14500 Batteries Die WAY too fast?

[aut0tek]

So, I have a couple MV Flashlights I modded... Tried 3 different switches, thinking maybe the switch was burning out... 6 different 14500 batteries, and they all started off great, but now none of them vape well at all, and they die out in a matter of an hour, 2 at the max. What could cause this? I have 3 different chargers, too. Anybody experienced this? Thanks.

 

[mustanggt98]

I would lean towards all of your batteries being junk if they worked good at first. How old are they?

 

[aut0tek]

They all die within a month. They're Ultrafire from MV

 

[Shadow102]

Are they holding charges? Have you tried them in any other mods outside of the couple of FL mods you made? Are these single cell 3.7V mods or did you double up and reg. down to 5V? Have you popped any of them on a meter after a charge to make sure they're at 4.2V fresh?

 

[aut0tek]

I'll stick a meter on them...soon as I find my meter. lol. I had them in a boxmod that did very well, no issues.

They're just single 14500's, nothing but wire, a switch, and a 510 connector.

Thanks for the replies, btw.

 

[mv2envy]

Try AW batteries instead! If you are using LR attys, then thats the reason they die fast. The only 14500 batteries capable of running LR attys are the AW IMR 14500 batts!

 

[Rocketman]

Getting a cheap new meter (costs about the same as a gallon of gas for the outboard) is pretty much a necessity for anyone using mods. In addition to troubleshooting, monitoring the performance of batteries and chargers is also a safety issue.
I don't see how someone could feel comfortable with mods in the house without a meter.

If you are abusing the cheap 14500 cells (LR or heavy vaping) then you new to buy the expensive cells.

Rocket

 

[aut0tek]

Rocket: I didn't say I didn't have a meter. I have multiple. The one I was looking for was in the car, because I was troubleshooting a friend's Transmission problem.

Secondly, having mods in the house without a meter is about as dangerous as having rounds in the house without a firearm. Sure, it could be bad... IF YOU TRIED WAY TOO HARD.

-6 years of aviation electronics, along with an A.S. in the field. Feel free to chill with the "Holier than thou". Some of us have lives outside of ecf.

mv2: That explains it then. Not atties, LR Cartos.

 

[Rocketman]

Thanks for the "holier than thou".
8 years of aviation electronics, ha got you beat

oh and 30 years of electronics with NASA.

From the first post you sounded a little lost.
Didn't realize you were trained in the field.

and
I be chillin.

 

[aut0tek]

You just came off completely elitist, that's all.

4.05-4.11vdc all the way around, btw. Those LiMN's play well with the dual Trustfire charger?

 

[Rocketman]

OK, that's just a personality issue. I've had it for many years

I think many folks could troubleshoot their own problems just by using a meter to check operation and monitor performance.
That's the real reason behind my 'dig' about the meter. I try and promote that every chance I get.

Of course the real answer to your 14500 issue was given by mv, LR on a cheap 14500 cell is severe usage. Compare the cost of shortened life with the ultrafires to that of a more capable cell like the AW IMR. With the larger 18650 cell it gets by OK on LR but suffers when using a single cell and a booster. The better cells are needed there also.

Truse ?

 

[aut0tek]

Of course. I'm not boosting, either. Like I said, just battery, switch, connector. Curious about charging the AW IMR's with the TrustFire charger.

 

[Rocketman]

Will be fine.

Some have said the IMRs come off various chargers a little high (4.25 or so). So check the final charge voltage and don't leave them on overnight. (remember the ammo analogy? )

 

[aut0tek]

Lol. If I want batteries to have the boom factor, I lean towards cheap chinese Lipos 4000mah+. THOSE make a mess. And stinky, too.

 

[Rocketman]

You will have much better luck with the AW IMR cells.
I don't use them myself, but I know the limitation of the cheap cells I do use, and put up with it.

If I need more amps, I use parallel cells, or go bigger.
A pair of 18650s compare pretty close to a 26650.