26650 and 18650

[Dthoreson81]

I'm curious what the advantages and disadvantages are to these li-ion size batteries in comparison to each other...

Really though I'm curious about the 26650 and what type of flashlight, or rather what flashlight characteristics and/or uses will maximize the positive attributes of the 26650 over the 18650 cell. Maybe there's no real difference but mAh capacity?

All in all, I've got some cool stuff coming that I get to play with, and would like to know about the above to see what options I have.

Thanks.

 

[ven]

Size comfort is one reason i like 26650 lights, find the body diameter comfortable in hand. As you say mah is another reason, also some of the high drain 26650's can handle a good amount of A. 18650's have been developed more it seems over the years, so 3500mah 10a are readily available, 26650 cells dont seem to have been pushed more to their full potential.

 

[KiwiMark]

5,200mAh is an advantage.

Also 26650 cells don't need as much sleeving to fit into a D cell Maglite.

 

[ven]

Also you can run 18650's in 26650 lights with a sleeve, cant run 26650 cells in an 18650 light! So a little bit of flexibility there if/when needed.

 

[etc]

if you like C-based Mag, you will lose 26650.

I am paying attention to all this tesla stuff and which new battery replaces 18650. Like not 26mm cell. Either that 20mm or 21mm cell.

a 2C sized light is not exactly EDC material.

 

[Dthoreson81]

Yes, the Tesla news is interesting.

The decision is for a surefire e or p lamp on a 18650 or 26650 body.

What to do? What to do.....?

 

[StorminMatt]

if you like C-based Mag, you will lose 26650.

This depends on the light and the cells. Older Mags (without a letter in the serial number) CAN fit many unprotected 26650s. But generally speaking, newer Mags WON'T fit a 26650. And if you MUST use protected cells, forget it!

 

[fivemega]

The decision is for a surefire e or p lamp on a 18650 or 26650 body.

What to do? What to do.....?

Get both 18650 and 26650, so you will enjoy advantages of both.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

I've played with lots of "C" Mags over the years, and some "no C in serial number" Mags will fit the 26650. However, a quality bore job will allow even protected 26mm diameter cells to fit, and then all kind of possibilities open up to you, from incandescent to Malkoff to all sorts of duos, triples, and quads...

 

[Dthoreson81]

Get both 18650 and 26650, so you will enjoy advantages of both.

I do have one of each coming. However, to use an e or p head on Wich battery is the question.

They are yours in fact! Both with e series threads on the front. I've also got an adapter for e threads to accept a p 60 bezel and drop in.

So. Are there many differences between the cells besides capacity?

 

[roadkill1109]

I'm curious what the advantages and disadvantages are to these li-ion size batteries in comparison to each other...

Really though I'm curious about the 26650 and what type of flashlight, or rather what flashlight characteristics and/or uses will maximize the positive attributes of the 26650 over the 18650 cell. Maybe there's no real difference but mAh capacity?

All in all, I've got some cool stuff coming that I get to play with, and would like to know about the above to see what options I have.

Thanks.

Let me take a stab on both cells:

18650
Pros
1. Smaller
2. Faster to Charge
3. More lights available for this size of cell.
Cons
1. Lesser capacity compared to the 26650
2. Drain would be less compared to the 26650
3. Too many brands in the market, confusing customers which is a good one to buy

26650
Pros
1. Bigger Capacity
2. Drain is higher than 18650
3. Great run times on flashlights especially the 4000+ lumens flashlights.
Cons
1. Slow to charge
2. Limited flashlights to choose from. (Mostly are using 18650)
3. Limited brands to choose from (not that common)

And based on that, that's why I choose to stay with 18650 lights.

 

[StorminMatt]

Another advantage of 26650s is that their capacities seem to be more 'true' than 18650s. For instance, a 5200mAH Keeppower 26650 has pretty close to 5200mAH while a 3500mAH NCR18650GA is closer to 3200-3300mAH. The Sony VTC6 is one of the few 18650s that are true to their rating. Also, the perceived energy density advantage of 18650s over 26650s is less than you are led to believe because of this.

 

[eh4]

Don't 18650 have the higher Watts per volume and mass?
-more optimally engineered battery, that's the hearsay that I heard said.

 

[KITROBASKIN]

I'm curious what the advantages and disadvantages are to these li-ion size batteries in comparison to each other...

Really though I'm curious about the 26650 and what type of flashlight, or rather what flashlight characteristics and/or uses will maximize the positive attributes of the 26650 over the 18650 cell. Maybe there's no real difference but mAh capacity?

All in all, I've got some cool stuff coming that I get to play with, and would like to know about the above to see what options I have.

Thanks.

If you like to hold your torch 'cigar' style, between second and third fingers, the 18650 lights will be more comfortable. Gripping in the palm MAY be better, more handfilling, with the 26650. Some of us see no need to carry a heavier flashlight than necessary for the task at hand. Lower lumen use or occasional spotting gets handled just fine with a single 18650 tool.

(High performance) Triple or Quad emitter heads will run maximum brightness for a significantly longer time with the 26650 or paired 18650's, not just because of reduced total mAh capacity, but partly because of voltage lowering during use. This could be phrased more correct technically, but I felt the heat generated in my hands when using the same triple emitter in both sizes. The 26650 flashlight stayed warm a lot longer than a single 18650, with that longer effective runtime and reduced light output.

Less choices in 26650 flashlights.

I have an Oveready ODL with an 18650 sleeve and never used the sleeve; No reason to. Maybe an emergency? (doubtful)

Orbtronic is now listing a 20700 sized battery...