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.
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.
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 $50 and more…
I recommend just buy Samsung 30q button top.
I think these will be 30-50$ more for 16, than the LG MJ1s protected button top 3500mahs. Do you know of any other price/discount/shop? I’ve been looking. 16 will cost me 135 at my best finding.
Thanks but the 30qs are unprotected and low capacity. I’ll be using Turbo for 50 mins/week for 2 years straight, and need the highest capacity and longevity out of these.
if the batteries are only used in the light and a dedicated charger nothing speaks for 3500mAh mixed chemistry cells without PCB
Have you considered how the cells will hold up to 2 years of charge / discharge cycling? 30Q’s will likely be better performers for half that stated lifetime than any 3500mAh cells will. The 3400/3500mAh cells degrade from cycle count faster than good old 30Q’s…
What you should do is get contracted now to provide replacement cells in a years time.
Also, whenever I would provide li battery powered lights to a police dept / agency I would always include a laminated “cheat sheet” on safely handling li batteries to be kept with the charger and I would also try to give a few different guys (on different shifts) a short in-person safety brief so atleast someone had some first hand instruction.
Do they know the basics like don’t leave cells sitting in the charger after the charge is complete and not to force the light to run after its tried to shut itself down cause of LVP kicking in (many many people not well-informed do this, not just cops, hell I’m constantly yelling at guys on my job sites to take 90 sec to swap batteries instead of trying to continously bump the output back up after a LVP step-down, and they know better).
Contracted to get replacement cells? Like a pre-order type thing? Does this save a lot of money for some reason? How does that work as opposed to simply buying 16 more when needed?
Yes, there will certainly be hands-on training with 2-4 individuals who will be charging the batteries and a cheat sheet guide.
Also, these batteries will be charged in this way:
The charger will be connected to a master power switch which is used for 2 hours M/T/W/T. During those 2 hour periods on those 4 days, the back up 8 cells will be remain in their charger, but the power will be turned cut by the main switch after the 2 hours. The cells won’t ever be getting a full 6+ hour charge, but 2 hours at a time. If it doesn’t reach max, it’ll do it the next day. The charger has over-charge protection.
During each of those days, the other 8 cells will be used in the lights, 10-15 mins/day on Turbo. Every Thursday, the 4th day, myself or another individual will swap the batteries from the lights, with the 8 fully charged cells (over 4 days) and put the drained cells into the charger to be charged the following Monday 2hrs each day as the main power is turned on.
Thanks Lexel. I do prefer 3500mah over 30Qs even if they don’t hold out as long and need replacing sooner, because I fear 3000mah won’t suffice for 50 mins of turbo over 4 days without a charge. I suppose I will go the unprotected button top route, since it will save money and fit better, and will only be used for the lights and dedicated charger.
Currently what I’ve gathered from this thread:
1. Best is different to almost everyone
2. Buy from ilumn website (if it’s not heavily discounted elsewhere)
3. Buy Sanyo/Panasonic 18650GA button top unprotected cells or 30Qs or LG MJ1s or Samsung 35E button tops
I’m thinking Sanyo/Panasonic/Samsung is the most popular/reliable rather than messing with the cheaper LG even if it saves a couple bucks.
3000mah on a 30Q just isn’t enough juice to keep the light functioning on turbo for the time necessary. 35Es are fair game though.
So 3500mahs I can buy:
16 LG MJ1s unprotected button tops for 104$ free shipping
16 Samsung 35Es unprotected button top for 106$ free shipping
16 Sanyo red NCR18650GA unprotected button top for 125$ free shipping
Seems like the Panasonic 18650Bs are all 3400.
I’m learning on this battery stuff, but I think the Astrolux MF02 recommends unprotected cells so can you use protected ? I have this same light coming in the mail so I want to get batteries for it also. Thanks
Thank you all for your quick and insightful replies. I tried to make the best decision taking into consideration everyone’s posts, along with my budget and safety concerns.
I’ve purchased 16xSamsung35E 3500mah cells from mtnelectronics. Using the code BLF I was able to save $3, for a total of $105, shipped. I also purchased the Miboxer C8 from banggood. I wasn’t able to use the M4DM4X coupon (or any others) since it was already on discount at $34.95.
I’ve learned a lot in this search, and you all taught me very much! Without you guys, it would be immensely more challenging to discern wise purchases. I greatly appreciate this community!
Those Efest 2100mAh button tops are likely to be like these: Efest IMR18650 2100mAh (Purple) 2017
Efest can print whatever they like on their wraps, but they're consumer oriented number bloaters.
Samsung is rating conservative and aims for cycle life. Set the 30Q and the above Efest in the comparator and you'll see how the actual voltage output difference is really tight at first, to shortly after come in 30Qs favour due to energy density.
30Qs can also be pulsed safely at 30A but temperature monitoring is required.
Cheers ^:)