Where did all the rechargeable 26500's go ?

[bridgman]

Particularly the protected ones ?

Seems like a decade or more ago AW's IMR 26500's were very popular, but today it seems that there are almost no rechargeable 26500's to be had and zero protected ones. Lots of 26650's and even a few 26340's, but no 26500's. Efest seemed popular for a while but their 26500 seem to have largely disappeared as well.

The 26500 is just such a useful size, among other things being a bit shorter than a D cell while 26650's are nearly 10mm longer. Fivemega made some really nice bodies based on the 26500 as well.

The 18500 cells still seem to be improving but maximum current is more in the 18xxx range than the 26xxx range, which is not a surprise I guess

Is the issue that IMR was the only one making them and when they stopped all the vendors disappeared at the same time ?

Thanks

 

[ampdude]

I'm not sure what's going on with battery sizes lately, but they always seem to make them slightly bigger than spec to get better amp hours. I've noticed the P16650's now all run about the same size and diameter as the old P17670's. In fact I have some Eagletac P16650's that are too long to fit into a battery carrier I have that was built for 17670's. Same seems to go with diameter in a lot of these cells now. It's almost like they pick a number that they think will sell instead of staying within spec.

 

[fivemega]

Seems like a decade or more ago AW's IMR 26500's were very popular,

AW used to sell button top protected 25500 with diameter of 25,5mm and length of 53.5mm which is too long to fit many C size flashlights.
Flat top IMR 26500 have diameter of 26.5mm and length of 50mm which is too fat to fit many C size flashlights.
Protected 26650 cells have diameter of 26.5mm and length of 70mm

 

[badtziscool]

The only ones I've been able to find are for the EVO Gimbals. They work perfectly fine for my one and only 26500 flashlight.

 

[bridgman]

Thanks - I have seen them but at $48 for two plus $29 for shipping (CDN - roughly 37 & 22 USD respectively) plus not a lot of information about them except "they work great in my gimbal" (some kind of camera stabilizer ??) I had not taken the plunge yet.

Do you happen to know if they are protected ? I haven't been able to find info that says yes or no... although I imagine that means "no".

EDIT - I just noticed that if I order 2 sets of 2 from Amazon the shipping stays at $29 CDN. It does go up if you add a third set though.

 

[hamhanded]

I purchased them, they are not protected. Current rating? Your guess is as good as mine.

 

[ANDREAS FERRARI]

I purchased them, they are not protected. Current rating? Your guess is as good as mine.

Where did you find them?

I need 5 for my M@G '633. The 5 AW's cannot hold the load anymore and I'm never giving up on that light.

 

[Bimmerboy]

Where did you find them?

I need 5 for my M@G '633. The 5 AW's cannot hold the load anymore and I'm never giving up on that light.

Though I haven't tested it in years, I'm probably in the same boat with my overdriven 623 named Beelzebulb. They can still handle my 1185, but at some point two of my all-time favorite lights will no longer function.

The two ideas I've had so far are to either have extension tubes made from donor Maglites, or find matching voltage Li-po packs that will fit. Both solutions are less than ideal. I'm not happy at all with the lack of high-drain 26500s.

 

[hamhanded]

Where did you find them?

I need 5 for my M@G '633. The 5 AW's cannot hold the load anymore and I'm never giving up on that light.

Search Amazon for EVO Gimbals IMR 26500

And prepare to drop $108, or $180 if you want two sets to rotate. Plus tax…

 

[mrfixitman]

I use A123 26650. A little longer than D cells. Spring reduction works on 3 and 4 D cell MAG-LITE for one to one replacement.. In C cell lights cell diameter is close and spring stretch is needed. I use one cell in 2C cell lights. Same voltage. Two cells in 3C with spring stretch and voltage increase to 6vdc. These cells can be found for 50¢. 4 slot charger is $10.00 search Battery Hookup for used batteries.. These batteries are robust, chargeable thousands of times. However they can put out 200 amps. If you nick insulation any contact with negative will quickly heat up the cell and let the fluids out ruining the cell and possibly the light. No sharp contacts. I use smooth bolt heads on the negative protruding into the spring. The whole body is positive and comes close to the negative. I have these cells in several lights with good usage. On some lights you might have to make a nipple for good contact