Massive fraud on 18650s in the Littokala Aliexpress stores!

First, check the physical characteristics of the can, wrapping, code, and contacts. You can search to see what they should be, or compare them against a known legit cell.

Then, check the capacity (should be around 2900mAh). Then charge it up and make sure it holds voltage with a drop of no more than 0.002v per day (after the first day).

Then, make sure it’s high drain. If you have a BLF Q8, you can run it off a single cell. Even a flat top will work in the Q8, but be careful when tightening. You should get about 2500 lumen output from a single 30Q. Or at least try it in another high-drain light to make sure it behaves as expected.

After all that, it could still be fake. But, there are more expensive cells than a 30Q to fake, so it’s unlikely a 30Q fake would be so “good” as to pass the above tests.

Thank you for the heads up. Ordered 6 piece 30q

Ordered 2x Liitokala 26650 and 4x LG HG2 last night from the “factory store.” I’d intended to order from the “official store,” which I’ve bought from before. Probably exactly the same operation though. I guess I’ll see what I get in a few weeks.

I’ve ordered from Liitokala a few times with no problems, and I just ordered 6x 30Qs. But my last order from them was placed in early January and still hasn’t arrived. I’m hoping this order arrives in a more timely manner. If it doesn’t, I’m done with them.

I would love to hear delivery time reports on these amazing 18650 deals.

Only thing keeping me from ordering from Ali is the shipping. I don’t know if it’s the individual stores or what but, every time I order something through them it takes forever. I ordered a few things for the wife and two flashlights from a well known brand name official store on Ali back in March. Still have yet to see anything arrive and they keep extending protection for both sets of merchandise. It will be 3 months before any of it hits my door. With GB or BG it’s always been 2 to 3 weeks, 4 weeks tops, and thats not very often. If it’s longer it’s because of the shipping date which I know of before I purchase.

Hope you all get your cells in a timely fashion and that they are genuine. I’m sure they will be. Liitokala wouldn’t be in business very long passing off junk cells.

looks like the internal resistance numbers are different in the specs so maybe they are just culling cells before making battery packs and don’t want to use a battery that they consider out of spec for their application . I saw one listing say 80 and another say 50 internal resistance . Like toddschoe says I doubt they are selling fakes or junk cells Liitokalas too big at this point for that and it’s too easy to make a new shop and sell trash from an account or company you’re willing to burn down .

Just bumping this… There are two stores named Liitokala, one is quite official looking, but the other called “Liitokala Official” uses a 0 in the word “official” and doesn’t look very official…

All those saying they’ve bought from Liitokala before with no problems, did you buy from the “Liitokala 0fficial” store or the “Liitokala” store?

About 6 months ago I purchased LG M26’s and Samsung 30q’s from the store I linked to in post #8, which has a different store number than both you have linked to. The batteries tested OK in my lii-500 when I got them, and I’ve had no problems with the 2 or 3 them I’ve used. Shipping was fast, and while the tracking number said the package was shipped from China the box I received had a California return address which made me think they ship in bulk to the US then split the batteries up into smaller packages.

I think I found 6 Liitokala stores without trying very hard last time I looked.

My previous (satisfactory) orders were from the “Liitokala Official Flagship” store (133859). My January order was from the 0fficial store (217753). I think I’ll be avoiding them in the future.

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Liitokala-2PCS-26650-rechargeable-battery-26650A-lithium-battery-3-7V-5100mA-26650-50A-blue-Suitable-for/1000004139007.html

4-packs a precio de derribo ($3.3425/piece or €2.875/piece).

Cheers ^:)

Ouch! Okay, that doesn’t sound very promising. I’d be interested to know if that store turns out to be good. The deal does seem too good to be true.

The “too good to be true” thing is just a thoughtform which, if emotionally energized and embraced as a belief, will more than probably prevent you from enjoying killer and or super deals. I personally don't believe in it, and thus don't suffer from its limitations.

Believe wisely my friends.

Cheers ^:)

These liitokala 26650 look great for my e-bike project (14S2P config). I have some experience with soldering these together, but I am too lazy (or scared) to solder 28 cells. But tabbed cells have almost the same price, so I will just get these: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/3PCS-Liitokala-26650-rechargeable-battery-26650A-lithium-battery-3-7V-5100mA-26650-50A-blue-Suitable-for/32855252777.html?spm=a2g0s.13010208.99999999.265.43043c00nK1rNa Is there any cycle life specs for these 26650 or for yellow LiitoKala Lii-40A?

3.6V/3.7V 5000mAh NiCoMn(NCM) Battery Cell For EVs @ Power Long Battery

“A bit” exaggerated I'd say.

Cheers ^:)

Well, the seller has given me a new Paypal account, so the next question is: can anyone here vouch or had any first-hand experience as to the authenticity of these 30qs?

Why not just sign up for Alipay? I know it’s not as good as Paypal, but at least you’re not messing around with alternative addresses for payment. But if you do use Paypal, make sure it’s a proper payment to a merchant, and not a personal payment.

EXCELLENT advice!

BlueSwordM, thanks for the heads up and link! Ordered six of the 30Qs from the LIItokala Factory Store.

The 6 LG HG2’s I ordered on May 9th from the Liitokala Official Store (letter O, not a zero) #217753 for $13.61 with free shipping arrived today. The batteries look like quality LG products, there are no obvious indications they are a rewrap or counterfeit. All 6 measured 3.62 volts out of the box. I’m leaving on a road trip tomorrow and charging some other batteries, but I did just put one on my lii-500 for a fast test cycle. If I get time I’ll post the results before I leave, if not then by the end of the week.

Edited to add the results of the test:

Used fast test cycle, 700mA setting
IR 35mR
Charge ended at 4.21V, 2941mAh

Hey guys, are legit? Thinking of getting some 26650, 18650 for some future MODS. Want to make sure the are not dangerous ” bootleg ” versions. Please advise. Thanks.