To prevent any confusion with the eGo-type "batteries", I use the term "cell" here to refer to a single 18350, 18650, 26650, LiPo pouch, etc.
While the test results are hard data, the conclusions and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion based on my criteria for setting a rating. Carefully research any cell you are considering using before purchasing.
Testing cells or packs 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.
If the cell or pack has only one current rating number on it, or if it says "max", then I have to assume that the company is stating that the cell can be discharged at that current level in any way, including continuously.
Bottom Line
I realize that this pack is widely used and loved by many vapers. These test results are not an indictment of anyone or anyone's decision to use this pack. Its performance is what it is, no matter who uses it or how it's used.
Hopefully though it's no surprise that a pack that is both smaller and having a higher capacity rating than others in its class also has a higher internal resistance, adversely affecting its performance. It's no different than the round cells we use. Higher capacity means a lower current rating. We can't have the highest capacity and the highest current rating in the same cell....or lipo pack.
This MaxAmps is stunningly, absurdly overrated. It has the highest internal resistance I've tested in an 1800mAh-class pack and is by far the worst performer. It reached the maximum internal temperature of 60°C at only 10A continuous and 30A pulsed. A single 30A continuous discharge severely damaged the pack.
Its internal resistance is more than double the average for the other packs, resulting in truly huge voltage sag. Discharging this pack at its 185A, "True 100C", current rating would result in about 7.7V of voltage sag, instantly bringing the pack voltage down to about 4.9V. This makes this pack's 185A rating utterly useless for even the shortest of pulses.
The pack is available with 12AWG and 16AWG wiring. The test results were almost identical for both wire sizes, showing that the cell resistance is much, much higher than any changes in wire resistance.
MaxAmps sells this pack with 16AWG wiring as the "Standard" configuration and 12AWG wiring as an upgrade. This is astounding to me. This pack's 185A rating is far above the 117A "fusing current" rating for 16AWG wire, the current level at which the wire melts after several seconds.
Yes, melts.
Even just a short pulse applied at this pack's "True 100A" rating could raise the 16AWG wiring's temperature to several hundred degrees.
The two packs I tested here were purchased directly from MaxAmps and are not "bad packs". I also did some preliminary testing of a third pack a couple months ago and it had an internal resistance of about 45mOhms, matching the terrible performance of these two.
Having said all this though the pack's performance is still better than any 18650's in a sled (where the internal resistance totals at least 75mOhms) at 30A or less. Combine this with the MaxAmps's small size and you still have a pack that can be used very successfully in lots of vaping setups. It's an especially good match with regulator boards in the 200W-250W range, combining small size and adequate power handling. If you have the extra room though there are better performing packs available for higher power/current LiPo setups.
CAUTION: LiPo's use the most volatile of the Li-Ion battery chemistries and can cause extreme injury if abused. Never use a LiPo unless the cells, wraps, wiring, and connector are in perfect condition. Never exceed the CDR of the LiPo unless you understand and accept the risks involved. You are responsible for your own safety, be careful!
My Ratings
Capacity = 1800mAh
Continuous Discharge Rating (CDR) = 10A (6C)
Average Pack IR = 41.2mOhms
Average Cell IR = 12.7mOhms
Dimensions/Weight = 87 x 36 x 21mm/16AWG wiring =124gms, 12AWG wiring=128gms
IR = Internal Resistance
mOhms = milliohms
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulse-Current Test Results
Comments
CDR = Continuous Discharge Rating. The nearest 5A-multiple of constant-current continuous discharge current that brings the inner cell of a 3S pack to a temperature of 60°C. This is what the LiPo assemblers recommend as the max running temperature so it makes sense to use it as the rating. Especially since the inner cell will be hotter internally than this temperature, perhaps considerably.
Links
LiPo ratings table: LiPo Pack Safety Grades and Performance Table | E-Cigarette Forum
To see how other packs and cells have tested and how hard you can safely push them, check out these links: List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
While the test results are hard data, the conclusions and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion based on my criteria for setting a rating. Carefully research any cell you are considering using before purchasing.
Testing cells or packs 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.
If the cell or pack has only one current rating number on it, or if it says "max", then I have to assume that the company is stating that the cell can be discharged at that current level in any way, including continuously.
Bottom Line
I realize that this pack is widely used and loved by many vapers. These test results are not an indictment of anyone or anyone's decision to use this pack. Its performance is what it is, no matter who uses it or how it's used.
Hopefully though it's no surprise that a pack that is both smaller and having a higher capacity rating than others in its class also has a higher internal resistance, adversely affecting its performance. It's no different than the round cells we use. Higher capacity means a lower current rating. We can't have the highest capacity and the highest current rating in the same cell....or lipo pack.
This MaxAmps is stunningly, absurdly overrated. It has the highest internal resistance I've tested in an 1800mAh-class pack and is by far the worst performer. It reached the maximum internal temperature of 60°C at only 10A continuous and 30A pulsed. A single 30A continuous discharge severely damaged the pack.
Its internal resistance is more than double the average for the other packs, resulting in truly huge voltage sag. Discharging this pack at its 185A, "True 100C", current rating would result in about 7.7V of voltage sag, instantly bringing the pack voltage down to about 4.9V. This makes this pack's 185A rating utterly useless for even the shortest of pulses.
The pack is available with 12AWG and 16AWG wiring. The test results were almost identical for both wire sizes, showing that the cell resistance is much, much higher than any changes in wire resistance.
MaxAmps sells this pack with 16AWG wiring as the "Standard" configuration and 12AWG wiring as an upgrade. This is astounding to me. This pack's 185A rating is far above the 117A "fusing current" rating for 16AWG wire, the current level at which the wire melts after several seconds.
Yes, melts.
Even just a short pulse applied at this pack's "True 100A" rating could raise the 16AWG wiring's temperature to several hundred degrees.
The two packs I tested here were purchased directly from MaxAmps and are not "bad packs". I also did some preliminary testing of a third pack a couple months ago and it had an internal resistance of about 45mOhms, matching the terrible performance of these two.
Having said all this though the pack's performance is still better than any 18650's in a sled (where the internal resistance totals at least 75mOhms) at 30A or less. Combine this with the MaxAmps's small size and you still have a pack that can be used very successfully in lots of vaping setups. It's an especially good match with regulator boards in the 200W-250W range, combining small size and adequate power handling. If you have the extra room though there are better performing packs available for higher power/current LiPo setups.
CAUTION: LiPo's use the most volatile of the Li-Ion battery chemistries and can cause extreme injury if abused. Never use a LiPo unless the cells, wraps, wiring, and connector are in perfect condition. Never exceed the CDR of the LiPo unless you understand and accept the risks involved. You are responsible for your own safety, be careful!
My Ratings
Capacity = 1800mAh
Continuous Discharge Rating (CDR) = 10A (6C)
Average Pack IR = 41.2mOhms
Average Cell IR = 12.7mOhms
Dimensions/Weight = 87 x 36 x 21mm/16AWG wiring =124gms, 12AWG wiring=128gms
IR = Internal Resistance
mOhms = milliohms
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulse-Current Test Results
Comments
CDR = Continuous Discharge Rating. The nearest 5A-multiple of constant-current continuous discharge current that brings the inner cell of a 3S pack to a temperature of 60°C. This is what the LiPo assemblers recommend as the max running temperature so it makes sense to use it as the rating. Especially since the inner cell will be hotter internally than this temperature, perhaps considerably.
Links
LiPo ratings table: LiPo Pack Safety Grades and Performance Table | E-Cigarette Forum
To see how other packs and cells have tested and how hard you can safely push them, check out these links: List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
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