1)- Do I need a flat top or button top 18650 battery for my BLF A6.
2)- How long will a charged 18650 battery hold its charge if it is not used?
3)- I see some 18650 flashlights are able to use a AAA battery adapter tube
as an alternative in an emergency …… is this an option with the A6
1. The BLF A6 will eat any battery you can feed it
2. Li-ion batteries will last a very long time sitting idle with no parasitic drain. The BLF A6 does not have parasitic drain because it is equipped with a clicky switch. I cannot answer further because I use my lights regularly at work but on "other" lights I have gone back months later and still have battery available.
3. The BLF A6 is a Li-ion only light. The lights you refer to are lights with larger tubes to accommodate 3-AAA. Many of us that are accustomed to the Li-ion batteries just have many spares because it is often more practical for us.
Thanx Bugsy, Just what I needed! For some reason I thought I read somewhere there was a difference in length that might cause issue on fit. Oh, and btw, I thought you were kiddin about this becoming an addiction…… Im already thinking about getting a S1 to go with my A6 and Im continuing to learn thanks to all the info provided by members here that are more than willing to share their knowledge.
Great Forum with Great members
I’m kind of new to the LiIon game, but I am understanding that you shouldn’t store them with more than a 40% charge as that reduces the charge cycles (lifetime) of the cell. Just how much and when it begins to happen I have no clue. My 3 ‘ready to use’ 18650 lights start with a full charge. When my most-used light needs a charge I rotate the cells from light to light so that none sit more than a few weeks without use. I figure that’s good enough.
It also gives you a reason to buy more lights- see how us Flashaholics think? :bigsmile:
Phil
That makes good sense for the batteries in your flashlights but I like to have extra batteries. So when I purchase ‘extra’ batteries, should I charge them as soon as I get them or just wait until I think I will need them to juice em up? Maybe I am wanting more batteries than I need……. I just like to be prepared….I dunno?
My plan for ‘being prepared’ under normal circumstances is to fully charge before my intended use. If I need to, I have a 2.4A USB adapter in the vehicle to power the charger with so I can have cells charging anytime. My stored cells are around the 40% level (I’m not picky) and also rotated in use; matched pairs for series configurations stay together and are never used separately so that they stay matched.
I’m sure that others with more experience than me will chime in soon -watch for their answers.
Phil
Good info……. Thanks Phil
Im looking at 2 different usb 2slot chargers. They are both similarly priced.
XTAR VC2 or Nitecore UM20
Any feedback from anyone with preferences is appreciated.
I’ve got some cheapie 14500 (I would think that they are the exact same chemistry as 18650) that sat for probably well over a year, and were still over 4 V.
And the better quality ones don’t self discharge as fast, when I’ve tested over shorter periods