LG HE4 20A 2500mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...good, but not as good as the 25R

[Mooch]

Tested at 10A-25A constant current. Cells were purchased from Orbtronic and donated for testing.

Dropbox - lg he4 20a 2500mah 18650 wrap.jpeg

Dropbox - lg he4 20a 2500mah 18650 can.jpeg

Dropbox - lg he4 20a 2500mah 18650 top.jpeg

Dropbox - lg he4 20a 2500mah 18650 bottom.jpeg


Disclaimer
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. My safety precautions are the ones I have selected to take and you should not assume they will protect you if you attempt to do any testing. Do the research and create your own testing methods and safety precautions.


Bottom Line
A true 20A continuous discharge current (CDR) cell that runs a bit hot at 20A.
Has a bit lower voltage under load and less capacity than the Samsung 25R when pushed hard.


Test Results
Dropbox - lg he4 20a 2500mah 18650 constant-current tests.bmp


Comments

• Good capacity and maximum temperature of 82°C at 20A. This is about 4°C hotter than the Samsung 25R but shouldn't affect cycle life too much versus the 25R.
• Five additional cycles at 20A showed only 0.9% loss in capacity and almost no voltage sag. A 10A discharge done after this though showed a 2.1%% loss in capacity. This is slightly higher than what happens in the 25R and could be explained by the HE4's slightly higher temperature when discharged hard.
• The HE4, to 3.2V at 20A, has about 15% less capacity than the Samsung 25R.
• The HE4 has a slightly lower voltage under load than the Samsung 25R.
• While operating any cell at its rated maximum current causes damage to the cell, I would expect decent cycle life from the HE4 at 20A.
• A discharge at 25A brought the cell temperature to 92°C and dropped the voltage considerably. That's too hot and will significantly speed up the damage done to the cell. This is a 20A cell.
• See my blog for more information on the testing procedures, equipment used, and links to all my test results.

 

[Wraith504]

Thank you again for the excellent info!!

 

[Robert Cromwell]

Thanks

 

[xtwosm0kesx]

I said it once before and ill say it again, thanks for joining ECF, the amount of incredibly useful information you've provided in the short time you have been here is staggering.

Please stay forever.

 

[Susan~S]

Thanks you for all the work you have done to bench test all the batteries you have tested.

 

[Mooch]

Awww...shucks. Thanks everyone!
While I find doing this testing interesting all on my own, it's great to know that others appreciate seeing the results too.

 

[Wraith504]

Think i am gonna end up grabbing a pair or 2 of the HB6's

 

[Mooch]

Think i am gonna end up grabbing a pair or 2 of the HB6's

Yea, they really surprised me with how well they did at 25A and above.

 

[Monotremata]

Yeah I hate to say it but even at lower amperages they still dont last as long as the 25Rs.. I run a 1.0 ohm coil at 16w most of the time in my drippers, and dont even hit 5A, and my 25Rs easily outlast both my HE2s and 4s.. I can go a whole day with the 25Rs before swapping, where with the LG's I can put one in when I wake up and Ill be replacing it before bedtime. LG probably really gives you the absolute max specs with theirs, where Samsung often underrates their cells, so they probably have a bit more kick under the hood than they advertise, which your awesome tests kinda prove.. This makes me curious now as to what kind of draw the 18650 flashlights these are often used for is. Id hate to be in the middle of a power outage and not have a place to plug in my xtar when my LGs died haha.

 

[Froth]

I've been calling these results for a while now and getting some heat for it, thanks so much for putting some weight behind it Mooch! The 25R doesn't go down without a fight!