Did I get a good deal or did I get hosed?

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

I ordered four 18650 batteries from Mountain Electronics. I ordered Samsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh Protected Button Top batteries.

I actually received four EVVA 10A High Drain 18650 3500mAh Li-ion Rechargeable Batteries.

I cannot find the Evva batteries on the Mountain Electronics website and there was no correspondence about a substitution. To provide for even more confusion, the Evva website says these Evva "cells" are "Panasonic(Sanyo) NCR18650GA high drain cell"s.

I "think" I got an upgrade (10A vice 8A) but I'd like some reassurances from those in the know about these things.

FWIW, I purchased these batteries to use in a Convoy C8, a BLF A6 and a couple more Convoy S2+ I expect to receive soon. They barely squeak into my Convoy S2+ (both girth and length) but I can get them in there and they work. They also come out again with a little shaking and tapping. I'm guessing the tight fit may actually promote faster cooling, but I am concerned about compressing the head and tail springs so much. Should I be concerned?

Can somebody shed some light on this for me? Should I be asking for a return or sending a thank you note to Mountain Electronics?

I realize I'm introducing myself with a lot questions, but I don't know enough to be providing answers.

Thanks in advance.

2

You did not get hosed, at all.

Look at the picture used in the Mtn Electronics listing. It’s an Evva rewrapped cell.

Evva probably changed cell at one point in time for a Sanyo NCR18650GA.

3

I noticed that. I assumed they had posted the wrong picture. But you know what they say about assumptions.

4

I’m not going to explain the pro’s and con’s of (un) protected batteries. There a enough threads that do that.
Most people here use unprotected batteries in the lights you mentioned. They are single cell, the only thing you have to worry about is not leaving the light on too long (moon-level!). The voltage may sag below the level the battery can be recharged or revived. Just pay some attention, the light will go dim by that time.

I use protected cells in lights that need two or more cells in series. Unless these cells are carefully matched (same batch = same age, not used for anything else etc).

5

Evva is a good rewrapper so you got quality cells.
The difference between GA and 35E is marginal and neither is strictly better than the other.
Nevertheless I would ask the seller about it. Maybe they have an older batch and it’s still 35E. Maybe it’s GA. I’m sure Mtn would like to correct their listing if it’s actually wrong.

6

You did not get hosed.
The batteries you ordered are protected Samsung INR18650-35E.
EVVA has two versions of protected 18650 3500mAh batteries, one with Sanyo NCR18650GA and the label will marked “cell &IC made in Japan”, the other one with Samsung 35E. You can check the sticker of the batteries you received. If it didn’t show “cell made in Japan”, you got the correct ones.

7

Thank you to everybody who advised me on this matter.

Yvonne,

Mine are labeled, "IC made in Japan | Assembled in China".

Not that it matters at this point, but does "IC" stand for integrated chip? Is that just the protection circuits?

8

Yep, integrated circuits, the protected circuit itself.

9

You didn’t get hosed, but you should not have ordered protected cells for the lights you plan to use. As you notice, they have a problem fitting in some lights. Since the lights you mention have built-in protection, adding it to the batteries isn’t any value.

You should have just bought some high-drain flat-top unprotected cells, like the Samsung 30Q. They’d be cheaper, and power your lights better.

10

WalkIntoTheLight,

You are correct on all counts. It's a lesson I paid for and won't soon forget.

I'm waiting for a Samsung 30Q and a Sony VTC6 to arrive.

My C8 arrived today and the EVVA batteries fit without complaint. The situation is not as bad as it could have been. Silver/White anodized version, very pretty.