I ordered the Hi-Max 4000mAh protected cells listed in the first post from eBay. Price is up a bit to $30.60 shipped but I know Hi-Max is a very reputable brand and I want protected cells since I will be using them in series for a T-J12. I will report back on my impressions, but I don't have any test capability so any impressions I give will be limited.
$30 is getting up there, if you lived in Australia i would get you to send me one for a quick test then ill send back, i would like to see how they go.
Guys, sorry if this has already been asked/answered, but it’s hard to read 238 comments…
People have mentioned that some of the cheaper 18650 cells are repackaged used laptop cells, or something like that, leading to poor performance and inconsistency. Does the same situation exist with 26650 cells? If not, could we believe that all 26650s are new? If so, then would the cheaper cells be, if not the best performance-wise, at least new and likely to be consistent?
It’s a good question, petey. Like 18650, the 26650 batteries were not designed for flashlight use, rather they were adapted for that purpose. 26650 cells have been around a long time and are primarily used for industrial applications like:
- Portable high power devices
- Stationary battery backup systems
- Grid stabilization energy storage systems
- Commercial truck and bus hybrid electric vehicles ( HEV’s )
So yes, repackaged cells are quite common, I’m sure, which is why I recommend caution and buying from a reputable source. I will not buy pretty, shiny wrapper 26650 cells from eBay, unless I know the seller is reputable. The real danger with 26650 is that many or most 26650 cells are 3.3v, not the 3.7v we use in flashlights. Stick to the list of good (reviewed) batteries - all others? Use at your own risk, same as with all the Sh!tFire wrapped 18650 cells out there.
(Source: http://www.a123systems.com/lithium-ion-cells-26650-cylindrical-cell.htm)
Cool, thanks BetweenRides.
I was at my local Frys and they had these Tennergy cells for $12.99 each. I was tempted, but funds are tapped right now, maybe in the future. They have weld tabs though so you’ll have to remove them. Tennergy has a pretty good reputation, no history of re-shrinking used cells, grossly exaggerated specs…etc. On the back of the packaging it spec’d a 6A draw steady state and peak draw (short burst) 8A.
They also had 2 others that were 3.2V Li-Po (safer chemistry), but they were lower current draw, and unsuitable for my applications.
Interesting. I wonder if the underlying cell is the same source as as the King Kong? In addition to 18650 cells at Tractor Supply, this is only the second time I've seen/heard of Li-ion being sold at retail.
Most large walmarts seem to carry lifepo4 14500 batteries. I have something like 4 of them and they have around 700 mah capacity.
I didn't know that. They are 3.7v?
No they are lifepo4 nominal voltage of 3 and max of 3.3. They are meant for those garden lights.
Hi there,
very interesting information on the last pages, thank you. I didn’t have much time for my FandyFire HD201 since April, in the meantime the 26650 cells got quite popular I think.
I have two Sony LiMn 26650 (made by Molicell?), which delivered easily more than 6 amps in the HD2010 (Maximum= seems to be direct drive). Minimum voltage is 2,5v, maximum 4,2v. I think, in earlier days, max. voltage used to be 4,1v with nominal voltage of 3,6v, but now you can charge them with the normal lipo programm.
Capacity is supposed to be around 2500mah, I got a bit more capacity (started charging at3,0v):
http://s14.directupload.net/file/d/2979/67wgcopq_jpg.htm
I have different RC Model chargers, for these batteries I use the small charger:
this one works very precisely, but some of the cheap chargeres like IMAX aren’t very precise, so be careful
this is the battery:
Sure, the capacity isn’t that massive. But the maximum discharge is 10c (!!), so you could get up to 25 amps, which is a lot. So far no problem at all with them, will buy some more probably. They are safe and powerful. Some shops in Germany sell them, like lipopower.de, an other guy sells them on ebay.
AFAIK these type of batteries are used for Sony Laptops (the smaller 18650), and the bigger 26650 have been around a while, used for power tools, and lately for electric bicycles. There aren’t so many different manufacturer for lithium batteries, most of them in china. Molicell is an Canadian company, but of course manufactures in China.
Some years ago, the “Konion” batteries have been popular amongst RC hobby people, but are hard to get nowadays. I would like to get one of the 26700 cells. Here’s a comparison of these batteries (in German):
Quite interesting are these ones with 4000mah:
http://shop.lipopower.de/LiNiCoMn-Rundzelle-CR26650-C1-37V-4000mAh
it says “WNICR26650C1”
thanks again for all the interesting information, for me, 26650 are the future. More amps, higher capacity, and like the sony/emoli, pretty safe.
The only problems I had with batteries so far were NIMH Cells, which burned and exploded. so I think, they all can be dangerous to some extent. I would never buy myself some (fake?) batterys from an unknown shop. They probably get damaged due to the high power LED we use nowadays, ’cos they can’t stand the high current draw.
florian
Picked up an Ultrafire blue protected 26650 3.7V labled as 6000mah. Has been thru 6-8 cycles so far. Maybe I’m doing something wrong, but the capicity seems WAY lower than advertised.
Here’s dicharged from full at 1.0A. 1677?!!?
I’m in the market for a 26650 cell with better numbers. Might as well run an 18650 with a spacer…
King Kongs unprotected or TF 5000 protected from Manafont or CNQG can't be beat.
Yea, wouldn’t really expect anything more from the UF, they are all total crap.
So I made it through the first 5 pages, and yeah my head hurts. You guys are maniacs! 
Lots of information, especially the precautions about batteries exploding.
Which leads me to a question regarding the safer LiFePO4 style of battery.
Are there any of them that are in the 3.7v rating?
I poked around and all I see are the 3.2v variety.
Welcome to BLF! All lifepo4 batteries are 3.2 volts. The voltage of a battery is defined by how the battery is made.
Thanks scaru!
So then is the next safest route to use protected batteries?
It seems that those ensure the battery doesn’t get pushed too far in either direction.
Pretty sure my flashlights are all regulated as well.
Yep, protected batteries are the way to go. Make sure you also have a DMM to measure voltage.