Bench Test Results: Prodna Red 40A 3000mAh 18650…same as their 2500mAh, not IMR, DO NOT BUY

Status
Not open for further replies.

Mooch

Electron Wrangler
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
  • May 13, 2015
    3,946
    15,442
    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” batteries 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 continuous 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.

    5BED96D2-1804-4B60-8E36-D8797C05AA7E.jpeg 334A1A69-F36A-4A8E-8757-91AFD17FE43C.jpeg 65F0B8EB-3C8A-4AB8-AEF4-55A0152FC8CC.jpeg 23C720FF-D5A4-48E3-89FA-8575BA0D7660.jpeg


    Bottom Line
    This cell has a hugely exaggerated 40A rating on the wrap. It can’t even be considered a pulse rating. It identical to their Purple 2500mAh cell...an LG HE2/HE4 rewrap!

    Any “max” or “pulse” rating is useless unless we know the length of the pulse, the time between the pulses, and the criteria used to set the rating (Voltage sag? Temperature? Run time? A combination of those?). Without knowing this, and all companies using the same pulse lengths, rest times, and criteria, we can’t use the max/pulse ratings for comparing any batteries. They are useless.

    This battery says “IMR 18650” on the wrap but it does not use the battery chemistry associated with the IMR manufacturer’s model number prefix. It uses the “hybrid” chemistry sometimes identified with the INR prefix.

    The Prodna web site pages for their batteries use some sort of coiling kit contents list for the battery details and the reviews on the web site are still test reviews in the fake Latin used for placeholder text. This is confusing at best.

    I placed an order on their web site for eight cells but they were never shipped and Prodna ignored several attempts over a period of weeks to contact them via two email addresses. I only received my money back after filing a claim with PayPal. All of the cells I eventually tested were donated.

    This cell’s appearance and performance is essentially identical to the LG HE2 and HE4. I estimate this Prodna’s ratings to be 20A and 2500mAh. The LG HG2 is a clearly better choice as it hits harder and runs for longer than this cell.

    Their use of the same cell for this “3000mAh” as they use for their 2500mAh cell and its huge overrating earns this cell a Do Not Buy recommendation.

    The cells were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you!


    Continuous Current Discharge Comparison to LG HE4 and HG2
    70E949BA-C54D-439F-B7AA-6F58F8F663FA.jpeg


    Prodna’s Web Site
    BB85316D-143D-43D2-B81C-2B64F6F12717.png B73A0D4C-3D39-4DC7-A193-4511531CBF84.jpeg 60D0682A-A0A0-4860-874B-BECFE79F15B9.jpeg


    Ratings Graphic
    C4C01FAD-13A2-4FDB-A4BF-CE53B9D1BD03.jpeg


    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/
     
    Status
    Not open for further replies.

    Users who are viewing this thread