I have actually been a longer member in this forum but needed to take some time off for a bit because of some changes in my life. Things have settled down now and I’d like to get out my lights again. My collection included multiple UltraFire 501B (my go to light); a bunch of MTE SF-15’s; Trustfire TR-801; a TrustFire TR-3T6 among of a bunch others. However, I am afraid of using the rechargeable batteries that have sat around for several years. Most of the batteries are 18650 and 14500. Can someone recommend the most reliable batteries right now and a decent charger?
One of the changes I mentioned included a total loss house fire. My family is fine but I err on the side of caution now after that experience which was devastating. BTW, the fire wasn’t the result of one of my lights - thank goodness. It was due to some bad subcontractors who left rags with stain and polyurethane laying around haphazardly. Please know when the label says combustible…it means it!
Sorry about your house- spontaneous combustion of work rags doesn’t happen often but it only takes once. Stupidity at this level on the jobs I run means you’re off the job right now and you won’t be back ever.
Right now the buzz for 18650’s is the Samsung 30Q and the LG HE4 high drain high capacity cells. You might get some of the former in flat-top from a member in the GB mishap on the cheap. Efest is still highly regarded but one recent test discovered some had much lower than their advertised capacity.
14500’s get less attention, the buzz there is Efest and the sometimes-found Windyfire cells.
New air-shipping regulations have caused some suppliers to end LiIon shipping to various places temporarily- you might want to inquire before ordering from China. And as always most of the “XXX-fire” cells should be avoided.
If the cells you have read 2.5V or more they may still be usable, but best to do the first charge outside just in case. Better still is to discharge test them after that and see how they do. Recycle the fails.
If you have a volt meter check the cells for voltage. If above 3V you can safely recharge them. OTOH, prices for new high capacity and high discharge cells have dropped so it’s not too hard to restock.
I guess the batteries you had were trustfire batts and similiar…today the battery assortment is big and you can buy really cheap brand name batteries which perform very good:) around5$ per cell.
If I am right and your batts were trustfire or similiar than disposing them is the way to go. If you had some panasonics or so you can simply measure the voltage with a DMM to check if they are dead(simply rule of thumb is above 3V is fine below 2.5V is not fine)
Do you need batteries with or without protection?
Which charger do you have?
In which country do you live?
To the today flashlights I can simply say you will be amazed what is possible, today a good stock and unmodded light which is just a plain tube with one 18650 puts out more light than your 3T6 did… And all that for below 30$…
First of all, please edit your profile so that we know where you’re from. Geographic location (particularly which country) affects the availability of products.
If you need a refresher, please read the following:
(The starting point in being safe is knowledge. The next step is buying and using good quality products, which is where you are now.)
About how many batteries are you looking for? Do you prefer protected or unprotected cells?
Regarding the charger, how many batteries do you need to recharge at any one time? Do you need (or want) to charge both li-ion and NiMH batteries?
Can you wait 4-6 weeks for overseas shipment or are you in a rush?
What is your budget?
Please note any other items affecting your battery and charger needs. For example, do you plan on purchasing any new flashlights? If so, what you purchase would affect your battery needs.
About how many batteries are you looking for? Do you prefer protected or unprotected cells?
Regarding the charger, how many batteries do you need to recharge at any one time? Do you need (or want) to charge both li-ion and NiMH batteries?
Can you wait 4-6 weeks for overseas shipment or are you in a rush?
What is your budget?
Please note any other items affecting your battery and charger needs. For example, do you plan on purchasing any new flashlights? If so, what you purchase would affect your battery needs.
If you’ve been out of the loop for awhile, check out the BLF A6/Astrolux S1 and the BLF M24 by MaxToch. Those lights will WOW you for the little money they cost. As will the powerful XPL Hi and high-CRI Nichia emitters
Flashaholism still lives and grows here and it just keeps getting better and better.
If you like AA/14500 sized lights, you have to check out the Thorfire TG06 . PM member M4D M4X for a discount to bring the price down under $12. A very nice light that takes alkaline or LiIon.
For a AAA light, try the AstroLux A01 a good little keychain light with a High CRI Nichia 219B for less than $10 with the code ReManGA01
Glad to see you made it through such a disaster, and that you are getting back to a normal by picking your old hobby back up….
Thanks Sawmaster and ReManG. Those look like great lights and I needed a keychain type light. Awesome how the lights have improved in the past few years. Exciting to get back into it.
I would 2nd ReManG on the AA/14500. The TG06 is very nice EDC, if your looking for something to light your way. It’s a Chinese clone of a few other more expensive lights, but with very good machining, good anodizing, and a perfect driver, in my opinion. A little bigger than a key chain light, but it will definitely fit in any pocket, without being obtrusive. $12 expedited delivery from Banggood, with Freeme’s discount. I have ordered 2 in the last 2 month’s (1 came yesterday), and both have been delivered in 11 day’s from China to Michigan (thanks Banggood). Nice tint, and good power on a 14500. The only light I have that, I don’t feel the urge (well :question: ) to mess with.
Anyways, that’s my pitch. Good to see you getting back into it.
Edit: Oops, It was M4D M4X discount code, not Freeme.
That seems to be a nice flashlight kit to get started again.
For cells I’ll choose a few of these 30Q Note: in the BLF A6 product description it says to use protected cells. These don’t appear to be protected. Is there a reason why protected is specified and recommended over these? Also will these batteries be ok with my previous lights like 501B and TrustFire TR-3T6?
A good protected cell alternative appears to be NCR 18650
Any recommendation of one over the other between the 30Q and NCR?
For battery charger, I will choose this one because I like the idea of charging multiple batteries at a time: XTAR VC2
I think the BLF A6 with a FET driver will shut down most protection, so the 30Q batteries are best. Pretty sure it is a bit of legal writing, mine run fine un protected.
Instead of the BLF A6 why not the Astrolux S1 ? It is the BLF A6 with both long and short tubes….
The list looks great! Maybe a Thorfire S70 for a “big” light? With code from M4D M4X, around $50
An alternate to the very good Xtar charger is this analyzing one HERE
Protected batteries Are safer because the user don’t needs to be so careful with them. They can’t be over charged or discharged to much. Especially the under voltage protection is necessary because that ages batteries fast and in the worst case can destroy them permanently (with getting hot and bursting or so…)
The BLF A6 needs the 30q to get best performance, because it needs a lot of current which a protection can’t handle(high current lets the protection think it’s a shorted and switches off) The light has a under voltage protection build in so ist Safe to use and recommended.
Some lights like the 3T6 are not recommended for unprotected Cells as Long as you(the User) is not very careful. Thats because it has no undervoltage protection(hard to do -anyway because it can work with 2 and 3 cells) and Can work in a wide spectrum of voltage. So the light maintains the brightness and the user could forget how long the batteries are in and with that underdischarges them. Also these lights don’t need so much current so the protection is no problem. A lot of guys here don’t use protected cells because they know what they do, but for beginners protected is in general a safer option.
I for myself have both protected and unprotected cells and use them like I explained above to get low voltage protection in every light…better safe than sorry.
Thank you Werner. That response was very helpful and helps me understand it better.
Thanks ReMan…I like those alternatives! New lights are on the way!!!
There was a time when I was getting light shipments in every week (or more). My wife never did understand the fascination and sometimes gave me the evil eye. I had to get creative in hiding the shipments. I think we’d both be happy to get back to that point.
