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Lithium ion Batteries: How to Pick the Best One for a Flashlight?
2021-07-07

Why utilize Lithium ion batteries in a flashlight?

In case you are new to flashlights, you might be questioning why it appears like every flashlight nowadays utilizes Lithium ion batteries. Though lanterns, flashlights, and also headlamps are still constructed that can operate on the more common sources like AAA or AA cells, the days of the D and C cell flashlight are swiftly dwindling.

The reality is modern-day flashlights require an extra innovative power option to get to the highest possible lumen outputs. A vast bulk of LED flashlights created today make use of Lithium ion batteries not just for their bright possibility, but to also maintain gadgets lightweight and slim. It is simple to comprehend why Lithium ion batteries are chosen for high-power flashlights when we consider the rechargeable feature of these Lithium ion batteries.

Exactly how to review the names on Lithium ion batteries?

Although the numbers like 21650, 14500, and 18650 seem random, there is a logic behind this. Lithium ion batteries are given a name with a certain convention that lets us understand the precise measurements of the battery so we can know if it will certainly fit into our flashlight or not. Lithium ion battery names are divided into 3 components. The initial two numbers stand for a battery‘s diameter (in mm). A 16340 battery has a diameter of 16 mm and a 18650 battery has a diameter of 18 mm.

The following 2 numbers stand for the battery‘s length in millimeters. Returning to the 16340 example, the middle 2 numbers show us that a battery is 34 mm long and a 18650 battery is 65 mm long. You can see the last number on all the cylindrical batteries is always a 0. This is due to the fact that the last number stands for the form of the battery and informs us it‘s rounded.


Button-top vs. flat-top Lithium ion batteries

A few 18650 batteries include a safety button on the +ve pole. Button-top cells utilize this small cap as an added security against over-discharging as well as short circuits. Flat-top cells, don‘t have this added safety and security feature as well as are frequently utilized in flashlights which need a large current draw to sustain brighter outputs.

In case your tool needs button-top batteries, you will wish to see to it that you acquire just button-top cells for a simple factor: flat-top batteries will frequently be simply a little short to make correct contact inside your tool and also not function!

In case your tool can support flat-top batteries, it is very vital to bear in mind that these cells can be diminished and get in an inactive state in which they‘ll certainly not recharge. In case a flashlight can no longer maintain the optimum brightness or shows up dark, remove the batteries as well as charge them ASAP to prevent this typical error.

RCR123 and CR123 Batteries

RCR123 and CR123 both describe a 16340 sized battery with a couple of key distinctions. An RCR123 is a rechargeable Lithium ion counterpart and whilst a CR123 is a non-rechargeable lithium-manganese battery of size 16340.

You may have also discovered that 2 16340 batteries are approximately twice the length of an 18650 battery. You can many times observe that a flashlight can support either one 18650 battery or two RCR123/CR123 batteries. Despite the fact that the 16340 batteries are a little narrower in size, the length permits a proper contact and also can be substituted.

Comprehending Lithium ion Battery Specifications

Now that we know the ideal dimension battery for our flashlight picked, let us closely look at a few different requirements you could observe.

Lithium ion Battery Output Current

Whilst voltage refers to the battery output‘s strength, we additionally require to understand the amount of electrical current flowing at any time. For this, we can observe the discharge rate of a battery which is determined in A or amps.

A basic, button-top 18650 battery will generally have a discharge rate of about 5 amps (sometimes the discharge rate might not be mentioned). As developments in LED innovation have demanded greater results, nowadays you can observe a few flashlights like the HC33, EC23, and MH23 requiring a greater discharge rate to go for the brightest settings. In such a case for a flashlight, you will intend to look for batteries that satisfy the minimum discharge rate mentioned by the producer.

Lithium ion Battery Voltage

Voltage lets us comprehend the electronic potential of a battery, or in easier terms, the strength of the electric current when it is discharged from a battery. Many Lithium ion batteries show a low voltage between 3.7 and 3 Volts.

When 2 batteries are put in a series connection, each battery‘s voltage is integrated to determine the new complete voltage. This implies that although lots of flashlights can switch in between one 18650 or two 16340 batteries, some gadgets will certainly not be able to manage the added voltage. Always adhere to the producer‘s suggestions to prevent frying your flashlight with high voltages.

Lithium ion Battery Capacity

Similar to Lithium ion batteries can be found in a selection of sizes, there is likewise a variety of battery capacities offered. A battery capacity is classified in mAh or milliamp hours, letting us know the amount of charge it can hold. What this implies for us is that the more the capacity of a battery, the longer runtime you can get on one charge.

IMR Batteries: It Is Everything About Chemistry

What is the difference between an IMR battery and a Lithium ion battery? Lithium ion is a basic term describing any battery that makes use of lithium ions to produce an electrical current.

A lot more specifically, these IMR batteries are a kind of Lithium ion batteries that make use of manganese as a primary cathode substance. Generally found in flat-top cells, this solution is liked as well as often required for high-power draining gadgets.

When You Need Lithium ion Batteries?

With more breakthroughs in battery modern technology, a lot more choices have actually become available to customers. When you‘ll desire to select up a pair, you can check these 2 of the most current breakthroughs.

Reduced Temperature

You may want to think about selecting up batteries assigned for use in low temperatures if you are planning to use a flashlight in chilly temperatures (sub-zero). These batteries are good for, you presumed it, low temperatures.

In the past, the CR123A batteries were the favored source of power for anything cold as a result of their chemistry‘s premium efficiency.

USB Rechargeable

One of the latest advancements in Lithium ion batteries is the introduction of some USB rechargeable batteries. That is right, these cells include a micro-USB port developed right into the battery!

These batteries are for you if you are looking to reduce your weight or desire to supplement a flashlight that does not have an integrated charging port. Compatible with the usual USB sources of power such as laptops, power banks, and solar panels (as well as typical battery chargers), all you require to do is connect these batteries into charging. An indicator light under the +ve pole becomes red to green to show charging progression.

High Performance

As stated above, a few flashlights require Lithium ion batteries with a more discharge rate to get to a bright output. In the past years, your only alternative was frequently a flat-top IMR battery much more generally used in vaping gadgets. This is a fine solution, but suppose you want a secured cell?

One last reason not to move away from high-performance Lithium ion batteries: they are backward compatible! In case you possess an older flashlight that operates on normal old 18650s, you might be able to use HP batteries without fretting about the greater discharge rate impacting your device. We often advise these batteries to any individual who currently possesses an older model but assume they could upgrade.

Main Points of Lithium Ion Batteries in Flashlights

1.       A large majority of flashlights manufactured today utilize Lithium ion batteries.

2.       Reading a Lithium ion battery: The initial 2 numbers represent the battery‘s diameter in millimeters, the following 2 numbers stand for the battery‘s length in mm, the last number represents the battery‘s shape.

3.       Specs to consider are current, voltage, and capacity.

4.       There are some special Lithium ion batteries that have various features.