Just about every laptop out there uses 18650s - as does the Chevy Volt (8192 of them AFAIR). There is a lot of competitive pressure to make higher capacity 18650s. Just about nobody uses 25650s. And they don’t fit properly in C cell lights. For every 25650 sold I’d guess a few tens of thousands of 18650s get sold.
are actually made up of a different chemistry than 18650’s? I kinda find that hard to believe. But I’m flexible.
Maybe volume doesn’t equate to a one for one linear increase in capacity due to battery physics? I’ll let the batt experts chime in here. In any case, given my druthers I’ll take a 30% increase over 0% increase any day. In a one-hour runtime torch that’s about 20 extra minutes. Nothing to sneeze at IMO especially if it can save yer skin someday.
The details of manufacture are what really makes a difference. You can get 1600 or 3400mAh 18650s. Which one is harder to make?
What market is there for $5000 26650s? I’d guess approximately none.
That’s the sort of money that gets amortised over billions of 18650s.
An 18650 has pi*r*r*h volume - or 3.14159x9x9x65 cubic millimetres. Or 16540 cubic millimetres. For a 25650 - 312,686 cubic millimetres. Or 19x the volume of an 18650. So the best cells ought to be able to do 3400x19mAh - or 64Ah. Want, want, want quite a lot of those.
Even if they cost 19x as much as 3400mAh 18650s - so say $200 each.
How many of those would you buy?
Given that they are unlikely to last more than three years?
Look at it this way. I can buy a King Kong 26650 4000mAh for around $9; An XTAR 18650 2600mAh costs about the same. The KK has tested capacity of 4400mAh, The XTAR, 2600mAH on a good day. If I use the XTAR on a 2 hour ride, I'm going to have to switch cells a little over 1/2 way through the ride. The King Kong gives me close to 2 hours run time with a brighter flashlight. 26650's are great for cycling - I wish I had more choices in lights.
Does anyone know what the highest capacity 26650 is out there? I know most of the higher capacity claims are false, with both 18650 & 26650. Are those 4400 king Kongs the top of the real capacity mark? I’d like to buy 3 or 4 of them but not sure where to find them? Any ideas thanks
Well, i have to object:
My preferred A123 systems 18650 (APR18650M1A) has a capacity of 1100 mAh.
The corresponding A123 systems 26650 (ANR26650M1B) has a capacity of 2500 mAh, that’s more than twice!
…but maybe, other producers didn’t do their homework? :~
I have a similar light. I am using a 16650 and it works great, although there is plenty of room left for a fatter battery; however, the inside diameter of my light is only 2400 and NOT 2665(0). Take the light to your vape or battery shop and try it out to be sure it fits, because you cannot return batteries after the sale (or in most stores anyway).
18650s make a smaller light for carrying than 26650
26650 is for more energy and power
but they are WAY more expensive
plus 18650s are also available ‘free’ - if you take apart laptop packs
26650’s are not more expensive, they are about the same price as 18650’s and when considering their energy, even cheaper.
For flashlight use they are preferable IMO, as their size fits better in a man’s hand.
Once you’re used to them, you’ll find a 18650 light something more for women.