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So I found some AW batteries and could only find one with the button top. It is 2200 mAh. Light hound had other AW batteries around the 3000mAh mark, but no button top. The light I want says it is an XML U2 and generates 860 lumens. Would the 2200mAh battery be sufficient since the others don’t have the button top. Honestly I’m having trouble understanding the charts completely that is why I ask.
Any 18650 (even the crappy ones) can push the 2-3amps needed for that output. Personally, I would just go with a trusted brand. It’s a few more dollars but it’s way cheaper than buying them to replace the cheap ones later. Plus you will get more consistent performance.
When you get comfortable with 18650 batteries, try harvesting old laptop batteries. Cost is usually zero. I have some that have been through 100 cycles. If you need a button top, just put on a dab of solder and file it flat.
Looks like the light you are considering uses *two* 18650s to drive one XML so this is a pretty easy load.
I’d shoot for a good 2600mah battery, would settle for a 2400mah, but in reality the 2200mah would work fine.
I think AW primarily sells directly on CPF or the CPF Marketplace.
-john
Note these harvested cells most likely do not have a built in protection circuit and many lights do not provide over drain protection. Even if you have lights that provide over discharge protection note you are losing other safeties such as short circuit protection, etc.
Even though I have lights that provide discharge protection (HDS), I’ve gotten rid of all my unprotected cells.
-john
AW batteries are manufactured/rebranded Panasonic cells.
And I wouldn’t recommend the WF-139 anymore I used to be decent for the price but it charges incorrectly and reduces the batteries life.
One of the best cheap chargers you can get now are the nitecore/systemax i2 and i4I’ve read good comments about Enerpower batteries, which are built in Germany and cheaper than AW. But so far I’ve no experience with any 18650s. I’m in the researching process because I want to buy a headlamp and a thrower.
Yea I’m right there with you. I’m still going through the information these guys posted. Good stuff though.
Anyone have any experience with the Xtar VP1? It’s a “smart” charger with a digital display, but I can’t find out if it offers anything particularly exciting over my i4. What I really want is a Li-ion charger that can test cells and report mAh capacity.
For tons of battery and charger reviews check out hkjs website the reviews are extremely in depth and cover nearly every battery/charger I’ve seen. I can’t link it but if you google hkj reviews it will pop up. The VP1 is a very good charger but it doesn’t do nimh like the i2/i4 can if thats a factor.
EDIT: His site is the lygte-info one that appears
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