Under Performing SAFT Batteries

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Shearwater

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We did some sleuthing and found interesting things about some SAFT batteries sold as new that would not power up our dive computers.

Read more here:
Under Performing SAFT Batteries - Shearwater Research

green-vs-silver-e1519238455398.jpg
 
the right battery doesn't look correct to me. was saft contacted to make sure the green top ones arent counterfeit? the second green top might just be a less horrible counterfeit, but not give the full capacity of a real saft ls14500.
 
From the article-

We also tested a different green top battery labeled "Made in China" and this one was able to sustain proper voltage under a 200 ohm load and it properly powered a Petrel 2 dive computer. So, just because a SAFT battery has a green top it does not necessarily mean that it will be defective. We have not encountered cases of defective batteries with a silver metal top. The more conclusive test to determine if you have a defective battery is to measure voltages with and without a load.
 
Counterfeit Chinese batteries are a pretty well known fact. They are absolutely rampant in the 18650 size; Ultrafire, GTL, and a number of others (anything claiming to have a capacity greater than 3500mA is guaranteed junk).
It's unfortunate but not surprising it may have spread to other lines and sizes.
Amazon is no longer a guarantee except as a possible way to return junk. Lots of the stuff they sell is straight from China. With an item like a single battery it's hardly worth the effort to bother returning. That green battery is ratty looking, looks counterfeit on appearance alone.
 
Last edited:
I still use the ones that the nice folks at Shearwater hand me at trade shows.
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/swift/

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