Test: Efan IMR18350 700mAh 10.5A

Packaging

Photos

Tops Bottoms Label pic

Discharge Graphs








Charging Graphs




Notes

The photo showing the text on the wrappers still have the protective shrink wrap on it.

The batteries used this these tests have been provided by Efan with no exchange of money to either party.

To simplify testing and prevent mistakes, batteries in each test were charged at 0.5A and discharged to 2.80V.

The discharge tests from 0.2A to 5.0A are done an a Turnigy Reaktor, and discharge tests with higher current are done with a Maynuo M9712C DC external load.

While these batteries didn't track closely together, I like how they performed individually, and still produces the rated capacity at 5A. Even at 10A these batteries have surprisingly little voltage sag, although capacity is significantly lower.

Additional battery tests --- How to get more batteries tested.

Nice review…

Definitely NOT a 10.5A continuous

Not HKJ :smiley:

Excellent review leaftye :wink:

Not a 10.5 as sold but it did pretty well up to 5a.

Thanks for doing this review. What is your recommendation concerning these batteries? Although you didn’t pay for these, how do you feel about their value for the price they are currently selling for? Are they something you would choose/buy for yourself? How do they compare to other brands (for those of us that don’t have time to scrape that info up ourselves)?

Maybe...

It doesn't have any dips or stutters, and resists voltage sag pretty well.

True, the capacity dips hard at 10A, but so does the 25R when tested at its 35A rating. The VTC4 does better, but still loses about 25% capacity at 30A. I'm reading that off more recent test results that I'll be using to update my old tests.

If I had to pick between those two, I'd prefer having the first option.

Have you come across how continuous rating determined? I've been meaning to really look into this. The best answer I could find is that it's the maximum current that doesn't damage the battery. The best I can do to verify that is to run another discharge test, but I don't think that can provide conclusive evidence of damage unless capacity is significantly reduced.

Let me answer this backwards.

In a few hours I'm getting kicked out of my house for the next three days soon to have it fumigated, so I'm a little short on time right now too.

I think they're pretty good. A quick glance at the tests linked in my signature tells me that they're the best 18350 I've tested so far up to 5A. There's room for improvement though. The batteries didn't track as closely as I'd like, which could be due to human error, but I think it's a sign of manufacturing tolerances that could be tightened to create batteries that are more consistent from battery to battery. When I have more time, I'll make some comparison graphs.

I have no idea what they sell for, and I try to stay away from that.

I need to double check my 2x18350 MT-G2 flashlight before I can determine how suitable this battery is for me.

Sorry for the newbie question: The “capacity dips hard” is in your first graph, where the voltage drops straight down to 3.8 on the 10A line? And you’re saying that’s common (or at least NOT uncommon)? I’m trying to learn how to read and understand all these battery test charts and graphs. But I’m starting with yours, so I have no clue thus far.

Thanks for helping me understand. Sorry about the housing situation. Hope it all works out. I guess I was assuming you could come off the cuff with some sort of comparison. I’m not (yet) looking for specifics, just what does your gut say about these batteries compared to others you’ve used. You’ve given me more than I’ve asked for, so thanks!

I mixed terms a little.

Capacity is battery life, basically. At 10A the capacity was a lot lower. That can be seen in the narrower width in the compilation graphs.

You described voltage sag, which is a big deal, and in this case there is significant voltage sag, but I think it's low for an 18350.

No worries. It's not a bad thing. The house is being sold and I'm moving to southern Utah, and the buyer wanted the house fumigated before closing escrow next week.

I think it's a good battery as long as you're not expecting nearly full capacity at 10A.

Okay, I’m guilty of mixing up the words myself. I saw that the capacity for the 10A drain was a lot less, but I figured that was a common thing. I know I would expect myself to have a lot lower “capacity” for work if the workload itself got a lot more difficult. For instance, I can walk for miles, catch a second wind, and keep walking for a few more miles before actually getting too tired. But if I try to sprint, I get winded and have to rest within 100yds.

Any idea on the cell used in this battery?