Test / Review: (OLD) Panasonic NCR 18650A 3100mAh batteries $11.96 Protected and $9.97 Unprotected (OLD)

I got my three unprotected ones, charged one already.

Using in my ZebraLight SC600w now.

So far I like them

or how about a $2 credit towards a new cell once the pcb issue is fixed? we are going to have to remove the pcb to use them

so far my "mnke" 26650's seem to be performing solidly in a 9amp lights so thumbs up there

Charged the batteries sunday let the batteries rest over night then yesterday discharged, this test took almost 15 hours just to discharge. (remember all my test since post number 85 have been with the protection PCB,s removed)

Cell B discharged from 4.163 volt to 3 volt at 0.2 amps

Data table

Volts Vs mAh

Volts Vs Wh

The cells starting voltage was 4.163v with a 0.2 amp load, the cells resting voltage after a few hours was 3.24 volt, it almost gave 15 hours of run time, but this test was ment to be to 2.5 volt not 3 volt, my bad.

just stumbled on this thread! A lot of useful info here... I don't mind unprotected batteries, but I'll keep an eye on this thread to see if intl-outdoor get's these ncr18650a with better quality protection circuits. If so, they're a great buy.

Last night I started a 0.2 amp discharge from 4.18v down to 2.5v this morning before I left for work the discharge cycle was at 12 hours it will most likely still be going when I get home from work tonight, the discharge test should run for around 20 + hours.

Is there any other test people are intrested in ? Would any one like any series test done ? I can do individual battery voltage still while discharging in series.

I ordered three. How well do they work in a mid-drain light like a TK30 or Jetbeam MX? Will the protection trip?

Thanks

Dave

The current drawn by the TK30 is about 1.2A, so I do not think they'll trip the current. http://www.lygte-info.dk/pic/Fenix/TK30/TK30BrightnesCurrent.png

I presume you have the Jetbeam M1X. I am not sure about the current on two cells for that model, but I think I've seen someone mentioning 1A.

They might not last long if you go by my discharge test with the PCB installed.

I was not able to post the results of the 0.2 amp discharge test to 2.5 volt as the power was out when I got home so my computer shut down and the charger turned off, ill do the test again soon as I can as now I'm intrested with the run time.

Thanks for the reply. I expect these cells will be fine for my use. Once they are received I'll post my impressions.

Regards,

Dave

I received 3 of these new batteries 2 days ago. They came to me out of the packaging reading about 3.6v each. I immediately charged 2 of them. They came off of my charger reading 4.19v each. I let them sit overnight to stabilize. They still read 4.19 the next day. I put 1 battery in a Solarforce L2T with a Manafont 3 mode (H-M-L) XM-L drop-in. I clicked the light on in high mode, and much to my surprise, the light only stays lit for a little less than 2 minutes, and then trips off. I then tried the same thing again, with the same results. I put a 2600mAh battery in the same light, clicked it on high, and the light stayed lit for 10 minutes, until I shut it off. What gives here? Is the protection circuit on these batteries really that bad? These batteries configured the current way, are basically useless to me. I also tried the light with a Callie's Kustom, and had no problems at all on high for over 10 minutes. Needless to say, I am not to happy with these cells at the moment.

I don't feel that anyone should have to take a brand new battery apart, take the PCB off, just to use the batteries. I am going to seek a refund.

yes, the pcb's make them useless junk, how about a demo on how to remove them?

Interesting that there are no reviews at intloutdoor for these, or anything else for that matter, mind you I have bought hundreds of pounds worth of different things there but I do not want my full real name used which it would automatically be by the looks of things and I also have a number of issues with certain other items bought.

Perhaps others feel the same?

In view of 'Hank' Yong Wang reading and participating here this matter needs to be looked at by Him and account holders must be given the option of anonymity.

I agree. It is not personal against Mr. Wang, just business. If there is an issue with a battery not performing as advertised by a company, then it needs to be addressed and fixed by the company selling the item. Then it needs to be made right by the people affected by the non-performing items. Either a refund, or have new batteries sent out when the issue is fixed. Definitely not Mr. Wang's fault, and nothing personal directed at him. But it is a business issue that needs to be corrected. Then Mr. Wang needs to take the PCB issue up with whomever he had produce or make up the batteries and PCB's if they were not up to his specifications. We the customer should not take the brunt end of the issue or loss. Customer is always first. That makes for good business!

Wow, I just found this thread. I haven't been able to read all the posts but I get the jist, "these cells kinda suck".

I bought two of them and the pretty blue matched my SolarForce blue L2P so well that I couldn't resist. Both of the cells I bought tripped the pcb within a couple of seconds of trying to power a UF XM-L drop-in.

They seem to be working in my Zebralight SC600 though. The only other cells I have that can't handle my direct drive xml lights are the Trustfire grays. Disapointing, considering what I thought I was buying.

I am testing on them and does not agree with that, they are top quality cell (How can they be otherwise with the Panasonic cell inside), but the current protection is a bit low.

This means that the works perfectly with lights that has a single XP-E or XP-G led, but has trouble driving a XM-L led at full power.

The low current limit is, of course, a serious problem for people that bought them for use in a XM-L light.

I did say "kinda".

Thanks for testing these cells. It is good to know that these will perform reliably in less extreme situations and if you had to strip them down and use them naked, there is a good Panasonic 18650 cell.

Like I said they seem to work fine in my ZL SC600 and it pulls around 2.9 amps.

I was hoping that I had found a cheaper alternative to the AWs and Redilasts and I wanted a blue battery to match my flashlight. I expected that they would perform at least as good as the Trustfire flames as the TFs work great powering all the single XM-L lights I own.

You roll the dice on these kind of purchases. At this point, I've reassigned the cells to a lesser job than I was originally going to use them and have moved on. I just saw this thread for the first time today and thought I would share my experiences with these batteries.

I wouldn't buy them again at the current price.

That's what I bought them for.

I also bought them for use in an XM-L P-60 light.

I bought a total of six, but I still haven't received even the first order (that was placed almost a month ago.) I too am disappointed, but I should have waited to place the second order anyway.

Now, can someone post detailed instructions on how to remove the garbage PCB s? Newbie here with very limited know how...

The batteries them selfs are good and genuine you can see that from all the testing ive done in this thread, the pcb,s are a little disappointing and not all users might be able to use all the mAh of the 3100 mAh batteries but this goes for AW and redilast batteries 2900 mAh and above.

I would just use them the way they are. I would not take them apart. They do work. I use them on medium power, and they work fine. Just not on high power, as they trip out the PCB. The cell is excellent, just the PCB. You will be happier leaving them the way you get them. Just my 2 cents.