Basen Black 30A Pulse 3500mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...a 10A battery, overrated capacity

[Mooch]

These cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Basen. 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 Basen is a 10A 3300mAh cell that performs terribly at over a few amps. It has a 30A "max pulse current" rating on the wrap but since Basen doesn't define the pulse width, time between pulses, or what criteria they use to set the rating, that rating is useless. Where's the continuous rating for this cell? You have to visit Basen's web site and look it up...10A.

It is identical in appearance and performance to the 3300mAh NCR18650GA.

The 18650 ratings table has been updated to include this cell.


Continuous-Current Test Results



Pulse-Current Test Results



Specs From Basen Web Site



Comments

• At 10A continuous it reached about 2950mAh. This is terrible performance for a 3500mAh cell but about average for a 3300mAh ultra-high capacity cell at 10A so I am rating this cell at 3300mAh.
• At 15A continuous the temperature rose to 90°C. This is much too hot for a cell operating at its CDR and the voltage is sagging significantly.
• At 20A continuous the temperature rose to 98°C before the cell was ruined and stopped working. Before the cell stopped working the voltage sag was huge.
• I am setting a CDR of 12A for this cell. 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 12A 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.

To see how other cells have tested and how hard you can safely push them, check out these links:
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

 

[sonicbomb]

Someone needs to shut these clowns down.

 

[Baditude]

Has Basen responded to your test results? I'd be pretty embarrassed.

 

[Mooch]

Has Basen responded to your test results? I'd be pretty embarrassed.

Not yet...two more to go too.

 

[Jim_ MDP]

This is disturbing as I thought Basen was trying to stay out of the over-spec game with their 26650 (though I still haven't purchased one myself... it at least was a leading candidate).

Are they falling into the re-wrapper's trap... or is this the norm for their 18650s?


eta: Checked your 18650 chart and the results don't look good for Basen.

 

[Mooch]

This is disturbing as I thought Basen was trying to stay out of the over-spec game with their 26650 (though I still haven't purchased one myself... it at least was a leading candidate).

Are they falling into the re-wrapper's trap... or is this the norm for their 18650s?


eta: Checked your 18650 chart and the results don't look good for Basen.

Yup, they've always overrated. I'll be posting a summary after posting a couple more tests. Similar to what I did for Aosibo.