Review Request for HKJ: Orbtronic 3100mAh 18650s

HKJ, you do awesome testing and provide a great help and service to the community in doing so. I have been looking at your testing of the newest Panasonic 3100mAh batteries and bought a set of EagleTac 3100s based on your tests. There is another battery that I would love to see you test:

http://www.orbtronic.com/batteries-chargers/protected-3100mah-18650-li-ion-battery-cell-is-panasonic-ncr18650a-protection-ic-made-in-japan-top-button/

It is the Orbtronic version of the 3100mAh Panasonic and for us in the US it appears to be the cheapest shipped version there is, beating out even the Intl Outdoors cell and shipping from within the US. Anyway, would love to see these tested as I am sure a lot of other would too.

I believe Orbtronic has (or will) ship some batteries to me.

HKJ, and Mitro will test some of these

Is 2250mAh IMR really a IMR, or just a PSS cell claiming to be IMR (the Panasonic CGR18650GH cell)?

Panasonic is not claiming - Panasonic delivers exactly what is in Panasonic datasheet:

It is Hybrid IMR (otherwise it wouldn't be high-drain cell) 10A

Well, IMR = LiMn, PSS = some other kind of chemistry (IIRC it includes nickel), so it's not pure IMR cell like AW's 1600mAh cell (which is capable of 24A discharge)

No Flashlight user needs 25A. These cells are not called pure IMR, but Hybrid IMR which will outperform any AW pure IMR cell when used in everyday high drain applications (Flashlights). When I need real high discharge current cells then I use A123 70A continuous-120A pulse ;)

Talking about AW IMR being able to hold 25A:

Take a good look at this graph at 10A. AW IMR is coming from very reputable supplier-Lighthound. Graph is AW IMR vs. CGR18650CH Panasonic supplied by CK.

Important: I do not want this thread to become some kind of arguing.

People who need these cells will use them, because they are the best for high drain applications. Others will use something else.

This thread is about Orbtronic 3100mAh Li-ion test request. Not IMR. I apologize to OP.

What are the differences between 3, 4 and 5? All I see is the top button being different, all are 3100mAh and all look to be the same size minus button.

Well, Callies-Kustoms, for example, has three types of 3100mAh with different button tops, too.

@SpaceCowboy: your graph seems quite weird compared to what HKJ got

Also nobody yet knows for sure whether those hybrid "IMR"'s are as safe as real IMR's.

Excellent question bose301s.

Different customers = different applications, and needs.

1. Bare NCR18650A cell

2. Bare NCR18650A cell with welded wide top button

3. Protected NCR18650A cell with wide top button

4. Protected NCR18650A cell with narrow top button

5. Protected NCR18650A cell with full size narrow top button

6. Bare CGR18650CH cell

7. Bare CGR18650CH with welded narrow top button

You are Orbtronic?

One of them.

I prefer to be on this forum not as a seller , but enjoy it as a regular user just like rest of you.

All I see on your site is the one in my initial post, what looks like battery #3, any links to 4 or 5?

bose301s, we work a lot with various small businesses (special orders), many other cells are not listed. In the future #4 will be default version (98% compatibility with 18650 driven devices).

Since, I do not want to use this forum as a seller you are always welcome to contact us via web site. Yes, we do have all models pictured in stock. NCR18650A bare cell, and protection is designed by Seiko.

Well, I'll be darned. Hybrid IMR. Seems Foy has a lot more to learn about li-on than he thought.

expandingbatteryhorizonsFoy

Foy,

It seems that Panasonic's R&D team is doing some magic. Mixing Li-ion, and Li-Mn = pretty smart.

But, since this thread is about NCR18650A 3100mAh, I will say my opinion: NCR18650A is safer than any IMR I've seen so far.

Again , that is my own opinion.

Well, anecdotally speaking; my CGR18650D Panasonics just about blow the doors off every battery I have. I would very much like to try an Orbtronic. I'll have to go take a look.

Foy

I ordered 4 of these for my Kings... we'll see!

Shipped same day, so I'm happy already.

Rich

I've bought 5 (#3) so far and am very happy with them.

Looking forward to the tests.