18650 re supply

[fredx]

Fellas
Fixing to change out my line of these and wanting opinions on what you folks would change out to?

 

[PaladinNO]

We're talking a new batch of 18650's?

Brand wise, I'd say Keeppower and Molicel, optionally Samsung.
Unprotected, for capacity, Molicel M35A or Samsung INR18650-35E
For discharge rate (above 10A), Molicel P30B or Samsung INR18650-25R

Protected, Keeppower P1838C

 

[RWT1405]

I use Keeppowers, pretty much exclusively

I also purchase almost all my rechargeables (Keeppowers) from Illumn.com

That's my story and I'm stickin' to it

 

[fredx]

I was leaning towards Keepower, but wanted to hear some differing opinions
Thanks for the quick reply fellas!

 

[JimIslander]

I don't use protected cells, so I buy from the top tier companies that build them.

• Panasonic/Sanyo
• Samsung SDI
• LG Energy Solution
• Molicel

High amps, Molicel (king of high amps) or Samsung. But they all make higher Amp models than almost any flashlight needs.

 

[orbital]

I don't use protected cells, so I buy from the top tier companies that build them.

• Panasonic/Sanyo
• Samsung SDI
• LG Energy Solution
• Molicel

High amps, Molicel (king of high amps) or Samsung. But they all make higher Amp models than almost any flashlight needs.

+

I don't use protected cells at all either.

Good suggestions on 18650 brands _____ ^
.. side note: the last several 21700s' I'v purchased are EVE brand,, they don't flinch on very high Amp draw lights / Impressed with them.
EVE makes several different 18650 also

 

[fredx]

I have lights that wont work with un protected cells

 

[HarryN]

Now that I have seen a bit more in life, I would never use an unprotected Li cell unless it was to build a protected battery pack.

 

[Kestrel]

Orbtronic, for me; seemed to be the best value.

 

[JimIslander]

I have lights that wont work with un protected cells

If so, you are likely buying the wrong top style. You probably need button tops in those lights, or the springs are bent in your contacts from using longer protected cells.

Lights can't electrically tell the difference between protected and unprotected cells. But any cell that's too short, or if the tip type is supposed to be button and not flat, won't work whether protected or not.

 

[orbital]

I have lights that wont work with un protected cells

+

These are unprotected and will work

https://illumn.com/batteries/18650-keeppower-imr18650-3200mah-high-discharge-button-top.html

 

[fredx]

Thanks Fellas!!!!

 

[orbital]

Fellas
Fixing to change out my line of these and wanting opinions on what you folks would change out to?

+

since it will be the last 18650s' I'll buy, figured to post it.
over the weekend picked up a few of these from illumn.

Bought the button top version ~ everything I'v bought of Vapcell has been good or very good.
these will do 10A continuous / minimum mAh of 3900 / 67mm with button top / no pcb

 

[Kestrel]

since it will be the last 18650s' I'll buy [...]

OK, ya left us hanging with that one ;-)

 

[orbital]

OK, ya left us hanging with that one ;-)

+

Really can't imagine buying another 18650 light.
only a few I use now,, along with a couple headlamps.
Doubt I'll wear out the 18650s' I have right now

Switched to 21700 a number of years ago, for a multitude of reason they are ALOT better than 18650 only being slightly bigger.

Actually got those Vapcell from above, today
(4 are going in my K65GT)

 

[PaladinNO]

Switched to 21700 a number of years ago, for a multitude of reason they are ALOT better than 18650 only being slightly bigger.

I have done the same over the past couple years. But I am once in a while being told here that AA batteries is the true way.
Fine by me, I got nothing against AA lights - they just don't do what I want them to, whereas 21700 lights does. And I also see the 21700 form factor as just a slightly thicker 18650, which, frankly, just gives the lights a better grip with its increased width.

That said, there are a couple 18650 lights I still hold on to - my trusted first generation Fenix PD35, and the way over the top 12x 18650 Fenix TK75 and TK76.
I even seemed to annoy the Fenix engineers with my intent to mix and match their battery carriers, and put the TK76 carrier in the TK75 for increased runtime at the time.