Sony US26650VT cells? Are they known to be faked?

[inswva]

Just ordered my first 26650 mod and scrounged around trying to locate the elusive Sony US26650VT cells. Finally found some at a reasonable price but I'm wondering if these cells are known to be faked ala the VTC5. If so, what are the key indicators of a fake cell? I'm not entirely sure what a genuine US26650VT should look like up close and personal.

 

[Trypno]

Anything has the potential to be cloned, unfortunately. I think the only way you'd be able to accurately tell, is if you had an honest to god authentic in one hand, and the one you're considering in the other, and then put them both through the same battery tester. Obviously if they both perform the same, or within manufacturer tolerances, then they are the same battery. If they serialized the batteries, it'd be much easier to tell, or if they had authentication scratchers or something.

 

[sando7]

i been using these with good results and long life, yet i don't take mine down below .4.....i also have 2 original Sony's from way back that are still practically new and the e-fest below out lasts them
Efest GREEN IMR 26650 20 / 50 A 4200mah 3.7V Flat Top Battery - 101 Vape

 

[papa11]

i been using these with good results and long life, yet i don't take mine down below .4.....i also have 2 original Sony's from way back that are still practically new and the e-fest below out lasts them
Efest GREEN IMR 26650 20 / 50 A 4200mah 3.7V Flat Top Battery - 101 Vape

i have been using these as well they work great, i have gone lower with my builds, and they are good for me and they really do last along time

 

[Ryedan]

Just ordered my first 26650 mod and scrounged around trying to locate the elusive Sony US26650VT cells. Finally found some at a reasonable price but I'm wondering if these cells are known to be faked ala the VTC5. If so, what are the key indicators of a fake cell? I'm not entirely sure what a genuine US26650VT should look like up close and personal.

What supplier did you find these at inswva?

 

[inswva]

What supplier did you find these at inswva?

Volt Vapes - 2 pack for $26

Sony 26650 50a - Volt Vapes

I've never ordered from them before... had never even heard of them before they popped up during a google search. Not much out there about them but they do have some good yelp reviews from local customers patronizing their B&M.

 

[Ryedan]

Volt Vapes - 2 pack for $26

Sony 26650 50a - Volt Vapes

I've never ordered from them before... had never even heard of them before they popped up during a google search. Not much out there about them but they do have some good yelp reviews from local customers patronizing their B&M.

I don't know them either, so I would not trust them. There are also no known good suppliers out there that sell these that I can find. I have the feeling they are being sourced through China and that would almost guaranty they are fake.

I did find them at an electric vehicle supplier. Check out the specs listed:

Model NO. SONY US26650VT-2600mah
Typical capacity 2600mAh
Nominal Volt 3.7V
Max. Continuous Discharge Rate 10C (26 amps)
Pulse Discharge Rate 20C (52 amps)
Inner Resistance ≤15mΩ

I think the internal resistance is also a bit higher than the Sony VTC's. The testing done here also indicates it does not really rate 50A continuous. From the review:

"The battery is rated for 50A, I did only test up to 30A, but looking at the curves I would say it is a good idea to stay below 20A."

That's all I've got. Good luck with it

 

[inswva]

Yeah, I read the testing report. I knew going in these aren't 50A cells... or at least not 50A CDR cells. I don't plan on pushing them past 20A anyway. I'm just hoping to receive genuine Sony cells but don't have any for which to make a comparison.

In my brief googling, I've only found one instance of fake US26650VTs being sold and they were very obviously fake. It looked like the were re-wrapped by a blind, drunk monkey. We'll see, I guess.