If you read the Samsung datasheet for the INR18650-30Q they have "protection" inherent in the design of the battery without the active circuit hardware in the typical "protected" 18650. I have seen these 30Q batteries fully discharged by accident without any effect, and still recharged from zero volts. Given the overall safety and performance of the 30Q and the relatively good capacity and supplied peak current, it seems the first choice for me. They have been available for several years (I have been using them more than a year), and are produced in large quantities. The source LIIOON Wholesale has them in stock, in the USA for under $5. I have lots of them, and they are WAY better than the EBL batteries in my usage.
Don't get me wrong, the 30Q is an awesome battery no doubt,I have at least 10 in my normal rotation for 3+ years now. Samsung makes some of the best LI-ION batteries.Comparing them Sony/LG/Panasonic,,, its like comparing an EDgun to a Taipan, go by individual specs. Your talking about chemical differences in batteries.
“protection” inherent in the design" nice spin of words by Samsung,lol... But in reality to call a Samsung INR safer then a similar INR, a INR-NMC Sony VTC6, is not accurate, or safe to not take the same precaution with all lithium-ion batteries regardless of chemistry imo.
Just some tidbits of info I've learned about these batteries. All LI-ION batteries will go into thermal overload when their limit is met or physical damage happens. Once the membrane separating the chemicals is punctured and they mix, good chance of thermal runaway. If a _LI-ION battery is overcharged excessively or run down excessively to very low or no voltage, dendrites form in the chemicals that are sharp crystals and can eventually puncture the membrane. "Spiny projections called dendrites begin to grow from the electrode's surface. As these lithium dendrites grow, they can pierce the membrane separator in the middle of the battery, touch the cathode and short circuit the cell".
So what that means, even if you don't see a measurable decrease in battery performance from a severe discharge cycle, it can have dendrites form that could cause thermal over run once these crystals eventually grow large enough to cause problems.That's where internal resistance(IR) measurements from a advanced charger come in handy. A high IR usually means dendrites have formed and its something to note and keep an eye on for an increase.Its also good to get a base line IR on new batteries.
So, the key here with any Li-ION battery is to treat it correctly all the time. Don't dent its case, don't puncture its case, don't over charge to over 4.25v, don't over discharge to under 2.5v. Its easy to take care of these batteries so they last for a decade or more and 1000 charge cycles...
Most quality flashlights/devices have a integrated protection circuit that prevents over discharge and too high temps/amp draw so an additional protection circuit on top of the battery is not needed as it limits the amp draw in high draw applications and makes for a longer battery. The cheap no name fake/clone china flashlights and cheap vape units do
not have protection circuits so more user caution must be used for these type devices or a battery with integrated external protection circuit is good if its extra length will fit in the device....
A warning/tip to my first post on this thread about harvesting/recycling battery paks...
When disassembling a 18650 battery pack for harvest be careful, don't use a hammer&chisel, sawsall, ect. These packs have sophisticated protection circuits that keep the health of these 18650 good. Hence there will be voltage in most of these packs so handle accordingly. There are little thin straps/strips with pinpoint spot welds to connect the batteries.. these straps are easily removed with a needle nose pliers, or other methods. I like to take a pair of dikes and cut each strip as soon as they are accessible to isolate each battery and prevent sparks/shorts when further disassembling the case/pack. Then remove the straps completely when each individual battery is separated from the pack. That way no sparks or shorts when taking apart the pack... So the key here is to not worry about damaging the plastic case, but take precaution to not damage/dent/puncture/short out the actual individual 18650's. Once you do one pack you'll see what I mean and see its easy to harvest good batteries and also help the environment by preventing the waste of perfectly good 18650.
jmo
