Very limited availability. Which 18650 will do?

[Animal Vapist]

Hi,

I have been using Samsung 25 flat tops and AW button tops. They are about 4 years old now and still seem to be ok but I would like to replace them.

Unfortunately there is very little availability. I actually need button top batteries now and I can't find any high discharge ones.

I am an old school vaper using a protank4, vaping at max 23 watts on a .5 to .6 ohm coil with a single 18650, so it's a pretty tame setup.

Can I use one of the high capacity low drain batteries?

Can someone throw at a few battery models that would suit my needs so I can see if I can find them?

Thanks for your help.
Regards Animal Vapist

 

[Mooch]

…Molicel actually sells directly to some of our vendors, so all you need to do is stick with an authorized vendor/distributer. Mooch has posted a list of them here:

That is an obsolete list. Always check for the latest list before reposting since it can change at any time.

My updated list post here:Latest list of NPE-authorized vendors/distributors for Molicel batteries

My updated list post at Instagram:

 

[Opinionated]

Panasonic/Sanyo NCR18650GA Unprotected Button Top 10A 3500mAh 18650 Battery - Genuine - Wholesale Discount

^^^ button top that is going to operate similar to the old AW's...

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Thanks guys. The problem is I can't even get the top on my vape with these batteries they are just too long for the threads in the cap to catch. Am using am ambition mods sunbox SBS.

That's a 2019 mod so it's a modern mod. Today's mods take flat top batteries, not button top batteries. Been this way for about 8 years now.

 

[Mooch]

I'm a bit concerned about something. Your battery wrap says made in China, but I thought Sanyo are made in Japan?

@Mooch do you know what country authentic NCR18650GA batts are made in?

Sorry, I don’t. There are multiple factories being built, or have been built, in China though by the big manufacturers. Genuine cells can come from Japan, S. Korea, Singapore/Malaysia, China, and the Philippines. Probably other countries too as new factories come online.

But since that is a button top, and no major manufacturer makes button top cells, that means that cell has been rewrapped since typically the wrap needs to be taken off to spot weld the button top on, probably in China. It could easily be an NCR18650GA but we have no idea.

If the button top was added without removing the original wrap, the photo doesn’t show the usual button top setup IMO, then that may be a genuine NCR18650GA that has a different wrap or it’s a fake.

But the counterfeiters can easily duplicate a genuine wrap. Why would they completely change the wrap and then try to pass the cell off as genuine?

No way to know what’s going on though without examination with the wrap off and testing.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

So I just bought these "genuine" NCR18650GA button top batteries, they don't say Sanyo or Panasonic anywhere on them and the button looks like a seperate part and the battery is longer than my AW 18650s. How can I tell if the battery is genuine or not? I paid a premium compared to the other NCR18650GA listings because these ones were claimed to be genuine.

These are OEM batteries, not consumer/retail batteries. They aren't typically packaged for consumer use and retail presentation - so you won't usually see company/brand logos on them. Usually just model # and maybe some specifications and warnings. As was stated in this thread, these batts you bought are likely a flat top with the button top added by a third party, which accounts for the added length. It also may have been rewraped due to adding the button top. If you bought from Liionwholesale, you can be reasonably sure they are authentic NCR18650GA cells.

 

[thanswr1]

I order my batteries from Orbtronic. Never had a problem. Sometimes, they're a little pricier, but they do run sales.

Orbtronic has a ton of batteries including button tops.

18650 Battery-26650 14500 16340 Quality Li-ion Cells | ORBTRONIC

 

[jwbnyc]

The way they do button tops now is to just add a button top to a flat top battery. This makes them longer. The problem is, if you are using them with a ProVari, you don’t want to screw them all the way down, just screw them down snug. This will leave some thread on the battery cap showing, but they will work fine. If you screw them down really tight you risk breaking the board free from the added pressure.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Can I use one of the high capacity low drain batteries?

If you're using a regulated mod at 23watts max, a true 10 amp battery is good enough with plenty of headroom. The flat top version of the NCR18650GA mentioned by @Opinionated was reviewed and tested by Mooch with good results.

Sanyo NCR18650GA 10A 3300mAh 18650 Bench Retest Results...a great 10A battery

 

[Opinionated]

A good one for the Provari?

I would say so..

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

I'm a bit concerned about something. Your battery wrap says made in China, but I thought Sanyo are made in Japan?

@Mooch do you know what country authentic NCR18650GA batts are made in?

View attachment 951415

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Anyone has a coupon code for liion? Most of my 18650s have also reached the end of the line...

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

I haven't see many coupons from them. 18650batterystore.com has Molicel P26a batts on deal for $4.29 right now if that's something that suits you

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

Any input and feedback on the molicell 18650s?

The common consensus is.....

Mooch:
Bench Retest Results: Molicel P26A 2600mAh 18650...beats VTC5A, best all-around 18650

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

One of the nice things about Molicel, the company, is that as of right now they don't hate vapers like Samsung and LG.

 

[X-Puppy]

Any input and feedback on the molicell 18650s?

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

I have about 20 of them and have been very happy with them. Solid performance!

 

[Opinionated]

If you're using a regulated mod at 23watts max, a true 10 amp battery is good enough with plenty of headroom. The flat top version of the NCR18650GA mentioned by @Opinionated was reviewed and tested by Mooch with good results.

Sanyo NCR18650GA 10A 3300mAh 18650 Bench Retest Results...a great 10A battery

Which is all this battery I linked to is... I believe Liion Wholesale just added the button top...

 

[Animal Vapist]

Thanks guys. The problem is I can't even get the top on my vape with these batteries they are just too long for the threads in the cap to catch. Am using am ambition mods sunbox SBS. Cheers.

 

[UncLeJunkLe]

If you need a flat top battery similar to the NCR18650GA, look at the 10A, 3450mah Molicel M35A battery.

 

[Pigs]

Am using am ambition mods sunbox SBS. Cheers.

That'll be fine with a flat top battery. You don't need a button top for the Ambition Mods/Sunbox sbs.

 

[Animal Vapist]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ordered a new vape that accepts flat top batteries and I'll grab a couple of those molicells.

This is my current vape, sorry it definitely doesn't take flat top batteries I have 6 old Samsung green flattop batteries that work fine in all my other vapes but don't work at all in this one. Unfortunately as mentioned the new button tops don't fit in it, the lid won't close. Im using my 2 very old AW batteries.

Cheers