Unscientific runtime test MNKE IMR vs. Trustfire 2400mAh

Hi there, I just did a runtime test with a Moddoo triple drop-in in a Solarforce L2P host respectively a FM 26650 host. The host was put into a deep freezer while testing. Just wanted to share my results. I'll add a AW 2600mAh later.

MNKE 26650 IMR (orange)

Resting Voltage before 4.15V
Resting voltage after 3.56V
Amp draw start 2.75A
Amp draw end 2.68A
Runtime 1:20 hrs

Trustfire 2400mAh

Resting Voltage before 4.16V
Resting voltage after 3.38V
Amp draw start 2.72A
Amp draw end 2.65A
Runtime 1:15 hrs

AW 2600 (about a half year old, ~20 cycles)

Resting Voltage before 4.18V
Resting voltage after 3.33V
Amp draw start 2.72A
Amp draw end ...
Runtime 1:xx hrs (I actually forgot to take it out of the freezer, but at 1:16hrs the light already shut off and the cell was resting at 3.33V)

The results got me a bit surprised. :ironic:
The trustfires are really worth their money for under 10$ a pair.

That is surprising... Just goes to show... bigger isn't always better...
I really like the grey 2400mah Trustfire protected cells... I haven't received a dud yet and I notice no difference in brightness
when compared against the "high current" IMR and AW cells...

maybe that 26650 is a bad one as I find it hard to believe that a 2400mah battery can match a 4000mah battery.

The Trustfire I used is a black one with flames one it. I have another MNKE I can test. And I'll be receiving two new ones soon. But since a AW 18650 IMR has 1600mAh, the results are not thaaat bad. It would be interesting to do a comparison with more current draw. I'll be getting a 5.6A VanIsle drop-in soon which I'll use to compare then.

I did a similar test using an EagleTac M3C4 (single XM-L), powered up with a pair of AW IMRs and TrustFire red/blacks on Turbo, the former came out at around 50 minutes and the latter, at around 1 hour. Despite the 800mAh difference between the two cells, I expected less run time from the IMRs. You might say I was pleasantly surprised with the results.

Wait. What MNKE's are you using? There are a ton of fakes out there, and the real ones are really 4000mah.

If my cells are really fake, they at least look pretty real.
I got the orange ones and my seller got them directly from the manufacturer. I think the 4000mAh are actually measured down to 2.75V resting voltage or even lower. Not very healthy for real usage, but looks good on a chart.

Well, that looks like another good reason for me to stay off the 26650 bandwagon a bit longer... I've been considering delving into that arena... Heck, after almost five years in this forum, I'm just now breaking out of my 18650/16340 comfort zone and getting into 18350s and 18500s....

LichtAn!can you add to your first post the temperature that the deep freezer hangs out at normally?

So, why are people thinking that these IMR 26650 cells are 4,000mAh? I would have thought they would be around 3,000mAh to 3,200mAh (AW 26500 cells are 2,300mAh).
It would be crazy to assume they are 4,000mAh just because the manufacturer claims that figure and stamps it on the label.

because a few people have tested them @ 3900mah and there is more than just mah to a battery, there is internal resistance for running really high powered lights that need 10-20amps without getting battery droop or over heating the battery

KiwiMark said:

So, why are people thinking that these IMR 26650 cells are 4,000mAh? I would have thought they would be around 3,000mAh to 3,200mAh (AW 26500 cells are 2,300mAh).
It would be crazy to assume they are 4,000mAh just because the manufacturer claims that figure and stamps it on the label.

Click to expand...

I tested the 4Seven 26650 cell and it is well above 3900 mAh, you can see some discharge curves in my S12 review.

KiwiMark said:

So, why are people thinking that these IMR 26650 cells are 4,000mAh? I would have thought they would be around 3,000mAh to 3,200mAh (AW 26500 cells are 2,300mAh).
It would be crazy to assume they are 4,000mAh just because the manufacturer claims that figure and stamps it on the label.

Click to expand...

I've done multiple tests on brand new MNKE cells, and many clock in at 4100-4200mAh @ 0.2C.

HKJ said:

I tested the 4Seven 26650 cell and it is well above 3900 mAh, you can see some discharge curves in my S12 review.

Click to expand...

Since they have LiCo chemistry it actually makes sense that the 26650 IMR are around 3200mAh @ 1C
If you compare AW 18650 IMR vs. AW 2900 (1600mAh vs. 2900mAh)

LichtAn! said:

Since they have LiCo chemistry it actually makes sense that the 26650 IMR are around 3200mAh @ 1C
If you compare AW 18650 IMR vs. AW 2900 (1600mAh vs. 2900mAh)

Click to expand...

But they are not. The capacity is over 4000mAh @ 1C.



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Also keep in mind, that putting the light and cell in your freezer, the cells maybe only deliver 1/2 to 2/3 of their rated capacity at freezing temperatures.

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Lastly, your measurements are seriously flawed. Lets run some basic numbers.

Trustfire 2400. You stated start at 2.72A ended at 2.65A. Lets take an average... 2.685A.

2.685A for 1:15 (1.25hrs) = A capacity of 3.56Ah @ 1C+ discharge!!! Something is not right here!

jasonck08 said:

I've done multiple tests on brand new MNKE cells, and many clock in at 4100-4200mAh @ 0.2C.

Click to expand...

I don't have the patience to test that low. The pair I have are 3800-4000mAh... at 3 amps.

mitro said:

I don't have the patience to test that low. The pair I have are 3800-4000mAh... at 3 amps.

Click to expand...

See the test above at 1C (4A).