Battery for Lava Tube

[emory1]

Amazon has these battery's for $14.95 with Dual Charger "UltraFire 18650 3000mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery" Has anyone used these in a Lava Tube? will they work?

 

[sailorman]

Are you sure? I understand that Apollo ships the LT with Li-on Cobalt.
I also understand that those batteries are unmarked as to mfg. and are flat topped.
AW doesn't make flat top batteries, so any replacement batteries wont fit right.
Where can you get IMR 18650s with a flat top that'll fit???
I hate devices with mystery or hard to source batts, so this is the single biggest issue that's stopping me from pulling the trigger on one of these, but I'm still researching so there might be something else coming up.

 

[carlton]

The aw IMR 18650s fit perfectly.

 

[TheMaestro]

I had a few 2200 mah trustfires on hand when I first got my lavatube; they didn't fit correctly, but more importantly, they didn't work. I learned the hard way and ordered the right ones. Works great now!!

 

[txtumbleweed]

Are you sure? I understand that Apollo ships the LT with Li-on Cobalt.
I also understand that those batteries are unmarked as to mfg. and are flat topped.
AW doesn't make flat top batteries, so any replacement batteries wont fit right.
Where can you get IMR 18650s with a flat top that'll fit???
I hate devices with mystery or hard to source batts, so this is the single biggest issue that's stopping me from pulling the trigger on one of these, but I'm still researching so there might be something else coming up.


This is the best price I've found for AW IMR 18650 1600 mah AW IMR 18650
They are out of the 18650 2000 mah I have both of these and they work good.

Here is the Panasonic 18650 IMR 2250 mah Callies Kustoms 3100mAh 18650 Panasonic Batteries You don't want the 3100 but halfway down the page is the IMR 18650 2250 mah
I haven't tried this Panasonic . They are 65 mm long so I'm sure they will work. I have the Panasonic protected 18650 for another mod and it is a very good battery but it is longer than this one.

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

apollo is using the L-Rider (look to be made by Sanyo) IMR's I think.

The "counterfeit" batteries (peel off the AW sticker and they become what they really are :
18650 Imr-18650 Imr Manufacturers, Suppliers and Exporters on Alibaba.com

although these have the AW sticker on the battery in the picture they do show them as an L-Rider product.

 

[MASTER0FDAMPF]

I will also say that these are working fantastic for me and I can vouch that TW customer support is fantastic!
These are 2200 mah IMR batteries (High drain)
Torpedo VVV 2200mAh High Drain Replacement Battery

 

[sailorman]

A little late on the thanks, but thanks!! That's just what I was looking for.

 

[tumbafox]

Totally Wicked has a 2200 mah high drain flat top for 8.99 for the lavatube.

 

[sailorman]

Here's one better. Panasonic (Japanese) 2250mah 10A IMR 18650 for 9.99 with free shipping. Best deal I've seen yet and no mystery origin. Someone buy one and tell me if it fits. Or wait until I get the length from the vendor.
IMR Panasonic 18650 Li-Mn-Li-ion CGR18650CH High Drain 10A Rechargeable Battery Cell

 

[txtumbleweed]

Here's one better. Panasonic (Japanese) 2250mah 10A IMR 18650 for 9.99 with free shipping. Best deal I've seen yet and no mystery origin. Someone buy one and tell me if it fits. Or wait until I get the length from the vendor.
IMR Panasonic 18650 Li-Mn-Li-ion CGR18650CH High Drain 10A Rechargeable Battery Cell

They are 65 mm and will fit. Here is Panasonics press relaease.
Panasonic Press Release :
"Panasonic has introduced a new high rate lithium ion cell CGR18650CH. The cell’s Nickel Manganese-based cathode material delivers higher discharge rates and better energy density and voltage than comparative cells. CGR18650CH cells are suitable for multi-cell applications."
So the short answer is Yes they are IMR.

 

[holley2583]

hi guys, I bought my lavatube from Apollo and they have high drain 18650's for $8.95 with free shipping...this is by far the best deal and is definitely the right battery for the lavatube.
18650 Rechargeable Battery

 

[sailorman]

hi guys, I bought my lavatube from Apollo and they have high drain 18650's for $8.95 with free shipping...this is by far the best deal and is definitely the right battery for the lavatube.
18650 Rechargeable Battery

I also got mine from Apollo and I got the extra battery. Sorry to say, a week later I discovered that they are NOT the best battery for the Lavatube. First off, they are an unknown Generic. But I knew that and it didn't cost extra to ship. They're working o.k., but if I had it to do over again, I would get the far superior Panasonic IMR mentioned further up this thread. I have researched this battery extensively. I have seen the discharge curve and forced failure testing. Not only is it better than the battery sold by Apollo, it is 2250mah, which is significantly more capacity and it is even better than the AW IMR, which has been the recommended battery around here for awhile. It is $9.99 shipped and can be had other places for even less, but shipping would factor in.

The Panasonic CGR18650CH 2250mah IMR appears to be the best battery going for the Lavatube or other 18650 mods. And it will fit the Lavatube, no question.