Has Anyone Else Noticed...

[Oregon Linda]

... the low availability right now of a lot of popular 18650 batteries? I've just been to 5 of the recommended battery retailers and all of them are completely out of most Samsung batteries, particularly the 30Qs. There is also very low availability of many other commonly used batteries. Anyone know what is going on?

 

[englishmick]

... the low availability right now of a lot of popular 18650 batteries? I've just been to 5 of the recommended battery retailers and all of them are completely out of most Samsung batteries, particularly the 30Qs. There is also very low availability of many other commonly used batteries. Anyone know what is going on?

I needed some new batteries last month and noticed that. I normally get HG2's but they aren't around. Looked at some of the lower power, higher capacity ones from the list since I vape at 12W but they were out as well. I got Molicel in the end since they were available. So many of the L-ion batteries are out of stock, not just the sizes and types that are used for vaping. My guess is a supply chain problem. The whole international trade system is shaky right now. Just read about a swarm of tankers circling around ports in CA, maybe one of them is full of batteries.

 

[Katya]

... the low availability right now of a lot of popular 18650 batteries? I've just been to 5 of the recommended battery retailers and all of them are completely out of most Samsung batteries, particularly the 30Qs. There is also very low availability of many other commonly used batteries. Anyone know what is going on?

Yup. I noticed the same thing. Supply chain problems would be my guess.

 

[Oregon Linda]

I needed some new batteries last month and noticed that. I normally get HG2's but they aren't around. Looked at some of the lower power, higher capacity ones from the list since I vape at 12W but they were out as well. I got Molicel in the end since they were available. So many of the L-ion batteries are out of stock, not just the sizes and types that are used for vaping. My guess is a supply chain problem. The whole international trade system is shaky right now. Just read about a swarm of tankers circling around ports in CA, maybe one of them is full of batteries.

Yup. I noticed the same thing. Supply chain problems would be my guess.

Thanks, guys! I was starting to wonder if it was something more nefarious, like trying to keep batteries out of those horrible vapers' hands. Supply chain problems are bad enough without that. And you are both probably right about that being the reason. It just gave me a moment of panic when I went to 18650 Battery store and they had next to nothing in stock.

 

[Rossum]

the low availability right now of a lot of popular 18650 batteries?

Yup. I went looking for some recently myself. I have a substantial stash at my other house, but it's 1,000 miles from here and when I realized I only had two spare cells here, I decided I should do something about that. I had intended to be back at the other house by now, but things haven't worked out the way I had expected due to my wife's elderly parents' state-of-health.

Anyway, I also went with a batch of Moli P26As. I've been using them in my ADV and have to agree with Mooch; they're good batteries. I also really like the fact that Moli doesn't think we're too stupid to use loose cells.

I refuse to buy any re-wraps, and the Sony/Murata and Samsung cells I found in stock were all at least 50% more expensive than they used to be.

The new batch of Molis arrived on Friday. They were reasonably fresh; manufactured December of 2020. I charged them to 3.6V for storage, put them in a freezer bag with a desiccant pack, and they're now in the fridge.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

This has been happening, on and off, for many months now with batts. Stock comes in and they quickly sell out. Damn vapers! lol. Local grocery stores have same problem. Manager said their problem is raw materials are harder to get to make things and not enough truckers to distribute goods.

 

[BNEAT]

IMR has some of my favorite Sony 18650s in stock at reasonable prices. Too bad I'm in need 21700s

Sony Murata 18650 Batteries - Rechargeable Lithium Ion - IMR Batteries

 

[zoiDman]

... the low availability right now of a lot of popular 18650 batteries? I've just been to 5 of the recommended battery retailers and all of them are completely out of most Samsung batteries, particularly the 30Qs. There is also very low availability of many other commonly used batteries. Anyone know what is going on?

It seems like 18650's have been Harder and Harder to get for the Last 3 Months.

I wanted a Pair of 15 Amp/3,000mAh (or so) and all the Usually Places I like to buy from were Slim Pick'ns at best. I saw that Mooch gave these Batteries a Decent Review. So I took a chance and bought them.

Epoch 30P 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery

I got them in 3 Days. And so far they seem to be Fine. Maybe their Lifespan will only be 1/2 as long as my HG2's? Dunno?

 

[Katya]

Maybe their Lifespan will only be 1/2 as long as my HG2's? Dunno?

I got a couple of Molicels P26A because Mooch likes them, but I miss my beloved tootsie rolls. They are perfect for my needs.

But now I'm in the market for 21700s.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

It seems like 18650's have been Harder and Harder to get for the Last 3 Months.

I wanted a Pair of 15 Amp/3,000mAh (or so) and all the Usually Places I like to buy from were Slim Pick'ns at best. I saw that Mooch gave these Batteries a Decent Review. So I took a chance and bought them.

Epoch 30P 18650 3000mAh 15A Battery

I got them in 3 Days. And so far they seem to be Fine. Maybe their Lifespan will only be 1/2 as long as my HG2's? Dunno?

Mooch rated the Epoch 30P as a decently-performing budget cell.
Bench Test Results: Epoch 30P - 15A 3000mAh 18650…decent performer at a lower price

I use the epoch 18350 which is a rewrapped YDL18350D and I highly recommend them, for what that's worth.

 

[zoiDman]

I got a couple of Molicels P26A because Mooch likes them, but I miss my beloved tootsie rolls. They are perfect for my needs.

...

I Hear You.

These 2 New 18650's will take my last HG2's out of rotation. And will relegate them to Flashlight Duty.

 

[zoiDman]

Mooch rated the Epoch 30P as a decently-performing budget cell.
Bench Test Results: Epoch 30P - 15A 3000mAh 18650…decent performer at a lower price

I use the epoch 18350 which is a rewrapped YDL18350D and I highly recommend them, for what that's worth.

Yeah... That is the Review that made me Consider them.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

The Epoch 25P (20A 2500mah) is on deal for $2.99 and might be worth considering.

Bench Test Results: Epoch 25P - 20A 2500mAh 18650…decent performer at a lower price

 

[YoursTruli]

I agree the 18650s have been scarce these last few months. I'm in the supply chain camp too. Thankfully I'm well stocked but when I went searching for a friend at the usual haunts it was very hit/miss. I'm hoping a more back to normal soonish but it doesn't seem likely. Grab them when you see them 18650 Battery Store seems stocked in the most popular 18650s just now. I always liked/bought the Samsung 25R, for years, but switched to the Molicel P26A after trying a few, to me they are better performers, I've been very happy with them.

 

[Territoo]

A few weeks ago I was in search of some Molicel p28a's and couldn't find them anywhere. I had to settle for p26a.

 

[Katya]

I've been trying for months to find one vendor that carries both the charger and the batteries I want. Not going to happen any time soon, I'm afraid.

Not to mention the Battery Junction debacle... Test Results: Fake Samsung 25R’s, Samsung 30Q’s, and LG HG2’s!

 

[YoursTruli]

I've been trying for months to find one vendor that carries both the charger and the batteries I want. Not going to happen any time soon, I'm afraid.

Not to mention the Battery Junction debacle... Test Results: Fake Samsung 25R’s, Samsung 30Q’s, and LG HG2’s!

Unfortunately I was caught up in that but Battery Junction did not hesitate to make good to their customers. Mine were purchased during that time but not the lot number they identified as fakes, still, they immediately gave me a refund for the 12 cells I purchased from them. I have purchased from them a lot in the past because they carry things no one else does and will special order product for you, a great small female owned company really, it made me sad this hurt them as they were/are not the only vendor but they were the most talked about.

 

[Katya]

Unfortunately I was caught up in that but Battery Junction did not hesitate to make good to their customers. Mine were purchased during that time but not the lot number they identified as fakes, still, they immediately gave me a refund for the 12 cells I purchased from them. I have purchased from them a lot in the past because they carry things no one else does and will special order product for you, a great small female owned company really, it made me sad this hurt them as they were/are not the only vendor but they were the most talked about.

Just goes to show you that everyone can be duped--even the most reputable vendors. I like them too and will continue to support them in the future. It really wasn't their fault and they dealt with the situation very well. Shame, really.

 

[Oregon Linda]

18650 Battery Store seems stocked in the most popular 18650s just now. I always liked/bought the Samsung 25R, for years, but switched to the Molicel P26A after trying a few, to me they are better performers, I've been very happy with them.

Actually, they're not. Out of all the Samsung batteries they normally carry, they only have 2 types in stock, and not the 30Q, which is one of the most popular. The same is true with Sony batteries. They have a lot of rewraps, but I'm like Rossum, I'm not going to buy those.

Has anyone ever used Central Vapors for batteries?

 

[Katya]

Has anyone ever used Central Vapors for batteries?

Sorry, I haven't, but not because they are not to be trusted. I just always use Mooch's list of recommended vendors. Always have and now it's become a habit.