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I have a couple of flashlights that use 26650 cells*. The 26650 was much more popular a few years ago when they were the best option for their higher capacity. The same length as the 18650 but considerably fatter, they can be found in capacities up to around 6000mAh (compared to the best 18650s maxing out at around 4000mAh).
They can be found, but not nearly as easily as they used to be. The newer 21700 cells a little fatter than an 18650 but a lot slimmer than the 26650 with some added length, they are a better form factor for many things–including flashlights. 21700 cells, due to improved construction techniques and their relatively larger size can easily be found in 5000mAh capacities (the most common 26650 cell capacity) and even as high as the 6000mAh top end. They also have at least the current capacity of a 26650 cell and often more.
All this means the 26650 is more rare than a 26650-fueled-flashlight owner might like. Now this is not to say they are unobtainable. You can find them—just not in the variety you might like, or from manufacturers you can implicitly trust. So, finding a source of cells that turned out to be very nice and for not too much was pleasant.
At about $13.00/ea (inclusive of shipping and tax) I bought two protected Xtar cells from Battery Junction (a seller I have done a lot of business with and can definitely recommend.
They are rated for 5200mAh with 7A maximum discharge current. Of course, the capacity of cells from unknown manufacturers is always suspect, but I trust Battery Junction not to sell junk, so it was worth the risk. Shipping was cheap if slow, and I was happy to recieve them so I could see if they were any good.
First, they fit in my flashlights and ran quite well. Both the Olight Seeker R50 and Klarus GS20 happily accepted the Xtar and produced prodigious photons. Testing a cell through a complete discharge cycle I got 5336mAh and a 46mΩ ESR—the former better than the label and the latter a nice low resistance auguring an excellent supply of current. The flashlight performance on the turbo settings (subjectively) confirmed an unmeasured high peak current.
So if you need the old school 26650, I can certainly recommend the Xtar option.
[NOTE: I have noticed some sellers are offering this cell at ~$20/ea, just move on and look elsewhere, that’s way too high.]
*for those who aren’t on top of cylindrical lithium cell nomenclature, here’s the simple rundown: DDLLLL, where the first two digits are the diameter and the last three are the length (in millimeters). The most common size for flashlights (and in general) is the ubiquitous 18650, 18mm around and 650mm long—nominally.
In practice, cells will vary by ~2mm based on whether they have “flat” or ”button” top cells, or feature protection which uses a small PCB mounted to the top or bottom of the cell. Nonetheless, the numbers do tell you what class they are.
They can be found, but not nearly as easily as they used to be. The newer 21700 cells a little fatter than an 18650 but a lot slimmer than the 26650 with some added length, they are a better form factor for many things–including flashlights. 21700 cells, due to improved construction techniques and their relatively larger size can easily be found in 5000mAh capacities (the most common 26650 cell capacity) and even as high as the 6000mAh top end. They also have at least the current capacity of a 26650 cell and often more.
All this means the 26650 is more rare than a 26650-fueled-flashlight owner might like. Now this is not to say they are unobtainable. You can find them—just not in the variety you might like, or from manufacturers you can implicitly trust. So, finding a source of cells that turned out to be very nice and for not too much was pleasant.
At about $13.00/ea (inclusive of shipping and tax) I bought two protected Xtar cells from Battery Junction (a seller I have done a lot of business with and can definitely recommend.
First, they fit in my flashlights and ran quite well. Both the Olight Seeker R50 and Klarus GS20 happily accepted the Xtar and produced prodigious photons. Testing a cell through a complete discharge cycle I got 5336mAh and a 46mΩ ESR—the former better than the label and the latter a nice low resistance auguring an excellent supply of current. The flashlight performance on the turbo settings (subjectively) confirmed an unmeasured high peak current.
So if you need the old school 26650, I can certainly recommend the Xtar option.
[NOTE: I have noticed some sellers are offering this cell at ~$20/ea, just move on and look elsewhere, that’s way too high.]
*for those who aren’t on top of cylindrical lithium cell nomenclature, here’s the simple rundown: DDLLLL, where the first two digits are the diameter and the last three are the length (in millimeters). The most common size for flashlights (and in general) is the ubiquitous 18650, 18mm around and 650mm long—nominally.
In practice, cells will vary by ~2mm based on whether they have “flat” or ”button” top cells, or feature protection which uses a small PCB mounted to the top or bottom of the cell. Nonetheless, the numbers do tell you what class they are.
