Testing Batteries

[Kemosabe]

Is there a way to safely test how many amps my battery can pull? i purchased some MNKE batteries that do not look like the older MNKE battery i have. i accidentaly already pushed them to 10.5A before i realized they were different. they did not get warm or show any signs of over-extenuating themselves that i am aware of.

if there are indeed fakes, id like to see just what they are. meaning, id like to know definitively how much load they can handle. im still not certain they are fakes. of course they could be, but im not convinced.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

a thread for reference:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/apv-discussion/504556-mnke-batteries.html

 

[Rader2146]

Measuring the internal resistance can give you an comparative idea of how they perform and you can form an educated opinion, but it's not a definitive "Max Current = XX amps".

The problem with that is if you dont already own the equipment (quality multimeter, test adapters/leads, power resistors), you could buy 4-8 new batteries for the same cost.

 

[Thrasher]

there's really no easy way to do that because the internal structure is designed by the manufacturer to perform to a certain level.

the best a layman could do is run the batteries under various tests to see what it could handle before it fails. even they al you wil get is tests that show you were able to push the battery to XX amps without problems but that doesnt mean that is the rated output of the battery.

I have seen others posting that MNKE has produced more batteries since the shutdown mid last year and they look slightly different this time.

 

[K_Tech]

the best a layman could do is run the batteries under various tests to see what it could handle before it fails. even they al you wil get is tests that show you were able to push the battery to XX amps without problems but that doesnt mean that is the rated output of the battery.

You can run load tests on the batteries and plot the voltage/discharge curves which can give you a rough idea of the limits of the battery but that's not easy to do without some specialized equipment - and even that's not 100% accurate, it would just put you in the ballpark.

If you're really concerned, I would put those batteries on the back burner, or use them in a regulated mod.

 

[DaveP]

Check out this test. Scroll down to the chart named Discharge Capacity Down to 3 Volts and find your battery in the graph. They tested multiple drains up to 10 amps. This should be an indicator of capacity.

Battery test-review 18650 summary

 

[Kemosabe]

Thank you everyone for your replies.
I have some components to do tests, but not all (no resistors). I guess I'm stuck in limbo.
I'm not really qualified to be running tests on the batts til they fail either so I guess that's out too.
However thrasher, I like what you're saying about the MNKE brand starting up production again with different casings. That is exactly what I was told about these particular mnkes. I tend to believe it because these batts can handle over 10A with ease. If a batt were to be a fake, wouldn't you think the faker would use a lesser quality batt than that?

there's really no easy way to do that because the internal structure is designed by the manufacturer to perform to a certain level.

the best a layman could do is run the batteries under various tests to see what it could handle before it fails. even they al you wil get is tests that show you were able to push the battery to XX amps without problems but that doesnt mean that is the rated output of the battery.

I have seen others posting that MNKE has produced more batteries since the shutdown mid last year and they look slightly different this time.