This is the newest high current cell from Panasonic. This battery uses the PF cell, even though it is named PD. The main difference between the PD and PF cell is that Panasonic has made the PF cell a bit safer (There is also a very minor capacity increase).
The two batteries has a very good match in capacity and does also keep the capacity at high loads.
Conclusion
There are cells with higher voltage at high current, but none other with this much capacity.
With a Panasonic cell inside it is a very good battery, that can deliver a lot of current.
But I wonder, how do this translate into real-world use ? For example why not including a runtime/lumens test with a reference flashlight to see how it behave ?
I know the results from a specific flashlight will not be exactly relevant but it should give a quick and easy idea.
Testing with a flashlight may sound like a good idea, but it is way to limited.
Some batteries are designed for high current draw, some for low. It would be unfair to compare them on the same light.
How much voltage a light need for full output, depends on the led, driver and number of batteries. Panasonic batteries that works down to 2.5 volt would be much better in lights with two batteries in series or lights with boost drivers.
Combining my driver tests and battery test it is possible to draw a output curve for any battery used with any of the drivers I have tested (I do not have time to play with it at the moment).
Thanks, I had an eye on this new cell and wondered how it compares to the ncrb.
Below 3A the ncrbs are better/par with the PF and over 3A these PFs are a bit better.
I definitely want some of the Panasonic base pf cells.
although I suspect most wont approve of their use, Panasonic pd’s are my go to cell in my mechanical ecigs, great capacity and more than capable of doing the required current.
they need to not be re wrapped though or they won’t fit, which also excludes protected cells….which is an annoyingly stupid idea.
cheers for the tests hkj, I cant wait for these to become available.
Yes that what I meant when I said not “exactly relevant”.
But then since its so complicated how to choose the best battery for your light ? Too many people only look at the mAh capacity and I read somewhere that sanyo 2600mAh was better to pana 3400mAh for single battery & single LED flashlight.
How about testing the best batteries suited for the most popular driver (Nanjc 105) or the most popular flashlights ?
Story with Sanyo 2600/Panasonic 3400 in single cell lights is basically this: you get same runtime on high, but after that, Sanyo drops to zero, while Panasonic can keep running for some more time in medium & low. If you only care about runtime on high, Sanyo 2600 is obviously a better option, as it costs 1.5-2 times less - but sometimes that additional medium followed by low can save your ass, so if you don’t carry spare batteries with you, there is a reason to spend a bit more on Panasonic battery.