Posted: 10/4/2024 2:14:29 PM EDT
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So I just realized that several of the flashlights we keep around can be converted from 3 pack of AAA to a single 18650. I just want a 4 pack of good reliable button top 18650 LI batts with about 3400 mah and no fire danger. Also, will the various 18650 battery chargers really give a full charge from a USB cable? Amazon is a bewildering array of crap shoot choices, IE flat top vs button top; 2000 mah to an obviously fake 9900 mah and the ratings are worthless and the sponsored relistings are maddening. And I won't buy anything that doesn't ship from Amazon, not seller direct. Would appreciate your experiences and advice from unbiased pro articles. Google is almost as useless as Amazon on unbiased info. |
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I have Nitcore Extreme Low Temp High Performance in my weapon lights https://nitecorestore.com/products/nitecore-nl1835lthp-cold-weather-low-temperature-high-performance-18650-battery 
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https://www.18650batterystore.com https://illumn.com https://www.batteryjunction.com My go to sites for batteries. I use Samsung 35E's in weapon lights. Looks like the specs fit what you're looking for. Samsung 35E For the charger, I was using an XTAR MC1 which is fine but I needed more bays. All the research I did lead me to the Vapcell S4 plus, which I'm still waiting for it to ship. https://www.18650batterystore.com/products/vapcell-s4-plus edit: Sidenote but the above charger above is not USB |
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I prefer Sanyo NCR18650GA's for everything. I've converted a few over to protected cell's on my own. As for chargers the Xtar Dragon VP4L Plus and the Epoch X4 are your top of the line chargers, I own both but for daily use to just quick top up I use an Xtar MC2 standard model. Dont but your batteries off Amazon. Get them from a reputable source such as Mtn Electronics, these guys personally test everything they sell. I've also bough a load of batteries from Illumn or Li-Ions (out of stock of a lot of stuff currently). Don't cheap out when playing with 18650's. The fire danger is always there, but minimal as long as you know how to properly charge, discharge, and store them. The Sanyo NCR18650GA's are usually button top and will serve you well for years if taken care of. https://www.mtnelectronics.com/ https://illumn.com/ https://www.mtnelectronics.com/ https://illumn.com/ |
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Quoted: I prefer Sanyo NCR18650GA's for everything. I've converted a few over to protected cell's on my own. As for chargers the Xtar Dragon VP4L Plus and the Epoch X4 are your top of the line chargers, I own both but for daily use to just quick top up I use an Xtar MC2 standard model. Dont but your batteries off Amazon. Get them from a reputable source such as Mtn Electronics, these guys personally test everything they sell. I've also bough a load of batteries from Illumn or Li-Ions (out of stock of a lot of stuff currently). Don't cheap out when playing with 18650's. The fire danger is always there, but minimal as long as you know how to properly charge, discharge, and store them. The Sanyo NCR18650GA's are usually button top and will serve you well for years if taken care of. https://www.mtnelectronics.com/ https://illumn.com/ |
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I've had good luck with KeepPower's 16650 batteries, and I went and ordered this to replace a Surefire-branded USB rechargeable 18650 that I've been using in one of my high use lights, since 2018: 18650 KeepPower 3500mAh P1835TC Protected Button Top (USB-C Charge Port), purchased from illumn.com I also snagged some of these for use in my Surefire 3V Aviator: 16340 KeepPower P1634TC 1000mAh 3V Protected Button Top (USB-C Charge Port) They should arrive in the mail today. |
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Quoted: https://www.18650batterystore.com https://illumn.com https://www.batteryjunction.com My go to sites for batteries. I use Samsung 35E's in weapon lights. Looks like the specs fit what you're looking for. Samsung 35E For the charger, I was using an XTAR MC1 which is fine but I needed more bays. All the research I did lead me to the Vapcell S4 plus, which I'm still waiting for it to ship. https://www.18650batterystore.com/products/vapcell-s4-plus edit: Sidenote but the above charger above is not USB Those are all the sites I use but battery junction less so now. One thing I found is that button top can greatly add on to the length beyond 650 and depending on your device it may be too long. Thanks for the tip on Sanyo and the other guy for Nitecore. I got a fancy 4 bay XTAR charger but I think it's overkill unless you're a battery nerd. ETA check the lights and lasers sub forum under the generic ar-15 technical forum there's lots more info and traffic there on this subject. |
I have an older version of this Opus charger and it will charge both NiMh (AA-AAA) and Li-Ion (18650, etc). 
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Quoted: I prefer Sanyo NCR18650GA's for everything. I've converted a few over to protected cell's on my own. As for chargers the Xtar Dragon VP4L Plus and the Epoch X4 are your top of the line chargers, I own both but for daily use to just quick top up I use an Xtar MC2 standard model. Dont but your batteries off Amazon. Get them from a reputable source such as Mtn Electronics, these guys personally test everything they sell. I've also bough a load of batteries from Illumn or Li-Ions (out of stock of a lot of stuff currently). Don't cheap out when playing with 18650's. The fire danger is always there, but minimal as long as you know how to properly charge, discharge, and store them. The Sanyo NCR18650GA's are usually button top and will serve you well for years if taken care of. https://www.mtnelectronics.com/ https://illumn.com/ https://www.mtnelectronics.com/ https://illumn.com/ |
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Quoted: I've had good luck with KeepPower's 16650 batteries, and I went and ordered this to replace a Surefire-branded USB rechargeable 18650 that I've been using in one of my high use lights, since 2018: 18650 KeepPower 3500mAh P1835TC Protected Button Top (USB-C Charge Port), purchased from illumn.com I also snagged some of these for use in my Surefire 3V Aviator: 16340 KeepPower P1634TC 1000mAh 3V Protected Button Top (USB-C Charge Port) They should arrive in the mail today. KeepPowers are good stuff, they are just re-wrapped Sanyo's with a protection circuit built in. I use some of their 21700's in my headlamps. |
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I bought several batteries from them. G2G. This is the charger I have. Charges 4 batteries, accepts different types and sizes. Works well. Might be no-name Chinesium or not. Not sure. But it works. https://a.co/d/d8fu9wz |
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Quoted: @10mmManiac - can you expound on converting bare cells to protected? @jeffmx5 It's fairly easy to do as long as you understand the anatomy of the battery and can solder well. Back before this became main stream a lot of us would strip the protection circuits out of old Nokia battery packs to use for this process. Basics of adding a protection circuit to your 18650's  Adding A Protection Circuit To An 18650 Cell/Battery Making An 18650 Protected Cell/Battery Thorough |
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I have several different brands of 18650 and they all seem to perform similar. Often times I use the integrated charging port if it has one but have this charger as well: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0B5B4GY84/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Attached File Most of my 18650 are Tenery brand from battery junction. I don't have a large supply of 18650 but have almost a dozen or so and a few devices that use them. I think I have had one 18650 crap out on me in the past 5 years but I don't remember what brand it was. While I don't use it often probably my favorite thing that uses 18650 batteries is a small streamlight lantern/ flashlight. Siege X. I like knowing I can recharge it via small battery banks and portable solar panels should I end up dealing with an extended grid down situation. It can also use CR123. It's also handy for hunting camp vs bulking up on AAA or AA style lanterns. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PDHXRZS?tag=arfcom00-20 Attached File |
| Every couple years I buy a dozen or so 18650 batteries off ebay. Have a couple Flashlights that use 2 of them. I use these lights multiple times a week. These are game changers. The light output is unreal, as well as the duration of output. Multiple hours. The chargers are all Chinese ones I'm sure. |