These cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Origin vape (www.originvape.com). To prevent any confusion with the eGo-type "batteries", I use the term "cell" here to refer to a single 18650, 26650, etc.
Disclaimer
The statements, conclusions, and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion. Carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.
Testing cells at their limits is dangerous and should never, ever, be attempted by anyone who has not thoroughly studied the dangers involved and how to minimize them.
A note regarding current ratings and my testing
If the cell has only one current rating number on it, or if it says "max discharging current" then I have to assume that the company is stating that the cell can be discharged at that current level in any way, including continuously.
Bottom Line
This is a great 25A continuous, 2200mAh battery. The HD2C is a better performer than the HD2 due to its higher voltage during discharge and its longer running time. It equals the Aspire 1800mAh's starting pulse voltage and running temperature and runs about 15% longer than the Aspire. The HD2C's voltage drops below the Aspire's in the middle and end of a pulsed discharge though.
Why do I rate it above its 20A rating?
To allow for direct comparison of one cell to another I must rate the HD2C the same way I do all the other cells I test. When I did this the HD2C tested out as a solid 25A continuous, 2200mAh cell.
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulsed-Current Test Results
These tests are done to show the performance of the cell at higher pulsed current levels. If you are running your mod at these levels be aware that you risk overheating, and possibly venting of, the battery if there is a malfunction or accidental pressing of your mechanical mod's button.
Comparison between the HD2C and the HD2
Comments
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Disclaimer
The statements, conclusions, and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion. Carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.
Testing cells at their limits is dangerous and should never, ever, be attempted by anyone who has not thoroughly studied the dangers involved and how to minimize them.
A note regarding current ratings and my testing
If the cell has only one current rating number on it, or if it says "max discharging current" then I have to assume that the company is stating that the cell can be discharged at that current level in any way, including continuously.
Bottom Line
This is a great 25A continuous, 2200mAh battery. The HD2C is a better performer than the HD2 due to its higher voltage during discharge and its longer running time. It equals the Aspire 1800mAh's starting pulse voltage and running temperature and runs about 15% longer than the Aspire. The HD2C's voltage drops below the Aspire's in the middle and end of a pulsed discharge though.
Why do I rate it above its 20A rating?
- At 25A continuous it is running at 83°C, the same temperature other LG cells run at when discharged at their continuous current rating.
- At its rated 15A (continuous) rating the HD2C is only reaches 63°C. This is significantly lower than any battery I have tested at its rating.
- At 25A continuous it has only lost a bit of capacity, indicating that it is not being stressed beyond its rating.
- At 25A continuous down to 3.2V it runs a bit longer than the VTC4. Its capacity at 2.8V is about 1900mAh vs the VTC4 at about 1875mAh (at 25A continuous).
- It runs at a higher voltage and for longer than the 25A HD2.
- It doesn't show the typical extra voltage sag that indicates the cell is being discharged at beyond its rating until you get up near 35A continuous. It does run much too hot at 35A for that to even be considered as the rating though.
- Here's the datasheet: http://www.imrbatteries.com/content/lg_18650HD2C.pdf
To allow for direct comparison of one cell to another I must rate the HD2C the same way I do all the other cells I test. When I did this the HD2C tested out as a solid 25A continuous, 2200mAh cell.
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulsed-Current Test Results
These tests are done to show the performance of the cell at higher pulsed current levels. If you are running your mod at these levels be aware that you risk overheating, and possibly venting of, the battery if there is a malfunction or accidental pressing of your mechanical mod's button.
Comparison between the HD2C and the HD2
Comments
- At 10A continuous it reached about 2050mAh. This is too high for a 2100mAh-rated cell operating at 10A so I am rating this cell at 2200mAh.
- At 15A continuous the temperature rose to 63°C. This is significantly below the average temperature for a cell operating at its continuous discharge rating (CDR).
- At 20A continuous the temperature rose to 74°C. This is a few degrees below the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR.
- At 25A continuous the temperature rose to 83°C. This is the upper limit for the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR, indicating that we're discharging at the cell's rating. It is a very typical temperature for an LG cell.
- At 30A continuous the temperature rose to 92°C. This is incredibly hot and is too high to set this discharge level as the CDR.
- At 35A continuous the temperature rose to 101°C. This is just above my safety limit of 100°C.
- I am setting a CDR of 25A for this cell since at this current level the operating temperature is at the upper limit for the average for a cell operating at its CDR. While operating any cell near its rated maximum current level causes damage to the cell, I would expect good cycle life from this cell at 25A continuous.
- I have included pulsed discharges but I haven't set pass/fail standards for pulse testing yet. The discharges were done at 5sec on/30sec off, down to 2.5V. One chart shows the entire discharge at each level. The other chart is zoomed in to show the first 5 minutes to make it easier to see the voltage sag at different current levels.
List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
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18650 Battery Ratings -- Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With | E-Cigarette Forum
26650 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum
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