Test/review of UltraFire 18350 1100mAh (Black-red)

[duvallite]

It was my understanding that the Keeppower IMR 18350 1200 mAh battery from RTD Vapor was the same battery as the Aspire. I picked up a couple to have on hand when I finally decide on either a Astrolux S1 or a Convoy S2+, both with the shorty tube.

[HKJ]

@beam0

* Are they are truly 1100mAh?

Look in table, they are above 1100mAh up to 3A.

@beam0

* These are better (higher capacity, higher discharge) than the Efest 900mAh protected?

Definitely, this new generation is way above anything previous.

[beam0]

@duvallite

It was my understanding that the Keeppower IMR 18350 1200 mAh battery from RTD Vapor was the same battery as the Aspire. I picked up a couple to have on hand when I finally decide on either a Astrolux S1 or a Convoy S2+, both with the shorty tube.

Thanks for the info, probably gone too…

The only KeepPower 18350 I see currently on that site is 750mAh, and it’s out of stock.

[ohbreeeezy]

Safe to use these with D4?

[beam0]

@HKJ

@beam0

* Are they are truly 1100mAh?

Look in table, they are above 1100mAh up to 3A.

@beam0

* These are better (higher capacity, higher discharge) than the Efest 900mAh protected?

Definitely, this new generation is way above anything previous.

Thanks for the reply. I guess the protection circuits are new generation too (with higher discharge limits)

[moderator007]

@ohbreeeezy

Safe to use these with D4?

That’s the whole reason I purchased the Aspire 18350 cells. They work great but short run times compared to a 18650.
Thanks for the testing data HKJ. :+1:

[Agro]

These are nearly certainly exactly the same cells as:

• Aspire 18350
• Keeppower 18350 1200 mAh

However, I wouldn’t trust Ultrafire. They may change the cell they use under the wraps at any point.
Therefore I would prefer to buy Keeppowers unless:

• UF was so much cheaper that I could justify the risk, or
• I was capable of measuring the cell cell receive AND getting money back if it underperforms AND got it cheaper to justify the potential burden

[beam0]

@beam0

@duvallite

It was my understanding that the Keeppower IMR 18350 1200 mAh battery from RTD Vapor was the same battery as the Aspire. I picked up a couple to have on hand when I finally decide on either a Astrolux S1 or a Convoy S2+, both with the shorty tube.

Thanks for the info, probably gone too…

The only KeepPower 18350 I see currently on that site is 750mAh, and it’s out of stock.

This is weird, doing a search on that site there’s no Keeppower 1200 coming up…but if I do a google search they come up:
https://www.rtdvapor.com/keeppower-imr-18350-1200mah-10a-2pcs/
EDIT: I searched a different way on the site and found them there.

I wonder why that is? But anyway I can put them in the cart to purchase, and shipping is only $2.99 which is less that what gearbest is charging me to ship a pair of the UltraFires, and a little over $3.00 less than amazon.

Thanks duvallite!

[beam0]

@Agro

These are nearly certainly exactly the same cells as:

• Aspire 18350
• Keeppower 18350 1200 mAh

However, I wouldn’t trust Ultrafire. They may change the cell they use under the wraps at any point.
Therefore I would prefer to buy Keeppowers unless:

• UF was so much cheaper that I could justify the risk, or
• I was capable of measuring the cell cell receive AND getting money back if it underperforms AND got it cheaper to justify the potential burden

OR unless…

• You want protected cells that still deliver high discharge current.

Just realized the Keepowers aren’t protected?

In fact aside from these UltraFires, I’m not aware of any other High capacity/High discharge protected 18350.

[moderator007]

I would assume that the same battery being equipped with a protection circuit for a high drain cell would end up costing more since they have to add the board plus add more FET’s to the board to achieve higher currents.

[Barkuti]

@moderator007

I would assume that the same battery being equipped with a protection circuit for a high drain cell would end up costing more since they have to add the board plus add more FET’s to the board to achieve higher currents.

While this is true moderator007, you may also already know that final product cost is largely driven by political reasons like perceived value and supply/demand. I do often find protected cells at lower prices versus unprotected ones.

Cheers :-)

[beam0]

@moderator007

I would assume that the same battery being equipped with a protection circuit for a high drain cell would end up costing more since they have to add the board plus add more FET’s to the board to achieve higher currents.

Of course, adding anything would cost more, I assume you’re suggesting the UltraFires are based on a different cell altogether?

Maybe UltraFire bought a boat load of those Aspire 1100 base cells the vapers don’t want anymore, for pennies on the dollar.

[moderator007]

I was just suggesting that if they didn’t add the protection circuit they could sale the battery cheaper and we could buy them cheaper.
A few years ago when I was build a battery pack for a hunting light, I needed a protection circuit in the pack. As the current capabilities of the circuit went up so did the price, may not be that way now. But the circuit is adding to the cost of the battery.

[beam0]

@moderator007

I was just suggesting that if they didn’t add the protection circuit they could sale the battery cheaper and we could buy them cheaper.
A few years ago when I was build a battery pack for a hunting light, I needed a protection circuit in the pack. As the current capabilities of the circuit went up so did the price, may not be that way now. But the circuit is adding to the cost of the battery.

Ok I see then. For the Chinese manufactures I suppose adding the extra FET’s is probably in the cents not dollars range.

I’m happy these have the protection, and to have 18350’s that can deliver the same current as unprotected versions. Also as I said above, aside from these UltraFires, I’m not aware of any other High capacity/High discharge protected 18350’s.

And there’s a deal on these today… don’t think we could ask for any cheaper than this: ☢ [Bilakos10 Premium Deals] ● Astrolux FT03 SST-40 ● Astrolux A01 UV ● Seeknite X6S ● JCD 8898 Hot Air Station ● SQ-D60
I just ordered a pair of them.

[Agro]

Keeppowers are available both with and without protection.
And, frankly, I wouldn’t trust UF to keep the protection circuit either. This does not mean I expect them to fake protection, I don’t. But if they do, I won’t be surprised.

[beam0]

@Agro

Keeppowers are available both with and without protection.

I would have like to get the Keeppowers but unfortunately the protected version is very hard to find right now, found only one website that had them in stock but for a very high price: $9.00 ea. ($18.00/ 2pcs)

Bangood price is $11.99/2pcs. : “under restocking”
Aliexpress same price: “cannot deliver to USA”

No where else could I find them available for sale, google didn’t help.

.

Also the UltraFires can do 7A+: “the cells tracks nicely and can deliver 7A, at 10A the voltage is a bit low”
The Keeppowers do not: “tracks fairly well and capacity only drops slowly with current. 5A works fine, 7A is limited by the protection”

.

@Agro

And, frankly, I wouldn’t trust UF to keep the protection circuit either.

Not sure I understand, are you saying the UltraFires protection circuit may fail prematurely? Or that the protection may not work at all?

[Agro]

I mean that they may remove it from some future batch. And by future I mean any newer than the latest known-good.
If you compare the cells:
http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/CommonSmallcomparator.php
you’ll see that Keppower protection adds less resistance, but trips at 7A. UF doesn’t trip even at 10A. Assuming it actually works, this is a good thing - some lights draw much more than 7A from a single 18350…

[moderator007]

I purchased the Aspire 18650 to run in the D4. The protected version wouldn’t work with out tripping the PCB.
I can see the PCB being useful in some lights but not if your going to draw more current than the PCB will stand.
Each has their on purpose.

[beam0]

@moderator007

I purchased the Aspire 18650 to run in the D4. The protected version wouldn’t work with out tripping the PCB.
I can see the PCB being useful in some lights but not if your going to draw more current than the PCB will stand.

Each has their on purpose.

Exactly. And why I’m getting some of these in addition to the unprotected Aspire 1100 I already have, different batteries for my different lights.

[beam0]

@beam0

……………The Aspire is Gone, gone, gone…

I just received an order from Liion recently and got the Aspire 1100mAh, but checking today it’s no longer available at Liion Wholesale or IMR Batteries. Wish i would have known I would have got more than 1 pcs. :rage:

.
Liion is recommending this battery instead (Vapcell 1100mAh - 10A):
Vapcell 18350 10A 1100mAh Battery - Genuine - Wholesale Discounts – Liion Wholesale Batteries

I wonder if it’s as good as the Aspire?

.

“The Vapcell 18350 is the same thing as the Aspire was under the wrapper”

aspire 18350 discontinued..?

The Aspire 18350 batteries were discontinued by the manufacturer, anyone know why, or who has some still…? Weren’t they the highest capacity and highest discharge rate of any 18350, by a large margin…? MTN is out and can’t order any more. Were these re-branded, if so who was the manufacturer, and do they still produce them…? Is there a better 18350 out now…?