4000mAh 10A discharge compatibility with devices

[waytoocomplicated]

I have a Zebralight H600w, Nitecore EC2 (discontinued) and Nitecore EC25 (discontinued). Each use a single 18650. My wife and I are headed out for an adventure in a few weeks, and we were hoping to grab some new cells that would last quite a while before recharging. I picked up 2 NL 1840HP cells from Nitecore, their new 4000mAh 18650 cells with 10A discharge current, designated for high-drain devices. Please bear in mind that I know next to nothing about the complex world of flashlight and battery (or cell?) circuitry. I'm here to confirm or deny compatibility of these cells with the lights mentioned above. One of the 5 warnings on the package of the new cells admonishes: DO NOT use the battery if its discharge current does not match your product. We've been using Nitecore NL 183 2300mAh cells – along with some cheaper cells – in these lights for years, and never considered their compatibility. Should we be concerned about using these new 10A-discharge cells in these lights? Thanks in advance, from a guy who just wants to go outside and have some reliable, quality lights (and hasn't graduated from Flashlight State University).

 

[ebuchner]

You ought to be good to go. That rating just means that those cells are capable of sustaining that current at most if the device they're in demands it. If they're in a lower-power device that draws less current than that, then those cells ought to be 100% compatible assuming they physically fit (cell dimensions vary a bit depending on the manufacturer and model number). In general, higher current ratings on cells don't mean that they force out more power for no reason, especially in the age of ubiquitous regulation/driver circuits between cells and emitters.

 

[waytoocomplicated]

You ought to be good to go. That rating just means that those cells are capable of sustaining that current at most if the device they're in demands it. If they're in a lower-power device that draws less current than that, then those cells ought to be 100% compatible assuming they physically fit (cell dimensions vary a bit depending on the manufacturer and model number). In general, higher current ratings on cells don't mean that they force out more power for no reason, especially in the age of ubiquitous regulation/driver circuits between cells and emitters.

Excellent. Thank you for a very clear explanation!