The 20A range is higher than any 3v lights I currently have (except the S43S, but it’s 18650 only). Maybe they perform differently at these higher levels and the Sofirn cell falls flat on its face? I dont know, as I can’t test it. I know that at lower levels it whips the 30Q. I can only hypothesize that it does the same at higher levels, but who knows.
As far as I’m aware of there is no such thing as a “10A cell”. Are you using it as a slang word? Since both cells are capable of well over 30A, you must not be refering to their upper limit. Are you refering to their max continous output that is under 80°C? (Some cells use 70°C as their limit)
The 30Q is rated by HKJ for 15A continous. Are you thinking the Sofirn 4000mah 21700 would exceed 80°C if discharged at more than 10A continous? It’s possible. I don’t have a way to test this.
Continous amperage ratings are kind of a meaningless spec. It gives you a little insight about the battery, but that is all. None of our flashlights can run continuously at these high amperages. I don’t know of anyone who categories batteries by this spec. Maybe Vapers do? I don’t.
It’s not meaningless. It’s not meaningless because for ‘pulse discharge’ tests, there is a specific duty cycle to be adhered to and those can be all over the map.
5 seconds on, 30 seconds off, or is it 7 seconds on and 45 seconds off?
That might be problematic for somebody in the middle of a Vape Bender, don’t you think?
Hell, even my stock D4 can handle 20+ seconds on Turbo, before stepping down. Who’s going to remember 60A Pulse at 7 seconds on and 30 seconds off?
It’s just easier to use the continuous number and stick below that, for any given light’s max current draw.
Most flashlight applications are benign for li-ion cells, it’s the sub-ohm vapers who are cutting edge vis-a-vis li-ions and what they can do and what punishment they can take. They torture cells and need to know the continuous numbers, not the pulse, so that they can build/plan accordingly.
I’ll charge up two more Sofirn 3000mAh cells and compare against the 30Q, it’ll give us a better idea.
The one I tested reached 60°C at 10A down to 2.75V. Since 60°C is the max operating temp I’d rate it at 10A max continuous.
Keep in mind when looking at this 10A test my CBA has a voltage drop of 0.05V. For my 30Q test, the battery clamp had a bad connection causing the dips at the top.
The Sofirn cell isn’t looking so good at this current. Still not bad for a cheap bundled cell.
The below is tests of the Sofirn again at 0.6A, 1A, 2.5A, 5A, 8A, 10A. AT 5A there’s a 0.02 voltage drop & 10A 0.05V.
Funtastic, would you be able test the Sofirn 3000mah against a 30Q in a FET powered flashlight? Assuming you have a suitable light and a clamp style ammeter. This is how DB tested his Sofirn battery a ways back.
I believe the amp draw he saw was about the same between the two cells. He also has an integrating sphere and measured about the same lumens. I don’t know if you have an integrating sphere, but just a comparison of the amp draw would be interesting. I’ll try and dig up his original post about it.
Well, it seems my memory was a little off. It wasn’t the black 3000mah Sofirn 18650 that DB had, it was the one before that when they had the red labels. So my suspicion that Sofirn is using a different battery might be correct. Judging by this red ones performance, maybe they should go back to it if possible. It seems great!
Below is an excerpt from his review on the Sofirn C8F from Dec 2017.
That’s a shame too. I had been thinking all along they were still on par with the 30Q.
Oh well they probably saved 10 cents, but most all of us would have been willing to pay at least 50 cents more and them keep using the better battery.
Why is that concept apparently so hard to understand in China? .
That’s to be expected - assuming you are comparing the Shockli 5500mah (5750mah actual) to the 5000mah Sofirn. There should not be too big of a difference, but some.
How are you measuring and how big a difference are you seeing?
Sorry, no measurements, but enough of a difference to notice in walks down the driveway. Both are 5500 cells. IR is about twice the Shockli if you can believe the charger.