Bigblue Dive Lights uses the safest Lithium-ion batteries on the market today. They are specifically designed with protection circuits to the exact specifications of each light for maximum safety and output. Keep reading to learn more about Lithium-ion battery charging best practices you can apply to extend the life of your dive light!
Many of our customers choose aftermarket batteries, and the truth is, it’s a bit of a gamble. There are hundreds of somewhat comparable Lithium-ion batteries on the market but unfortunately, they are not all created equal.
The biggest problem, (aside from the obvious safety issues), is that they may be slightly shorter in length, causing the contacts to be misaligned. This will cause flickering, or in some cases, the light will not function at all.
Lithium-Ion Batteries: Charge Cycles and Life Expectancy
Just like other types of rechargeable batteries, Lithium-ion batteries will age with each charge/discharge cycle due to chemical reactions within the cell. Our high-quality batteries will last for approximately 500 charge cycles. Depending on how often you are using your dive light and if you stick to Lithium-ion battery charging best practices, these batteries could last for many years.
Best Practices: How to Store a Lithium-Ion Battery
When purchasing a new dive light and powering it up without charging it first, the battery will most likely be somewhere between 40–60% charged. The lit battery indicator on the light will show the level of charge.
Since many lights are stored in warehouses and shops for weeks or months before they eventually get to the customer, this is an estimated figure.
Here are some best practices:
- Don’t store a discharged battery that has less than one-half charge.
- Give it a full charge and then store it.
- Don’t recharge a battery if you’ve used it for just a few minutes.
Lithium-Ion Temperature Best Practices
Temperature matters! Keep your Lithium-ion batteries away from extreme temperatures—hot or cold!
To extend the life of your Lithium-ion batteries, don’t leave them in a hot car or boat. Heat (above 140 degrees Fahrenheit) and subzero cold can reduce battery life by 15–20%. Having a battery in direct sunlight can really heat it up, so shield it from the sun.
Chargers for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Be sure to apply the same temperature rules above to your Lithium-ion battery chargers. They too can be susceptible to issues when exposed to heat or cold.
For best practices, here is a list of suggested charge times for Bigblue Dive Lights’ batteries:
| Battery Model | Charge Time |
| BATCELL18650 | 3-4 hours |
| BATCELL26650 | 5-6 hours |
| BATCELL32650 | 7-8 hours |
| BATCELL18650X4 | 2-3 hours |
| BATCELL18650X7 | 2-3 hours |
| BATCELL18650X4SUPREME | 5-6 hours |
| BATCELL21700X4 | 2-3 hours |
I have been using big blue lights since one year now, and despite I really like the colors and the power of the beam, I always always struggle while recharging them. The light on the charger turns green after few minutes and even though I move and wiggle the battery inside the charger it never gets red again. This of course avoids the battery itself to fully charge , and the lights stop working in the middle of the dive . Which is pretty inconvenient
Hi Olga,
We are sorry that you are having some issues with your light/charger. If you would like to send it in, we can take a look and diagnose the problem. It sounds like a bad charger from what you are describing. Please email sales@bigbluedivelights.com if you would like a Return Authorization number.
Thank you,
Bigblue