Test / Review: Orbtronic 18650 3100mAh (Black)

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

Orbtronic 18650 3100mAh (Black)



Official specifications:

  • Protected Panasonic 18650 NCR18650A: 3100mAh 3.6V - 3.6V storage charge
  • Cell: Panasonic NCR18650A - 3100mAh
  • Typical Capacity: 3100mAh - Discharge:0.2CmA
  • Minimum Capacity: 2950mAh
  • Nominal Voltage: 3.6V - 3.7V - ±0.025V
  • Full Charge voltage: 4.2V
  • Max. working discharge current: 6.2A - 0ºC to +40ºC
  • Max. discharge current: 8.5A - 0ºC to +40ºC
  • Discharge cut-off voltage: 2.5V
  • PCM Over charge Protection: 4.325 ±0.025V
  • PCM Over discharge protection: 2.5V ±0.025V
  • PCM Over current protection: 11A ± 0.3A
  • Storage Temperature: -20ºC to +60ºC - Less than 1 month
  • Storage Temperature: -20ºC to +45ºC - Less than 3 months
  • Weight: 48.5 g - 1.71 oz
  • Size: 68.9mm(H ) * 18.4mm(D)
  • Bottom plate: Copper
  • Max charge current: 1C - 3.1A
  • Recommended charge current: .3C - 0.9A




The cell used can be discharged down to 2.5 volt, in my test I only discharges to 2.8 volt, i.e. I do not measure the full capacity. But then, not all lights will be able to use the full capacity.
























Conclusion

This battery uses a good cell, this secures many things:

  • The batteries does match in capacity, i.e. they can be used in series.
  • The battery is very safe.
  • The battery has the specified capacity.



There is not anything to say about this battery except it is a very good battery.



Notes and links

The batteries was supplied by Orbtronic for review.

How is the test done and how to read the charts
How is a protected LiIon battery constructed
More about button top and flat top batteries

2

Thanks, HKJ! Great value.

3

Thanks HKJ. Looks like a great battery.

4

It does, just as expected.

5

Great to hear, these appear to be the best value of the Panasonic 3100s for those of us in US since they have free shipping. Just glad they didn't turn out like the Focalprice or INTL Outdoor V1 3100s.

6

Yes, they are good for US, but with the new USPS regulations not for anybody else.

7

Thanks HKJ !

8

Orbtronic has increased the price on these to $ 14.99 . Either because of the USPS regulation or this test report.

9

Well they're still a good value but no longer a "great" value after the increase. Now priced the same as the Eagletac 3100 mah protected.

10

Thanks very much for your hard work on these professional reviews! Frontpage'd and Sticky'd.

11

Good work HKJ.

Another thorough review under your belt. You really help a whole lot of people to make educated decisions. Thank you. :-)

12

Thanks again as usual HKJ!

13

As usual from HJK, another GREAT review! Thanks.

Where can we buy those batteries?

14

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=orbtronic

15

¬¬

Yeah but they are out of stock, I meant if they were available on another site...

16

Pity, back to DX...

17

Thank you again for all you do for us.

18

I posted this in HKJ's CPF thread on these cells, but found out today that it had been removed, with the message: 'Insider information removed AGAIN. Final warning RF UK'

This annoyed me as I had never seen any of my posts on the subject removed before, and had never been 'warned' or even told that it was deemed unacceptable to post useful information on who manufactures what cells in a clearly relevant thread. It is also hardly 'insider' information, as anyone could infer as much from looking at the reviews and confirm it with a quick e-mail to keeppower.

Anyway, here is what I originally posted, just so the info is still out there for those who want to look for it:

Keeppower make Redilast cells. They claim to assemble to a better quality than AW cells, but of course that would need to be independently verified.

The recent 'newcomers' to the market are all dealers selling re-badged keeppower cells as Redilast have now been doing for a while.

Orbtronic, Callie's Kustoms, intl-outdoor (latest version), Xtar and more are all assembled by keeppower afaik. Eagletac may not be, but I wouldn't bet against it.

Effectively, you have nothing to lose quality/performance wise by simply choosing the cheapest of these brands. You will get the same thing.


Aftermarket service and the feeling of supporting someone more closely linked to the CPF community of course are unrelated to this and whether they sway your decision is entirely a personal choice.


Bottom line is: The two pack of keeppowers via ebay are currently the best value 3100 based cells out there, from the best (or equal best) manufacturer. Although in my opinion, the Xtar 2600s (sanyo based) for $13.50 a pair direct from xtar via the BLF long-term group buy is by far and away still the best value deal out there for any li-ion cells.

19

Yes, I noticed you had your bottom smacked on the other side, you bad boy. Wondered what it was all about. Giving out useful information to potential customers - whatever next on a forum. The AW mafia are gunning for you. Buy the cheapest? How very dare you! Thanks for re-posting here.

I just received 4 Keeppower 3100 batteries from the (solitary) eBay seller in China. Best offer of $21 for 2 was accepted, and they arrived at 3.63 volts and look OK so I'm a happy bunny. I would post the link, but I might get banned

Problem is I have nothing to put them in ....yet.

20

The "rules" on CPF is sometimes very strict and mysterious. I can see that you try to get banned on CPF now.