18650 brand recommendation?

[Dave Bowser]

If you need to stack a set of batteries that are flat topped, not the nipple topped ones, why couldn't you just pit a TINY steel washer in between them? That should make a connection.

 

[SunnyMoon]

I have an xtar charger.

Just visited RTD and picked up a few batteries, though I had hoped to find better than 2000mAh, I'm sure the AWs will perform better than my old trust fires.

 

[jasl90]

I have an XTAR charger.

Just visited RTD and picked up a few batteries, though I had hoped to find better than 2000mAh, I'm sure the AWs will perform better than my old trust fires.

They do perform better than your Trustfires. They can deliver a 20 amp discharge. Your Trusfires can't go anywhere near that.

Like said in a previous post, high drain batteries are typically have 2/3rds the energy density of li-co batteries... (3000 mah X (2/3) = 2000).

 

[Thrasher]

it is a 10 amp limit not 20....

 

[pdib]

Yep, if you want 20 amp max continuous discharge, that'd be the MNKE batts

 

[jasl90]

it is a 10 amp limit not 20....

Could've sworn that I'd read that the AW IMR had a 10C discharge rating... But of course I can't find a data sheet on it anywhere at the moment.

 

[pdib]

There are two types of protection. "Safe Chemistry" and "PCB Protected".

When you say "protected" that typically means that you're talking about pcb protection. These batteries usually have a lithium cobalt chemistry, very high energy densities (3,000 mah and up) and low "c Ratings" (the number of amps you can safely draw in relation to its total capacity).

They make great flashlight batteries but the pcb protection circuit makes them less than ideal for use in regulated mods.

The "safe chemistry" batteries, also known as "IMR" and/or "high drain" batteries, have a lithium manganese chemistry. These batteries have lower energy densities (2/3rds of their equivalent li-co counterparts) but tend to have very high C ratings. Basically they are designed to be able safely deliver high amps. Because of their chemistry, they have no need for pcb protection.

Because of their ability to deliver high amp current and do it safely, they have become favored in the e-cig community.

There are 3 "premium" brands that I'm aware of... AW IMR, Panasonic CGR18650CH and the MNKE.

I own both the AWs and Panasonics and both are very good. I don't own any MNKEs but lots of folks around here swear by them.

The Panasonics are flat tops and I'm thinking that the MNKEs are too... So that would leave the AWs that have the nipple top.

FYI... The batteries carried by Provape are the AWS. It's the only brand they carry and the only one they endorse.

Hope this helps...

That's ok, I think you used up all your "havingitalltogetherness" on the most concise, clear, informative and well stated answer I've ever seen.

 

[jasl90]

That's ok, I think you used up all your "havingitalltogetherness" on the most concise, clear, informative and well stated answer I've ever seen.

Lol. Fair enough.
Quick question... Do you know if the AW IMR 1600 & 2000 have the same C rating?
I ask because I seem to recall it was the 1600 that had the 10C rating and simply assumed the 2000 was the same...

 

[pdib]

without checking a reference, I believe that's the case. I think I noticed that when I was trying to figure out the relationship between battery size, mah, and performance. i.e. "WHY does the MNKE kick ....?"

 

[jasl90]

without checking a reference, I believe that's the case. I think I noticed that when I was trying to figure out the relationship between battery size, mah, and performance. i.e. "WHY does the MNKE kick ....?"

... or why would AW keep producing the 1600 mah version, now that they have the 2000 mah...?
It would make sense if it has double the C rating...

 

[SunnyMoon]

Info from RTD website on the 2000mAh (info not available for the 1600mAh)
AW IMR 18650 3.7v 2000mAh

Nominal Voltage : 3.7V
Capacity : 2000mAH
Lowest Discharge Voltage : 2.50V
Standard Charge : CC/CV ( max. charging rate 2A )
Cycle Life : > 500 cycles
Max. continuous discharge rate : 10A
Operating Discharge Temperature : -10 - 60 Degree Celsius

 

[MikeA5]

... or why would AW keep producing the 1600 mah version, now that they have the 2000 mah...?
It would make sense if it has double the C rating...

I agree but I don't know for a fact. All I know is that my kick (by evolve) in my GGTS works better with the AW18650 1600 mah than it does with the AW18650 2000 mah that is a year newer. I'm starting to believe that the C rating is higher on the 1600 mah than the 2000 mah, although I don't have any info to prove it. If the 2000 mah has a 10A rating I calculate that it has a 5C rating. I think the 1600 mah has a 10C rating.
I would appreciate it if someone who knows would let us know for sure.

 

[pdib]

ok, here, 15C Test of AW IMR 18650 1600mAh (Red) IS THAT, LIKE 24 amps???

 

[GreekLion]

To my knowledge there aren't any USA made batteries; all of them that I know of are made in China.

The best batteries are built in Japan, I could be wrong but I believe the Panasonics are produced in Japan rather than China.

Stick with AW IMRs from a reputable supplier like super T or ccv. A lot of fakes out there. Avoid with a passion any battery with the word 'fire' in the brand name.

 

[Thrasher]

pannys and i think sanyo come from japan but they are hybrid imr's

 

[jasl90]

ok, here, 15C Test of AW IMR 18650 1600mAh (Red) IS THAT, LIKE 24 amps???

Yes it is... I think you'd melt the center pin out of the atty before you'd get there though.
Great find BTW. I now have it bookmarked so I don't have to look like a dumb ... moving forward...

 

[MikeA5]

Thanks pdib,
I followed your link and here's the link for AW IMR 18650 2000mAh(Red) -> /http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/AW%20IMR%2018650%202000mAh%20(Red)%20UK.html

So it looks like the 18650 1600mAh rated at 24Amps continuous versus the 18650 2000mAh rated at 10Amps continuous.
As I mentioned before the Kicks that I have definetely work better with the AW 18650 1600mAh than with the 2000mAh and now I know why. Thanks alot much appreciated.

 

[HunterSeeker]

I like my AW imr and my xtar protected 18650's

 

[MikeA5]

Here's a link for the MNKE IMR 18650 1500mAh specs:-> MNKE IMR18650 3.7v Li-MN Rechargable Battery - Avid Vaper

Looks like the MNKE IMR 18650 1500mAh has a Maximum Continuous Discharging Current of 20 A.

I'm wondering now if the MNKE IMR 18650 1300mAh I just purchased from RTD has a higher Maximum Continous discharge current than the 1500mAh rated ones. I'm going to see if they do. If anyone can find out I'd like to know. Thanks

 

[MikeA5]

I went to the MNKE site and found IMR 18650 1400mAh specs here they are:
Product Name：IMR18650-A

MNKE(China)  Jiangsu Eastdye Battery Co., Ltd.---Product Description

Rated capacity:1400mah
Overall height:65.4+/-0.5mm
Weight:40.5+/-1g
Nominal voltage:3.8V
Cut-off voltage:2.5V
Max continuous charging current:6.5A
Max continuous discharging current:25A
Max moment pulse discharging current:80A
Operating temperature: Charging:0-45℃.
Discharging:-20-60℃.
Storage temperature:-20-60℃.
Shelf life:6 months
Self discharge rate/month:≤0.5%

-------------------------------------------------------
Looks like they rate their 1400mAh at Max continuous discharging current = 25Amps. 5 Amps more than their 1500mAh rated battery. Very interesting!

Still interested to find out about their IMR 18650 1300mAh batteries.