LG HB4 "Mustard" 30A 1500mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...a great 30A battery, better than brown HB4

[Mooch]

These cells were purchased by me for testing using donations made for that purpose. 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 mustard-colored version of the HB4 is a great 30A continuous, 1600mAh battery that outperforms the brown HB4 in voltage and capacity. It exceeds the VTC4's starting pulse voltage and equals the Aspire 1800's voltage.


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 brown HB4 and the mustard HB4



Comments

• At 10A continuous it reached over 1450mAh. This is too high for a 1500mAh-rated cell operating at 10A so I am rating this cell at 1600mAh.
• At 15A continuous the temperature rose to 59°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 66°C. This is still a lot below the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR.
• At 25A continuous the temperature rose to 77°C. This is just below the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR, indicating that we're discharging near the cell's rating.
• At 30A continuous the temperature rose to 83°C. This is at the upper limit for the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR and is a typical temperature for an LG cell at its CDR.
• At 35A continuous the temperature rose to 96°C. This is way to high a temperature to set this current level as the CDR. It is just below my safety limit of 100°C.
• I am setting a CDR of 30A for this cell since at this current level the operating temperature is at the upper limit for a cell operating at its CDR and is typical for a LG cell 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 30A 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 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

 

[Mooch]

Back to the real tests.
A real pleasure with this one, a nice surprise!

 

[B2L]

Back to the real tests.
A real pleasure with this one, a nice surprise!

That seals it, thanks for all you do Mooch!

I just got 10 HB6s, i guess one cant have too many batteries, I'll have to pick some up

 

[Mooch]

That seals it, thanks for all you do Mooch!

I just got 10 HB6s, i guess one cant have too many batteries, I'll have to pick some up

Hold off on that purchase for a couple of days.

 

[Strontium]

What is that upper temperature limit for this battery in official LG datasheet?

 

[sig-cmt]

This is a great review on an equally great battery.

 

[Mooch]

What is that upper temperature limit for this battery in official LG datasheet?

LG typically specs 75°C as the upper limit for the discharge operating temperature.

 

[B2L]

Hold off on that purchase for a couple of days.

I missed this until it was too late, they're ordered already. Any particular reason?

 

[Mooch]

I missed this until it was too late, they're ordered already. Any particular reason?

I'm testing the updated pink HB6 right now and didn't know if it might be better than the mustard HB4. If it is though, it will be by only a little bit.

 

[B2L]

I'm testing the updated pink HB6 right now and didn't know if it might be better than the mustard HB4. If it is though, it will be by only a little bit.

Mustard is more manly anyway ;-)

Appreciate it Mooch, if there is a measurable difference I'll probably order some pinks as well.

 

[KenD]

Kinda wants me get a device/build that requires those amps...

Sent from my M7_PLUS using Tapatalk

 

[sig-cmt]

I'm testing the updated pink HB6 right now...

Awesome. Anticipating this one...

 

[sig-cmt]

The mustard HB4 has a cover cap which extends further past the cylinder than that of the brown HB4. This presents a problem when used with certain single tube mechanicals which expect the positive to be oriented towards the bottom. Essentially, the O-ring or adjustable Delrin standoff of the switch does not provide adequate distance between the contact and the cell. One workaround is to increase the number of positive insulators in an attempt to shim the gap before rewrapping the battery.

 

[VapieDan]

I am slightly off topic but seeing a figure of 75 degree Celsius at a maximum operating temperature I am curious if there is a maximum temperature for safe storage. Could it be the same number?

 

[Mooch]

I am slightly off topic but seeing a figure of 75 degree Celsius at a maximum operating temperature I am curious if there is a maximum temperature for safe storage. Could it be the same number?

As with anything to do with batteries, it all depends.
Most manufacturers specify 60°C as the max storage temperature. This is lower than the maximum recommended operating temperature because the battery spends much, much more time at the max storage tempeature than it does at the max operating temperature. This is mostly to ensure that the battery doesn't age too quickly as the higher the temperature, the faster the battery ages and reaches the end of its life.

For safety I recommend staying under 75°C for storage. A battery typically won't vent until it gets above 130°C, up to about 160°C, so 100°C will give you a bit of a safety margin. The battey will very quickly deteriorate at that temperature though.

For long battery life, stay below 45°C for both storage and when using li-ion batteries.

 

[VapieDan]

As with anything to do with batteries, it all depends.
Most manufacturers specify 60°C as the max storage temperature. This is lower than the maximum recommended operating temperature because the battery spends much, much more time at the max storage tempeature than it does at the max operating temperature. This is mostly to ensure that the battery doesn't age too quickly as the higher the temperature, the faster the battery ages and reaches the end of its life.

For safety I recommend staying under 75°C for storage. A battery typically won't vent until it gets above 130°C, up to about 160°C, so 100°C will give you a bit of a safety margin. The battey will very quickly deteriorate at that temperature though.

For long battery life, stay below 45°C for both storage and when using li-ion batteries.

Thanks so much!

 

[sonicbomb]

Mustard is London slang denoting something that is good.
"It was mustard..."
This battery qualifies. Cheers Monsignor Moochio.