Informal Measurements of Four New Vapcell 14500 "Gold" Button-Top Batteries

ActiveAl · 2019-01-06T16:36:23.000Z

Purchased From LiionWholesale, 27 Dec 18
Capacity measured with a Liitokala Lii-500
AC 1 kHz internal resistance measured with a RM8124A

Note the Button Top	Battery Number	Capacity (mAh)	AC 1 kHz IR (mΩ)

1	964	49.1
2	982	48.5
3	955	46.7
4	976	48.3
Methodology used to achieve a 500 mA charge and discharge rate with the Liitokala Lii-500: The batteries were fully charged using a 500 mA rate, and then removed from the charger. The batteries were reinserted into the Lii-500 and (1) the NOR test function was selected, and then (2) a 700 mA charge current was selected. The Lii-500 ran for a few minutes in the constant voltage charge phase, and then began the NOR test. Because a charge rate of 700 mA was selected, a 500 mA discharge rate was attained during the NOR test. If a 500 mA charge rate had been selected, then the Lii-500 would have used only a 250 mA discharge rate.

The capacity results obtained from this test align fairly closely with the 1003 mAh capacity (at 500 mA discharge rate) advertised by Vapcell. and the 924 mAh capacity measured by HKJ.

The internal resistance results from this test meet the AC 1 kHz specification of 60 mΩ max advertised by Vapcell.

I must say that I am positively impressed with these batteries so far!

Added 24 Mar 19:

Informal Measurements of Six More Vapcell 14500 "Gold" Button-Top Batteries. The purchase price was still $4.11 per battery. UPS ground shipping was about $1.00 per battery for the these six 14500 batteries plus four additional 18650 batteries. That is to say, the total shipping cost for 10 batteries was $9.70. Therefore, the cost + shipping for each Vapcell 14500 battery was about $5.10.

Purchased From LiionWholesale on 25 Jan 19
Capacity measured with a Liitokala Lii-500, using a 500 mA discharge rate
1 kHz internal resistance measured with an SM8124A (see illustration)
Measurement temperature was about 77 ° F (25 ° C)

	Battery Number	Capacity (mAh)	AC 1 kHz IR (mΩ)
5	938	48.2
6	961	50.6
7	970	49.7
8	992	49.1
9	958	49.4
10	959	47.4

The average capacity of all 10 cells is 966 mAh, and the average AC 1kHz IR is 48.7 mΩ. I've used Vapcell 14500 1000 mA Gold batteries regularly now for about three month, and I like, gift, and recommend them!

Hugh_Johnson · 2019-01-07T19:06:15.000Z

I had mostly lost interest in lithium 14500 and had migrated to nimh. With this progress in the format I’m interested once again.

wolfdog1226 · 2019-01-07T19:53:15.000Z

Thanks for the test. I’m not home right now but I’ll post a picture when I get back home.

I got 937mAH with my Opus.HKJ got 924.

wolfdog1226 · 2019-01-07T21:57:44.000Z

Discharged @ 500mAh

I think you can see why I got another 14500 cell! The Windyfire and Efest were Purchased on June 4th,2015!

I only have one 14500 cell light that I do not use much. I would NEVER let my cells in my high powered modified lights degrade that much!

SKV89 · 2019-01-07T22:40:52.000Z

Thanks for the test. Will definitely get some of these in my next order.

Barkuti · 2019-01-07T23:44:10.000Z

I hope for the best, we'll see how long does this last.

Concerning wolfdog1226's test, those “high current” fast spoiling 14500 cells I'd bet come from the same factory as the TurdFire :-D IMR14500s. I must say they do not seem to be heat resilient, I rewrapped a couple and this was enough for them to start misbehaving. This is what my owner friend reported later.

These manufacturers need to learn to stop self-sabotaging their own success with this roguery.

Cheers ^:)

ActiveAl · 2019-01-08T00:30:28.000Z

SKV89:

Thanks for the test. Will definitely get some of these in my next order.

FWIW, the Sanyo UR14500P 840mAh batteries that I have been using up to this point provide >100 mAh less capacity and cost over a dollar more than this new Vapcell 14500 1000 mA battery. I believe it may be worth taking a risk to try them.

Edited.

chops728 · 2019-01-08T00:21:49.000Z

wolfdog1226:

Discharged @ 500mAh

I think you can see why I got another 14500 cell! The Windyfire and Efest were Purchased on June 4th,2015!

I only have one 14500 cell light that I do not use much. I would NEVER let my cells in my high powered modified lights degrade that much!

I’m curious how long the Vapcell hold their capacity —- I have some Evva/sanyo 840 mah that are 4-5 yrs old still testing around 750-780
as far as Efest — that’s typical they loose lots of capacity in just a couple yrs ( the worst)

Keron · 2019-01-31T15:37:46.000Z

ran mine on 700ma discharge and got 1035 and 1022 out of two, just started running them on a new Klarus XT1A and Rofis R2

just curious since nobody mention this, i suppose these cells arent protected? they are however a little bit longer than the regular sanyo 800mah 14500 cells

ActiveAl · 2019-01-31T16:22:48.000Z

Keron:

ran mine on 700ma discharge and got 1035 and 1022 out of two, just started running them on a new Klarus XT1A and Rofis R2 just curious since nobody mention this, i suppose these cells arent protected? they are however a little bit longer than the regular sanyo 800mah 14500 cells

What analyzing charger did you use? I ask because this seems a little high.The Manufacturer Rated Typical Capacity is 1000 mAh, and the Manufacturer Rated Nominal Capacity is 900 mAh

I queried Vapcell if these 14500 gold cells were protected and the answer was no. I asked because of the indent around the cylinder near the anode which sometime indicates added protection circuitry.

I am using these cells in my EDC Thorfire TG06S and my new AceBeam H40 headlamp - and have gifted one with a TG06S. I really like them so far and ordered six more from LiionWholesale. Because of the cells's 1000 mA capacity, I am afraid that the current $4.19 price may just be an introductory offer.

SKV89 · 2019-03-21T14:58:52.000Z

I just measured two of the Vapcell 14500 gold in my Xtar Dragon VP4 Plus and got 993 mah and 995 mah. The 1,000 mah spec is spot on!

Barkuti · 2019-03-22T04:27:07.000Z

ActiveAl:

… Because of the cells’s 1000 mA capacity, I am afraid that the current $4.19 price may just be an introductory offer.

$4.19 a piece an introductory offer? :facepalm: That is not a good way to believe. They are already earning their slice from it, bear no doubt. Cell bulk prices are a much lower than that, a lot in fact. Check this for example: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-lot-Free-shipping-16500-battery-1200mah-3-7V-Li-ion-rechargeable-battery-with-flat-top/32882185152.html

The above 16500s (as far as my cell identification abilities go) are Heter Battery manufactured, and that AliExpress seller is quoting me $5̃.19 ($2.595/piece) for a pair shipping included. Now let's make an interesting comparison:

So Heter Battery is ultra likely to manufacture both cells.

Now let's add more fuel to the fire: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/2pcs-lot-Very-cheap-Vbatty-16500-1200mah-3-7V-Li-ion-rechargeable-battery-16500-battery-with/32882169242.html

Same 16500 cells as before, but this time at $2.49 + shipping. Doing the math: 4 cells cost $9.30 ($2.325/piece), 6 cells come out at $12.52 ($2.08667/piece), or 8 cells at $16.49 ($2.06125/piece).

Now let me set this on fire: what is the reason I cannot manage to see a clear picture of Vapcell 14500s' top in AliExpress? Because they're trying to hide the facts.

I see the Vapcell 14500 sold at $6.99 a pair ($3.495/piece), down to $16.99 for three pairs ($2.83125/piece). So not bad for a rewrapped cell.

:-)

P.S.: had to edit the message because the AliExpress system is right now malfunctioning or it is my recently upgraded browser, the amount total for the cells is only raising in the cart page.

P.S.2: edited again to fix the stated price for the Vapcell 14500. Just checked it myself at $6.99 a pair so not bad.

Thu, 03/21/2019 - 20:47; Thu, 03/21/2019 - 23:08

ActiveAl · 2019-03-22T01:48:29.000Z

So where can one get a cheaper 14500 battery with the same 1000 mAh 3A capacity as the Vapcell 14500 Gold?

Dutcheee · 2019-03-22T02:13:55.000Z

I use this 14500 daily since januari in my tool AA. Still measures around 960mAh@500mA discharge in my opus. And it got used and abused a lot.

Like it! Now, go add a USB-C or micro charge option Vapcell

vapcell_Dennis · 2019-03-22T12:23:18.000Z

SKV89:

I just measured two of the Vapcell 14500 gold in my Xtar Dragon VP4 Plus and got 993 mah and 995 mah. The 1,000 mah spec is spot on! :+1:

I’m glad you received the batteries,thanks you very much for you test

vapcell_Dennis · 2019-03-22T12:32:54.000Z

ActiveAl:

So where can one get a cheaper 14500 battery with the same 1000 mAh 3A capacity as the Vapcell 14500 Gold?

Maybe when we do low-cost promotions

Make fun

In the future, the unit price of batteries will be more and more preferential, even 14500 1200 mah, the unit price will be more preferential.

Let’s look forward to the future

djozz · 2019-03-22T15:01:35.000Z

Hi Dennis, did you already have a look into a new high current/capacity 16340 battery? Or is it really not worth the effort for Vapcell because it is not used for vaping? (still many many flashlight lovers will be interested).

ActiveAl · 2019-03-22T15:33:51.000Z

vapcell Dennis:

ActiveAl:

So where can one get a cheaper 14500 battery with the same 1000 mAh 3A capacity as the Vapcell 14500 Gold?

Maybe when we do low-cost promotions Make fun In the future, the unit price of batteries will be more and more preferential, even 14500 1200 mah, the unit price will be more preferential. Let’s look forward to the future

Dennis, it is good to hear that the trend on Li-ion battery prices is downward and capacity is upward. Now if shipping could be made less expensive!

Do you have a timeline on the availability of Vapcell 14500 1200 mAh batteries? Thanks!

vapcell_Dennis · 2019-03-23T03:04:08.000Z

djozz:

Hi Dennis, did you already have a look into a new high current/capacity 16340 battery? Or is it really not worth the effort for Vapcell because it is not used for vaping? (still many many flashlight lovers will be interested).

We are paying attention to your needs and listening to some members’suggestions.

Thank you very much.

16340 batteries have been in the development stage, and need to negotiate a lot of factory and sample testing. Recently, I am busy, and I don’t have much time to speak in the forum. :cry:

We expect to release 16340 batteries next week.

Thanks

mmalive · 2019-03-23T03:05:22.000Z

Gotta grab a few of these.