Test/Review of Efest IMR16500 900mAh (Red) 2014

Efest IMR16500 900mAh (Red) 2014



Official specifications:

  • Typical Capacity: 900mAh
  • Min capacity: 900mAh
  • Cycle life: 500 times
  • Weight: 38g
  • Length: 50.07mm
  • Diamter: 16.73mm
  • Top: flat top
  • Protected: unprotected
  • Discharge cut-off voltage: 3.2V
  • Voltage: 3.7v
  • Full Charge voltage: 3.7v
  • Discharge temperature range:- 10°C—60°C
  • Carge temperature range: 0°C—40°C
  • Storage: 1 year:-20°C—25°C, 3 months:-20°C—45°C, 1 month:-20°C—60°C




This cell is a 16500 cell, i.e. a 18500 cell on diet or maybe a fat 14500, being a 16500 it is also fairly short. Because it is a high current cell the capacity is not record breaking, but it is better than high capacity 14500 cells.










There is fairly good tracking between the two cells and they can easily deliver 5A, but fails at 10A.















Conclusion

The cell is better than any 14500 cell but cannot match the 18500 cells. This is as expected.



Notes and links

The batteries was supplied by Efest for review.

How is the test done and how to read the charts
How is a protected LiIon battery constructed
More about button top and flat top batteries
Compare to 18650 and other batteries

Do you have 18650 2500mah test?

Good review.

However where 16500 is used for?
I’ve never seen before 16500 battery or flashlights compatible with 16500 battery.

I too have asked this a number of times. What natively uses this size?

In EDC Flashlights that are designed to work with either an AA cell or a 14500 such a 16500 cell MIGHT fit.
In those flashlight the AA cells often have a lot of spare toom and rattle.

I will measure my EDC’s tonight to see whether they would accept such a cell.

If it fits, more capacity, more light and no rattle. :slight_smile:

Greetz
Nico

I doubt you’ll find any AA tubes that will fit these tbh. I know it seems like there is plenty of rattle room in some, but it’s probably less than half the extra space you’d need.

The only flashlight use I can see for these is:

2 x 16500 = 3 x CR123a in length.

But over on CPF, HKJ clearly said he wouldn’t recommend this due to these not be protected cells.

Yeah 2*16500 for Surefire users which can sue those 18XXX cells, otherwise 2*18500 would be better as a 3*CR123A replacement.

Check my website, the comparator or the individual tests, there you can find them (At least up to 2000mAh) http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650comparator.php

Some custom flashlights, probably in some esigs and two of them can replace 3xCR123 (Very good match for voltage and length), but it is a very good idea to use protected 18500 for this.

I thought it was pretty much standard that IMR cells aren’t commonly protected since they are more stable than ICR?

Hello, HKJ.

Where can I find or purchase this battery?

Would you tell me a dealer?
I want to buy this.

And I have question efest 16500 battery.

Some photos say it is 1200mAh, but your battery is 900mAh.

Is it just different version?

I got the cell directly from Efest and do not really keep track of who sells it.

Yes, it is a different version and you cannot use this review to see performance of that cell. If you are missing a review of a Efest cell, it might be a good idea to ask them if they are sending on to me for review.

@ Chicken Drumsticks:

I’m afraid you’re right: largest diameter I could find is 15,50 mm……. :_(

Greetz
Nico

My SK68 3-mode clones which are ostensibly AA will all fit a 16340 or CR123A width-wise with room to spare, so I’m guessing these 16500’s are just the ticket. Might even fit a 17500 although it would probably be a tight squeeze.

Just to add, there are a number of lights which are designed to run off CR123A/16340 which can take AA extenders to use with AA. Those lights should be able to take advantage of a 16500 cell although you may have to bore out the extender, since chances are the extender has a 15mm bore to prevent battery rattle. Sunwayman V11R is an example, JetBeam RRT-0/TCR10, NiteCore SRT3. Others such as JetBeam WL-S1 can use CR123A or AA depending on how much you tighten the tail. Should fit this 16500 perfectly. Zebralight SC80 (discontinued) should also take these no problem by removing the internal adapter. I’m guessing there are plenty of others out there could be made to work.

I actually ordered the Sunwayman V11R extender earlier. My first thought was to try these, understand I’ll have to bore it out a little.

However I actually ordered two extenders. I assume they’ll fit together, so hoping they might let me run a 16650 instead in it, which would be even better.

BTW - does anyone know where to buy these 16500’s from? Can’t find them listed.

I don’t know about international, but there are multiple sellers in USA like BatteryJunction.

http://www.batteryjunction.com/efest-4063-flat.html

Search right now on ebay, there’s a guy selling them from the UK at a good price. Not sure why the ad is in Spanish…

Can confirm these fit in my SK68 clones. However they are flat top so I need to scrounge up an appropriate magnet to make them work. Should provide nearly double the runtime vs a 14500.