Test of Keeppower IMR18350 750mAh cell

I have seen some people using this cell, but I haven’t seen a discharge test of it. It is not (yet) on HKJ’s wonderful discharge curve database, so I did some testing.

Cell from banggood: 1 Stück Keeppower IMR 18350 3.7V 750mAh Elektronische Zigarettenbatterie Sale - Banggood Deutschland-arrival notice-arrival notice

Below is a picture of the test apparatus. A Turnigy Reaktor 300W charger provided a constant current discharge. I monitored and logged the voltage right at the cell contacts using a powerlog 6s.

I did a 2A discharge and the performance is pretty good for a 18350 cell. It has a bit less capacity and a bit more resistance than the AW IMR18350
lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/AW%20IMR%2018350%20700mAh%20(Red)%20UK.html
but it is better than most.

Unfortunately during the 3A discharge the rubber covers on the clamp must have been penetrated and the cell was shorted. It was shorted for approximately 5 to 7 seconds and got very hot. I put it outside and after it cooled down it measured 3.74V. I charged it up and tested it at 3A again (using a different method to maintain contact) and the performance dropped severely.

Well we’ve learned two things from this test. This is a pretty good cell. And my poor apparatus has shown us how much a short can damage a battery.

Wow good you spotted the short!