Please recommend 18650 battery for Thorfire VG15S

toddcshoe · 2018-09-17T01:01:26.000Z

I have never had the EBL 18650’s. I have some of their 14500’s and some of their NiMh’s but never had the 18650’s.

October1 · 2018-09-17T01:45:32.000Z

Lightbringer:

toddcshoe:

Stay away from anything with fire in the name

Except Thorfire, actually, which are quite good.

I wondered about that. I had read some good things about the Thorfires.

Pete7874:

Sanyo/Panasonic NCR18650GA or Samsung 35E.

Don’t buy them from Amazon - too many fakes comingled with authetic ones there. There are a number of reputable li-ion cell dealers to buy from instead.

Bummer! I was hoping to get something shipped here relatively fast. That bites.

Any suggestions on where to buy?

Pete7874 · 2018-09-17T01:51:07.000Z

October1:

Any suggestions on where to buy?

Liion Wholesale Batteries

Liion Wholesale Batteries | Li-ion battery/cell distributor

Liion Wholesale is a US-based wholesale distributor specializing in authentic high quality lithium ion batteries, fast shipping, and expert customer support.

imrbatteries.com

IMRBatteries.com | Rechargeable Lithium-ion 18650 Batteries, Chargers, and More

Shop everything 18650! Rechargeable Lithium-ion 18650 Batteries, Chargers, Wraps – for custom battery packs and more! Popular brands for 20700, 21700, and 26650 battery sizes available.

illumn.com

Illumn.com - Flashlights, Batteries, Carry Gear, Intelligent LED Lighting,...

Your trusted source for authentic batteries, flashlights, and more!

mtnelectronics.com

Mountain Electronics

MTN Electronics

They all ship pretty fast.

Ronin42 · 2018-09-17T01:53:56.000Z

I have used the EBL Lion 9v rectangle rechargeable batteries with no problem.

If you don’t care I have 6 SF US18650GR that are laptop pulls in very good shape (internally) they really could use some new wrappers.

$2 ea plus shipping. can ship Monday.

Would like to see them used.

October1 · 2018-09-17T02:14:51.000Z

This is looking like it’s going to get a little more complicated than I had hoped (probably second nature for you guys). Sounds like I need to get Japanese made batteries if I buy Panasonic. Not sure on the others. Looks like I will have to research multiple batteries and company shipping prices. Not quite what I had hoped for but I appreciate the responses! I should have known it wouldn’t be as simple picking fairly low priced 4-5 star batteries (hopefully with a charger) and adding it onto my Amazon order, but I will get there eventually.

toddcshoe · 2018-09-17T02:26:48.000Z

I have purchased cells from all the above places mentioned. I also buy most cells from a seller on Ebay, genuinecells. Some others on here also buy from them.

Link to a good charger.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-VC2-PREMIUM-QUALITY-USB-LCD-CHARGER-FOR-3-7V-10440-26650-LI-ION-BATTERIES/112055740935?hash=item1a170aea07:g:hFwAAOSwuMFUk2Pq

Link to batteries good for just about anything. Order as many as you need.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-Quantity-Samsung-INR18650-30Q-3000mAh-High-Drain-Rechargeable-Battery/123148981707?hash=item1cac4055cb:m:m1Fnh7nXFuSRpcxhFScQjVw

Same seller on Ebay and free shipping.

Macka17 · 2018-09-17T02:54:28.000Z

I just ordered some Samsung 30Q 4 packs. $32AUD per del to AUST.
They good for high output/draw torches. The Panasonics good for normal torches.

I also stripped a coupla Laptop battery packs, mine and new.
Mine was near 5 yrs as Lappie and still running C8’s/T2
and a coupla others no problems after around 4 yrs.

Our $ is shit at present. You got one dangerous president.
we had 4 completely stupid Prime ministers in last few yrs.
NOT good for financial security hey.
But even they are a zillion times better
than any Union controlled Labor gang.
They kill every country, financially. That they get their hands on.

ggf31416 · 2018-09-17T04:00:18.000Z

Reviews at youtube consistently found the EBL 18650 to be only about 2100mah and I doubt it’s good at medium current. Get either the NCR18650GA or the Samsung 18650 35E or the cheaper but slightly worse LG MJ1, unless you plan to use the lights only at turbo mode, in that case a higher current cell like the Samsung 30Q or the LG HG2 may give you a few extra lumens at the cost of runtime.

October1 · 2018-09-17T04:08:09.000Z

toddcshoe:

I have purchased cells from all the above places mentioned. I also buy most cells from a seller on Ebay, genuinecells. Some others on here also buy from them.

Link to a good charger.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/XTAR-VC2-PREMIUM-QUALITY-USB-LCD-CHARGER-FOR-3-7V-10440-26650-LI-ION-BATTERIES/112055740935?hash=item1a170aea07:g:hFwAAOSwuMFUk2Pq

Link to batteries good for just about anything. Order as many as you need.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-Quantity-Samsung-INR18650-30Q-3000mAh-High-Drain-Rechargeable-Battery/123148981707?hash=item1cac4055cb:m:m1Fnh7nXFuSRpcxhFScQjVw

Same seller on Ebay and free shipping.

I was going to order those batteries but seen they are unprotected. Are there any good protected batteries you can recommend?

toddcshoe · 2018-09-17T04:23:15.000Z

Oh, okay. Protected cells? Sorry, I’m just used to buying unprotected. Keeppower Panny B’s, they are protected. Should work great. Same seller as above and free shipping as well.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2x-Keeppower-Protected-18650-3400mAh-with-Panasonic-NCR18650B-Li-ion-Battery-PCB/122298469527?hash=item1c798e8c97:g:TO0AAOSwA3dYbSTw

wstrachan · 2018-09-17T04:26:15.000Z

The thorfire vg15s is only running an XM-L2 at 2.8 amps.
you might as well go for capacity because no cell is really going to make any difference in the output of the light unless you go to a 4.35 volt cell like an E1 one or D1. If you have a charger capable of 4.35 volts then you should be running the D1 or E1 because it will keep it brighter longer than just about any cell out there.
I like the NiteFox UT20 over the thorfire. It’s slightly brighter, has onboard charging and dual switches with battery indicator light on the front one.
Just my $0.02

toddcshoe · 2018-09-17T04:25:40.000Z

Also, here is a great thread about Li-Ion battery info/safety. Lithium-ion battery safety 101

It’s a great read for a Li-Ion beginner. I read it 5 times.

October1 · 2018-09-18T03:31:54.000Z

After a couple hours of reading about what is a good safe battery, good safe battery charger, good business to buy from, what country to buy your cells from, circuit protection only held on by shrink wrap, etc (& I’m still not done learning) I have come to the conclusion I have wasted my money on two Thorfire VG15S lights. This stuff is definitely NOT suited for my forgetful elderly father. These batteries could be dangerous for him to use. I could keep reading and learning but I’m tired of spending so much time just to safely use a flashlight. I’m disappointed. I thought this would be a 15-20 minute endeavor. However, I do very much appreciate the help I received here.

I really wish my dads VG15 hadn’t died and that Thorfire still made the VG15 so we could just use CR123 batteries which makes it a safe and simple to use light. It’s disappointing you need to nearly become a battery expert just to use the VG15S. I loved the VG15.

Right now I have a VG15 that won’t work that I will probably try to fix at some point and two new VG15S lights that have never seen a battery. One VG15S was recently sent for free by Thorfire to replace the VG15 that quit working. This was nice on their part since the VG15 was a few months out of warranty. Unfortunately, I received the other VG15S when I ordered a VG15. Maybe my disappointment will fade and I will do some more reading on these types of batteries. I guess you have to have a passion for these types of lights, a profession that requires them (or simply not be too concerned about safety) to spend the required time to learn all you should know. Maybe I’m just being overly cautious, but I have enough health problems as it is.

I did research chargers a while back enough to pick up a LiitoKala so maybe I will change my mind and try an 18650 for myself and figure something else out for my dad. It just seems like every time I read about the safety concerns with these cells and junk cells from China or somewhere else I start not trusting them. I don’t mind them in something like my computer because I know they have high quality circuit protection and top quality cells.

Thanks again for your help.

toddcshoe · 2018-09-18T04:32:23.000Z

I apologize. I didn’t realize this was for your elderly father. I have a light over here that works on 2 CR123A batteries. It’s about 350 lumens on high, maybe 75 on low. It has a strobe as well. It’s nothing fancy but it’s built like a tank and is about the same size as the VG15. You are more than welcome to it. It sits on the shelf collecting dust. No stings attached or payment necessary. The elderly hold a special place in my heart and it would be my pleasure if you think this would work for him.

Just shoot me an address and I will get it in the mail.

As far as the 18650’s go. Stick with the name brand cells recommended already from the sellers already recommended and a decent charger and you won’t have any problems at all. These things aren’t miniature bombs or anything but do deserve a little respect. Protected cells will make it easier to keep you out of trouble but I haven’t used them since day one and I have never had a problem. Being new to Li-Ion I wouldn’t, as some might suggest, start pulling cells out of battery packs and throwing them on a charger and walking away. Not knowing the condition of the cell and if it’s even safe to charge could get messy and quite expensive.

Anyway, don’t let all the new information scare you away from Li-Ion or flashlights that use them.

PM me if you think your father could use that light.

October1 · 2018-09-18T05:05:51.000Z

Thank you for your generous offer toddcshoe!

Pete7874 · 2018-09-18T12:55:29.000Z

October1:

This stuff is definitely NOT suited for my forgetful elderly father.

Had you mentioned this little detail in the original post, I think we would have saved you a lot of time and aggravation.

For elderly folks, my recommendation is to stick with something that can take regular (non rechargeable) batteries, just to keep things simple - plenty of AA / multi AA lights out there that you can stick lithium cells in, and some of them are capable of producing good amount of light output.

Sillen · 2018-09-18T12:57:03.000Z

October1:

Thank you for your generous offer toddcshoe!

+1. Wonderful gesture.

manithree · 2018-09-18T13:18:55.000Z

An 18650 light with battery level indicator and USB charging might help in this situation. My twins with disabilities are getting a Convoy S9 and a Sofirn SP30A to try out and see which one they like best. Both with protected 18650.

I figure with a protected battery and indicator on the switch, they won’t let the battery get too low (that’s similar enough to their tablet and phone). And they won’t need to take the battery out, so no chance of reversing it.

The USB connector might not last forever, but they’re not expensive lights. And waterproof isn’t a high priority for them (YMMV).

Pete7874 · 2018-09-18T13:23:41.000Z

Sillen:

October1:

Thank you for your generous offer toddcshoe!

+1. Wonderful gesture.

+2
BLF has some really great members.

Lightbringer · 2018-09-18T15:31:49.000Z

Pete7874:

October1:

This stuff is definitely NOT suited for my forgetful elderly father.

Had you mentioned this little detail in the original post, I think we would have saved you a lot of time and aggravation.

For elderly folks, my recommendation is to stick with something that can take regular (non rechargeable) batteries, just to keep things simple - plenty of AA / multi AA lights out there that you can stick lithium cells in, and some of them are capable of producing good amount of light output.

Sofirn SF13. 2×AA light, tail-clicky, no need to press’n’hold anything, long enough for even arthritic hands to hold comfortably.

Or a ’501/’502 host with 1-mode drop-in and protected panny-B.