Battery Testing

The test rig...

West Mountain Radio CBA III (w/Extended Pro 2.2.9 software), magnetic temperature probe, Harbor Freight ratchet clamp, copper 1/2" end caps for battery connections, 10awg wire to Powerpole adapter (8" in length). (Not shown: Ryobi P3300 18V fan for auxiliary cell cooling; used as needed.)

Charging Procedure:

• All A123 manufactured cells - Junsi iCharger 306B set to Balance Charge - Slow (Icc/40) 1S, charge current set to manufacturer's recommendation for standard charge (typically @1.3C)
• All LiMn type cells - Junsi iCharger 306B set to Balance Charge - Slow (Icc/40) 1S, charge current set to 1C
• All LiCo type cells - Junsi iCharger 306B set to Balance Charge - Slow (Icc/40) 1S, charge current set to 0.5C
• All NiMH type cells - ElectriFly Triton set to NiMH charge, charge current set to 0.5C
• Note - All NiMH AA/AAA cells were initially processed with the Break-In function of my MAHA MH-C9000
• Note - All larger NiMH cells were initially cycled 3x via my ElectriFly Triton @0.2C
• Note - All LiCo type cells were initially cycled 3x via my Junsi iCharger 306B @0.5C w/3.00V cut off
• Note - All LiMn type cells were initially cycled 3x via my Junsi iCharger 306B @0.7C w/3.00V cut off
• Note - All A123 manufactured cells were initially cycled 3x via my Junsi iCharger 306B @1C w/2.00V cut off

Discharge test rates:

• >1000mAh: 1A - 35A/MaxC
• <1000mAh: 0.5A - 30A/MaxC
• <500mAh: 0.25A - 5A/MaxC
• Note - "MaxC" = Maximum discharge per cell determined by manufacturers rating.
• Note - Where MaxC (manufacturers rated) falls between my predetermined discharge rates: If MaxC is significantly lower, MaxC is the maximum discharge tested and shown on the graph ; if MaxC is only slightly lower, the next discharge level is tested if A) The cell does not have protection circuitry preventing safe discharge and B) The cell was able to reasonably sustain the additional test current.

Below are the individual cell graphs. Each battery was tested in pairs (when able) to help visualize consistency. Each graphs represents a single cell test sample and includes all discharge curves tested for that particular cell.

Some nomenclature and explanations:

• RFT: Recessed Flat Top (with respect to surrounding shrink wrap)
• PFT: Protruding Flat Top (with respect to surrounding shrink wrap)
• EFT: Even Flat Top (with respect to surrounding shrink wrap)
• SBT: Standard Button Top (common type battery nipple)
• Diameter: Cell body diameter at it's widest point; DOES NOT include add-on labels/stickers
• Legnth: End to end; unless otherwise noted
• Rated Capacity: Manufacturers Nominal

Left Click thumbnails to open images in Google Drive.

NiMH

AmazonBasics Precharged (LSD) AAA

(Cells purchased from Amazon.com)

Diameter: 10.4mm / Length: 44.2mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 800mAh

RAYOVAC 4.0 AAA

(Cells purchased from BatteryJunction.com)

Diameter: 10.2mm / Length: 44.0mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: n/a

Sanyo Eneloop AAA (4UTG)

(Cells purchased from Amazon.com)

Diameter: 10.3mm / Length: 44.2mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 800mAh

AmazonBasics Precharged (LSD) AA

(Cells purchased from Amazon.com)

Diameter: 14.2mm / Length: 50.2mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 2000mAh

CBP (Gelong) LSD AA

(Cells purchased from CheapBatteryPacks.com)

Diameter: 14.4mm / Length: 50.1mm / + End:

Rated Capacity: 2300mAh

Elite 2000 AA

(Cells purchased from CheapBatteryPacks.com)

Diameter: 14.4mm / Length: 49.7mm / + End: PFT by 0.4mm

Rated Capacity: 2000mAh

Sanyo Eneloop AA (3UTG)

(Cells purchased from Amazon.com)

Diameter: 14.3mm / Length: 50.2mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 2000mAh

Sanyo Eneloop XX AA (3UWX)

(Cells purchased from Amazon.com)

Diameter: 14.4mm / Length: 50.2mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 2500mAh

Elite 3300 SC

(Cells purchased from CheapBatteryPacks.com)

Diameter: 22.3mm / Length: 42.8mm / + End: PFT by 0.2mm

Rated Capacity: 3300mAh

Note: CBA was unable to discharge @>25A due to low single cell voltage and high internal CBA resistance.

Lithium (Primary)

Powerizer Lithium Iron AA

(Cells purchased new from eBay seller marrsinc)

Diameter: 14.1mm / Length: 50.1mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 2900mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: N/A

Note: Just decided to do a single 1.0A test as I didn't want to use up my supply.

LiFePO₄

A123 Systems APR18650M1A

(Cells purchased new from eBay seller sikeston34m)

Diameter: 26.4mm / Length: 65.3mm / + End: RFT by -0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 1100mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 30A

A123 Systems ANR26650M1A

(Cells purchased from CheapBatteryPacks.com)

Diameter: 18.3mm / Length: 64.8mm / + End: PFT by 0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 2300mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 70A

A123 Systems AHR32113-Ultra-B

(Cells purchased used from eBay seller xueming0061)

Diameter: 32.4mm / Length: (Cell Body) 114.0mm / (Overall) 143.0mm / + & - Ends: Male Threaded Connections

Rated Capacity: 4500mAh / Rated Nominal Discharge Power: 550W

Note: CBA was unable to discharge @>28.5A due to CBA wattage limitations.

LiCo

AW LiCo 18650 (3100mAh)

(Cells provided for testing by www.OVEREADY.com)

Diameter: 18.3mm / Length: 67.9mm / + End: PFT by @0.1mm (top is actually even w/shrink wrap, but the shrink wrap has an air pocket behind it which compresses with the slightest pressure)

Rated Capacity: 3100mAh (@2.5V cut off)/ Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 2C (6.2A)

AW LiCo 'C'

(Cells purchased from CPF member AW)

Diameter: 25.6mm / Length: 53.5mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 3300mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 2C (6.6A)

RediLast LiCo 18650 (2900mAh)

(Cells purchased from Tactical HID)

Diameter: 18.5mm / Length: 69.1mm / + End: PFT by 0.8mm

Rated Capacity: 2900mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 2C (5.8A)

UltraFire 10440 (Unprotected)

(Cells purchased from dealextreme.com)

Diameter: 10.2mm / Length: 44.0mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 500mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 1A

UltraFire 15266 (Unprotected)

(Cells purchased from dealextreme.com)

Diameter: 15.3mm / Length: 27.1mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 600mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 1.2A

Unknown ICR 10440 (Unprotected)

(Single cell received from shop.nhaler.com by mistake)

Diameter: 10.4mm / Length: 43.8mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 320mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 0.64A

LiMn (IMR)

AW IMR 14500

(Cells provided for testing by www.OVEREADY.com)

Diameter: 14.1mm / Length: 49.8mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 600mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 4A (6.6C)

AW IMR 16340

(Cells provided for testing by www.OVEREADY.com)

Diameter: 16.6mm / Length: 33.6mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 550mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 4A (7.2C)

AW IMR 18350

(Cells provided for testing by www.OVEREADY.com)

Diameter: 18.2mm / Length: 34.8mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 700mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 6A (8.5C)

AW IMR 18650

(Cells provided for testing by www.OVEREADY.com)

Diameter: 18.2mm / Length: 64.9mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 1600mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 15C (24A)

AW IMR 26500

(Cells provided for testing by www.OVEREADY.com)

Diameter: 26.3mm / Length: 49.8mm / + End: EFT

Rated Capacity: 2300mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 23A (10C)

BDL IMR 22430P

(Cells purchased from CPF member ma_sha1)

Diameter: 22.4mm / Length: 43.4mm / + End: RFT by ≤0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 1400mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: n/a

MNKE IMR 26650

(Cells purchased from Tactical HID)

Diameter: 26.3mm / Length: 66.4mm / + End: PFT by 0.6mm

Rated Capacity: 4000mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 20A (10C)

Note: Additional cell cooling needed for 20A discharge to prevent >50°C.

Shao IMR 14500

(Cells purchased from CPF member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 14.1mm / Length: 50.0mm / + End: PFT by 0.2mm

Rated Capacity: 600mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 8C (4.8A)

Shao IMR 16340

(Cells purchased from CPF member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 16.7mm / Length: 33.1mm / + End: RFT by ≤0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 350mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 8C (2.8A)

Shao IMR 17650

(Cells purchased from CPFM member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 17.0mm / Length: 65.1mm / + End: PFT by 0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 1200mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 8C (9.6A)

Shao IMR 18350 (Blue Wrap)

(Cells purchased from CPFM member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 18.2mm / Length: 34.8mm / + End: EFT

Rated Capacity: 800mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 8C (6.4A)

Shao IMR 18350 (Red Wrap)

(Cells purchased from CPFM member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 18.3mm / Length: 34.7mm / + End: EFT

Rated Capacity: 800mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 8C (6.4A)

* obviously a bad cell :(

Shao IMR 18500

(Cells purchased from CPFM member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 18.3mm / Length: 49.2mm / + End: RFT by ≤0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 1100mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 8C (8.8A)

Shao IMR 18650 (Purple Wrap)

(Cells purchased from CPFM member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 18.1mm / Length: 65.0mm / + End: RFT by ≤0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 1400mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 10C (14A)

Shao IMR 18650 (Red Wrap)

(Cells purchased from CPFM member shao.fu.tzer via Shaotech.com)

Diameter: 18.3mm / Length: 65.2mm / + End: EFT by ≤0.1mm

Rated Capacity: 1600mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: 10C (16A)

Unknown IMR 10440

(Cells purchased from shop.nhaler.com)

Diameter: 10.4mm / Length: 43.8mm / + End: SBT

Rated Capacity: 350mAh / Rated Maximum Continuous Discharge: n/a