Good morning,
Advice requested please.
Just received 2 brand new AWT IMR 26650 5200mAh batteries from ebay seller r-lsales (HERRIMAN, UT ) and did a Discharge test on them.
The result was both batteries ~4200mAh. The IR is 25mO and 28mO
I have only run the discharge test once. Should I run it a few more times? Is that likely to raise the capacity by ~1000mAh?
Should I return these as defective?
I'll be using them in my new Convoy L6 so I was really counting on at least 5200mAh.
Thanks
At what voltage did the test end at? I usually discharge my cells to 2.8 volts at 1 amp and still almost never get the rated capacity. Usually around 100mAh less and sometimes more, but never 1000mAh’s. I personally would try cycling them a couple of times to see if they improve.
I'm not exactly sure of the voltage it stopped the discharge cycle but it's calibrated for the batteries that it detects are inserted.
Interesting to note..the same day I also received two efast, 26650 3500mAh batteries and they both (using the exact same equipment and test) came out at 3563mAh and 3593mAh respectively.
what are you using to discharge them?
Here are 2 4200mAh Efest 26650’s measured with my Liitokala Lii - 500 on it’s NOR test function. Not sure how accurate it is. I’ll do another test with my Icharger 106B hobby charger when I have a chance.
They may improve a little bit with a couple cycles. I bought some Walmart 18650s. Last years 2015s cleareance. Just to try them. 3 of them tested 1900+ then at 2k after a couple cycles. One only tested at 1500. About three cycles later it moved up to about 1750 but that’s as far as it improved. I use the opus which discharges down to 2.8 at one amp. And I get the same results he describes. Usually a little low sometimes a little high. Because to get the full capacity the manufacter rates you have to go to 2.5volts and you need a hobby charger for that. Or a sky rc 3000 which is basically one in 4 bay config. If your going to 2.8 there shouldn’t be 1000mah left between 2.8 and 2.5 few hundred maybe. Usually falls off rapidly after 2.8 I could be wrong I think the litto 500 cuts off at 3.0 volts? You might want to contact seller about replacements. But usually batteries are non returnable. On the other hand anytime you purchase a rewrap the seller or you have no idea what cell they really put in there. They change them up all the time. Efest has been seen using 2-3 different cells before for the same rating cell. Granted with 26650 we are at the mercy of rewrappers because no big names make them. I’ve never used awt. I don’t know if they are a good rewrapper. I will say liito Kala, thorfire, and evva 26650s have all exceeded the capacity advertises. Got the thorfire cells from thorfire on amazon. Rated 5000, tested around 5100-5200, evva cells rated 5200 tested 5300+ from e and litto Kala 5000 cells tested around 5200-5300ish from GearBest before shipping fiasco. I can recommend any three of those cells.
But the cells you have will still work fine in the l6. See what the seller says. They may replace or exchange them never know.
Thanks for the replies.
I’m using an AccuPower IQ338XL for these tests. But I do have a Turnigy Accucell 6 sitting here that I could also try although in the past they are usually in very close agreement to the capacity.
I’m doing a test with my hobby charger at this moment. I’ll post my findings later 
I just put them on another Discharge test cycle. It will be late this evening when they finish because I have the discharge current set to 500mA and the charge current is 700mA.
But I highly doubt they can recover 1000mAh
Are these the cells?
lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/AWT%20IMR26650%205200mAh%20(Red)%202015%20UK.html
~4200mAh is what HKJ got as well.
Capacity ratings are usually not very accurate. I would recommend using HKJ’s data to research cells before buying.
Yeah, a thousand mAh is a bit much. I’d still try your hobby charger when you have a change just to compare.
Well I’ll be. Yes. Those are the cells and my results perfectly agree with his. Lesson learned.
These are 4200mAh batteries
At $11.00 per cell, maybe I should just learn the lesson here and keep them? They’re probably worth $11.00 per cell at 4200mAh?
Even though I really wanted 5200mAh for this light.
(Actual) 5000mAh Liito-Kala 26650s can be had for under $6/ea, including shipping. I just ordered 4 for $23 the other day. They are capable of pretty good discharge rates too.
:shrug:
With quite a few good options for purchasing li-ion cells in the USA, buying AWT cells (which don’t have the best reputation) from a random eBay seller seems like a bit of an odd choice.
With quite a few good options for purchasing li-ion cells in the USA, buying AWT cells (which don’t have the best reputation) from a random eBay seller seems like a bit of an odd choice.
As the cells are not as advertised I would seek a refund.
Just a suggestion for future 26650 batteries. The link below tests numerous 26650 and list the top ones. One that he did not test was the Liitokala which is also known to be a top rated battery.
Your cell is also listed in this test and got a LOW grade just as HKJ graded it!
Thanks everyone. Lessons learned.
First discharge test showed ~4200mAh for both batteries with only a small difference.
After a 2nd cycle, the batteries improved by ~200mAh and are now showing approx ~4400mAh capacity….better….but still 800mAh short of the advertised 5200mAh capacity.
Running 3rd discharge-test cycle now. I’m expecting less improvement on this 3rd cycle than was seen on the 2nd cycle.
Results are in….
3rd Cycle….
4420mAh (I think it’s maxed out now so that’s it)
Minimum voltage BTW was 2.81v
Dang sorry to read this man!
I feel lucky tobhave bought some of the first batch of Liitokala 26650 cells.
It is just tricky, but on the plus side 4400+ is more then any 18650 can give you!
Or you could get these 12000mah 26650 cells 
And only $22 for 4, bargain