Protected 16340s for M6 MB20

[vicv]

If someone does give these a try and they fit the MB20, that'd be a real thrill. Currently I'm using IMR 550 mAh cells in mine and roughly doubling the capacity would be a huge step up. vicv and I were actually talking about this earlier when we got a little off-topic on a different thread.

LOL. Ya it happens. That's why I started a new one. I doubt these will fit though.

 

[ebuchner]

I'm looking at the datasheet for Duracell CR123A cells (the original cell SF started with) and the NL169 might just fall within spec?

https://www.duracell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CR123_US.pdf

That said, Nitecore doesn't specify what points those dimensions are actually taken from

 

[vicv]

I'm looking at the datasheet for Duracell CR123A cells (the original cell SF started with) and the NL169 might just fall within spec?

https://www.duracell.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/CR123_US.pdf

That said, Nitecore doesn't specify what points those dimensions are actually taken from

Ya. I've noticed that high capacity 16340 cells generally get their extra capacity by fudging the size

 

[aznsx]

Ya. I've noticed that high capacity 16340 cells generally get their extra capacity by fudging the size

My official, Southern Redneck, Xtar VP2 overall terminal-to-terminal cell length comparator caliper.

 

[Lips]

I think the Nitecores will fit at 3.41mm.

Plenty of those battery holders around, folks don't remember they have them. I think that's the WA1111 bulb in mine.

 

[vicv]

I think the Nitecores will fit at 3.41mm.

Plenty of those battery holders around, folks don't remember they have them. I think that's the WA1111 bulb in mine.

View attachment 59882


View attachment 59885

Your M6 looks great. I like that style more than mine. I see you have the exact cells I was asking about as well. How have they performed?

 

[LuxLuthor]

I think the Nitecores will fit at 3.41mm.

Plenty of those battery holders around, folks don't remember they have them. I think that's the WA1111 bulb in mine.

View attachment 59882


View attachment 59885

Just saying hello from Mississippi!

 

[ebuchner]

Okay, I'm volunteering as the official guinea pig and ordered a single Nitecore NL169. I'll stick it in my MB20 on Monday when it gets here and share my experience.

 

[vicv]

Okay, I'm volunteering as the official guinea pig and ordered a single Nitecore NL169. I'll stick it in my MB20 on Monday when it gets here and share my experience.

That's awesome. I love how you guys can just order a single cell like it's no problem

 

[aznsx]

Okay, I'm volunteering as the official guinea pig and ordered a single Nitecore NL169. I'll stick it in my MB20 on Monday when it gets here and share my experience.

I can cut the suspense somewhat.

They'll fit in practically anything a 123 will fit in, including my official 'go/no-go' gauge (ET D25C).

Electrically, they'll work like this in an MC3000:

Discharge current: 1A
Discharge cutoff voltage setting: 2.8V

Those results were:
Cell #1 - 905 mAh - 0.153Ω
Cell #2 - 913 mAh - 0.158Ω
Cell #3 - 911 mAh - 0.161Ω
Cell #4 - 897 mAh - 0.165Ω

I re-ran the test on the same 4 cells, but this time I used a discharge current / rate of 0.5 A (rather than 1.0A used in all the previous tests) with these results:
Cell #1 - 925 mAh
Cell #2 - 938 mAh
Cell #3 - 940 mAh
Cell #4 - 924 mAh

 

[vicv]

I can cut the suspense somewhat.

They'll fit in practically anything a 123 will fit in, including my official 'go/no-go' gauge (ET D25C).

Electrically, they'll work like this in an MC3000:

Discharge current: 1A
Discharge cutoff voltage setting: 2.8V

Those results were:
Cell #1 - 905 mAh - 0.153Ω
Cell #2 - 913 mAh - 0.158Ω
Cell #3 - 911 mAh - 0.161Ω
Cell #4 - 897 mAh - 0.165Ω

I re-ran the test on the same 4 cells, but this time I used a discharge current / rate of 0.5 A (rather than 1.0A used in all the previous tests) with these results:
Cell #1 - 925 mAh
Cell #2 - 938 mAh
Cell #3 - 940 mAh
Cell #4 - 924 mAh

Those are incredible numbers for a 16340

 

[aznsx]

Those are incredible numbers for a 16340

I'd never steer ya wrong, Vic;-)

I have at least 10 of these. Just jump into your wetsuit and I'll meet ya on Belle Isle and give you a handful to try.

Heck, it worked with whiskey, it'll work with batteries!

 

[vicv]

I'd never steer ya wrong, Vic;-)

I have at least 10 of these. Just jump into your wetsuit and I'll meet ya on Belle Isle and give you a handful to try.

Heck, it worked with whiskey, it'll work with batteries!

Lol. That's a good idea! I just looked again. Are those OK internal resistance numbers for that size cell? I am more used to 18650s and above so that seems really high.

 

[aznsx]

Are those OK internal resistance numbers for that size cell?

Yes - very good. 150 is a good 'par' / ballpark DCIR number to see for a new, quality 16340 of this type, as measured by an MC3000. That's the number that makes me smile when I'm testing cells like these. Note that these shoot a pretty tight group as well, which is always a favorable indication with a batch of new cells.

I specified the MC3000, because I'm still re-calibrating my brain a bit, having switched from Opus 3100 to MC3000 less than a year ago, after having used the former for >5. If I measured these with an Opus (which I didn't), they'd likely read closer to 250 than 150. Just for a data point, I tested the NL166 (which has now been replaced by the NL169 and was rated @650mAh [but @4A]]) last year using both testers (also @1A discharge to 2.8V):

*******************************************************************
The resulting capacity / internal resistance indicated by the MC3000 was:
Cell #6 - 671 mAh - 0.153 Ω
Cell #7 - 677 mAh - 0.163 Ω
Cell #8 - 677 mAh - 0.137 Ω
Cell #9 - 666 mAh - 0.153 Ω

I then ran the same test on the Opus, with the following results:
Cell #6 - 718 mAh - 0.257 Ω
Cell #7 - 709 mAh - 0.249 Ω
Cell #8 - 741 mAh - 0.226 Ω
Cell #9 - 725 mAh - 0.248 Ω
****************************************************************

You'll note that the IR numbers for the NL166 were essentially the same as the NL169 numbers in previous post, and also that the Opus measured the same cells ~100 milliOhms higher than the MC3000 did. Interestingly, when HKJ tested the NL166, he listed "0.22". He typically reported 0.22-0.25 IRs for most of the 16340 (of this type) tests of his that I've referenced. He of course uses a very different test setup (and it's likely a 'proper' one, I would add). You'll probably also note that the Opus reported significantly higher capacity numbers, and also that the MC3000 capacity numbers slightly exceeded the cells' rating.

OK, that's too many numbers for a sparky guy; and no, I'm not some 'battery afficionado' type by any means - I just use a lot of 16340s, so I see a lot of those numbers.

 

[Lips]

Just saying hello from Mississippi!

How's it going Doc!
How longs has it been since you built a battery pack!

Your M6 looks great. I like that style more than mine. I see you have the exact cells I was asking about as well. How have they performed?

Those Nitecores are kinda expensive. The Vapcell T8 fits but dent the back of the cell slightly...

The Soshine's were probably fine back in the day. They charge up but won't even run my Zebralight SC31 for 30 seconds, which I bought them for.


Searched my email and this is when I bought them from FastTech.com

10/30/2013, 4:31 PM

Soshine Protected RCR123 / 16340 3.7V 700mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Item# 1157000​

$4.79 USD​

2​

$9.58 USD​

 

[vicv]

How's it going Doc!
How longs has it been since you built a battery pack!

View attachment 59955
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Those Nitecores are kinda expensive. The Vapcell T8 fits but dent the back of the cell slightly...
View attachment 59957

The Soshine's were probably fine back in the day. They charge up but won't even run my Zebralight SC31 for 30 seconds, which I bought them for.


Searched my email and this is when I bought them from FastTech.com

10/30/2013, 4:31 PM

Soshine Protected RCR123 / 16340 3.7V 700mAh Rechargeable Li-ion Battery Item# 1157000​

$4.79 USD​

2​

$9.58 USD​

And those T8s are $10 Canadian a piece unfortunately. Not sure why they're so expensive on their AliExpress page

 

[Lips]

They may have decent shipping?

16340 Vapcell INR16340 T8 850mAh 3A High Discharge Button Top

16340 Vapcell INR16340 T8 850mAh 3A High Discharge Button Top

illumn.com

 

[vicv]

They may have decent shipping?

16340 Vapcell INR16340 T8 850mAh 3A High Discharge Button Top

16340 Vapcell INR16340 T8 850mAh 3A High Discharge Button Top

illumn.com

Thanks. They're over $50 for shipping

 

[Lips]

Thanks. They're over $50 for shipping

Unreal!

 

[aznsx]

Say I wanted to pick up an HO-M6R and run it with the stock battery carrier. From what I understand in the past, it has been difficult to find protected cells that fit. Does anyone know of any good modern cell that can?

Just highlighting a word for clarity.

Is the issue with purchasing cells like (for example) the Nitecore(s) from a Canadian Nitecore distributor a matter of product pricing or shipping cost? I'm confused, but curious.