Thread: 18650 batteries and charger.

Probably done to death but these things do advance pretty quickly.
Anyone have recommendations for the above batteries and charger?
I am thinking cost vs performance. ie value for money.
They will only be used in one device (a head torch so far) and only using one at a time.
I see there are a heap on trade me but don't know anything about them.

What is the UltraFire stuff like?

Not sure about chargers but be very careful that you buy the original batterys

there are heaps of cheap copies floating around and there have been several e-cigs that have been damaged buy them

Originally Posted by 199p

Not sure about chargers but be very careful that you buy the original batterys

there are heaps of cheap copies floating around and there have been several e-cigs that have been damaged buy them

Ok @199p. Thanks.
What is a e-cig?
How do I know what is a copy?
Any brand/model recommendations?

Originally Posted by Shearer

Ok @199p. Thanks.
What is a e-cig?
How do I know what is a copy?
Any brand/model recommendations?

Ultrafire is normally rubbish. Have seen some with amazingly low capacities. The ones to go for, that I've found good, are Panasonic, Samsung and Trustfire 'flame'.

I've been ripping apart old laptop battery packs (very carefully) that mostly seem to have Samsung or LG batteries and use those in my headlamps. Most of the packs die when the circuit board in them goes belly up and stops charging cells. At some stage I'll set up a small spot welder using a starting solenoid and add protection boards to them.

Originally Posted by gadgetman

Ultrafire is normally rubbish. Have seen some with amazingly low capacities. The ones to go for, that I've found good, are Panasonic, Samsung and Trustfire 'flame'.

I've been ripping apart old laptop battery packs (very carefully) that mostly seem to have Samsung or LG batteries and use those in my headlamps. Most of the packs die when the circuit board in them goes belly up and stops charging cells. At some stage I'll set up a small spot welder using a starting solenoid and add protection boards to them.

Ok. Thanks @gadgetman.
What about chargers?

Does this set look ok?
SAMSUNG HIGH POWER BATTERIES 18650 + CHARGER 1YR W | Trade Me

Nitecore chargers are fantastic. Not the cheapest, but you will have it for a long time.
Once you get a charger and a set of good 18650's, you will find yourself getting devices that use these more and more. Their capacity is awesome compared to NIMH cells, or alkaline batteries.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Ok. Thanks @gadgetman.
What about chargers?

I like these as they comfortably take the longer protected cells.

Buy TrustFire All-in-One Charger (for 10430/10440/14500/16340 /17670/18650/CR123A)

The Nitecore are probably a better charger but it is a real squeeze to get Panasonic cells into.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Does this set look ok?
SAMSUNG HIGH POWER BATTERIES 18650 + CHARGER 1YR W | Trade Me

Na, you need protected cells, and preferably of a known capacity.

If I was in the market for more: 2 x Panasonic 18650 batteries 3400mAH PROTECTED | Trade Me
And a Nitecore i4 charger: I4 Nitecore Intelligent Charger : ORIGINAL ! | Trade Me

Originally Posted by gadgetman

I like these as they comfortably take the longer protected cells.

Buy TrustFire All-in-One Charger (for 10430/10440/14500/16340 /17670/18650/CR123A)

The Nitecore are probably a better charger but it is a real squeeze to get Panasonic cells into.

I have no issues with the protected panasonic 3400 cells in a nitecore d4. Was the issue the length or width of the cells? The D4 takes 26650 cells, so width would never be an issue.

Originally Posted by quentin

Na, you need protected cells, and preferably of a known capacity.

If I was in the market for more: 2 x Panasonic 18650 batteries 3400mAH PROTECTED | Trade Me
And a Nitecore i4 charger: I4 Nitecore Intelligent Charger : ORIGINAL ! | Trade Me

Thanks @quentin.
The blurb on the trade me ad says the batteries are 2600mh with PCB (protection circuit board). Is this not the go?

Originally Posted by quentin

I have no issues with the protected panasonic 3400 cells in a nitecore d4. Was the issue the length or width of the cells? The D4 takes 26650 cells, so width would never be an issue.

Length in the I4.

Originally Posted by quentin

Na, you need protected cells, and preferably of a known capacity.

If I was in the market for more: 2 x Panasonic 18650 batteries 3400mAH PROTECTED | Trade Me
And a Nitecore i4 charger: I4 Nitecore Intelligent Charger : ORIGINAL ! | Trade Me

That would be my recommendation too.

Originally Posted by Shearer

Ok @199p. Thanks.
What is a e-cig?
How do I know what is a copy?
Any brand/model recommendations?

E-cigs are a new way to get your nicotine. No smoke just vapor and heaps of flavours like redbull etc

Og samsung and lg seem to be the best bet.