Rechargeable: Difference between revisions
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→Lithium Ion (Li-ion) - 3.7V/cell
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Li-ion cells have fairly low self-discharge, but in order to prolong the life of the battery, should be stored partially discharged. | Li-ion cells have fairly low self-discharge, but in order to prolong the life of the battery, should be stored partially discharged. | ||
'''Recommended batteries:''' There are a number of sources of batteries and quality varies widely. Some are outright frauds with brand name labels pasted over recycled cells or worse (one battery was hollow and contained a small Li-po battery inside). eBay is a notoriously bad place to buy lithium ion batteries, with fake brand name batteries and false claims regarding capacity and battery protection. '''Good:''' Trustfire has a line of li-ion batteries with flames on the label that are a decent budget choice in nominal capacities of 2400 or 3000 mAh for 18650 size though actual capacity will be less (roughly 2100 and 2600 mAh), however it is hard to find genuine ones even at DealExtreme which has been a reliable source in the past. Trustfire flames are also available in 14500 and 26650 sizes. '''Better:''' Sanyo 2600mAh and 2800 mAh cells are available from [http://www.fasttech.com/category/1420/batteries FastTech], XTAR, and others and are better quality than Trustfires. Hi Max cells are also good and use 2600 mAh Samsung cells. '''Best:''' Many CPF members recommend AW (available through some online dealers and directly from AW via [http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?f=13 CPF Marketplace/Dealers] under the latest AW's LiIon Batteries Sales Thread) or Redilast cells (also on CPF) which use high quality cells and have their own protection circuits that may perform better than cheaper cells, but are very expensive ($12 each and up). Both of those brands use Panasonic NCR18650, NCR18650A, and NCR18650B cells of 2900, 3100, and 3400 mAh capacity (the NCR18650PD cell with 2900mAh capacity is designed for higher drain devices). The same cells, with and without protection, are available from other sellers (FastTech has very good prices), but may not have the same level of protection. | '''Recommended batteries:''' There are a number of sources of batteries and quality varies widely. Some are outright frauds with brand name labels pasted over recycled cells or worse (one battery was hollow and contained a small Li-po battery inside). eBay is a notoriously bad place to buy lithium ion batteries, with fake brand name batteries and false claims regarding capacity and battery protection. '''Good:''' Trustfire has a line of li-ion batteries with flames on the label that are a decent budget choice in nominal capacities of 2400 or 3000 mAh for 18650 size though actual capacity will be less (roughly 2100 and 2600 mAh), however it is hard to find genuine ones even at DealExtreme which has been a reliable source in the past. Trustfire flames are also available in 14500 and 26650 sizes. '''Better:''' Sanyo 2600mAh and 2800 mAh cells are available from [http://www.fasttech.com/category/1420/batteries FastTech], XTAR, and others and are better quality than Trustfires. Hi Max cells are also good and use 2600 mAh Samsung cells. '''Best:''' Many CPF members recommend AW (available through some online dealers and directly from AW via [http://www.cpfmarketplace.com/mp/forumdisplay.php?f=13 CPF Marketplace/Dealers] under the latest AW's LiIon Batteries Sales Thread) or Redilast cells (also on CPF) which use high quality cells and have their own protection circuits that may perform better than cheaper cells, but are very expensive ($12 each and up). Both of those brands use Panasonic NCR18650, NCR18650A, and NCR18650B cells of 2900, 3100, and 3400 mAh capacity (the NCR18650PD cell with 2900mAh capacity is designed for higher drain devices). The same cells, with and without protection, are available from other sellers (FastTech has very good prices), but may not have the same level of protection (try these protected Panasonic 3100's for [http://www.dx.com/p/genuine-panasonic-18650-3100mah-rechargeable-battery-with-protection-board-green-pair-121444?r=72863811 $12.50 a pair at DX]). | ||
'''Reviews:''' Here is [http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650comparator.php HKJ's comparison tool] of a large number of li-ion 18650 battery brands that lets you compare two different batteries at various discharge rates, based on HKJ's extensive testing of batteries. There is also this older [http://lux.yi.org/batt/ comparison by DrJones] of budget brands. Here's [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/2581 Mitro's group of discharge graphs] of different brands at different currents. | '''Reviews:''' Here is [http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650comparator.php HKJ's comparison tool] of a large number of li-ion 18650 battery brands that lets you compare two different batteries at various discharge rates, based on HKJ's extensive testing of batteries. There is also this older [http://lux.yi.org/batt/ comparison by DrJones] of budget brands. Here's [http://budgetlightforum.com/node/2581 Mitro's group of discharge graphs] of different brands at different currents. | ||