14500 teach me

Hi all novice Jamie here, I have a few lumintops that run 14500 cells. I have already learnt not all cells are the same. All the cells I have will run ok in the aa tools but two I have just can’t give my gt micro the juice it needs. My main question i suppose is, are more amps desirable than capacity. Say between a 1000mah 3a output or a 700mah 7a? Mainly for the gt micro. Thanks in advance.

Paddy

If you want to squeeze more lumens out of the flashlight, then I’d go for the 7A.

Most batteries either have high capacity at low currents or high currents at low capacity. Its all in the way they are made internally.
They are a few exceptions to this but that’s the norm. The highest capacity for the tool’s current draw would probably be the vapcell 1000mah 3a.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000622844271.html?
If you have a light that needs a little more current then probably the vapcell H10.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4000595091051.html
They’re so close with about 2 amps of draw I would probably go with all H10’s so it wouldn’t matter what you used it in. This cell is one of those exception cells that has both quality’s.
They are also trusted sellers who have them in the states.
Vapcell H10 14500 Purple/White 10A Button Top 1000mAh Battery - Genuin – Liion Wholesale Batteries
I just purchased 6 a few weeks ago from them.
They’re is also the shockli IMR 1050mah that has both high currents with good capacity.
Its easier to just give you HKJ’s test results and you can compare and decide what you need but the Vapcell H10 isn’t in his comparator, its on the Vapcell page in the link I give above. Most think the Vapcell H10 is the same cell inside as the Shockli just rewrapped.
Battery test-review 18650 comparator

14500 this was the cell I was looking at. Already have the vapcell 1000 3a one.

Theoratically, in high current lights that cell should give you a higher output but with less runtime.
I dont really trust what’s printed on the label to much, most are not honest.
That’s the reason we like to see HKJ or Mouch test the batteries so that the data shows exactly what they will handle.
I’m not saying these aren’t 7 amp cells but your odds of getting a good cell go up when you go by what has been proven good.
I dont find a test of the cell anywhere. If you can find one then you can compare results.
That’s just my two cents :wink: .
If you you play around with HKJ’s comparator and look at various cells you will find that more times than not the cells will not make their rated capacity or current.
But in their defense they usually rate the capacity with only a very small current draw which is not used much in the world of flashlights.

Thank you for your advice, I was just trying to find a uk source as shipping from overseas is a bit hit and miss at the time. Will have a look at the ones you linked.

What about the aliepress Vapcell store I linked?
They are a several members here from the UK that might might chime in if you give it a little bit.

Just looked says won’t ship here and I can’t find those h10 ones at any uk seller

If your just looking for a UK available cell with high current the Efest purple might be good enough. It use to be the best high current 14500 until vapcell brought better cells to market. Its a good high current cell but less capacity than some of the newer cells.
https://www.ecoluxshopdirect.co.uk/efest-14500-650mah-9-75a-button-battery
Use HKJ’s comparator and compare agaisnt the shockli at 5 amps.

They only had one in stock so I got it to tide me over til the h10s become a bit more available.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-PURPLE-EFEST-IMR Flat tops.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-PURPLE-EFEST-IMR Button Tops.
Another option if you think you need more for the time being. I have purchased from that seller a couple of times, all good.
You might email some of your UK suppliers and ask if they can get the H10’s or the shockli’s in stock. Might speed your wait time.

I’m liking my Shockli black 1000mah 14500’s. They’ll handle 5A fine. HJK tested them here too. The Vapcell are expensive and hard to find. I got 4 Shockli 14500 for less than $13 shipped.

HKJ just released his test data of the Vapcell 14500 H10. The curves look almost identically to the Shockli 1050mah.

It wouldn’t surprise me if they were made by the same company with Vapcells wrapper on it.

The Vapcell H10 is by far the best high current and high capacity 14500 on the market. The Shockli Orange 1050mah is the same cell under the wrapper. The Shockli Black 1000mah was the king a few months ago and can be had for much cheaper than the Vapcell H10.

I tried to get the new Shockli batteries and they aren’t available anywhere it seems. I got the black ones because I could actually get them. I am sure the difference in output isn’t much for application.

I contacted Shockli AliExpress store some weeks ago and the answer was that it is supposed to arrive by the end of this month!
IF, again, IF both Vapcell and Shockli cells come from the same manufacturer, maybe we can expect them to arrive at the same time!!

I’d get some of both :smiley:

Is there a US seller that stocks the Vapcell H10 or Orange Shockli? I know only of Liionwholesale, but they are currently sold out of the H10.

I’m sure some would carry them, but expect short runs and short supply. They will be expensive too. A VTC6 is probably going to be cheaper than a H10. Sort of like the black Shockli on Amazon. They were gone quick!