18350 cells.... why ?

I'm considering buying a device (weather radio) that uses a single 18350 cell but I have no experience with such a size.
From my limited research it seems that this particular size is rife with counterfeits and problems.
Any advice welcomed.

(....I have looked at all the current weather radios using 2AA cells

My experience is solely with flashlights. There are a few lights that can accommodate either 16340 OR 18350. In this instance their is a significant increase in runtime when compared with a 16340, this I would expect the radio to operate longer on the 18350 than the 16340. Personally, I have not had any problems with counterfeiting, but I generally always buy reputable dealers. Hope this helps...

AW IMR 18350's, can't go wrong

AW has a great reputation, my 18350's are keeppower IMR flavour and 8a rated(15a iirc pulse). Got quite a few now for s2+ triples . Bonus is running high output lights with a compact form factor( edc heaven)






Mini monsters


Really like the From factor and within reason other than run times, performance is great.

Aren't there other 'weather/SHTF' radios to consider, which run on more typical and ubiquitous batteries?

I have a TecSun PL390 that runs on 3xAAs in series and even has a charge setting for NiMH rechargeables from a 5v USB source. It doesn't do 'weather,' but what the heck?

It was worth it for that feature alone!

Chris

.... ChrisGarrett.... there are several ''weather radios'' that use AA and D cells. Most are good enough for 100% coverage of the continental USA .
However , I'm looking for a radio for the ''far north'' (which is not really that far north) Ontario.
The ''weather'' is the only thing I want in a radio. Simple reception from distant station.

ven said:

Really like the From factor and within reason other than run times, performance is great.

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You are indeed an expert regarding flashlights but what say you regarding the Sangean MMR-88 ?
Dumb question but if ''power'' was a factor would a single 18300 give more than 4 AA ?

Ven, are those single 18350 S2+ lights? If so, please say where you got them!

Sarratt said:

You are indeed an expert regarding flashlights but what say you regarding the Sangean MMR-88 ?
Dumb question but if ''power'' was a factor would a single 18300 give more than 4 AA ?

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Dont know about expert , regarding 18350 cells , would not say equivelent to 4 xAA (18650 would be closer as the 18350,s are about 7-800mah give/take ). Would have thought AA fed would make a better choice and eneloops being a contender for holding their charge and amount of charge cycles. Also AA fuel is easier to source come that emergency time!
Cant really help after that, Chris certainly knows his stuff! If it's power to size/weight ratio then 18650 fuel would be my choice if that's a priority.

Cheers

The three best reasons I have for 18350s are...

1. A 50mm body with a ZRS and wasp head


2. TNC hybrid host with an XHP70


3. Another TNC host, but this one has a vihn XPG2 PDTcn


These are all 2 cell lights, but the 350s make them more carryable than my wasp on a 130 body.

Strintguy said:

Ven, are those single 18350 S2+ lights? If so, please say where you got them!

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gifts for a great friend for me and my lad, very lucky to have great friends here from CPF, great community ! Only a bit of water is in between a few pints!! :laughing:

s2+ can be bought from simon on aliexpress(genuine ones and a new green flavour is out). As for bodies too, also banggood has them in stock.

I bought a red and blue body from simon(will pm a link) for around £5 or so..........

Sarratt said:

I'm considering buying a device (weather radio) that uses a single 18350 cell but I have no experience with such a size. From my limited research it seems that this particular size is rife with counterfeits and problems. Any advice welcomed. (....I have looked at all the current weather radios using 2AA cells

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Why indeed. It's not a widely used size (at least compared to 18650) thus the major Japanese and Korean manufacturers don't bother with it. What you end up with is from lesser known Chinese makers. Maybe DLG?

I always thought 18350 would make 16340 obsolete. More capacity and higher discharge rate. But 16340 still exist, and I'm glad. 2X 18350 offer more umph than 1x18650 and much smaller than 2x18650.

I don't know why, but I'll try any size battery at least once. I've bought new lights just because they use a battery size I've never tried.

Near the same length as 16340 and half the length of 18650s (for double voltage. 35s are so versatile and agreeable, 16340 are now a specialty size.