I just have a quick question, or a few quick questions about 18650 batteries.
Up until now I have always used Panasonic NCR18650B for my flashlights, and been quite happy with them.
But as I see more and more extremely powerfull flashlights are released, and knowing XHP50 and XHP70 needs it’s amperes, I’m starting to worry my panasonics can’t quite keep up with the high drain these new flashlights draw.
So, I’m asking. Which other batteries do you recommend?
Should I go for those with protection or without? (my chargers are XTAR VC2, Nitecore D4)
Are there protected 18650s that have high drain? For example 5A continous?
The best all-around 18650 cell for a flashlight nowadays is probably the Sanyo 18650GA. It offers 50% higher peak current (10A) than the Panasonic NCR18650B (6.67A), so they’ll run cooler and will have a longer cycle life. If you treat them well (keep them around 3.6V when not in use), you’ll be looking at 800-2000 cycles and 10+ years out of them. If you treat them like sh*t (like most folks do), you’ll get 300-900 cycles and 5 years.
If you have a multimeter and can measure cell voltage, it’s not an issue, but if you want the ultimate level of safeguards, you’ll want the protected cells. Protected cells cost more and they don’t fit in all devices (due to the greater length), but they do provide some peace of mind for folks who don’t have the equipment to measure the charge state of their batteries.
Ordered 4 for a better price from this seller and they work like a charm.
I use a good charger and flahlights with low voltage protection so these GAs can be without protection for me.
I really like and have had good luck with the Samsung 18650-30Q. It’s got enough amp potential for high draw applications like the XHP35/50. It doesn’t sacrifice too much mah to do it.
The venerable LG 18650 HE2 and HE4 are also very good choices for high amp applications.
In flashlights I believe 10-15A continuos Amp rating is more than enough (no mods’ of course).
I generally stick with panny-Bs for the most part. Most are protected button-tops for my lights that don’t have explicit protection built into the driver (eg, 1-mode stacks of 7135s), but for those lights that have drivers with protection (NANJG 105Cs, eg), protection in the cells isn’t really needed, and I’ve been using unprotected flat-tops like nekkid panny-Bs. Recently, I’ve taken to use 30Qs (pink wrappers) just for s&g.
Of course, nothing I have right now really needs that kind of current like 30Qs can supply, but I got the cells anyway Just In Case.
Many of the newer protected NCR18650GAs have protection circuits that can handle 8 or more Amps. I’d recommend the Keeppower 3500mAh protected. Be aware that some protected GAs may be too fat or too long for some lights.