I recently bought 2 26800 batteries from Convoy. Cell #1 was included in a flashlight, cell #2 was purchased separately. I ran some testing on them using my ZKETECH EBD-A20H.
Convoy states that the cells are removed from EV battery packs and seems to have conflicting descriptions on whether they are new or used. The listing for the cells states that they were removed from battery packs that had thousands of miles on them, but on some flashlight listings it’s stated that the cells are removed from battery packs but unused. It could be possible that the cells included in flashlights are unused while those sold separately are used. @Simon_Mao might be able to clarify this further.
Convoy states that the cells are rated at around 6800 mAh and with a discharge rate of 5C. The cells appear to be the GSE26800-68NP. I found the datasheet on a Ukrainian website. Паспорт на акумуляторний елемент.pdf (402.1 KB)
Datasheet states a CDR of 3C (20.4A), a capacity of 6800 mAh, and a discharge cutoff voltage of 3.0V (as opposed of 2.5V of most 18650/21700s)
It’s notable that the datasheet for the QB26800 cell is formatted similarly to the datasheet of this cell, although the QB26800 datasheet specifies a discharge cutoff voltage of 2.75V and with lower cycle specs (and later the standard discharge current was revised to 0.2C.) It may be concluded that the QB26800 is a rewrap of the GSE26800-68NP.
The cells appear to match match their specifications but aren’t brand new. High current capability seems good but note that the 5C rating from Convoy is for pulse discharges under 30s only. The cells might be identical to the QB26800.
Queen Battery appears to have discontinued the QB26800 (out of stock at Aloft and JL,) and the GSE26800-68NP seems to be out of production as well. The other 26800 cells on the market that I could find are the Vapcell INR26800 (rated 25A CDR, 6200mAh, has remnants from “tab removal process”) and other cells of misleading or lower capacities (e.g. the green 26800 labeled 7200mAh and 20.0Wh → ~5500mAh)
Thank you for your review.There were some mistakes in my previous description, and I didn’t fix it.Capacity is one of the most important parameters of batteries, and I tested it before selling it.
After selling this batch of batteries, I can’t get such a high capacity battery next time. The capacity of the next batch of batteries is 6200mah.
I have about half dozen 26800 from Vapcell, QB, and GSE. I mostly regret buying them. If a well known & reputable company like Molicel had offerings here, it would be something else…
As is, between the sketchy manufacturers / suppliers of these cells, used batteries, attached soldering tabs which make a tortured grinding noise against the springs when tightening the tailcap, lack of chargers, and general lack of future in general, I don’t plan on using or buying any more of them.
Understandable. I had similar concerns, but I now think that 26800 makes a lot of sense in a flashlight for capacity, discharge rate, and single-cell ergonomics.
Unfortunately the 26800 format seems to be obsolete in the industry as it wasn’t adopted by any of the major players and EVs have shifted to larger cylindrical cells such as the 4680…
I bought several dozen of the QB26800 in 2022, and I’m glad that I did. I shouldn’t have to look for more in my lifetime (which is probably 20-25 years, barring a freak accident.) Absolutely love the format.
I’ve found two different types of these cells. 6800mah and 6200mah, the second with lower internal resistance for high amps needs. I’ve got enough cells for several years as I’ve yet to see and including old 18650’s die of old age. it is a great single cell set up.
Theres tons of supporting evidence that suggests that, at the very least, they have been one of the biggest manufacturers of 26800s for quite some time. They have dozens of patents involving 26800s dating back to 2016. Here’s one from 2016 for the battery holder that they still are sold in online today.
They’re listed in many reports that support their 26800 production volume claims. They appear to have initially used them in buses in China, though soon after they started offer batteries for passenger vehicles as well, competing directly with bigger manufacturers like CATL and Lishen, though most of these were likely prismatic cells.
Though they appear to have offered many different versions. They have runtime graphs of 5600mAh 26800’s from 2016 included in their patent applications.
