18650 Batteries

[BankShot]

Can anyone recommend a decent 18650 battery and source? Most of what I see on Amazon look a little sketchy or downright fake. Doesn't have to be super high end. I don't really want to pay $20 per battery. I'm just looking for something that is a real 18650 for a decent price.

 

[hammerd13]

I like Panasonic/Orbtronic brand... Samsung is my second favorite. I'll usually purchase from Battery Junction. Alternative source is 18650 Battery Store. You can also order directly from Orbtronic.

Battery Junction

18650 Battery Store

 

[BankShot]

I like Panasonic brand... Samsung is my second favorite. I'll usually purchase from Battery Junction. Alternative source is 18650 Battery Store.

Battery Junction

18650 Battery Store

Thanks for the quick reply. I'll give Battery Junction a try. I bought one from Amazon and it only weighs 36 g. I read that they should not weigh less than 42 g.

 

[smokingman]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BNLPWKXR?th=1&psc=1&language=en_US

 

[Brian's Surplus]

Can anyone recommend a decent 18650 battery and source? Most of what I see on Amazon look a little sketchy or downright fake. Doesn't have to be super high end. I don't really want to pay $20 per battery. I'm just looking for something that is a real 18650 for a decent price.

We sell these for $5 each at the store. I can't say how they compare to other brands, but we have sold hundreds with no complaints.

 

[BankShot]

We sell these for $5 each at the store. I can't say how they compare to other brands, but we have sold hundreds with no complaints. View attachment 334756

Thanks for the reply. If I were closer, I would come by and pick up a couple to tryout.

Just wondering if you have ever weighed one. I have seen a few videos that say if they weigh less than 42 grams then they are not real 18650s.

 

[blain]

Panasonic batteries "made in Japan" have never let me down.

Of course the Project Farm has a 18650 battery showdown.
It's 3 years old, but hey it's still a Project Farm comparison.

 

[bobzilla]

arent these just rechargable AA's?

 

[blain]

arent these just rechargable AA's?

No, AA's are much smaller.

 

[teddy12b]

I use the streamlight 18650 that's usb rechargeable and I've had great luck with those.

 

[schmart]

I like Panasonic/Orbtronic brand... Samsung is my second favorite. I'll usually purchase from Battery Junction. Alternative source is 18650 Battery Store. You can also order directly from Orbtronic.

Battery Junction

18650 Battery Store

+1 for battery junction. I've used them a couple times and always been happy.

 

[BankShot]

Panasonic batteries "made in Japan" have never let me down.

Of course the Project Farm has a 18650 battery showdown.
It's 3 years old, but hey it's still a Project Farm comparison.

That's one of the videos I saw that helped me discover that the battery I got from Amazon was junk. LOL,

 

[Brian's Surplus]

Thanks for the reply. If I were closer, I would come by and pick up a couple to tryout.

Just wondering if you have ever weighed one. I have seen a few videos that say if they weigh less than 42 grams then they are not real 18650s.

It's pretty close, but not quite 42 grams. I weighed a few and they are all within .5 grams, hovering just below 42 grams and just above 41. The battery designation actually comes from the dimensions (length and width), so the weight would be a good way to determine if substandard components are used assuming that the dimensions are the same.
It's likely that a $20 battery would be better quality.

 

[Rookie]

Just about every vape shop will have 18650 in stock if you want them now.

 

[BankShot]

It's pretty close, but not quite 42 grams. I weighed a few and they are all within .5 grams, hovering just below 42 grams and just above 41. The battery designation actually comes from the dimensions (length and width), so the weight would be a good way to determine if substandard components are used assuming that the dimensions are the same.
It's likely that a $20 battery would be better quality. View attachment 334878

Thanks for checking. That's not bad. The one I got from Amazon was just under 36 grams.

 

[Cameramonkey]

No, AA's are much smaller.
View attachment 334823

Yep. As I recall they are actually the size of 2x CR123s stacked. Or am I thinking of another similar battery?

 

[Rookie]

Yep. As I recall they are actually the size of 2x CR123s stacked. Or am I thinking of another similar battery?

Cr123...

 

[BankShot]

Yep. As I recall they are actually the size of 2x CR123s stacked. Or am I thinking of another similar battery?

I think you're correct. I'm pretty sure that Streamlight makes a flashlight that will run on an 18650 or two CR123 batteries.

 

[Brian's Surplus]

Yep. As I recall they are actually the size of 2x CR123s stacked. Or am I thinking of another similar battery?

They are similar, but not the same. The 18650 is wider. It will not fit into the same hole that a CR123 will, but it looks like it will until you try.

 

[Brian's Surplus]

You are probably thinking about the 16650. It's 2mm more narrow and will fit in place of 2 CR123 batteries.