threads on 26650 bodies - I dont understand it ?

somehow I have the feeling the number of ppl wanting 26650 bodied lights increases daily.
Could someone pls give me some info on why?
:thinking:
the body is so much bigger, that the light is way worse to pocket.
The cell is 2 times bigger than 18650, but the cells available have a nominal of just 4.000 mA (so a real 3.200-3.500) ((and are "just" unprotected), while the 18650s offer a real 2.700.

So what is the gain, maybe I did not get it yet?


(for now my 26650+26500 bodies remain shelf queens, till there are cells that really do offer some advantage to eat the bigger size of the light. That might start with something like 5.000 mAh)

I use my 26650 hosts for hi current draw leds. SST 90's, SST 50's, XM-L's etc. They sag less under a heavy load.

Bigger body= More mass= Better heat dissapation

My VanIsle 5.6A Quad runs best in a FM Copper 1x26650.

You are not comparing apples /apples.

A typical 2700ah 18650, is going to be non-IMR, so it will only pass ~2.5-3A before:
A-It starts to sag under load
B-The protection circuit trips

A typical 26650 cell will pass 8-9A before it starts to sag under load.

So... if you are running high current applications (2.5A+) a 2700mah 18650 will start to sag under load and starve the circuit, or under drive the incan. The latter can lead to short bulb lifespan. I use 26650 cells in my ROPs and have no complaints.

For high current 18650 designs, IMR cells are the only option (unless you are intentionally under-driving the circuit). In that light (no pun intended) ~1500mah versus 3500mah, 26650 capacity advantages start to become more obvious.

Hi Guys,
these are arguments which are understandable,
thnx


... so there are "only" high drain 26650s, but not ones for something like single emitter & high capacity application?

Plus;
You can stick some prety copper in the 1*26650 bodies and run 10A through the IMR cell and not feel too bad.

yellow said:

Hi Guys,
these are arguments which are understandable,
thnx


... so there are "only" high drain 26650s, but not ones for something like single emitter & high capacity application?

Click to expand...

The 26650 cells are actually 4000mAh - at least the BatterySpace ones are, and I'd assume the others like 4sevens 26650 would be close to their rated capacity as well.

Of course, when it comes to Li-Ions, 18650s have been developed the furthest, so in terms of capacity, no other Li-Ion size comes close to the energy density per kg or cm^3 of the 18650.

26650s are useful if you want your light to remain single celled, but have higher capacity than an 18650. And as noted, most of them can be discharged at a higher rate, or may suite a body for a large heatsink. Some people also prefer the 'chunkier/grippy' body of a 26mm diameter cell (And perhaps, some may prefer a shorter 2x26650 to a 3x18650) Otherwise, I guess it boils down to preference.