Bench Retest Results: Samsung 30Q 3000mAh 18650…a great 15A/20 battery!

These tests below only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never, ever, be attempted by anyone who has not thoroughly studied the dangers involved, understands the risks, has the proper equipment, and takes all appropriate safety precautions.

If the battery has only one current rating number, or if it only says "max", then I have to assume the battery is rated at that current level for any type of discharge, including continuous.




Bottom Line
Please read: Conditionally extending the Samsung 30Q’s rating to 20A

This is a retest of the popular Samsung 30Q. The four cells I tested, two from IMRBatteries and two from Illumn, showed the expected great consistency in performance.

The Samsung 30Q datasheet (Section 7.9) mentions operation at 20A. Operation at that level can be done as long as we don’t let the battery get above 75°C, its maximum rated operating temperature.

But this is not a high performance “power” cell, designed for high current. It is a high capacity “energy” cell designed for low to moderate power levels and long running time. At higher current levels the voltage sag and power loss in the cell are huge. Do not exceed 20A.

I am giving this cell a continuous current rating of 15A (about 45W using 3.7V) and a temperature-limited rating of 20A (about 60W if using 3.7V) as long as the cell is never allowed to reach 75°C.

This is not a “pulse rating”! There is no pulse length, time between pulses, or criteria used for setting such a rating being defined. The 20A rating is any type of discharge as long as the 75°C limit is not reached.

The 18650 rating table has been updated with the 15A/20A rating for this cell.

A “shootout” of the HG2, 30Q, and VTC6, directly comparing their performance, will be posted in a few days.

Four cells were purchased for the purposes of testing by me.



Continuous Current Discharge Graphs



Ratings Graphic



Datasheet section 7.9



Performance Specs
DC Internal Resistance = 22.1mOhms (milliohms) average for the four cells.
Total energy delivered down to 3.2V at 10A continuous = 7.53Wh (Watt-hours) average
Total energy delivered down to 3.2V at 15A continuous = 6.31Wh (Watt-hours) average


Comments
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/