2 Questions about batteries in laser

[LEDbeam]

1. When a manufacturer says that the battery size 14500 needs to have a minimum of 6A continuous, what would happen if a 3A battery was used instead? Would it just be dimmer, or would it not work at all, or would the drain on the battery from the laser actually be dangerous and cause the battery to leak or burst into flames from being over-drained?

2. When the battery required is a 3.6 volt, such as 14500 or 18650, and a battery tester indicates after a charge that the voltage is actually 4.2 volts, would this be too much power for the laser that specifies a 3.6 volt battery? I've heard that laser diodes are very sensitive to being overpowered and burn out quickly if over-powered.

 

[WizardG]

1. Asking a Li ion cell for more current than it's rated for can cause the battery to heat up to the point where it may fail rather spectacularly. Even if the battery doesn't go poof, it's life and performance will be short and poor.

2. 4.2 volts is the normal cutoff point for Li ion cells. Laser diodes in our pointers are fed by drivers that act as constant current sources regardless of input voltage (within limits of course).

 

[LEDbeam]

1. Asking a Li ion cell for more current than it's rated for can cause the battery to heat up to the point where it may fail rather spectacularly. Even if the battery doesn't go poof, it's life and performance will be short and poor.

2. 4.2 volts is the normal cutoff point for Li ion cells. Laser diodes in our pointers are fed by drivers that act as constant current sources regardless of input voltage (within limits of course).

Thanks! Yeah, I was thinking of getting a laser that takes a 14500 battery at 6A. I have a pair of 3A and was thinking of trying to use one of those. Doesn't sound like a good long-term idea. But what if I only kept the laser on for no more than 10 seconds or so? Would that be enough to be a danger?

 

[Dusty_Lenses]

Thanks! Yeah, I was thinking of getting a laser that takes a 14500 battery at 6A. I have a pair of 3A and was thinking of trying to use one of those. Doesn't sound like a good long-term idea. But what if I only kept the laser on for no more than 10 seconds or so? Would that be enough to be a danger?

It comes down to the battery. Batteries used for vaping devices are a good choice for high current applications. I have AAA sized that are rated 3A continuous and are fine in short bursts going well over that.
The key is to mind the temperature of the cell and proceed with caution.


I have EFest 14500's that are rated for 6.5A continuous and 9.75A in short bursts. Which cells do you have??

 

[LEDbeam]

It comes down to the battery. Batteries used for vaping devices are a good choice for high current applications. I have AAA sized that are rated 3A continuous and are fine in short bursts going well over that.
The key is to mind the temperature of the cell and proceed with caution.


I have EFest 14500's that are rated for 6.5A continuous and 9.75A in short bursts. Which cells do you have??

Mine are Vapcell 14500's rated at 3A continuous, but the label on the battery doesn't say anything about a short burst rating.

For the record, I bought these for a laser that specifies needing 3A continuous. However, I already had another 14500 that doesn't have a rating listed on it. It's brand name is Sofirn, and came with a Sofirn flashlight I bought in the past. When I use that in my laser (a 700mw 520nm), it seems to work as well as the Vapcells do. That's what led me to wonder if the 3A cells could possibly work in a 6A laser, if only in short periods of maybe 10 seconds or so.

 

[Snecho]

Mine are Vapcell 14500's rated at 3A continuous, but the label on the battery doesn't say anything about a short burst rating.

For the record, I bought these for a laser that specifies needing 3A continuous. However, I already had another 14500 that doesn't have a rating listed on it. It's brand name is Sofirn, and came with a Sofirn flashlight I bought in the past. When I use that in my laser (a 700mw 520nm), it seems to work as well as the Vapcells do. That's what led me to wonder if the 3A cells could possibly work in a 6A laser, if only in short periods of maybe 10 seconds or so.

What kind of laser is asking for 6A from a 14500? Seems a little crazy high

 

[LEDbeam]

What kind of laser is asking for 6A from a 14500? Seems a little crazy high

This one:

C3 - Orion (3.5W 465nm)

OD 4+ Laser Safety Goggles are required to operate this product. (465nm range)Requires 1x 14500 3.7v button top, unprotected cell capable of at least 6A CONTINUOUS. (not included) 2-Element glass lens included.DO NOT BURN OBJECTS CLOSELY! Lens will collect soot. Keep lens CLEAN at all times...

jlasers.org

 

[RedCowboy]

https://illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/14500-vapcell-inr14500-h10-1000mah-10a-high-discharge-flat-top-li-ion-battery.html

Vapcell H10 14500 Purple/White 10A Flat Top 1000mAh Battery - Genuine

Looking for a button top version? You can find it here! *Please note that the voltage of this cell is 3.6V, so your device must be made to handle the higher voltage (Alkaline AA are only 1.5V). Vapcell direct. These batteries are direct from Vapcell. Priced per battery, not per pair. Vapcell...

liionwholesale.com

https://www.vapcelltech.com/h-pd-44.html

Vapcell H10 INR14500 1000mah 10A High Drain Rechargeable Flat Top Battery

Specifications: Model INR14500 H10 Size 14.3*49.4mm Type Flat top Nominal voltage 3.60V End-of-charge voltage 4.20V End-of-discharge Voltage 2.50V Typical Capacity 1000mAh (0.2C discharge) Min capacity 900mAh (0.2C discharge) Weight Max:24g Internal resistance...

www.brightlumenshop.com

 

[LEDbeam]

https://illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/14500-vapcell-inr14500-h10-1000mah-10a-high-discharge-flat-top-li-ion-battery.html

Vapcell H10 14500 Purple/White 10A Flat Top 1000mAh Battery - Genuine

Looking for a button top version? You can find it here! *Please note that the voltage of this cell is 3.6V, so your device must be made to handle the higher voltage (Alkaline AA are only 1.5V). Vapcell direct. These batteries are direct from Vapcell. Priced per battery, not per pair. Vapcell...

liionwholesale.com

https://www.vapcelltech.com/h-pd-44.html

Vapcell H10 INR14500 1000mah 10A High Drain Rechargeable Flat Top Battery

Specifications: Model INR14500 H10 Size 14.3*49.4mm Type Flat top Nominal voltage 3.60V End-of-charge voltage 4.20V End-of-discharge Voltage 2.50V Typical Capacity 1000mAh (0.2C discharge) Min capacity 900mAh (0.2C discharge) Weight Max:24g Internal resistance...

www.brightlumenshop.com

Oh, I'm aware that 6A and more can be bought. I'd do that later on but was just wondering if the 3A versions I already have (which I bought from the website you linked to) would operate the laser in question without causing the battery to become dangerous--especially if used in just short periods, say maybe 10 seconds or so at a time.