As Hikelite stated, it is some Sanyo cells that require charging beyond 4.2v to achieve full capacity (there is also a 16650 cell rated to 2200mAh Max/2100mAh Min that requires charging to 4.30v).
The higher capacity Panasonic cells only require charging to 4.2v, but if memory serves, their capacity is calculated with a discharge down to 2.5v rather than stopping at 3.0v, so you could still observe lower capacities if you stop at 3.0v.
This is certainly the case with the 3100mAh cells - can't remember off the top of my head if the 2900mAh cells are rated down to 3.0v or 2.5v.
I'll stand by what I said about rather buying 2 Xtar 18700 2600MAH batteries from Serena for $13.50. I'd almost bet money they will last as long and perform about as well as the Redilast 2900MAH. And you can buy 3 for what you pay for one of these. No matter how you figure the math, the Xtar is the better buy.
in your opinion and maybe most others aswell and maybe not every one.
i say you send me one of your xtar,s ill pay the shipping ill buy a redlist 2900 and ill stress test, test mah, maxium current draws and voltage sag and internal resistance and see witch perform,s better and if your right then people can make up there mind witch is better and witch they find better value for the $$$ they will mostlike pick the xtar simple for price.
or if people want to donate some coin to my paypal i will buy a hi-max, a TFF, a xtar and a redlist and compair them all with some pritty pictures.
I would like to see how those two perform on a 2.5A discharge until 3V.
Xtars 2600 are Sanyo UR18650F, rated min. capacity 2500mAh
Old's tests show:
Xtar 2600 = 2448mAh @ 0.5A to 3v
Sanyo 2600 = 2433mAh @ 0.5A to 3v
Some have reported that they don't get 2600 mAh from these cells.
They are rated 2600mah only when a 0.2C discharged is performed. But if you look closely on the discharge curve, that is not totally reached. Probably 2580mAh, but that is what is called 2600mAh, no problem.
At 0.5C they are rated 2500Mah
At 1C they are rated 2400Mah
At 2C they are rated approx. 2350 mAh
That is to down to 2.75V and 20 degrease Celsius.
Looking forward to see someone reproduce the tests Sanyo has done on their cells.
tuesday ill buy some redilast and maybe the next tuesday ill get some xtars and play around more with data logging as im intrested, but the 0.5 volt diffrence with the cut off might make a diffrence from what im seeing with the trustfire flames charging with 0.7 volt diffrence from start to finish, they might come close, might have to step up the discharge rates.
Well before you keep quoting me I think you need to look at the overall picture. The Trustfire flame batteries I have been told by some that they are probably almost as good as the Xtar but not quite. Now how long they will last is yet to be seen. But money does become an issue on overall value and to some they don't like paying $19 for 1 battery that promises you the moon. Personally I say buy what you want, and I will buy what I want. For me, I will only buy the Trustfire flames, Xtar, Hi-Max, or Sanyo protected batteries. I think all of these are good batteries. Some may be a little better than others. But all should be safe and offer a very good value.
Here are graphs for the AW 2900s (same cell inside as the Redilast) and at the end is a comparison to the Sanyo 2600 (what is supposedly inside the XTARs)
Flames don't quite measure up, but at the price they are still hard to beat.
Thanks for the responses- they are all applicable and make perfect sense.
Not the best for $ but the Redilast on my little torch ( similar electronically to the Tank 007 TK 737- but not as nice a host and unregulated) should/ might run a bit hotter/brighter during first hour and also run quite a bit longer due to larger capacity and running down to 2.5 volts- I'll check it out.
Seems like 18650s are like electric guitars- no two, even the same brand and type are exactly alike........
I think it's significant the ILIKEFFLASHLIGHTS is getting good results and good Trustfire Flames- seems I read that there are some inferior or counterfeit versions of those around as well.
18650s- great power source, but very quirky supplies.....
But- I've been reading lots of threads and charts lately- and the Trustfire Flames have been one of the most consistent performers of all always- 2400-2450 mah- which is really amazing considering they are a budget battery.
And for about 3 times the price -you can get about 20%- 30 % more performance from the Panasonic repackaged cells, and a very few exotics ( depending on which spec ) - and you can get about 10% to 15% more performance for about double the price on a few other brands ( depending on which spec ).
Not an expert so please correct me if the above is wrong regarding increased performance- it's oversimplified at best- I know many of you have done some accurate tests, so I'll edit if it's wrong
I posted a link on post #4 that contains a few different 18650 test’s including aw’s and redilast batteries the redilast seam to perform better and test of CPF seams to show they are better protected, the might be the same cells ? but the redilast seam to perform better and would be my choice over aw’s