Why 18650?

[suzukiltd]

As I learn more about lights and batteries I notice alot of people use the 18650. Simply put, why is it this battery seems to be prefered. I see many different types of batteries but this one seems to be more popular over other sizes/ types.

 

[shadowjk]

Availability, Power, Energy.

 

[derfyled]

I would add size/power ratio...

 

[HKJ]

It is rechargeable and can deliver more than 10 watt in a good size for flashlight use.

 

[brembo]

For example, I have an XM-L light that is supposed to run 18 hours on low with a 2900mAh 18650, claimed lumen output is ~70 (at emitter). Using the same math a 14500(AA size) the runtime would only be ~5 hours. The 18650 form factor light is 117mm (4.6 inches)long and 22.5mm in diameter,I also have an AA light that is 97mm (3.75 inches) long and 20mm in diameter. Not much different in physical size, but HUGE differences in runtime.

 

[KiwiMark]

18650 cells would be the most commonly manufactured size since they are used in most laptop batteries. They would therefore get the most R&D time & money spent on them and be the most developed Li-ion cells in existence. This is why as others have said they have the best energy density & performance.

For pocket carry I like a AA or cr123a sized light, but for a light to take camping or have lying around at home or in the glovebox or in a 'bug out bag' then the advantages of the 18650 cell makes a light that takes one of those a good idea.

 

[old4570]

My question - When did 18650 become a source of power for flashlights , who made it happen , etc .

 

[rmteo]

18650 cells would be the most commonly manufactured size since they are used in most laptop batteries. They would therefore get the most R&D time & money spent on them and be the most developed Li-ion cells in existence. This is why as others have said they have the best energy density & performance.

May not be for much longer. All tablet computers and newer lightweight notebooks such as the MacBook Air are now using Li-Po cells.

 

[KiwiMark]

May not be for much longer. All tablet computers and newer lightweight notebooks such as the MacBook Air are now using Li-Po cells.

Doesn't matter, a ton of research & development was already put into the 18650 cells that isn't likely to go into the other sizes, increased demand for several sizes of Li-Po cells isn't likely to change that.

It would be good to see some improvements on the LiPo cells though, I wouldn't mind more run time on my phone.

 

[suzukiltd]

Good responses that clarify some things. Thanks for the responses.

 

[yellow]

My question - When did 18650 become a source of power for flashlights , who made it happen , etc .

as typed: was chosen as cell(s) for laptop computers.

When I modded my 1st light to 18650 - a 6P in 2004 - there have already been a bunch of ppl here using that cell.
It is, at the moment, the best compromise of size, output and (low!) cost I can think of.
To be able to use the same charging equipment, my EDC is a 14500 light ...

 

[45/70]

My question - When did 18650 become a source of power for flashlights , who made it happen , etc .

As Yellow said, I'm pretty sure the use of 18650 cells in lights was "invented" here on CPF by the custom builders who scavenged cells from laptop battery packs. My first 18650 light was a MR Bulk LionCub I purchased about the same time I joined CPF in the fall of 2005. The "base model" was 16340 Li-Ion, but other's such as Otok made 18500 and 18650 tubes for the LionCub and I purchased an 18650 tube at the same time I bought the light.

There were other 18650 lights before then. MR Bulk's LionHeart for example came before the LionCub. McGizmo and others I believe offered a few as well. This was back before the "Chinese Invasion". For the most part, the only Chinese lights at the time were 5mm "shower head" 3xAAA LED lights. Nuwai did have a few Luxeon and soon to follow Luxeon III and V lights, but most of them were 3xAAA as well. A few were CR123A such as the Lux V lights, and there were a few that were AA, C, or D powered.

Then about that time CPF member 4sevens started a group buy for a Luxeon 1 Watt single AA light called an "L1P" from a new company in China called Fenix. The rest is history.:)

Dave

 

[old4570]

As Yellow said, I'm pretty sure the use of 18650 cells in lights was "invented" here on CPF by the custom builders who scavenged cells from laptop battery packs. My first 18650 light was a MR Bulk LionCub I purchased about the same time I joined CPF in the fall of 2005. The "base model" was 16340 Li-Ion, but other's such as Otok made 18500 and 18650 tubes for the LionCub and I purchased an 18650 tube at the same time I bought the light.

There were other 18650 lights before then. MR Bulk's LionHeart for example came before the LionCub. McGizmo and others I believe offered a few as well. This was back before the "Chinese Invasion". For the most part, the only Chinese lights at the time were 5mm "shower head" 3xAAA LED lights. Nuwai did have a few Luxeon and soon to follow Luxeon III and V lights, but most of them were 3xAAA as well. A few were CR123A such as the Lux V lights, and there were a few that were AA, C, or D powered.

Then about that time CPF member 4sevens started a group buy for a Luxeon 1 Watt single AA light called an "L1P" from a new company in China called Fenix. The rest is history.:)

Dave

Interesting - Thank you , sounds like there is a nice history lesson there some where ...

 

[samgab]

What about Pila lights with Pila cells? When did they first come out with 18650 sized cells?

 

[samgab]

I don't know when they first started using them in flashlights, but the wayback machine shows pilatorch.com from 2003 with flashlights using their 18650 sized li-ion cells.
http://web.archive.org/web/20030804163813/http://www.pilatorch.com/quickover.htm