Batteries & Chargers Discussion Thread (Lithium-Ion Rechageable)

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Discussion of Chargers/Batteries will take place here & we will do quick reviews and versus for the different stuff we carry

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Some safety tips:

1) Use only good quality cells from the major manufactures (from experience crapfire/ultrafire/trustfire have plenty of fakes and are unlikely to last long, plus plenty of DOA)
2) Use only good quality chargers (Xtar, Efest & Nitecore - again ultrafire has horrible QC, trustfire so-so QC & unbranded chargers they give you with cheap lights are unreliable)
3) Charge away from flammable materials (such as your bed)
4) Do not charge overnight (additional safety tip)
5) Do not mistreat your lithium cells (this includes placing them near heat sources, making them wet etc...)


CANDLEPOWERFORUMS has this great forums on all things battery-safety related. You can visit them @

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?107-Smoke-and-Fire-Hot-Cells-and-Close-Calls-The-dangerous-side-of-batteries

 

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Unfortunate consequences of using unsafe lithium batteries:


1 of the more popular stories shared on CPF (Ultrafire battery that exploded in a flashlight):

There was a picture with blood as well but its too gory for here. Here is the link for your own pursual:

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?280909-Ultrafire-18650-3000mA-exploded

 

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Here are some good brands for lithium-ion rechargeable batteries:

1) AW - based in Hong Kong. He hand-picks the best Panasonic cells and puts his labels on it. Used to be the gold standard but since they do not offer button-top cells its a disadvantage. Some lights can only use button-top cells.
2) EagleTac - base cells are Panasonic. good quality & value
3) Xtar - base cells are Sanyo. pretty good as well but their 3400mah is a bit on the fat side
4) Efest - generally good quality. Do not offer high capacity cells, mostly just high-drain cells
5) Nitecore - generally ok quality. Apparently uses japan cells as well but same as Xtar, 3400mah a bit fat
6) Panasonic NCRs - good value for money, all their protected 18650 button tops are a bit on the long side though, may not work on some flashlights
7) Sanyo/LG etc... - mostly unprotected cells. Do not drain the cells to the limit and you should be fine
8) Sunwayman - good quality; japan base cell
9) Fenix - same as Sunwayman
10) Solarforce - cells are good quality

BATTERY BRANDS TO AVOID

1) Ultrafire/Trustfire/Superfire/whateverfire - Avoid these as they generally have poor QC and use discarded/low-grade cells. On occasion you have those that perform fine but 25% of the time you are getting a dud. If the above brands are A/B grade the whatever~fire cells are generally C or D grade most of the time

 

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Xtar MC2 (New Charger in)

- Good for travel USB lithium charging

See here @ http://www.fstoplights.com/xtar-mc2-compact-travel-lithium-ion-usb-battery-dual-bay-charger/

At a quite affordable price of S$14