Test / review: TrustFire TF18650 3000mAh (Flame)

Updated my previous post, now the differences between two are more visible :P

Hmm.. Looking at your other graphs these seem like slightly higher capacity versions of the Soshine 2800's. Do you have any idea what base cell they use? The consistency between cells across currents suggests a high quality cell underneath.

Could they even use Samsung 4.35v 3000mah but not be advertised as such?

No, but it will be interesting to see if some other batteries matches this discharge graphs.

I doubt that.

Yeah, I thought it was a long shot. But the consistency across amperages and high-maintenace of voltage under load is something I haven't seen before, it's like the Sanyo 2600 but better. I imagined the Samsung 3000 on your graph without the extra discharge from above 4.35v and could sort of superimpose the graphs..

It could also explain Trustfire's choice of 3000mah labelling, maybe they misunderstood when ordering base cells from the OEM guys and just assumed 3000mah was at 4.2v? I know, again that's unlikely, they probably just marked up the capacity like many other ****fire manufacturers do, but the coincidence appealed to me ;)

I just noticed your graphs for the Samsung 3000s with 4.2v charge, and I can see similarities. The Trustfire seem to perform noticably better at 5A though so it's a little iffy.

Where did you get these from btw? Manafont? I remember there was a poor review of them from someone who got theirs from KD..

There will probably be more batteries that are similar, before I am finished. It will also be easier to see when I publish the full comparison, but it will be a couple of weeks before I do that.

Look in the info box at the start of the review (It is Manafont).

Oh yeah, I missed that. You do some very comprehensive, well-thought out and well-presented reviews :)

I await your further results and measurements with interest, these cells do look very promising.

ty hkj

so now budget users with XML know what to buy :)

I like the warp of the flames just wish that was declared the effective capacity, but I know market rules to break through to the most... I seen also ultrafire18650 rated 4600mAh xD

Well said. Before I found this forum I bought of Ebay a 4 station charger that charged at 1000mah with 4 x 4200mah batteries. 4200mah batteries dont exist and the charger is lucky to do 400mah.

OT: Based on this excellent review I ordered a pair for my SkyRay STL-V2 from them at 5am "Manafont time" today - the order status changed to "processing" after less than 4hrs and to "dispatched" after 12hrs -> good job!

IMO these are a better choice in STL-V2 over Xtar 2600mAh because these are a bit shorter (and cheaper).

I had to use some force to get Xtar´s in and they were even tighter when body tube was tightened up. From now on I will use these if need to distribute more sets of SkyRay...

Thank you very much HKJ for your reviews. I was doubt when I wanted to choose any batteries to buy before.

Yes, as they said, your contribution in this forum is just... GREAT!!

Sorry to "jump threads" but CT just mentioned SkyRay and ..... well, here goes:

Is my SkyRay 3xT6 worth fixing???? Puzzled :

My SkyRay 3xT6 has been problematic from the start. Sad Early on, it would remain on high for no more than a minute or so (regardless of what type of batteries I tried). At that point, it would stay on for at least 10 to 20 minutes at a lower light level but that didn't last very long.

Now, (with newly charged batteries) it's far less bright than any $1 flashlight - again, regardless of the type of battery being used. The switch also seems a little intermittent. Sad

Is there an EXPERT in the group who would consider taking a look at the light in order to advise me whether to bother trying to fix it (or have it fixed)?

I WOULD BE HAPPY TO SEND IT TO ANY OF YOU FOLKS WHO ARE EXPERT ENOUGH TO DIAGNOSE (AND POSSIBLY FIX) THIS BEAUTIFUL LIGHT. Sick

I bought it based on early advice provided by many on the BLF but it seems clear I'm not the only one who has bought one and had problems. Oh well ... I've also learned (by following the BLF) that problems with many Chinese budget lights are to be expected.

Best Regards,
-KumaBear-

R.MarkSolutions@gmail.com
857-991-7000

P.S. I build, repair and upgrade COMPUTERS. I also have access to lots of great computer components and I'd be willing to do a little bartering.

Hmm.. This really isn't the thread for that problem tbh. It sounds like you just have a driver issue, you can get the more reliable/consistent Trustfire TR-3T6 driver from manafont for only $5 shipped (search for 'triple t6 driver'), then just swap them over, if you aren't familiar with the process there are plenty of relevant mod related threads on here so just read around a little first.

Maybe it's just a loose connection, so you could dissasemble and look for one. I'm sure you'd be familiar with the signs if you repair computer electronics anyway. But if you can't see anything specific I'd just go ahead and replace the driver, it's only $5.

Great review as always.

And wow, these are a lot better then I thought they would be, might even buy some. Now lest us just hope that the market won't get flooded with bad copies like with the old Flames.

Just got an email from Ric that the batteries will be available from CQG from tomorrow. Hope the pricing will be competitive.

After HKJ's positive test on TF 1865 3000 mAh (flame), especially because of the prolonged run-time in flashlights that need more than 3.6V to regulate properly, I ordered two sets from Manafont on jan.14 and received them on feb.2, packed and marked exactly as the ones in HKJ's picture.

I must say that I was disappointed after making discharge tests down to 3.6V on an iCharger 106B+.

From HKJ's measurements I was expecting:
1850 mAh @ 1A and 2100 mAh @ 0.5A load down to 3.6V

I used XTAR WP2-II to charge them to 4.17V, just like I did with some TrustFire 2400 (flame) that I bought recently.

The inferior result for TF3000 was:

cell#1: 1425 mAh @ 1A and 1967 mAh @ 0.5A load.
cell#2: 1111 mAh @ 1A and 1806 mAh @ 0.5A load.
cell#3: 960 mAh @ 1A and 1571 mAh @ 0.5A load.
cell#4: 1006 mAh @ 1A and 1492mAh @ 0.5A load.
Internal resistance was 156-170 mOhm

for reference:
TF2400: 1442 mAh @ 1A and 2015 mAh @ 0.5A load.
(un-prot. from DD, average of 4 cells, variation 1373 to 1503 @ 1A).

Only cell#1 can match TF2400 and cell#3 deliver only half of what was expected. This is really bad. Remember tho that the numbers are not the full capacity but the capacity downto 3.6V.

I guess that after this result, the more expensive Spark 2600 is now back on my wish list as it also should maintain a rather high voltage acc. to HKJ.

Try measuring the battery voltage directly with a voltmeter, when you do the discharge test. You must put the probes directly on the battery terminals. This way you can see how much voltage is lost in you wires and connection.

Thanks, HKJ, the voltage measured directly on the battery is 20 mV less than on the iCharger at 1A. That should not change the result by much. The new cells are really not what I expected.

(I made a fast-clamp, after your model, with thick loudspeaker cable and solid connectors).

My set of four TrustFire 3000mAh cells arrived today.

Straight out the packet they tested between 4.05v-4.08v

1A Discharge from 4.2v down to 3v

Cell 1: 2325mAh
Cell 2: 2153mAh
Cell 3: 2391mAh
Cell 4: 2136mAh

Well, I am quite disappointed! I was expecting at least 2500mAh from these @ 1A.

Blah. I think it might be time to invest in some higher quality cells, 2153mAh @ 1A is terrible. :(

Does not seem to be in line with HKJ´s testing, they should give a bit more.

Are these from Manafont, do they look genuine? Try to give them a cycle or two and see if they gain any capacity.

I have also 4pcs coming, I will test them and post results when they finally arrive.