[Review/Test] Samsung ICR18650-26F test using M1 2.8A

Recently I brought few samsung battery from new source (banggood) which I believe they just started selling this battery (sold number below 10 :frowning: ).
Lack of review, lack of reliable proving it is authentic(genuine), I brought and test it. Mine took a long time because backorder (lack of stock), well whatever.

SKU071438 ICR 18650 - 26F
Product/order number : SKU071438
I also found this nice specification :wink: somewhere else.

My batch/info
Let’s see some information printed on my battery:
ICR 18650 - 26F (ok, i know this 8) )
Samsung SDI (what does SDI means ?)
2DC5 (i guess this is batch number or manufacturing date ?)

Test Section
I also brought a new Convoy M1 7135*8 XM-L2 U2-1A so I test it also at the same time, since I don’t have any ‘professional’ tools to measure and record these result. (its my 2nd M1)

Setting: Submerge the M1 into cool water, at least half body from head to cool and maintain acceptable temperature. (the torch still heat up, since water isn’t ideal cooler)

Method: Take measurement (battery voltage, tail cap current) at interval of 5 or 10 minutes (using phone timer).
Will let torch rest during interval if needed, to reduce battery/torch temperature.
Battery Voltage is taken about 10-30 seconds after switch off directly. (taking out battery)
Tail Cap Current is taken using 0.1Ω resistor, then multiply voltage drop by 10.

Result: Currently I don’t have time nor patient to wait until full charge of the battery (4.2V) so I started it with 4.17V charged state.
table(table#posts).
|Interval|Avg Amp|Voltage after interval|Approx capacity used|
|5 minute|2.89A|4.08V|240.83mah|
|10 minute|2.89A|3.88V|481.66mah|
|5 minute|2.86A|3.80V|238.33mah|
|10 minute|2.72A|3.72V|453.33mah|
|10 minute|2.5A|3.62V|416.66mah|
|10 minute|2.2A|3.49V|366.66mah|
|10 minute|1.45A|3.15V|241.66mah|
|3 minute|0.8A|2.95V|40mah|
|Total Prox Capacity|||2480mah|

Extra Information (Unexpected for me :party: )
The last measurement is a bit unaccurate in my opinion, I set on high, then I went away about 4 minutes. When I came back, its on wanring/alert mode. :open_mouth:
I was curious about does convoy have it, seems like I discover it now. (almost never let my battery discharge to 3V, lowest about 3.3V)
Low voltage warning : Activated when voltage sense less than 3V, switch to low mode and blink every 1-2second.

Conclusion
The battery is of true capacity (according to the specification) and thus 99.99% is true samsung 18650-26F.
According to the spec, 2600mah is achieve at <0.2C discharge to 2.75V (OMG, I will never let my battery reach that), reaching 2500mah at 1.0C discharge is more than satisfaction at LOW PRICE this bargain. :money_mouth_face:
*Just notice minimum capacity in spec for 1.0C discharge is 90% (2340mah), which mine exceed, more than happy.

I definitely recommend others to buy it, its low price with bulk option is undeniable the best price.
I was planning to buy from fasttech, but they couldn’t ship to my country. Luckily that happen I found this amazing bargain

Additional
This is my second M1 (brought for others) but it have more current draw than my previous(first) M1, 2890mA instead of 2780mA, slightly inconsistent I would say, but I have few more unit to try out, but not much time now, maybe weeks later. {few more unit of battery and torch also !} :nerd_face:

The torch’s waterproofing also not just all talk, it is submerge for total more than 60 minutes. (during rest interval and taking measurement, the torch is still submerge in water)

Note
I was thinking putting this in battery section, but there is involvement testing of torchlight also, so I just put it in 18650 flashlight forum section. (18650 + flashlight :slight_smile: )

Samsung SDI is the name of the business.

They have same battery cheaper:

I got 7pcs of the $4.09 ones and they all seem to perform as expected.

LOL, thanks for the hard work! That’s some job you did, getting those data manually.

I have a bunch of these from BG anyhow. All that I tested with hobby charger (I don’t test all of them) always give at least 2650mAh at 1A discharge. I haven’t found one that subperform on capacity.

They are no slouch on pushing amps either. Single cell can push 5A+ on my direct drive XML2 light.

So yes, these are really good batteries.

Aliexpress has these on sale, a lot of 10 for $33.25. Best deal I found so far.
http://www.aliexpress.com/item/10PCS-lot-New-Original-Samsung-18650-ICR18650-26F-2600mAh-Li-ion-3-7v-Battery-Free-Shipping/1423888924.html

DX has some Samsung 3200mAh ones on sale now anyway for under $15 for a pack of 4. I have some on order, I don’t know of their performance though, but the capacity difference is significant enough.

I wonder how could I missed that…. ( been search banggood battery section for days before purchasing) Anyway, the specs are weird ~ 2600LM with input voltage of 110-240v, charging times 1000 times ?

well they perform as original is good enough ~ maybe they just put the spec wrongly.

  • I notice why I missed out, it wasn’t in battery section under 18650 (nil category I guess) and search “18650” won’t come out because of “ICR” stick together.

I recently aquired some samsung ICR18650-26C and i am testing as well. still don’t know the difference between the 26c or a or f versions.

I was wondering the same thing, but the samsung specsheets basically look identical.

I kind of figure it out was business name when I see end of the specifcation wordsheet, but anyone know thier abbreviation ?

you are really a pusher …. forcing them to do some really tough job. Spec says 2.0C and you really drive it at 5A+, but I wonder how much capacity would it give at that level of current. Maybe sanyo battery will outperform it with slightly higher price.

3200mah is 4.35V type ? not my type will check out aliexpress link when I’m decided to take another batch, you tried out before ? (testing their capacity.

If i’m not wrong, they are identical in performance, but different in composition. (chemical content) I think I saw it somewhere……

here it is:
ICR18650-26F: Mixed Co/Ni/Mn cathode

ICR18650-26A: LiCoO2

Is there any significant differences ? I’m not expert, haha :smiley:

Thank you for the testing :-)