18650 Li-ion - stops charging at 1500 mAh

[CentcomPete]

I have 2 new Olight 18650 Lithium Ion batteries. Both charged (using a new xtar VC4 Li-ion charger) to a full 3.7 or more volts BUT each only registered 1500-1600 mAh after fully charged. Is this normal, especially for a New rechargeable Li-ion battery?

Thanks,

Pete

 

[Bonskibon]

Hello and welcome. Never heard of that battery before. From a quick search it looks to be a protected battery which we don't usually use with vaping. Your best bet is to buy one of these:

 

[Mike McVape]

The XTAR doesn't display the actual battery mAh but rather only displays how many mAh it took to charge it to full usually ~4.2v. Only way would be to have them fully discharged first.

A charger like the OPUS CT3100 is capable of testing actual mAh from any beginning state.

 

[IMFire3605]

Showing one as 2600mah and another 3400mah.

:/
Sound like either clones or re-wraps
2600mah could be a Sony VTC4 20amp 2600mah under that wrap where
3400mah could be a Panasonic 6amp 3400mah NCR18650B

I'd definitely get better more reliable, actual authentic name brand batteries

If in the US/Mex/Can
illumn.com
Liionwholesale.com
imrbatteries.com
orbtronic.com
RTDVapor.com

as Authentic Retailers/Wholesalers for 18650's

If in the UK/EU region, authentic Retailers
fogstar.uk (UK)
batteriesplus.co.uk (UK)
nkon.nl (Netherlands)

 

[CentcomPete]

The XTAR doesn't display the actual battery mAh but rather only displays how many mAh it took to charge it to full usually ~4.2v. Only way would be to have them fully discharged first.

A charger like the OPUS CT3100 is capable of testing actual mAh from any beginning state.

THAT explains it. Thank you!

 

[mikepetro]

I have 2 new Olight 18650 Lithium Ion batteries. Both charged (using a new XTAR VC4 Li-ion charger) to a full 3.7 or more volts BUT each only registered 1500-1600 mAh after fully charged. Is this normal, especially for a New rechargeable Li-ion battery?

Thanks,

Pete

Sounds like they might be Panasonic NCR18650B rewraps, only with a lower protection cutoff of 4.2A.
Probably not a good vape battery unless you are sticking them in tootle puffer style gear.

Also, be sure to let them charge to 4.2v, which is the standard "full" charge for an 18650.

 

[suprtrkr]

Yup, smells like a rewrap to me. Welcome to the board

 

[classwife]

The only place I am seeing these batteries for sale is at Battery Junction - sure these are ok to use ?

(I don't think they are...)

 

[mikepetro]

They are an older model battery, been around since 2013. They can be found on Amazon and B&HPhoto as well.

Meant for flashlights, not vape.

I wouldnt say they are "unsafe" for vape, just not well suited. They are a protected battery that will cut them off at 4.2A so not really a danger of over discharging them.

 

[BrotherBob]

I have 2 new Olight 18650 Lithium Ion batteries. Both charged (using a new XTAR VC4 Li-ion charger) to a full 3.7 or more volts BUT each only registered 1500-1600 mAh after fully charged. Is this normal, especially for a New rechargeable Li-ion battery?
Thanks,Pete

Welcome and glad you joined. I have provided a little more information which might help choosing/evaluating batteries.
Might like to read:
18650 Battery Buying Guide for Vapor Users – Wake and Vape Blog
(9) Battery Basics for Mods; the Ultimate Battery Guide | E-Cigarette Forum
Calculating battery current draw for a regulated mod | E-Cigarette Forum
Battery Safety: Will You Marry Me? - Mt Baker Vapor
A Guide to Safe Charging - The Complete Guide to E-Cig Safety
Guide to Choosing a Battery Charger | E-Cigarette Forum