Max mAH we'll see this year?

Anyone know if the 4000mah Panasonics will be out this year? Anything surpassing 3400mah (real capacity) by any of the other big names?

I have the same question. I know from a 2009 release Panasonic stated that 4000 mah 18650s would be released this year. Lets hope they charge to 4.2V so we don’t have to all get new chargers.

I really hope that 26650 will be improved as well…

If only. There's so much untapped potential.

I remember seeing somewhere there would be 3600mAh then 4000mAh

It’s actually supposed to go straight to 4000mAh from the 3400 out now.

The 2009 press release was the only official word I had heard.

But it’s going to be 3.4V nomimal not 3.7V.
Doesn’t sound very friendly to the Nichia 219 with the current linear drivers though.

does this mean the low voltage cutoffs on drivers will be too high once these new cells come out?

I never quite understood why larger batteries don’t improve in capacity. Lots of folks say that, since smaller batteries like 18650s and AAs are more widely used, they get all the R&D. But the way I understand things, cylindrical batteries (at least rechargeable ones like NiMH and Li-Ions) are basically just flat cells wound into a spiral. It should therefore be possible to make a higher capacity 26650 by using the same same basic stock as used to make an 18650, but simply using more of it so that the final wound diameter is 26mm rather than 18mm. At least in theory, doing this should yield a 26650 with around 7000mAH, and a 32650 with over 10000mAH.

The Chinese already have a 10,000 mAh 18650 cell. I saw some Ebay a while back. :wink:

I wouldn’t think so as the low voltage cutoff are more of a last resort meaning one would change/charge the battery before it hit it.
I think most cutoffs are at 2.75V but best to recharge around ~3.5V give or take.
Li ions don’t like deep discharge so not good to run them dry before recharging.

how about 14500? any news for higher capacity than around 700-800 mAh?

Right,

but the new cells might be able to go lower without any damage to the battery. Its one way to squeeze more mah out.

I’m thinking if they lower the minimum voltage to let’s say 2.3V or so then we can use the 2.75V cutoff as safe mark to recharge.
As of now I feel the cutoff is too low to be used on a regular basis since it’s draining the cell close to empty.
Just my opinion :slight_smile:
But I understand, if you want to squeeze more out of the cell I can see the cutoff being a problem.

i have a confession....

i had ran one down to 1.79v. dont ask how.

i had charged it on the 10th. my charger only charges to 4.12v, after 19 days, its sitting at 4.1v

I guess these li-ions are more robust than we think.
But I’m sure you are keeping an extra eye on that particular cell.

I’ve also heard of someone charging the LG 3000mAh 4.35V up to 4.5V ~3400mAh!

EDIT: I’ve read that some laptop pulls will read good voltage initially but actual capacity has significantly diminished.

yes, i have... its pack pull #9, and its set aside all alone. i should have topped another cell off at the same time and set it beside it for a comparison

I hope that the 4000’s aren’t any larger than the 3400’s. I’m lucky to fit a protected 3400 in anything, but when I do, I’m a happy camper. Just as long as lengths don’t keep creeping up as the capacities increase, I’ll be content.