Test/Review of Intl-outdoor NCR18650A 3100mAh (Black)

[HKJ]

Intl-outdoor NCR18650A 3100mAh (Black)



Official specifications:

• Panasonic 18650A
• Capacity: 3100mAh
• Recommended Max Discharge: 6.2A (2C)
• Full charge: 4.2V
• Nominal voltage: 3.6V
• Cut-off: 2.5V

The cell used can be discharged down to 2.5 volt, in my test I only discharges to 2.8 volt, i.e. I do not measure the full capacity. But then, not all lights will be able to use the full capacity.
Note: The tested batteries are samples, on the production version the diameter might be slightly less.










Each chart has curves for two batteries, but these batteries are nearly identical in performance and the curves are on top of each other.















Conclusion

This battery uses a good cell, this secures many things:

• The batteries does match in capacity, i.e. they can be used in series.
• The battery is very safe.
• The battery has the specified capacity.

The battery has a very high current limit, this does not mean it can sustain more current than other 3100 mAh batteries, but just that the safety circuit will react later.
All in all a very good battery.



Notes and links

How is the test done and how to read the charts
How is a protected LiIon battery constructed
More about button top and flat top batteries

The batteries was supplied by intl-outdoor for review.

[LEDAdd1ct]

Is this the version from the more recent batch with the greater current tolerance?

[HKJ]

Is this the version from the more recent batch with the greater current tolerance?

Intl-outdoor has stopped selling the blue ones some time ago and went to another factory to get these made.

[l337m4n]

Wow these are a great deal, they are closer to the price of unprotected 3100s.

[motigg]

I tried running one of these in a Malkoff MD2 and it seems too long. When I screw the head in all the way, the light just stays on and won't respond to the tail switch clicks. The light works great with 2 CR123s, so I'm thinking it's the size of the battery. However, I know people run AW 18650 in the MD2, and from the spec sheets the batteries look to be close in size, so I'm a bit confused.

Anyone else try these in a MD2? Can the few tenths of a millimeter be making the difference between these and the AW 18650s?

[HKJ]

I tried running one of these in a Malkoff MD2 and it seems too long. When I screw the head in all the way, the light just stays on and won't respond to the tail switch clicks. The light works great with 2 CR123s, so I'm thinking it's the size of the battery. However, I know people run AW 18650 in the MD2, and from the spec sheets the batteries look to be close in size, so I'm a bit confused.

Anyone else try these in a MD2? Can the few tenths of a millimeter be making the difference between these and the AW 18650s?

The AW is about a mm shorter, that might be the reason.
You can compare the lengths here.

[tobrien]

i've got two of these cells HKJ tested and they're great. shipping was kind of slow, but they got here in fine shape which is what matters