Megalamuffin
Enlightened
I have some sofirn 14500 batteries that I use in all my lights that take them. They work fine, but is there any one particular 14500 that's the best? Are there any with a USB port besides the lumintop branded option?
Best 14500 cells
- Thread starter Megalamuffin
- Start date
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I've had good luck with orbtronic and epoch and have even used them in a series in my lumintop lantern with no problem.
I have a couple of Nitecore NL-147R I've been using regularly for ~6 months in an ET D25A MKII that I use mostly on max for modest durations. They're rated 750mAh - 2A cont. max out (at BJ), have inboard USB charging, and are short (listed 49.5mm (at BJ), so they fit lights w/'short' chambers like the above. My calipers are in storage so I haven't measured them. When new they tested @778 and 773 mAh on Opus 3400 to 2.8V @200mA discharge rate. I haven't re-tested them, but just ordered 2 more of the same because I wanted a couple more and consider them OK so far.
Edit: I can't say they're "best" because I've not used / tested many others.
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Megalamuffin
Enlightened
I was giving them a look. I like the batteries I have from them, but their 14500's are more pricey than most.
Thanks for the input.
I only discovered Epoch when an 18350 was included in my Fraz Labs light and then I got a few more of different sizes and have had zero issues. And they are cheaper than some known brands. But I do like Orbtronic products too if you're willing to pay extra.
Hooked on Fenix
Flashlight Enthusiast
- Joined
- Dec 13, 2007
- Messages
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Orbtronic makes the highest capacity, 1100 mAh. Isn't rated for the highest discharge though. Still gets to the 1050 lumens for my Acebeam H40 headlight though it starts dimming down during the one minute on turbo. Not sure a 4 amp rated cell would do any better, but they tend to be only around 750-800 mAh. Acebeam and Klarus make 4 amp rated cells with the USB port, but the Acebeam batteries are always on back order and I hear the Klarus ones are too long for some lights. If you want unprotected, Epoch are cheap and rated at 1000 mAh (can't confirm how accurate that is).
CelticCross74
Flashlight Enthusiast
As said above Orbtronic has their version of the new high capacity 1100mah 14500 cell. I believe Keeppower is playing the same game with this new high capacity 14500. Just make sure the light you are going to put these cells into will FIT the new cells. On the Orbtronic site they list the exact dimensions of each cell they sell which could save you a lot of headache possibly buying these new 14500's. Take measurements of your 14500 light and just make sure the dimensions are compatible.
EDIT-Turns out there is a Keeppower 14500 with get this 1950mah!! Check them out. https://www.illumn.com/batteries-ch...button-top-micro-usb-rechargeable-2-pack.html
EDIT-Turns out there is a Keeppower 14500 with get this 1950mah!! Check them out. https://www.illumn.com/batteries-ch...button-top-micro-usb-rechargeable-2-pack.html
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Just my opinion. Not a fan of on-board cell charging. Aside from the added length, most have additional protection circuits, and most all suffer from some degree of parasitic drain. I have a couple of the Nitecore versions mentioned, both have drained below LVP during storage. I'm done with that one. I also have some OBC Lumintop cells that suffer from advanced self discharge as well, just to be fair. My preference in 14500 is Vapcell (no OBC). I run both golds (3A/1000mAh) and H10 flattops (10A/1100 mAh - relegated to my Lumintop FWAA only). I have a couple P1450C2 Keepowers (4A/1000mAh), but at 52 mm they're a little long for most of my lights, and protection circuit kicks in on higher current draw (ie: turbo killer). I've heard Shockli's are decent cells, but I could never find anybody in the US that sold them.
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Those are 1.5v cells, they have some sort of buck circuit inside to reduce the voltage, and therefore the capacity goes up proportionately. Capacity is more comparable to an eneloop. I have the Fenix version and it self drains in about 6 mo.
Wrend
Enlightened
Not sure if I should bump this thread or start a new one, but here I am... Been a while since I've been on the forums. I have a few devices that'll take the higher voltage of 14500 li-ion cells as well as AAs. I just got some generic Chinese ones from Amazon that work, but likely aren't the highest performing nor most reliable.
Are the Orbtronic 14500 cells mentioned in this thread still the best or at least a good option? I don't need protected cells and don't want on-cell USB-C charging or voltage regulation.
Thanks.
...
Edit: Yeah, think I'll go for these unless I hear otherwise. Cheers.
Are the Orbtronic 14500 cells mentioned in this thread still the best or at least a good option? I don't need protected cells and don't want on-cell USB-C charging or voltage regulation.
Thanks.
...
Edit: Yeah, think I'll go for these unless I hear otherwise. Cheers.
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I'd recommend Vapcell F12 or H10 they aren't oversized and have excellent capacity. I haven't tried Orbtronic, but they are listed as 55mm long so they may not fit in many devices.
What he said. The H10 is probably your best overall cell but the f12 looks good too if you want that little extra bit of capacity.
n3eg
Newly Enlightened
So far, the best I've seen are Vapcell.
