toobadorz:
SKV89:
toobadorz, I only buy from reputable sources like MTNelectronics, Illumn.com , imrbatteries, 18650batterystore.com . The biggest variation I’ve seen within the same batch is 3,375mah to 3,557mah from a sample size of 4 cells. Currently Illumn.com sells the BEST NCR18650GA batch I’ve ever seen and it ranged from 3,540 to 3,631. It is incredible and is definitely the highest capacity 18650 in existence. Your Vapcell 16340 tested at 660mah is pretty poor. The highest Acebeam 16340 550mah I measured was 657mah and it is a higher current cell. I see a much more noticeable difference in output when used in FET driver, so I stock up on both the Vapcell and Acebeam and use them depending on the the light.
We all know that the manufacturers sell their best (performance/consistency) cells to their top customers, and those seen in the retail market are mostly of lower grades, with worse consistency. However, for NCR18650GA, I would say 3,375mah to 3,557mah within the same batch is not acceptable at all. You may check whether their date of manufacturing and rank are all the same. The sites you mentioned are probably trustworthy, but they usually have no responsibility for delivering cells of the same date/rank. But you may still see the retail cells getting better over years, as the manufacturer continues to improve their process.
Also, it will be better if you state clearly regarding the discharge current and cut-off voltage when measuring capacity. 0.2C vs. 1C, 2.5V vs. 3.0V cut-off discharges are totally different stories. It will be even better if the discharge curves can be shared, since the inconsistencies can be easily observed as the curves don’t quite match, even when the cells end up with similar capacities.
SKV89:
Also, I’m not promoting the acceptance of manufacturers overrating their cells or accepting overly high variances. However, I tested between 100 to 200 cells and that is just what I see. I don’t expect perfect consistency because it is not realistic although it is not impossible as I’ve seen some pretty consistent cells. Here are the most consistent cells I’ve seen:
Shockli 5500mah and Vapcell 5500mah measured at 5991, 5971, 5948, 6001
LG M50 / M50T (= ACEBEAM 21700), VTC6, P26A usually have pretty good consistency as long as they are in the same box and shipped directly from the manufacturer. But, as always, you cannot expect the same consistency when they are from different batches. Look at the following P26A’s, which I bought from Vapcell at once.
P28A cells of the same batch, grade A:
Samsung 25S of the same batch:
Shockli 5500mah and Vapcell 5500mah are both PLB INR26650-55A. When cells of this model are sourced from PLB directly with the same batch, they are usually pretty consistent. But they still show ~5% difference among different batches. I’m saying so because I have been using this cell since 2016, and mine came with PLB original shrinking tubes, so I can easily identify their date of manufacturing and batch id.
Say, most of the earliest 2016 samples have more than 6000mAh, however their voltage are usually a bit lower. Some 2018 samples are of lower capacity (~5700mAh), with average capacity. The latest 2019 samples have ~5900mAh and good voltage. But that’s just what I have, maybe others can have better samples.
Dear toobadorz
I’m sorry to disappoint you with your shopping experience.
Which salesman did you buy it from? We should be able to solve it better.
toobadorz
October 9, 2019, 12:41pm
42
Hello Dennis, if you mean those P26A’s I got, they were actually purchased directly from your people (Vapcell). Given that they were all grade A and demonstrated capacities larger than expectation (2600mAh), I would say they were good high current cells.
The problem is, after re-wrapping it may be difficult for even your people to tell the actual batch id of them, thus the cells shipped may be a mixed result from different batches. If you are able to add the batch id or something equivalent and tell your people to ensure the same id when shipping, that will be good.
toobadorz:
Hello Dennis, if you mean those P26A’s I got, they were actually purchased directly from your people (Vapcell). Given that they were all grade A and demonstrated capacities larger than expectation (2600mAh), I would say they were good high current cells.
The problem is, after re-wrapping it may be difficult for even your people to tell the actual batch id of them, thus the cells shipped may be a mixed result from different batches. If you are able to add the batch id or something equivalent and tell your people to ensure the same id when shipping, that will be good.
We buy a lot of P26A, the same batch of the same performance, if the delivery to customers is also a batch.
Only tails may have several batches.
If the customer is strict, please let us know
Normally, vape batteries can be used.
For batteries, strict consistency is required
I purchased 12 of these batteries for 3 of my Netgear Arlo cameras (the first version that works with 4 non-rechargeable CR123s).
Unheard
October 31, 2020, 6:57am
45
It seems european dealers cannot get those batteries anymore. Months ago I asked nkon.nl for a range of Vapcells, and they got all of them back in stock except this one. Aren’t they being produced anymore?
I had taken them months ago on Aliexpress (they also had the logo which ensures they are original as far as I’m concerned) for my Netgear Arlo cams, but then I resold them since I put all Xiaomi at home and I’m fine as a God.
This is the answer I got when I asked Vapcell on Ali about availability
Unheard
October 31, 2020, 7:12pm
48
Thanks, CvP. Not the answer I was hoping for, though.
Also asked Vapcell and got a different answer, and nkon wrote they’ll order them shortly after, but in the end there was a new assortment of Vapcells in their webshop but without this one. Some sources are left, but none ships to Germany.