These tests below only note my personal opinion for the ESTIMATED ratings for the batteries I tested at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, Murata, LG, Panasonic, Molicel, or Sanyo can change at any time! This can be 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 property damage, personal injury, or even death. Never use them outside of a fully protected battery pack and you use them at your own risk. Never exceed the battery’s true continuous discharge rating (CDR), never let it get colder than 0°C or hotter than 60°C, and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Never use a battery that is physically damaged in any way.
Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never 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.
Test Results
This is the longest running ultra-high capacity 18650 I have tested so far. The full test report for the Vapcell N40 4000mAh 18650 will be posted tomorrow.
At 5A (about 15W) the F38 runs for a few percent longer, or a lot longer, than any other 18650. At 10A (about 30W) it outperforms by a little bit even the LG HJ2, Murata VTC6, and Molicel P28B. It also outperforms the Vapcell N36, especially at 10A.
The F38’s 10A rating seems reasonable and two cells delivered 3803mAh and 3832mAh in my capacity testing, just barely exceeding their 3800mAh rating. I recommend charging at 1A or lower, 0.5A preferred, since they got a bit warm even at 1A.
The F38 does not have a non-continuous rating and I recommend not using it at above 10A (about 30W) rating as there will be a lot of voltage sag. This is true for all cells though.
I do not know what their cycle life is but I cycled an F38 a few times at 15A pulsed*** with 2A charging and there was no sign of cell damage or accelerated aging.
I do not know who makes these yet but in my opinion it’s not Samsung, Murata, Panasonic, LG, or Molicel. I do not know who is stocking this cell or what its availability is.
***Do not go over this cell’s 10A rating! My 15A testing was done only as a check of how well this cell can handle abuse, to see if it was “fragile”.
Continuous Current Discharge Graphs
Ratings and Performance Specs Graphic
18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
I want to work for the community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability, battery testing and news, and a say in what I test, then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: Patreon.
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: Links To All 21700, 26650, 18350, 18500 Battery Tests
Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of property damage, personal injury, or even death. Never use them outside of a fully protected battery pack and you use them at your own risk. Never exceed the battery’s true continuous discharge rating (CDR), never let it get colder than 0°C or hotter than 60°C, and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Never use a battery that is physically damaged in any way.
Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never 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.
Test Results
This is the longest running ultra-high capacity 18650 I have tested so far. The full test report for the Vapcell N40 4000mAh 18650 will be posted tomorrow.
At 5A (about 15W) the F38 runs for a few percent longer, or a lot longer, than any other 18650. At 10A (about 30W) it outperforms by a little bit even the LG HJ2, Murata VTC6, and Molicel P28B. It also outperforms the Vapcell N36, especially at 10A.
The F38’s 10A rating seems reasonable and two cells delivered 3803mAh and 3832mAh in my capacity testing, just barely exceeding their 3800mAh rating. I recommend charging at 1A or lower, 0.5A preferred, since they got a bit warm even at 1A.
The F38 does not have a non-continuous rating and I recommend not using it at above 10A (about 30W) rating as there will be a lot of voltage sag. This is true for all cells though.
I do not know what their cycle life is but I cycled an F38 a few times at 15A pulsed*** with 2A charging and there was no sign of cell damage or accelerated aging.
I do not know who makes these yet but in my opinion it’s not Samsung, Murata, Panasonic, LG, or Molicel. I do not know who is stocking this cell or what its availability is.
***Do not go over this cell’s 10A rating! My 15A testing was done only as a check of how well this cell can handle abuse, to see if it was “fragile”.
Continuous Current Discharge Graphs
Ratings and Performance Specs Graphic
18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
18650 Battery Ratings and Performance Table
You are responsible for your own safety! These batteries are designed, manufactured, and sold only for use in a battery pack with the proper protection circuitry and battery management system. They were not designed for vaping (electronic...
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
21700 Battery Ratings and Performance Table
You are responsible for your own safety! These batteries are designed, manufactured, and sold only for use in a battery pack with the proper protection circuitry and battery management system. They were not designed for vaping (electronic...
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
I want to work for the community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability, battery testing and news, and a say in what I test, then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: Patreon.
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: Links To All 21700, 26650, 18350, 18500 Battery Tests
