Thanks. I already have a multimeter to keep an eye on things. What I meant with the charger was how ‘doable’ it would be for me to charge a set of three cells together for one torch and a single cell for another and still have available the capacity to charge all 4 together (or two at a time maybe?). Would I be better getting a single cell charger and charging each individually? For example the V1P http://www.fasttech.com/products/1450109 (but too expensive for me) does not state anything about being able to charge a single cell. It does say “Two independent charging channels” but I think I’d be assuming to say it can charge a single cell at a time. Looks like it could but not certain. Remember…Noob! :slight_smile:

Robbie, Welcome :slight_smile:

As Leaftye said, Convoy lights don’t like protected cells but my Convoy M1 is my second favorite light. It spills, it throws, you can use it as a handwarmer in the cold. If you have a soldering iron and decent skills I’d actually suggest that you get a M1 host and then pick your driver and emitter.

Or you can buy one pre-assembled. The site I linked to, Fasttech, have a myriad of Convoy lights. If you don’t like waiting, Illumination Supply carry the full Convoy line, but beware, so far I have two drivers from them (one bought separately and one in a Roche I bought from them) and both are less than stellar quality.

Sure, of course you can charge a multiple batteries together, or a single one at a time. That's the whole point of having an independent channel - that every battery gets charged separately.

The only downside is many charges lower the charging current when more than one battery is being charged.

I think this would be a good option for you: http://hkequipment.net/?sp=&p=6&cat2=148&cat1=59&cat0=2&id=1619&cat1=59&cat0=2&new=&more=&s=c8e25bc90bc695e031ad93348771a457&lang=en

Thank you. It was just that I have a couple of AA/AAA/C battery chargers and I need to charge in pairs. And I’ve seen some very odd things in my lifetime and I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was independent channels but only in pairs :wink:

The mix charger is not the smartest charger to get, you can see the reason why in my review.

Yikes, I didn't realize the charge was so high in the smaller slots.

Personally I use the max, but for 18650 batteries only.

LOL Oh Nooo! It gets more complicated!

Useful however.

Well, for 18650's it's not so bad, the Max charger would works well enough. The problem is for smaller batteries you really don't want to charge them at a high current - it's hard on the battery and you risk things not going well.