These cells were purchased for the purposes of testing by me. To prevent any confusion with the eGo-type "batteries", I use the term "cell" here to refer to a single 18350, 18650, 26650, 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 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 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 only a 20A/2000mAh ICR cell. Something is very suspicious though. Both Wismec and joyetech show only one Avatar cell on their web sites, rated 20A/2000mAh. Yet, all the vendors list it as 30A and the wrap on the cells both the vendors and I have say 30A. All of the listed specs for the 20A and 30A versions are identical, even the internal resistance. This is quite unlikely as a 20A cell and a 30A cell will almost always have a different internal resistance.
Did Wismec decide to switch the rating from 20A to 30A and just print up new wraps for the same cell? There's no indication that both 20A and 30A cells exist. Additionally, the "30A" rated ones I have test out as a 20A cell.
As I said, very suspicious. I am advising against anyone buying the Avatar cell. It is overrated, is ICR chemistry, and may have been marketed as a 20A cell before Wismec swapped wraps. If I find out anything else about this cell I will post an update.
The 18650 ratings table has been updated to include this cell.
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulsed-Current Test Results
Wismec and Efun Web Sites
Comments
List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
18350/18500 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
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 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 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 only a 20A/2000mAh ICR cell. Something is very suspicious though. Both Wismec and joyetech show only one Avatar cell on their web sites, rated 20A/2000mAh. Yet, all the vendors list it as 30A and the wrap on the cells both the vendors and I have say 30A. All of the listed specs for the 20A and 30A versions are identical, even the internal resistance. This is quite unlikely as a 20A cell and a 30A cell will almost always have a different internal resistance.
Did Wismec decide to switch the rating from 20A to 30A and just print up new wraps for the same cell? There's no indication that both 20A and 30A cells exist. Additionally, the "30A" rated ones I have test out as a 20A cell.
As I said, very suspicious. I am advising against anyone buying the Avatar cell. It is overrated, is ICR chemistry, and may have been marketed as a 20A cell before Wismec swapped wraps. If I find out anything else about this cell I will post an update.
The 18650 ratings table has been updated to include this cell.
Continuous-Current Test Results
Pulsed-Current Test Results
Wismec and Efun Web Sites
Comments
- At 10A continuous it reached 1872mAh. This is good performance for 2000mAh cell at 10A so I am rating this cell at 2000mAh.
- At 15A continuous the temperature rose to 65°C. This is below the average temperature of a cell running at its CDR and an indication that we are below the cell's true rating.
- At 20A continuous the temperature rose to 76°C. This is just below the average temperature of a cell running at its CDR and is an indication that we are at the cell's true rating.
- At 25A continuous the temperature rose to 87°C. This is a very high temperature and is a strong sign that we're above the cell's true CDR.
- At 30A continuous, the cell's rating, the temperature rose to 99°C. This is a ridiculously high temperature for a cell operating at its CDR and is a clear sign that this is not a 30A cell. It only delivered 109mAh down to 3.2V at 30A.
- I am setting a CDR of 20A for this cell. Operating at that level would bring the temperature near to the average for a cell operating at its CDR. While operating any cell near its rated maximum current level causes damage to the cell, I would expect decent cycle life from this cell at 20A continuous.
- 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.
List of Battery Tests | E-Cigarette Forum
18350/18500 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
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