Need button top 18650

[madecov]

Are there any quality 18650 cells with button top? I have an eagletac that I would like to run on rechargeable's and my AW and Redilast don't power this light.

Would prefer a USA based retailer

 

[Black Rose]

AW's 2200 mAh 18650 cells have button tops.

Work great in my lights.

 

[3Cylinders]

My Callie's Kustoms 3100mAh are button-tops and are powering both my Nitecore TM11 and Zebralight H600 without issues. The retailer (Callie's Kustoms) is based in Oregon, but I believe their 18650s use the same Panasonic cells as Redilast.

 

[RI Chevy]

Callie's Kustoms 3100 mAh have a nice button top. They are made from the high quality Panasonic NCR18650A cell.

 

[HKJ]

It looks more like flat top to me:

 

[45/70]

It looks more like flat top to me:

From that angle, a "flat top" and a "button top" cell appear almost identical. The difference is that what I call a "button top", the actual "button" protrudes about a millimeter above the cell can. A flat top on the other hand, the "button" is flush with the cell can. They both have "buttons", but whether or not it protrudes above the can determines the difference.

From the picture, observing the pronounced radius on the "button", I would say that is what we call a "button top". I don't have any AW 18650 cells, other than flat tops, so I can't say for sure. Judging by the appearance of both types of cells that I do have have though, that would be my guess.

Dave

 

[HKJ]

From that angle, a "flat top" and a "button top" cell appear almost identical. The difference is that what I call a "button top", the actual "button" protrudes about a millimeter above the cell can. A flat top on the other hand, the "button" is flush with the cell can. They both have "buttons", but whether or not it protrudes above the can determines the difference.

From the picture, observing the pronounced radius on the "button", I would say that is what we call a "button top". I don't have any AW 18650 cells, other than flat tops, so I can't say for sure. Judging by the appearance of both types of cells that I do have have though, that would be my guess.

Dave

The top does protrude on the Callies, but not very much. I would say about they are about equal to RediLast, i.e. they would not work for the OP.

 

[Norm]

Button tops have a smaller diameter tops the same as you'd find a any regular AA, D or C cell, it needs to be smaller in diameter to fit into recessed positive flashlight terminals that are used as mechanical polarity protection.

The cell shown by HJK wouldn't work with that sort of protection.

Norm

 

[Nonprophet]

Ok, so I'm still a newbie but here's my understanding because I'm going through this right now myself....

I have an Olight M3X, and a Quark X Turbo that I want to run on a Quark 18650 body--so I need some 18650 cells and I've been researching them a bit.

From what I gather, there are 3 types of li-ion 18650 cells: flat tops, button tops, and narrow button/nipple tops. Flat tops are totally flat, button tops have wide, slightly raised tops, and narrow button/nipple tops look like the positive end on your standard Alkaline batteries--narrow and raised.

Polarity-protected heads like the 47's Quark series will only run with the "nipple top" batteries that have the same narrow protruding top like alkaline's do because the top has to fit between the polarity protection surface on the head. The only 18650's that I'm aware of that have that narrow "nipple tops" are the 2200 maH AW's (and AW resellers here on CPF call them button tops.....) the 2900 and 3100 AW versions are both flat tops.

Both Redilast and Callies offer button tops in their 18650 cells, but they will not work with Quark heads that need the narrow button top cells. I just got some Callies 18650 3100's today (I ordered them Sunday--thanks Callies for such fast shipping!!!) and they fit my M3X just perfectly--though I can confirm that they will not work with any of my Quark heads.

Hope this clears it up a little, and please someone correct me if I'm wrong about anything stated above....


NP

 

[RI Chevy]

I really never thought about the battery tops in the ways just described. I guess a better description for the Panasonic NCR18650A variant cells would be a mix of both a button top and a flat top. It does stick out, but just not that much. A hybrid top if you will.

 

[45/70]

Button tops have a smaller diameter tops the same as you'd find a any regular AA, D or C cell

Norm, I define the three types just as Non described,

......there are 3 types of li-ion 18650 cells: flat tops, button tops, and narrow button/nipple tops. Flat tops are totally flat, button tops have wide, slightly raised tops, and narrow button/nipple tops look like the positive end on your standard Alkaline batteries--narrow and raised.

That is, a "button top" has a wider "button" (actually the same diameter as the "button" on a "flat top") that is not as pronounced as a "nipple", but does protrude beyond the cell casing, unlike a "flat top".

Anyway,

The top does protrude on the Callies, but not very much. I would say about they are about equal to RediLast, i.e. they would not work for the OP.

......it needs to be smaller in diameter to fit into recessed positive flashlight terminals that are used as mechanical polarity protection.

The cell shown by HJK wouldn't work with that sort of protection.

yes, I agree, "button top" cells will not work with most mechanical (as opposed to electronic) reverse polarity setups. I was just attempting to clarify the differences between the various cell top configurations, not derail the thread.:crackup:

Dave

 

[moldyoldy]

FWIW, note that Lighthound has little 1.6mm magnets (very strong) that will create a button top on a flat-top cell. I routinely use one of those little magnets for my AW 2200mah unprotected 18650 cell, and some 14500 cells that originally did not quite reach past the mechanical bumps for reverse voltage protection. Those little magnets seemed so useful that I purchased 20 of them just in case.

 

[shipwreck]

Are there any quality 18650 cells with button top? I have an eagletac that I would like to run on rechargeable's and my AW and Redilast don't power this light.

Would prefer a USA based retailer

I have several eagletacs. I just buy Eagletac brand 18650s. I always order them from Illumination Gear. Never had a problem with any of them, and then I didn't have to deal with some of the problems I read about... Certain brands of lights not liking certain brands of 18650s....

I use them in my SOlarforce lights tooo

 

[madecov]

Thank's for all the information. I have considered buying an Eagletac battery. May try that. I also need a few more AW cells

 

[vickers214]

I have eagletacs as well and use the red and black trustfire 18650 , with the flames on the side, very cheap and excellent quality and run my light flawlessly,i bought them after reading a review on them sayingthey had a high capacity, even betterthan the aw's.i then bought the grey trusfires in 17670 for my other light and they were rubbish, one failed to charge on the third go and the quality was crap, now got an aw and it's fine

 

[Norm]

I have eagletacs as well and use the red and black trustfire 18650 , with the flames on the side, very cheap and excellent quality

I think there are many members who would vehemently disagree with with the above statement, Trustfire and similar Chines cells IMHO should never be described as excellent quality.

Please read all of this linked thread before you make up your mind to buy Chinese 18650's, Fake Ultrafire 18650 battery warning

Particularly this post, I've just picked one post but there are many similar posts contained within that thread.

Norm

 

[vickers214]

I agree norm it is pot luck with these brands, but honestly the ones I received really do feel well assembled and just as good as the aw I have,maybe if the were taken apart it would be a different story but like I say my t20c2xml runs very well on them,i did balance it up a bit by telling about my experience of the other ones which lived upto what is expected of them

Edit,i have also had the flame type in 14500 which were also fine, maybe I'm just lucky

 

[HKJ]

The TrustFire 2400 Flame does work well for the price, at least the model that was sold a year ago.

Here is a recent test of a year old cell:

It has lost some of its ability to handle high current, but works fine at 2 ampere.

The protection circuit will trip at about 7 ampere.

 

[gwapomo]

I know that this is a little off topic, but what type of battery top would I need to fit a Fenix TK35?

 

[Norm]

Fairly sure the TK35 will use any style 18650.
Norm