Im currently waiting on a battery .. Hi-max
When it arives ... + Xtars ...
There will be a review , which will be more indepth than a simple discharge on the hobby charger to check capacity ...
Interesting link ... [ @ School ATM ]
Hi everyone,
XTAR / Szwholesale just contacted me, and they have sent me some of these "Sanyo inside" 18700 batteries for review. So this will be my first foray into the large Li-Ion battery world.
My first question is: Are these compatible with most flashlights labeled as "18650" compatible? Comparing the specs of these 18700 vs several other 18650 batteries, it would would appear that the 18700 type is about 1 mm smaller in diameter and 3mm - 5mm longer.
Second: I'll need a charger. Any recommendations for a safe, economical entry level charger? The XTAR WP2 received a positive review here.
Another observation: The power capacity of these large batteries doesn't seem to be very good considering their much larger size. A good AA Eneloop stores 2000 mAh. And for example these 18650 - 18700 batteries are rated at 2600 mAh, and I imagine that this is slightly overrated. So is it really worth the trouble and increased size for only 500 additional mAh?
Thanks for your help!
These batteries would be spot on 2600mAh and it's the voltage that counts at 4.2v v 1.5v fully charged.
Hi there how2, thanks for replying. Yes, the voltage is higher, but then again I could use 14500s if I want higher voltage, right?
What about size and compatibility with 18650 flashlights?
Thanks!
I dont think you understood what how2 was saying. Capacity of 18650 or 18700 is roughly 3X that of AA ni-mh eneloop (so its like 2000mah vs 6000mah @ 1,5V) and not just "500 additional mAh" !
Ah, you're right, higher voltage means it drains faster. I see what you mean now.
When you look at it as energy storage, for the extra volume you get (energy = voltage x capacity) 2.6Ah x 3.6V (nominal voltage) giving 9.36 watt-hours. An Eneloop gives you 1.2V (Again nominal voltage) x 2Ah = 2.4 watt-hours, or a quarter of the energy storage. Their respective volumes are (pi x radius squared x height) (pi x 9 x 9 x 70)/1000 = 17.81cm3 or around 2cm3 per watt-hour for the 18700 and (pi x 7 x 7 x 50)/1000 = 7.7cm3 or about 3cm3 per watt-hour for the Eneloop. So the 18650 has about a half more energy available per unit volume and probably more than that per unit weight. Lithium cells are much less dense than NiMH cells.
There probably are a very few 18650 lights that will not take these, but it is safe to say that everything that will take an 18650 will take these. My protected flame Trustfires measure at 68.8mm - protected cells usually are a bit longer. Cell length is usually more of an issue in twisties than in other lights. There aren't a lot of 18650 twisties out there AFAIK.
They are compatible with 18650 batteries but since they are slightly longer than usual 18650 protected batteries for cca. 1mm there could be some issues on certain aplications (cca.68,5-69mm vs. 70mm) Unprotected cells are 65 mm.
Xtar WP2 would be a good choice.
Regarding power capacity you are mistaken. For example 2200 mAh*1,2V=2,4Wh and 2600 mAh*3,7V=9,6Wh or 4 times more of total energy stored in 18650 than in AA.
Congratulations to Don for 4k post ! I guess I should type quicker 
I believe i am one of the few with experience with XTAR 18700. The 2400mAh i own are to be believed true 2400mAh. If not, very close. Size wise they are not longer than your average protected 18650. Exact length is 68mm with nipple. I suspect they are just being carefull not to state the 18650 size since the 3mm difference we are used with all 18650 with PCB. Same size as the hi-max. Protection circuit is reliable. Did not had any that were unreliable but heard alot about protections not kicking in in budget brands. Ive heard that XTAR cells are certified to use in flashlights mounted on firearms. Kind of recoil proof (the pcb does not get whacked easily as i understood it). Never tried tho. On another note they are noticeably better built of all other budget cells i had. Like having in hand Solarforce vs solarfarce l2 body. My samples had around 30+ cycles. Performance drop was not percieved but i would need to try a more scientific approach instead of my eye-o-meter.
Thank you all! Watt-hours makes more sense. And congrats to Don for 4000 posts!
Hadn't noticed that - I remember thinking I was getting close to 4000, but didn't even notice that I'd arrived.
I want to ask this battery has is short circuit protection ?
Thank you.
Yes, it has short circuit protection.
Where do you get these from and what's the price?
If you want them within EU try http://www.miracle-store.de/product_info.php?info=p297_xtar-18650-li-ionen-akku-proctected-x1.html
Does't even say which model so I guess 1800 mAh.
The Sanyo 2600 based version can be found here: http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/xtar-18700-2600mah-protected-batteryxtarb2600-p-1943.html
Cheaper than Hi-Max 18650 so probably a good deal.
Or their wholesale site:
That's not the Sanyo cells either, these are http://www.szwholesale.com/2pcs-xtar-18700-2600mah-sanyo-lithium-cell-inside-batteryxtars-p-3955.html?osCsid=bd7d78b4ded0e8d6365dad86ffb9132d
But minimum shipping fee is $6 on szwholesale so for two batteries it's cheaper with QCG.
Oh i tought 2400 mAh were fine.
I ordered two battery 05/08/2010 here http://www.qualitychinagoods.com/xtar-18700-2600mah-protected-batteryxtarb2600-p-1943.html?language=en&name=2%20pcs%20XTAR%2018700%202600mAh%203.7V%20Protected%20Battery(XTAR-B-2600) . posted - 05/09/2010 