ubelongoutside
Newly Enlightened
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2019
- Messages
- 7
Hi All,
I've recently inherited a batch of batteries both primary, and rechargeable, chargers, and flashlights to boot.
While researching one of the chargers I came across some of the safety guidelines here. I've been reading a lot here, but thought I'd create a post to make sure my combined knowledge that I've read here and elsewhere is true and most importantly safe.
I have 5 flashlights:
- 1 unbranded 3 LED head light that utilizes 3 18650 cells (came with rechargeable in it)
- 1 Amz Vision 1 LED head light that utilizes 2 18650 cells (came with rechargeable in it)
- 1 unbranded 1 LED, 1 laser weapon light that utilizes 2 17345 cells (came with 2 CR17345 primary Duracell brand exp 3/2024)
- 1 unbranded 1 laser weapon light that utilizes 1 16340 cell (came with 1 RCR123A Eastshine 700 mAh brand)
- 1 Streamlight Scorpion incandescent that utilizes 2 17345 cells (came with 2 CR17345 Duracell brand stamped 212205 with no exp date)
I have the following batteries:
- 2 Duracell CR17345 exp of 3/2024 and voltages of 3.109 & 3.110
- 2 Duracell CR17345 stamped 212205 and voltages of 3.150 & 2.938
- 2 Energizer 123 exp of 3/2023 and voltages of 3.084 & 3.085
- 2 Streamlight CR123A stamped 5104 and voltages of 2.790 & 2.755
- 2 Energizer Lithium Photo 123 exp 3/2019 and voltages of 3.116 & 3.116
- 1 Eastshine RCR123A (16340) 700 mAh 3.7V voltage of 3.915
- 2 Fenix 16340 700 mAh 3.7V voltages of 4.000 & 4.003
- 4 Tenergy RCR123A 3.0V voltages of 3.566, 3.597, 0.000, & 0.000 (see summary below about these)
- 2 UltraFire BRC18650 3000 mAh 3.7V with labels stating they have the re/discharge protection circuit. 1 has a damaged label. voltages of 4.107 & 4.108 (see summary below about charging these)
- 6 ATK 18650 3400 mAh 3.7V labeled as having digital protection circuit. Voltages of 3.946, 4.086, 3.951, 4.083, 4.086, & 3.954. One of these had scotch tape over the - terminal.
- 1 Energizer CRV3 3.0V exp of 3/2020 voltage of 3.637 still new in packaging
I have the following chargers:
1 - unbranded, but looks like it comes from several brands 2 cell 18650 charger. (see summary below)
1 - Tenergy brand charger that is new in package with the 4 Tenergy RCR123A 3.0V cells listed above.
This is a summary about the unbranded 18650 charger:
Before I started reading anything here I was using the Amz Vision light that contained the 2 Ultrafire cells. I was used to this with other Li Ion rechargeable tools I have. So I opened it up to see what batteries it has and found these 18650 cells. I went through the rest of the battery and flashlight stuff and found the unbranded 18650 charger. I put the two cells from the flashlight in the charger and the little light at the bottom lit up green. I plugged it in and it began flashing red and green. I went back to doing what I was doing and checked on the cells in the charger a bit later. The light was still flashing red and green and the batteries were cool to the touch. I expected it would eventually turn to a steady color once charged so I left them and forgot about them overnight. The next morning it was still flashing red and green. I figured the were shot, so I unplugged it, took the batteries out and set them aside until I could research it further. Well when I googled the charger trying to find instructions is when I came across some threads here, and my heart sunk when I read about the cautions on charging these, and the Ultrafire specifically.
This is a summary about the Tenergy charger and 4 cells:
The Tenergy charger is still in its package though it is opened. The two cells that show voltage were in plastic still in the clamshell. The two cells that register as 0.000 VDC were installed in the charger, but the charger looks to have never been used. It still has the twist tie on the cord, and prong protector on the plug.
So if you're still with after this long introduction I thank you and will now get to the crux of the post and my questions.
1. Are UltraFire batteries OK to use? I see they are not particularly favored here, but they seem to have charged up all right this time.
2. What about the damaged one? Can I safely repair it? This is a picture of the damage:
3. What about the ATK 18650 batteries? Are these any good?
4. Is the 18650 charger ok, as long as I don't leave them unattended again? Any thoughts on why it never came to a steady green?
5. What about the Tenergy charger. I'm confused by how it is a 3.0 VDC charger and the battteries are too, but the other 3 rechargeable RCR123A are labeled as 3.7 VDC. Can I charge the other 3 in this charger? Are the 3.0 VDC ones designed to be used in devices (like Streamlights) that say do not use rechargeable 123A batteries?
6. The primary batteries. Are these all OK to use? I've tried them in the incandescent Streamlight, and the unbranded weapon light/laser. Some won't power the incandescent, but will power the LED weapon light/laser. I've read mixed opinions on whether this is safe to do or not. Obviously if I do, I'd keep them paired as they are with the voltages the same, and not use the two Duracell with differing charges together.
7. The Amz Vision light that I was using seems to have a smart circuit as it cut out when the cells got low. Anybody know anything about these other two pictured below?
Thats all I can think of for now, but I'm sure I'll have other questions. Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to help me out with these questions.
I've recently inherited a batch of batteries both primary, and rechargeable, chargers, and flashlights to boot.
While researching one of the chargers I came across some of the safety guidelines here. I've been reading a lot here, but thought I'd create a post to make sure my combined knowledge that I've read here and elsewhere is true and most importantly safe.
I have 5 flashlights:
- 1 unbranded 3 LED head light that utilizes 3 18650 cells (came with rechargeable in it)
- 1 Amz Vision 1 LED head light that utilizes 2 18650 cells (came with rechargeable in it)
- 1 unbranded 1 LED, 1 laser weapon light that utilizes 2 17345 cells (came with 2 CR17345 primary Duracell brand exp 3/2024)
- 1 unbranded 1 laser weapon light that utilizes 1 16340 cell (came with 1 RCR123A Eastshine 700 mAh brand)
- 1 Streamlight Scorpion incandescent that utilizes 2 17345 cells (came with 2 CR17345 Duracell brand stamped 212205 with no exp date)
I have the following batteries:
- 2 Duracell CR17345 exp of 3/2024 and voltages of 3.109 & 3.110
- 2 Duracell CR17345 stamped 212205 and voltages of 3.150 & 2.938
- 2 Energizer 123 exp of 3/2023 and voltages of 3.084 & 3.085
- 2 Streamlight CR123A stamped 5104 and voltages of 2.790 & 2.755
- 2 Energizer Lithium Photo 123 exp 3/2019 and voltages of 3.116 & 3.116
- 1 Eastshine RCR123A (16340) 700 mAh 3.7V voltage of 3.915
- 2 Fenix 16340 700 mAh 3.7V voltages of 4.000 & 4.003
- 4 Tenergy RCR123A 3.0V voltages of 3.566, 3.597, 0.000, & 0.000 (see summary below about these)
- 2 UltraFire BRC18650 3000 mAh 3.7V with labels stating they have the re/discharge protection circuit. 1 has a damaged label. voltages of 4.107 & 4.108 (see summary below about charging these)
- 6 ATK 18650 3400 mAh 3.7V labeled as having digital protection circuit. Voltages of 3.946, 4.086, 3.951, 4.083, 4.086, & 3.954. One of these had scotch tape over the - terminal.
- 1 Energizer CRV3 3.0V exp of 3/2020 voltage of 3.637 still new in packaging
I have the following chargers:
1 - unbranded, but looks like it comes from several brands 2 cell 18650 charger. (see summary below)
1 - Tenergy brand charger that is new in package with the 4 Tenergy RCR123A 3.0V cells listed above.
This is a summary about the unbranded 18650 charger:
Before I started reading anything here I was using the Amz Vision light that contained the 2 Ultrafire cells. I was used to this with other Li Ion rechargeable tools I have. So I opened it up to see what batteries it has and found these 18650 cells. I went through the rest of the battery and flashlight stuff and found the unbranded 18650 charger. I put the two cells from the flashlight in the charger and the little light at the bottom lit up green. I plugged it in and it began flashing red and green. I went back to doing what I was doing and checked on the cells in the charger a bit later. The light was still flashing red and green and the batteries were cool to the touch. I expected it would eventually turn to a steady color once charged so I left them and forgot about them overnight. The next morning it was still flashing red and green. I figured the were shot, so I unplugged it, took the batteries out and set them aside until I could research it further. Well when I googled the charger trying to find instructions is when I came across some threads here, and my heart sunk when I read about the cautions on charging these, and the Ultrafire specifically.
This is a summary about the Tenergy charger and 4 cells:
The Tenergy charger is still in its package though it is opened. The two cells that show voltage were in plastic still in the clamshell. The two cells that register as 0.000 VDC were installed in the charger, but the charger looks to have never been used. It still has the twist tie on the cord, and prong protector on the plug.
So if you're still with after this long introduction I thank you and will now get to the crux of the post and my questions.
1. Are UltraFire batteries OK to use? I see they are not particularly favored here, but they seem to have charged up all right this time.
2. What about the damaged one? Can I safely repair it? This is a picture of the damage:
3. What about the ATK 18650 batteries? Are these any good?
4. Is the 18650 charger ok, as long as I don't leave them unattended again? Any thoughts on why it never came to a steady green?
5. What about the Tenergy charger. I'm confused by how it is a 3.0 VDC charger and the battteries are too, but the other 3 rechargeable RCR123A are labeled as 3.7 VDC. Can I charge the other 3 in this charger? Are the 3.0 VDC ones designed to be used in devices (like Streamlights) that say do not use rechargeable 123A batteries?
6. The primary batteries. Are these all OK to use? I've tried them in the incandescent Streamlight, and the unbranded weapon light/laser. Some won't power the incandescent, but will power the LED weapon light/laser. I've read mixed opinions on whether this is safe to do or not. Obviously if I do, I'd keep them paired as they are with the voltages the same, and not use the two Duracell with differing charges together.
7. The Amz Vision light that I was using seems to have a smart circuit as it cut out when the cells got low. Anybody know anything about these other two pictured below?
Thats all I can think of for now, but I'm sure I'll have other questions. Thanks in advance to anyone who is willing to help me out with these questions.
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