These cells were donated for the purposes of testing by @LilWhiteClouder at ECF. Thank you! To prevent any confusion with the eGo-type "batteries", I use the term "cell" here to refer to a single 18350, 18650, 26650, etc.
While the test results are hard data, the conclusions and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion based on my criteria for setting a rating. Carefully research any cell 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.
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 only a 15A cell with a very exaggerated rating. Its voltage instantly plunged to below 3.2V when discharged at its 30A rating. What's very weird though is that its capacity in my tests is 2500mAh! My guess is that they are using more than one cell under the wrap and the ones I got are using 2500mAh cells. Its performance is worse than the 2500mAh HE2, HE4, 25R5, and 2600mAh VTC5 so I can't recommend this AOSO cell over those other batteries, or any Samsung/Sony/LG battery for that matter.
The 18650 ratings table has been updated to include this cell.
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulsed-Current Test Results
Comments
List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
18350/18500 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum
18650 Battery Ratings -- Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With | E-Cigarette Forum
26650 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum
While the test results are hard data, the conclusions and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion based on my criteria for setting a rating. Carefully research any cell 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.
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 only a 15A cell with a very exaggerated rating. Its voltage instantly plunged to below 3.2V when discharged at its 30A rating. What's very weird though is that its capacity in my tests is 2500mAh! My guess is that they are using more than one cell under the wrap and the ones I got are using 2500mAh cells. Its performance is worse than the 2500mAh HE2, HE4, 25R5, and 2600mAh VTC5 so I can't recommend this AOSO cell over those other batteries, or any Samsung/Sony/LG battery for that matter.
The 18650 ratings table has been updated to include this cell.
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulsed-Current Test Results
Comments
- At 10A continuous it reached 2249mAh. This is way too high for a 1600mAh cell but is average performance for 2500mAh cell at 10A so I am rating this cell at 2500mAh.
- At 15A continuous the temperature rose to 70°C. This is a few degrees below the average temperature of a cell running at its continuous discharge rating (CDR) but the voltage is already starting to show additional sag. This indicates that we are at or above the cell's true CDR.
- At 20A continuous the temperature rose to 83°C. This is a few degrees above the average temperature of a cell running at its CDR and is an indication that we are above the cell's true rating. The voltage is showing considerable sag near the start of the discharge.
- At 25A continuous the temperature rose to 101°C. This is a ridiculously high temperature and is a strong sign that we're above the cell's true CDR.
- At 30A continuous, the cell's rating, the voltage almost instantly plunged below 3.2V and quickly dropped to the 2.8V cutoff. This is clearly not a 30A cell.
- I am setting a CDR of 15A for this cell. Operating at that level would bring the temperature near to 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 decent cycle life from this cell at 15A 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
18350/18500 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum
18650 Battery Ratings -- Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With | E-Cigarette Forum
26650 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum