What are the smallest, good quality PROECTED 18650's?

lionheart_2281 · Mar 29, 2014

Hey everyone,

After forcing 3 NCRB's into my K40vn a few times I've decided that it's no longer worth the risk of damaging either my cells or the carrier, so I'm looking for some slightly shorter protected 18650's.

After doing a bit of my own research I've found Eagletac's to be a bit shorter (68mm as opposed to the 69.6mm of the NCRB's) while still having good quality built in protection.

So, here's a couple of questions:

1. Who owns a K40 (or similar) that use the same carrier and what cells do you use?
2. What are the shortest (good quality) protected 18650's on the market?
3. Where can I source ET 18650's for less than $75AUD for 3?!?!? Expensive much?
4. Would unprotected cells be an option and would they be long enough?
5. On another forum a member mentioned I needed Seiko protection circuit, this is true and should I be looking at Keeppower cells?

Sorry about all the questions, I just don't want to damage my pride and joy light but forcing long cells into it.

kj2 · Mar 30, 2014

Eagletac's are indeed one of the shortest.
Keeppower is good quality as well. And for 75 AUDollar, should be a easy job.

lionheart_2281 · Mar 30, 2014

kj2 said:
Eagletac's are indeed one of the shortest.
Keeppower is good quality as well. And for 75 AUDollar, should be a easy job.

Who is a reliable / international seller for quality cells like ones above mentioned?

kj2 · Mar 30, 2014

lionheart_2281 said:
Who is a reliable / international seller for quality cells like ones above mentioned?

Known sellers in the States are for example; GoingGear, illuminationsupply. Known seller in Europe is NKON, or HKequipment from Hong Kong.

lionheart_2281 · Mar 30, 2014

kj2 said:
Known sellers in the States are for example; GoingGear, illuminationsupply. Known seller in Europe is NKON, or HKequipment from Hong Kong.

Thanks very much and congrats on 3000 posts

TheVat26 · Mar 30, 2014

+1 on the EagleTac 18650's. I have three of the protected 3100 mah ones and not a single issue. I'm in the U.S. so so info on sellers on your island.

oKtosiTe · Mar 30, 2014

TheVat26 said:
I'm in the U.S. so so info on sellers on your island.

Australia is a continent.

lionheart_2281 · Mar 30, 2014

oKtosiTe said:
Australia is a continent.

Biggest one in the world and still own most the world in sport

thedoc007 · Mar 30, 2014

SoShine 18650s are a lot cheaper...two for $18 at Illumination Supply, quality protected cells. And their max height is 68.3 mm, very similar to Eagletac and shorter than almost all other protected cells. Shipping will add some but it is still going to be the most economical option. There are based on the same Panasonic cell underneath, after all. Eagletac charges a premium for the name.

lionheart_2281 · Mar 30, 2014

thedoc007 said:
SoShine 18650s are a lot cheaper...two for $18 at Illumination Supply, quality protected cells. And their max height is 68.3 mm, very similar to Eagletac and shorter than almost all other protected cells. Shipping will add some but it is still going to be the most economical option. There are based on the same Panasonic cell underneath, after all. Eagletac charges a premium for the name.

That's a really good suggestion, will probably go with it, thank you

RI Chevy · Mar 30, 2014

Take a looksee at HKJ's battery summary. The first summary shows the length of the batteries that he has tested. Everything you need to know about 18650's is here!
http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650Summary UK.html

Capolini · Mar 30, 2014

lionheart_2281 said:
Hey everyone,

After forcing 3 NCRB's into my K40vn a few times I've decided that it's no longer worth the risk of damaging either my cells or the carrier, so I'm looking for some slightly shorter protected 18650's.

After doing a bit of my own research I've found Eagletac's to be a bit shorter (68mm as opposed to the 69.6mm of the NCRB's) while still having good quality built in protection.

So, here's a couple of questions:

1. Who owns a K40 (or similar) that use the same carrier and what cells do you use?
2. What are the shortest (good quality) protected 18650's on the market?
3. Where can I source ET 18650's for less than $75AUD for 3?!?!? Expensive much?
4. Would unprotected cells be an option and would they be long enough?
5. On another forum a member mentioned I needed Seiko protection circuit, this is true and should I be looking at Keeppower cells?

Sorry about all the questions, I just don't want to damage my pride and joy light but forcing long cells into it.

I guess you did not believe me on the K40 thread when you asked me this a few days ago!! lol!!!:laughing:

I thought you had ordered E'Tac?!!!!

1.Eagletac
2.AW

Others mentioned Keeppower. I would not consider them short at 68.9mm. I would NOT recommend them for that reason for the K40vn,they are the same size as my Orbtronic and Cytac which would be too tight for my likeness.

Another one that IS sells are "Soshine",,,,,,,I never used them but they are only $10/each and use Panasonic cells. They are also short button tops at 68.3mm

lionheart_2281 · Mar 30, 2014

Capolini said:
I guess you did not believe me on the K40 thread when you asked me this a few days ago!! lol!!!:laughing:

I thought you had ordered E'Tac?!!!!

1.Eagletac
2.AW

Others mentioned Keeppower. I would not consider them short at 68.9mm. I would NOT recommend them for that reason for the K40vn,they are the same size as my Orbtronic and Cytac which would be too tight for my likeness.

Another one that IS sells are "Soshine",,,,,,,I never used them but they are only $10/each and use Panasonic cells. They are also short button tops at 68.3mm

Haha, knew that post was coming

I just wanted know what other options are out there as ET cells are SOOOOO expensive.
The Soshine ones are very appealing.
Thanks for the link, I'll have a good read

Stockhouse13 · Mar 30, 2014

Cytacs are decent for the price. Panasonic cells w a pcb.

Capolini · Mar 30, 2014

Stockhouse13 said:
Cytacs are decent for the price. Panasonic cells w a pcb.

They are good batteries. however, at 68.9mm they are uncomfortably tight for the K40vn,,,,the flashlight that op has and is looking for the shorter batteries! I mentioned Cytac in my post # 12, unfortunately not as a candidate for this torch.

Albinoni1967 · Mar 30, 2014

Just a quick question here, is it true the less the Nimh of a battery the smaller the battery. Say for eg a 3100 mAh battery will be smaller than a 3400 mAh. Is this true

Capolini · Mar 30, 2014

Albinoni1967 said:
Just a quick question here, is it true the less the Nimh of a battery the smaller the battery. Say for eg a 3100 mAh battery will be smaller than a 3400 mAh. Is this true

I think you mean mAh? Nimh is not a Lithium Ion battery,that stands for Nickel Metal Hydride.

18650 are usually from 2200mAh to 3400Mah,,,that is capacity, not a size[length] reference. Although sometimes as capacity increases, protected batteries will sometimes be/get a bit longer.

Example below shows that mAh increases and the size does NOT.

Example" Eagletac[protected] 2500,2900,3100 AND 3400mAh L.ion batteries are ALL 68mm

dc38 · Mar 30, 2014

Capolini said:
I think you mean mAh? Nimh is not a Lithium Ion battery,that stands for Nickel Metal Hydride.

18650 are usually from 2200mAh to 3400Mah,,,that is capacity, not a size[length] reference. Although sometimes as capacity increases, protected batteries will sometimes be/get a bit longer.

Example below shows that mAh increases and the size does NOT.

Example" Eagletac[protected] 2500,2900,3100 AND 3400mAh L.ion batteries are ALL 68mm

Orbies can be...persuaded into a k40 vn by a firm but gentle hand...

Capolini · Mar 30, 2014

dc38 said:
Orbies can be...persuaded into a k40 vn by a firm but gentle hand...

I know that! I mentioned that if you read my earlier posts! They are too tight for my liking.

That would be post # 12.

Using you for an example!! No hard feelings!

I have noticed that people ask questions and post information that someone else answered or posted,,,,,,,,,,I am not talking about a thread with 300 posts,new ones like this! lol!

dc38 · Mar 30, 2014

Capolini said:
I know that! I mentioned that if you read my earlier posts! They are too tight for my liking.

We discussed that over at the k40vn thread, lol...I'm using unprotected cells, but the OP would rather have protected cells with good reason.

What are the smallest, good quality PROECTED 18650's?

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