Test/Review of AWT IMR18490 1200mAh (Yellow)

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

AWT IMR18490 1200mAh (Yellow)



Official specifications:

  • Nominal Voltage : 3.7V
  • Capacity: 1100mAh
  • Lowest Discharge Voltage: 2.50V
  • Standard Charge: CC/CV ( max. charging rate 16.5A )
  • Cycle Life: > 500 cycles
  • Max. continuous discharge rate: 5C




This is a high current 18490 cell (18490 is basically the same as 18500)










The two cells has an acceptable match in capacity. The capacity is as specified and fairly stable even at 15A, i.e. the cell is good at high current.















Conclusion

The battery has very good high current performance and capacity is also fine for the current rating.



Notes and links

The batteries was supplied by AWT for a review.

How is the test done and how to read the charts
How is a protected LiIon battery constructed
More about button top and flat top batteries
Compare to 18650 and other batteries

2

Thanks for the review. Wished there where more torches that used this size though.

2 x 18500 or 3 x 18500 would make for a nice compact high powered MT-G2 or XM-L2 torch.

3

4x18500 = 3x18650

4

Usual the most interesting calculation is: 2x18500 = 3xCR123 (Both length and voltage match)

5

Yeah but if you want something compact with sustained high amp draw and a stable forward voltage, or just a higher forward voltage as in the case of the MT-G2, then I think these would work really well.

A single 18650 won’t power an MT-G2 and if you want to maintain a high (above 4amp) constant output, most 18650’s will not maintain the voltage, even more so with these newer higher vf XM-L2’s that are appearing.

Your only options are 2 x 18350 and woefully low mAh or 2 x 18650 and massively bigger.

2 x 18500 however would only be the length of a Mini Maglite just slightly fatter but with considerably more capacity than 18350’s.

6

Maybe not worth the trouble, but it’d be a handy option for the earthquake box, to be able to use CR123 primaries.

7

Anyone know where you can get these from?

I’ve found these on eBay but they are listed and labelled as 18500 not 18490. Anyone know if they are actually the same thing?