How can you tell if you have a bad battery?

[Swamee73]

If this has been answered before I apologize. I searched and didn't see this answer.I have an ICR1650 2200 MAH 3.7v battery and within 3 minutes of taking it off the charger, it has gone from 4v to 3.7 and I get next to no vapor. As soon as I changed batteries it worked fine, so I assume it's the battery. I was just curious if there was a way to check a batteries integrity.

 

[rolygate]

Your meter test is fine for checking this: any voltage drop like this with no load means it's RIP. We're talking about an ICR 18650 yes? (would be expected with a button cell )

If it is under load then rested then checked, in the time you give it, it must still be a dead cell. Well, unless you are pulling 20 amps on a 0.2 ohm coil maybe. Even then, I guess.

And don't mess with ICRs now, use IMR cells. batteries are the wrong place to make economies.

 

[steved5600]

It sounds as if that battery is bad. Most of those operate around 3.7 volts. There is an electronic test you can do but it takes a test bed and a really good meter. Like Rolygate said I'd go to an IMR. Oh and don't buy a battery with fire) any where in the name. Especially Ultafire. I trust Sony, Panasonic and Efest.