Cree Lights = battery problem
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Cree Lights = battery problem
What do you think I should do about this battery light.
I use Cree lights for fat biking at night. Which for their price, being 25 dollars a light. Work well and a very durable light.
However recently one of my batteries will not hold a charge. I charge it all day long. Then i only get about 10 mins of use of it at med setting before it going totally dark.
Found this out the hard way, being in the bush and all dark, lol
What can i do with this battery?
Is my only option get a new battery only? thanks
I use Cree lights for fat biking at night. Which for their price, being 25 dollars a light. Work well and a very durable light.
However recently one of my batteries will not hold a charge. I charge it all day long. Then i only get about 10 mins of use of it at med setting before it going totally dark.
Found this out the hard way, being in the bush and all dark, lol
What can i do with this battery?
Is my only option get a new battery only? thanks
#2
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The battery shouldn't need all day charging. Do you have other batteries that work OK?
Might be time for a new battery pack.
https://kaidomain.com/bike-lights-and.../battery-packs
Might be time for a new battery pack.
https://kaidomain.com/bike-lights-and.../battery-packs
#4
Senior Member
What do you think I should do about this battery light.
I use Cree lights for fat biking at night. Which for their price, being 25 dollars a light. Work well and a very durable light.
However recently one of my batteries will not hold a charge. I charge it all day long. Then i only get about 10 mins of use of it at med setting before it going totally dark.
Found this out the hard way, being in the bush and all dark, lol
What can i do with this battery?
Is my only option get a new battery only? thanks
I use Cree lights for fat biking at night. Which for their price, being 25 dollars a light. Work well and a very durable light.
However recently one of my batteries will not hold a charge. I charge it all day long. Then i only get about 10 mins of use of it at med setting before it going totally dark.
Found this out the hard way, being in the bush and all dark, lol
What can i do with this battery?
Is my only option get a new battery only? thanks
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#5
Junior Member
First things first. Before giving advise need to get some clarification. As far as I know the company that produces the Cree LED's does not manufacture bike lights. Now there are companies that make bike lights and torches that use Cree emitters, probably thousands...
Sounds like the original poster is having problems with the battery of some bike light that uses Cree LED emitters. Battery issues are common, including because all rechargeable batteries eventually fail! Sometimes one can repkace the battery, & sometimes that's difficult or impossible - it depends on the particular light!
#6
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What do you think I should do about this battery light.
I use Cree lights for fat biking at night. Which for their price, being 25 dollars a light. Work well and a very durable light.
However recently one of my batteries will not hold a charge. I charge it all day long. Then i only get about 10 mins of use of it at med setting before it going totally dark.
Found this out the hard way, being in the bush and all dark, lol
What can i do with this battery?
Is my only option get a new battery only? thanks
I use Cree lights for fat biking at night. Which for their price, being 25 dollars a light. Work well and a very durable light.
However recently one of my batteries will not hold a charge. I charge it all day long. Then i only get about 10 mins of use of it at med setting before it going totally dark.
Found this out the hard way, being in the bush and all dark, lol
What can i do with this battery?
Is my only option get a new battery only? thanks
You may have a faulty battery. If that is the case, you can replace the battery.
You may be using a high wattage light that drains the battery quickly. If that is the case, you can change to a lower wattage light, or use a large battery pack.
Try to give more information.
I use solar headlights. They are bright enough for normal riding in the dark. But if I was on a dangerous trail in the dark, I would go slower.
If you want to go at high speed on dangerous trails in the dark, you want a bright light, and a large battery pack.
Last edited by alo; 11-29-20 at 04:31 AM.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
yes the light type i am using is this
https://www.amazon.ca/3800lm-Outdoor...672147&sr=8-19 this is type of light i am using on my bike and similar charger
https://www.amazon.ca/3800lm-Outdoor...672147&sr=8-19 this is type of light i am using on my bike and similar charger
#8
Senior Member
Thread Starter
the lights are awesome actually, been using a few years now and can right on a dark trail for over 2 hours even in -30c.
just wondering if u can suggest a more powerful battery pack, that could give me longer power?
just wondering if u can suggest a more powerful battery pack, that could give me longer power?
#9
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OP Try one of these:
$13.56 8.4V 4500mAh Rechargeable 6*18650 Battery Pack - IPX8 waterproof at FastTech - Free Shipping
$13.56 8.4V 4500mAh Rechargeable 6*18650 Battery Pack - IPX8 waterproof at FastTech - Free Shipping
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#10
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When you buy a preassembled battery pack, you have no idea what is inside it and if the rating is anything but wishful thinking. The smart thing to do is to buy a battery pack that you can install your own batteries in and then choose really high quality batteries. The best I have found are NCR/Panasonic 18650b (3,400 mAh) batteries that are honestly rated. It is one of about three brands that are most frequently suggested on a flashlight site I often view. I tested a pair of these in a two cell bike light versus some li-ion batteries with the same wishful thinking ratings. The light ran for 16 hours compared to 2.5 to 4 hours with the ".....fire" brand batteries and their fictional ratings.
The 4 cell holder is available on eBay for around $13 from a seller in the US and even cheaper from a Chinese source.
A couple of years ago I bought a 7 LED bike light similar to the one you are using. It was very bright, way over what I normally need, and the run time was so short that I bought a bigger battery similar to your idea. The problem became the size and weight of the larger battery pack. It was just unwieldy so I ended up sticking the light on the shelf and not using it again.
The 4 cell holder is available on eBay for around $13 from a seller in the US and even cheaper from a Chinese source.
A couple of years ago I bought a 7 LED bike light similar to the one you are using. It was very bright, way over what I normally need, and the run time was so short that I bought a bigger battery similar to your idea. The problem became the size and weight of the larger battery pack. It was just unwieldy so I ended up sticking the light on the shelf and not using it again.
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Whatever battery pack you use, it needs to be the same voltage.
If it has more amp hours or watt hours, it should last longer before the batteries go flat.
Having batteries in series, results in a higher voltage.
Having batteries in parallel, results in more amp hours or watt hours.
If it has more amp hours or watt hours, it should last longer before the batteries go flat.
Having batteries in series, results in a higher voltage.
Having batteries in parallel, results in more amp hours or watt hours.
#12
Senior Member
yes the light type i am using is this
https://www.amazon.ca/3800lm-Outdoor...672147&sr=8-19 this is type of light i am using on my bike and similar charger
https://www.amazon.ca/3800lm-Outdoor...672147&sr=8-19 this is type of light i am using on my bike and similar charger
You can also buy a decent quality battery pack from Hunk Lee ( FMA battery, a Chinese vendor ). He is an ebay vendor with good rep. Once again he has both 4 and 6 cell 18650 packs with quality brand name cells but he also also has the newer 4-cell packs using the new Samsung 21700 50E cells ( 5000mAh ea. ) a four cell ( 2S/2P ) would total 10000mAh and provide much longer run times. I own one of the newer two cells using the 21700's that he sells although I have yet to test it. Others ( on MTBreview ) have bought the 4 cell packs ( 21700's ) and I've heard of no complaints so far. Since you already own a battery bag you might chose to go with the FMA batteries. FMA does not provide battery bags, just the shrink wrapped packs. You have the option with FMA to contact the seller and request the length of wire you need and get any clarifications if you have questions. Any time I've ask Hunk a question I always got an answer within a couple days. That said keep in mind at this time of year people are buying stuff so the wait might be a little longer. My last order took a little more than two weeks. ( to east coast USA ). If you are ordering from Canada I have no idea what import tax, other fees or how long it may take to get your order..
Lastly I'll add Hunk Lee has other cells. If you ride in really cold weather you might choose cells that are designed for cold weather. They will have less capacity but should run better in cold weather. Not sure if they are available in 21700 but Pansonic has the 18650 NCR18650F, that is rated for sub zero temps ( rated @ 2900mAh ea. ) Don't know if Hunk has these so you would have to ask.
Last edited by 01 CAt Man Do; 11-29-20 at 09:28 PM.
#13
Senior Member
Whatever battery pack you use, it needs to be the same voltage.
If it has more amp hours or watt hours, it should last longer before the batteries go flat.
Having batteries in series, results in a higher voltage.
Having batteries in parallel, results in more amp hours or watt hours.
If it has more amp hours or watt hours, it should last longer before the batteries go flat.
Having batteries in series, results in a higher voltage.
Having batteries in parallel, results in more amp hours or watt hours.
#14
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Battery building , an essential skill in these troubled times
It is the domain of the ebikers and Endlessphere. They have good resources.
Great thread that emphases the need to first get the terminology straight.
My mother would call and say her email was down when her modem didn't work.
Cree is as specific a term as bike.
The 18650 packs are durable and give good service , but are a PITA to charge and monitor. not plug and play.
I have used them to replace the $175 Night rider proprietary packs but it takes a bit of study.
It is a neglected art, to market to newbies stuff that requires a graduated understanding and schooling in making complex systems that have not matured into play.
We need better manuals and support in a day when that is the first casualty
It is the domain of the ebikers and Endlessphere. They have good resources.
Great thread that emphases the need to first get the terminology straight.
My mother would call and say her email was down when her modem didn't work.
Cree is as specific a term as bike.
The 18650 packs are durable and give good service , but are a PITA to charge and monitor. not plug and play.
I have used them to replace the $175 Night rider proprietary packs but it takes a bit of study.
It is a neglected art, to market to newbies stuff that requires a graduated understanding and schooling in making complex systems that have not matured into play.
We need better manuals and support in a day when that is the first casualty