Best 18650 Batteries for Astrolux MF02? BUYING 16!

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T00:41:01.000Z

BlueSwordM:

You’ll get the best performance/capacity/price if you go with a cell like the Samsung 30Q at Illumn:
https://www.illumn.com/batteries-chargers-and-powerpax-carriers/batteries/18650-samsung-3000mah-inr18650-30q-high-discharge-button-top.html

Otherwise, if you only want maximum capacity, go for the LG MJ1:
https://www.18650batterystore.com/product-p/lg-mj1-button-top.htm

You can even ask for a price match from the store above proving the price is slightly lower from Illumn:
https://www.illumn.com/18650-lg-mj1-inr18650-mj1-high-discharge-protected-button-top.html

The Samsung 30Q will provide the most high output runtime.
The 3500mAh cells will give you the most runtime, but not the highest output all the time.

Thank you.

Does anyone know if protected button tops will even fit in the Astrolux MF02? ~68-70mm I want protected cells because these will be used for an organization’s security and they have no experience whatsoever using lithium-ion cells or modern LED flashlights.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T00:52:07.000Z

I am about to buy 16 of these for ~$70 after the coupon code has been applied:

banggood.com

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Will it be guaranteed to fit the Astrolux MF02? They are 69.6mm long.

Any last call recommendations or concerns before I pull the trigger?

BlueSwordM · 2018-12-31T00:57:56.000Z

Don’t buy them. A bit too long. And it will take a long time to ship.

I would recommend these instead:

illumn.com

18650 LG MJ1 INR18650-MJ1 3500mAh High Discharge Protected Button Top

Price: USD 7.49

Protected button top MJ1s. More capacity, ships directly from the US, and will fit since they are about 1mm shorter.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T01:02:30.000Z

BlueSwordM:

Don’t buy them. A bit too long. And it will take a long time to ship.

I would recommend these instead:
https://www.illumn.com/18650-lg-mj1-inr18650-mj1-high-discharge-protected-button-top.html

Protected button top MJ1s. More capacity, ships directly from the US, and will fit since they are about 1mm shorter.

Thank you very much, I will take a good examination of your recommendation. Also, why do the LGs say 3.6v and the Panasonics I linked say 3.7v? Whats the difference with that spec?

BlueSwordM · 2018-12-31T01:06:47.000Z

Literally nothing. Absolutely nothing. Just advertising. Nominal voltage is an average during discharge. So, it’s not really an actualy point of comparison.

And besides, since the MJ1s have resistance than the 18650Bs, their average voltage will be higher still, especially at the levels of the MF02 draws(3-5A)

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T01:10:50.000Z

You sound very knowledgeable on the topic, thank you for your advice once again. Now I just have to justify spending $35 more than I originally intended on the set of batteries…. trying to find a better discount someplace but struggling to do so. Is there a place that sells them from out of the country? My lights wont arrive until January 10-12th anyways, so 2 weeks shipping on batteries wont be the end of the world if it saves money.

Also, do you recommend a particular charger? Miboxer C8? Nitecore i8? All-88 Gyrfalcon? I will be buying one as well. I want simple and easy, with a cut off at max charge, as I wont be using this, but 4 other inexperienced people will be.

BlueSwordM · 2018-12-31T01:23:02.000Z

Yeah, it’s harder if you need protected button tops. If you only needed flat tops, I would recommend these instead:

vruzend.com

Set of two (2) LG MJ1 3500 mAh 18650 battery cells – VRUZEND DIY Battery Kit

Only 19$ extra.

Doesn’t the MF02 support flat tops though?

Since the light includes low voltage protection, you can just assign 4x18650s to each light, and never swap them to other lights. THAT IS PARAMOUNT IF YOU DO NOT USE PROTECTED CELLS.

TLDR: But MJ1s from the link above, and assign 4x18650s to each light. Label them as SET 1.1, SET 1.2, SET 2.1, SET 2.2.

This is how my friend in police did this with his BLF GT, and they have been satisfied with it for many months.

For a charger, just get the Miboxer C8 from here:

banggood.com

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With a coupon from M4DM4X.com to get a nice discount.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T01:30:24.000Z

Good idea on the labeling with a sharpie!

Also, the MF02 battery carrier has plastic rings around the + contact points. I guess they are designed to keep the button top in place without sliding around, but I am a newbie to battery carriers and batteries so I couldn’t confidently state their purpose. Maybe the rings are there to prevent an incorrect -/+ orientation, so it wont make contact and prevent damage from occuring. Here is a picture from an excellent guide by maukka:

Also, he wrote this:
“Batteries are inserted in a separate carrier (2S2P). The center contact is positive and connects to the spring on the driver. The outer edge connects to the brass retaining ring. You can remove the plastic spacers if you want to use flat tops, but as there is reportedly no polarity protection in the driver care should be taken with the orientation. Short flat tops such as Samsung 30Qs may also be quite loose in the carrier.”

HONDARIDER · 2018-12-31T01:35:50.000Z

The LG HB2 fits nicely so I would imagine most flat tops will be snug. I’ve ran almost everything in mine without issues. Anything much longer is tight.

Fate0n3 · 2018-12-31T02:09:34.000Z

Xenovora:

Good idea on the labeling with a sharpie!

Also, the MF02 battery carrier has plastic rings around the + contact points. I guess they are designed to keep the button top in place without sliding around, but I am a newbie to battery carriers and batteries so I couldn’t confidently state their purpose. Maybe the rings are there to prevent an incorrect -/+ orientation, so it wont make contact and prevent damage from occuring. Here is a picture from an excellent guide by maukka:

Also, he wrote this:
“Batteries are inserted in a separate carrier (2S2P). The center contact is positive and connects to the spring on the driver. The outer edge connects to the brass retaining ring. You can remove the plastic spacers if you want to use flat tops, but as there is reportedly no polarity protection in the driver care should be taken with the orientation. Short flat tops such as Samsung 30Qs may also be quite loose in the carrier.”

You are exactly right on your second assumption, the plastic rings around the + terminal are designed to help stop accidentally reversing polarity. Once removed you can run flat top batteries, with them installed you can only run button top. They easily remove without any damage and are just taped/glued in place.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T02:22:08.000Z

Thanks Fate, I would rather spend the extra 35$ on button top protected cells and keep the rings so that the other 4 individuals who will be swapping batteries with no li-ion experience won’t damage the lights. Costs 5x more to replace the two lights than just buying batteries designed to fit with protection.

texas_shooter · 2018-12-31T02:45:23.000Z

Turbo draws slightly over 3 amps and high only 1 amp on each cell in it’s 2S2P configuration. My battery choices would be;
Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh - Button Top
Samsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh - Button Top

These are quality cells and protected or not is your call. Any other cells with 15-40 amp draw capacity is only going to lower your run time, as they have lower capacities.

HONDARIDER · 2018-12-31T02:51:14.000Z

Fate0n3:

Xenovora:

Good idea on the labeling with a sharpie!

Also, the MF02 battery carrier has plastic rings around the + contact points. I guess they are designed to keep the button top in place without sliding around, but I am a newbie to battery carriers and batteries so I couldn’t confidently state their purpose. Maybe the rings are there to prevent an incorrect -/+ orientation, so it wont make contact and prevent damage from occuring. Here is a picture from an excellent guide by maukka:

Also, he wrote this:
“Batteries are inserted in a separate carrier (2S2P). The center contact is positive and connects to the spring on the driver. The outer edge connects to the brass retaining ring. You can remove the plastic spacers if you want to use flat tops, but as there is reportedly no polarity protection in the driver care should be taken with the orientation. Short flat tops such as Samsung 30Qs may also be quite loose in the carrier.”

You are exactly right on your second assumption, the plastic rings around the + terminal are designed to help stop accidentally reversing polarity. Once removed you can run flat top batteries, with them installed you can only run button top. They easily remove without any damage and are just taped/glued in place.

These are actually in a recess around the post. There is a groove they sit in. Not glued. One of the few I’ve ever seen this way.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T03:25:17.000Z

texas shooter:

Turbo draws slightly over 3 amps and high only 1 amp on each cell in it’s 2S2P configuration. My battery choices would be;
Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh - Button Top
Samsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh - Button Top

These are quality cells and protected or not is your call. Any other cells with 15-40 amp draw capacity is only going to lower your run time, as they have lower capacities.

Thank you! Why if I may ask, do you suggest these cells over the LG MJ1s 3500 10A protected button top cells that Hondarider recommended above?

Are you sure the protected versions of those two you recommended fit?

BlueSwordM · 2018-12-31T03:21:36.000Z

Eh there’s only an minuscule difference between all these 3500mAh cells.

So get the cheapest protected one there is, being the MJ1 that I linked before.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T03:28:11.000Z

BlueSwordM:

Eh there’s only an minuscule difference between all these 3500mAh cells.

So get the cheapest protected one there is, being the MJ1 that I linked before.

Noted… about to buy 16 LG MJ1s… protected… from ilumn as BlueSwordM linked above… any final objections or other concerns/recommendations? I will spend $100 in 1 hour.
Thanks

texas_shooter · 2018-12-31T03:34:17.000Z

Xenovora:

texas shooter:

Turbo draws slightly over 3 amps and high only 1 amp on each cell in it’s 2S2P configuration. My battery choices would be;
Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh - Button Top
Samsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh - Button Top

These are quality cells and protected or not is your call. Any other cells with 15-40 amp draw capacity is only going to lower your run time, as they have lower capacities.

Thank you! Why if I may ask, do you suggest these cells over the LG MJ1s 3500 10A protected button top cells that Hondarider recommended above?

Are you sure the protected versions of those two you recommended fit?

I’ve never used them. The two I listed I’ve been using since they came out and trust them. The three should all be fine. I was just pointing out lower capacity/higher amp cell would offer no boost in brightness but would lower run time.

Xenovora · 2018-12-31T03:32:54.000Z

texas shooter:

Xenovora:

texas shooter:

Turbo draws slightly over 3 amps and high only 1 amp on each cell in it’s 2S2P configuration. My battery choices would be;
Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh - Button Top
Samsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh - Button Top

These are quality cells and protected or not is your call. Any other cells with 15-40 amp draw capacity is only going to lower your run time, as they have lower capacities.

Thank you! Why if I may ask, do you suggest these cells over the LG MJ1s 3500 10A protected button top cells that Hondarider recommended above?

Are you sure the protected versions of those two you recommended fit?

I’ve never used them. The two I listed I’ve been using since they came out and trust them.

Thanks, have you used them in the Astrolux MF02?

texas_shooter · 2018-12-31T03:39:32.000Z

Xenovora:

texas shooter:

Xenovora:

texas shooter:

Turbo draws slightly over 3 amps and high only 1 amp on each cell in it’s 2S2P configuration. My battery choices would be;
Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh - Button Top
Samsung INR18650-35E 3500mAh - Button Top

These are quality cells and protected or not is your call. Any other cells with 15-40 amp draw capacity is only going to lower your run time, as they have lower capacities.

Thank you! Why if I may ask, do you suggest these cells over the LG MJ1s 3500 10A protected button top cells that Hondarider recommended above?

Are you sure the protected versions of those two you recommended fit?

I’ve never used them. The two I listed I’ve been using since they came out and trust them.

Thanks, have you used them in the Astrolux MF02?

I used the Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA 3500mAh in it. I’ve since sold the light to an officer, but did replace the cells with protected ones as he was new to lithium-ion lights.

Newlumen · 2018-12-31T03:46:01.000Z

If you are from US, just buy it from illumn… why wait 20-30 days from the oversea?

Illumn offer free priority s/h over $50 and more…

I recommend just buy Samsung 30q button top.