Panasonic NCR18650BD 10A 3000mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...an good 10A battery

[Mooch]

The two cells tested were purchased with funds donated by the vaping community for the purposes of testing. 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 a good 10A 3000mAh-rated battery. I do not recommend using it over 35W/10A to minimize voltage sag.

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


Continuous-Current Test Results



Pulse-Current Test Results



Datasheet Specs


Comments

• At 5A continuous it reached almost 2850mAh. This is great performance for a 3000mAh cell at 5A so I am rating it at 3000mAh.
• At 10A continuous the temperature rose to 69°C. This is below the average temperature of a cell operating at its continuous discharge rating (CDR) but typical of high internal resistance cells. This is an indication that we are operating near its true rating. Higher current levels than this cause a lot of voltage sag.
• At 15A continuous the voltage dropped to 3.2V fairly quickly and its temperature rose to 80°C, delivering about 700mAh.
• At 20A continuous the voltage very quickly dropped to 3.2V.
• I am setting a CDR of 10A for this cell. 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 10A continuous.

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
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...afety-grades-and-pulse-performance-data.7566/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...des-picking-a-safe-battery-to-vape-with.7447/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/f...fety-grades-and-pulse-performance-data.7554//