18650 Protected Or Unprotected For Scubapro Nova Light 720r

[erbedo]

Hi all. Well, the topic title pretty tells everything.

I just bought a Scubapro Nova Light 720R, the seller told me to buy 18650 batteries, and manual advises to go with popular brands like Panasonic and Samsung.

However, on amazon I see a ton of different models: protected/non-protected, slightly longer or standard size and so on. I am kind of a newbie on batteries. Price is not an issue, I just want something reliable (just to avoid explosions, as I have seen some folks reporting those) and durable.

Can I go with protected batteries or will they be too long? Any further advice?

 

[tbone1004]

protected would be best. the spring in the light should accommodate.
3400mAh TWO 18650 PROTECTED Panasonic 18650 Rechargeable Battery - High Performance - 3.7 Volt - Dual Protection For High Performance Flashlights - - Amazon.com

 

[erbedo]

Ok thanks. I can't find those batteries on amazon here in Italy. Options are:
Panasonic NCR18650B Li-Ion 3400 mAh Cell Protected: Amazon.co.uk: Camera & Photo
2 x Foxnovo ICR18650 3100mAh 3.7v 11.5Wh High Drain IC: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics
ThruNite® MCC-2 Caricabatterie intelligente per batterie agli ioni di litio e NiMH con ThruNite 18650 Batterie 3400Mah (MCC-2+3400Mah 2 pezzi): Amazon.it: Elettronica

Also, what about the charger?

 

[tbone1004]

I'd go with the first one and this charger below

NiteCore- Nitecore D4 Caricatore Caricabatterie intelligente per batterie agli ioni di litio e NiMH: Amazon.it: Elettronica

 

[erbedo]

Would this
NITECORE DIGICHARGER D2 caricabatterie universale Li-Ion / Ni-Mh con LCD: Amazon.it: Elettronica
be ok as well? I don't think I'll charge more than 2 batteries at once, and I will save something.

 

[tbone1004]

same charger. I like the 4 slot because I can charge a full block of NiMH AA batteries in there, but yeah, it's the same charger, just 2 slot vs 4

 

[Kharon]

Since they are essentially the same price - why would you want batteries without the overcharge/undercharge protection circuit?

 

[tbone1004]

sometimes the extra length won't allow them to fit inside the light compartments. Most have a long enough spring that it doesn't matter, but some won't

 

[fmerkel]

The "protection" is a small dime-sized circuit at the end of the battery under the shrink wrap making the battery longer. It also has some resistance so if you require a high amp draw it can be a limiting factor.Most of the time it's a good idea.

You may want to spend 10" reading through this recent thread. In terms of 18650 safety the charger is as or maybe more important than the battery. I prefer Xtar to Nitecore myself.
18650 battery charger?

 

[eelnoraa]

For charger, definitely xtar over nitcore. Nitecornis a very slow charger, unnecessary slow for the cost and what is available out there

For battery, it looks to me the nova draws about 1A or so. Not a super high drain application. I will suggest go with protected as long as it fits. Generally, to get the full battery potential, you want unprotected. Since the protection is nothing more than a small pcb attached to the end of the battery. How well the whole thing perform depends on the protection circuit as well. Removing the protection circuit remove the limitation post by the circuit. However, it is users job to operate the battery properly. Here since the drain isn't high, protection circuit is usually not a limitation. Having the cell protected just eliminate maintainance