I think I will get some new AW 2900 mAh cells

[etc]

Given they are based on Panasonic NCR18650 cell, which I also used extensively over the past year, this is really good news.

I plan to get about 6 of them. I had a few of the old 2200 mAh capacity, a few of the 2600 mAh and this is a welcome addition. 6 or 3 sets of 2 is a good number I feel since anymore than that and they will become obsolete sooner than later. So I am not going to go crazy and buy 4 dozen.

Notice how the 18500 cell sorely lags behind and still stays at the old 1500 mAh capacity. The 18650 cell is just slightly larger but has a whopping double capacity. Good job, I say.

Should be nice in a 2x18650 lite with Malkoff M61.

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

These are on my shortlist as well for things to get when I have cash. I have a few AW 2200 cells I bought when I first got into 18650 lights, and I think the extra capacity of this latest generation would be welcome.

I think I'll wait until I have a few newer (more) lights, and then justify the purchase that way. *thumbs up*

 

[Burgess]

. . . . but they're still Flat-Tops !



_

 

[PapaLumen]

. . . . but they're still Flat-Tops !



_

indeed

 

[fivemega]

. . . . but they're still Flat-Tops !



_

indeed

As long as they make end to end electrical good connection, what is a big deal about flat top?

 

[PapaLumen]

Because some lights need a raised + for the positive connection. Its not a huge issue just would prefer them that way personally. :tinfoil:

 

[LEDAdd1ct]

How are your old 2200 mAh holding up? And for that matter, 2600 mAh cells? Have they lost any capacity?
I hear the Li-Ion cell loses capacity with age, not so much the number of cycles, any input on that?

I don't see any obvious signs of aging or reduced runtime but I have not run scientific tests. It's possible that they degrade slowly, meaning you wouldn't notice, or have a benchmark to compare to.

I bought three 2200 cells back in...I want to say August of 2007? I'd lurked for several years, on and off, before joining CPF formally in 2007, but it was 18650 cells and lights that really got me going.

All the AW cells still work, though I believe one is weaker than the others. I have not run any formalized tests, but I can state they all work better than the three grey Ultrafire cells I thought I was getting a good deal on. They didn't (don't) perform nearly as well. Buy cheap, buy twice. Lesson learned!

I don't own any 2600 cells, only 2200. I will probably skip the 2600s and go right to the 2900s.

 

[Larbo]

I ordered 3 that should be here this week..

 

[stuffgeek]

Because some lights need a raised + for the positive connection. Its not a huge issue just would prefer them that way personally. :tinfoil:

How do you raise the batteries?

 

[NCT1]

How much longer would these run compared to the 2600 AW's???

 

[PapaLumen]

How do you raise the batteries?

put a small electrically conductive magnet on the top, or a big dob of solder on the terminal that its going to and so on.

 

[Burgess]

How much longer would these run compared to the 2600 AW's???

Well, if you purely "do the math", it goes thusly:


2900 / 2600 = an 11 % increase in capacity.


Of course, this may be overly-simplistic.


Looking forward to seeing some Run-Time Comparisons.



_

 

[VidPro]

How do you raise the batteries?

i did the opposite, got out the dremmel and lowered the shoulder they put around the top connection on some lights. raised the spring out of the shoulder on others.
that being the SAFETY item for reverse battery instalation, but for ME i was not going to insert wrong ever, and am very carefull about polarity because some stuff doesnt even have that.
it was either change the light, or change too many batteries.

 

[etc]

. . . . but they're still Flat-Tops !



_

They work for me, with Malkoff modules.

My issue was when I first got the new redesigned 2600-mAh series, I thought the raised dimples on the - side was actually +'s (don't know why), inserted them wrong way and promptly fried my favorite module. My fault, I know but not that difficult to confuse due to the unconventional look.

My guess it's due to the extra length that you get with the protection circuit.

AW should redesign the sticker, color code each generation and put a huge +/- sign to make it idiot proof...

Under stress, in the dark, or just not paying attenion, it's not difficult at all to reverse polarity.

 

[ampdude]

It looks like the positive side of the battery is smaller in diameter than the raised contacts on the negative side, I wonder how well they make contact when used in series? LIke in a 2 x 18650 flashlight. Thanks for posting the thread btw, I had only known about the 2600 cells previously.

 

[recDNA]

. . . . but they're still Flat-Tops !



_

Agreed. I prefer button tops too even if resistance is slightly higher. Even new flashlights often don't take flat tops and I would never risk a magnet on top of a high power cell which might come loose and break the connection to the flashlight when I need light or even cause a short circuit.

Either flashlight manufacturers need to plan on flat tops in their designs or battery makers need to build button tops that work in these flashlights. I don't see why we should have to settle for old model lower mAH batteries to get a button top?

 

[recDNA]

Well, if you purely "do the math", it goes thusly:


2900 / 2600 = an 11 % increase in capacity.


Of course, this may be overly-simplistic.


Looking forward to seeing some Run-Time Comparisons.



_

It's been done on this link http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showpost.php?p=3512257&postcount=4

 

[recDNA]

It looks like the positive side of the battery is smaller in diameter than the raised contacts on the negative side, I wonder how well they make contact when used in series? LIke in a 2 x 18650 flashlight. Thanks for posting the thread btw, I had only known about the 2600 cells previously.

They are actually supposed to be better in series than button tops due to reduced resistance. AW has posted about this. Of course this is fine unless the flashlight won't make positive contact with a buttonless positive end. When I need a button I use AW IMR's. When I don't I use AW 2600's and they have the same flat top and 3 bump negative end as the new 2900's. I only own AW rechargeables. Most of my flashlights work with these. Never tried another brand.

 

[etc]

I use them in Leef 2x18650 body and also in same body by FiveMega -- no issues, ever.

This is the 2200 and 2600 mAh series, that is.

 

[KRUSHDUDE]

I have an MG X-Thrower, and two different AW 18650 batteries had their flat positive ends dimpled in, to the point that they can no longer be charged in the Ultrafire WF-139 charger. I expect button-tops won't suffer the same fate.