Sanyo UR18650NSX 20A 2500mAh 18650 Bench Test Results...a great 20A battery, about equal to the 25R5

[Mooch]

These cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Illumination Supply, LLC (www.illumn.com). Thank you! To prevent any confusion with the eGo-type "batteries", I use the term "cell" here to refer to a single 18650, 26650, etc.


Disclaimer
The statements, conclusions, and recommendations I make based on these tests are only my personal opinion. Carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

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.


A note regarding current ratings and my testing
If the cell has only one current rating number on it, or if it says "max discharging current" 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
This is a great 2500mAh battery, testing out at 20A continuous. Its voltage under load is a bit lower than the Samsung 25R5 but the Sanyo runs a bit cooler and longer.


Continuous-Current Test Results



Pulsed-Current Test Results
These tests are done to show the performance of the cell at higher pulsed current levels. If you are running your mod at these levels be aware that you risk overheating, and possibly venting, the battery if there is a malfunction or accidental pressing of your mechanical mod's button.



Comments

• At 10A continuous it reached about 2350mAh. This is good performance for a 2500mAh-rated cell operating at 10A so I am rating this cell at 2500mAh.
• At 15A continuous the temperature rose to 63°C. This is significantly below the average temperature for a cell operating at its continuous discharge rating (CDR).
• At 20A continuous the temperature rose to 75°C. This is a bit below the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR, indicating that we're discharging at near the cell's CDR.
• At 25A continuous the temperature rose to 85°C. This is several degrees above the average temperature for a cell operating at its CDR, indicating that we're discharging at above the cell's rating.
• At 30A continuous the temperature rose to 89°C. This is much too high a temperature for a cell operating at its CDR.
• I have included pulsed discharges but I haven't set pass/fail standards for pulse testing yet. The discharges were done at 5sec on/30sec off, down to 2.5V. One chart shows the entire discharge at each level. The other chart is zoomed in to show the first 5 minutes to make it easier to see the voltage sag at different current levels.

To see how other cells have tested and how hard you can safely push them, check out these links:
List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
18350 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum
18650 Battery Ratings -- Picking a Safe Battery to Vape With | E-Cigarette Forum
26650 Safety Grades and Pulse Performance Data | E-Cigarette Forum

 

[sonicbomb]

A good one from Sanyo, nice one.

 

[Konstantinos Kazantzoglou]

Great Review as always, I was wondering if there could be a long term test for Vape Compatible Batteries (after 100 or after 200 Charge-Discharge Cycles).
This will determine the capability of a battery in the long run.

 

[Mooch]

Great Review as always, I was wondering if there could be a long term test for Vape Compatible Batteries (after 100 or after 200 Charge-Discharge Cycles).
This will determine the capability of a battery in the long run.

They're easy to do but take weeks to months to finish and tie up the test equipment all that time.

 

[Konstantinos Kazantzoglou]

They're easy to do but take weeks to months to finish and tie up the test equipment all that time.

You're right, what I'm currently doing is keeping track of my charge discharge rotation cycle in an MS Excel sheet for all my Reuleaux RX200 batteries (LG HE2 Group 3A, Panasonic 18650B Group 3B, Samsung 25R2 Group 3C, LG HG2 Group 3D) but due to the fact that I rotate these groups I'm still in 12 cycles Long way to go yet