Battery test, what to include?

I am looking at doing a new battery test to replace my 2011 test, I have switches to some new equipment with considerable better precision and more automation.

This thread is for good ideas about what to include in the test, both measurements and batteries.

One source of error was the charging, first year I uses a WF139, in the 2011 test I used a hobby charger, and I both test there was a variable amount of time before I did the discharge (Doing a discharge 5 minutes after charging or 24 hours after charging does not give the same result). This time I am using a computer controlled power supply. This makes it possible to set any charge parameters and I have very good precision on them. In the test run I show here I had 4.168 volt just before starting the discharge test for all 3 runs (i.e. the charge was the same within 1 mV).

As charge parameter I used:

Minimum charge current: 100mA, charge voltage 4.2 volt (This is the same as a hobby charge on 1A LiPo setting). Then wait exactly one hour (+/- 1 second) before starting the discharge.

For the discharge I have replace my CBA with a computer controlled electronic load, this can be used to do all kind of discharge and load tests with. This does also allow me to do 4 terminal measuring, i.e. no problem with connection or wire resistance.

I plan on doing discharges at 0.2A, 0.5A, 1A, 2A, 3A and 5A, but for the test run I only did the 3 high discharges.

Are there any interest in doing one or two constant power power discharges, i.e. discharge with 10 watt and see how long the battery lasts?

It is also possible to include the internal resistance, but the question is how to calculate it, as can be seen in my test of the current protection, it is not easy to always get the same value.

The test will also include a test of the current protection, my trial run is posted here.

At the current time I am plan on doing RediLast, AW, intl-outdoor.com, Callies, TrustFire Flame, more will be added.

The capacity curve will look like this:

If there is interest, I can also do this kind of curve (i.e. with time scale):

When doing the measurements I do get a energy graph for free and will include it:

You could include the Solarforce Brand 18650, since I have some of those =)

Also, you could try a few of the generic Ultrafire "reds".

Since those batteries are a total lottery according to users, they might make for some interesting data tables when compared to each-other. (Please understand that I don't know crap about batteries and that I understand that if you don't own any of these crap batteries, I don't really expect you to buy them, since they are random quality and may even damage your awesome testing equipment. )

Just some thoughts!

Thanks!

It is most interesting to test cells that are new or used by many. I do not know if SolarForce are widely used.

I forgot to mention that I have ordered some UltraFires from the UltraFire shop, they will also be included. Maybe it would also be a good idea to buy the same UltraFire from DX and compare them.

Good to see the tests continuing and improving.

It would be interesting to see the XTAR 18650 2600mAh cell included which is supposedly Sanyo based. Perhaps also of interest would be plain unprotected Panasonic NCR18650 and NCR18650A as there has been some speculation regarding fake cells, so it would be good to have a reputable and accurate reference.

They *are* Sanyo-based (people on other forums opened it and disassembled the cell) and called XTAR 18700 2600mAh. Among my 18650 cells they are my most beloved ones. They are truely outstanding, with low self-discharge rate and long life.

Quality cells made by Sanyo (as are Eneloops made by Sanyo). Afaik they were already tested/measured on forums but if you want to repeat the tests with better equipment (i find the Voltage vs. time -graph very helpful), then i'd love to see the results, sure.

+ 1 for the XTAR 18700 2600mAh then! :)

( i think i got mine from hkequipment.net )

I would also like to see Hi-max.

HKJ, I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates your expertise and dedication in all things electronic.

forgot to say thanks.

Thanks henrik!!

I ordered Solarforce 2400 protected cells because I'm too lazy to shop around .

I bought a host and figured , " Hey , I'll just throw one of these in the cart ".

As it turns out , I like them . But you really don't hear much about them .

Please test these .

For 2 years I see people saying that they've heard the Panasonic NRC18650 or NRC18650A might be fake. So far I have not seen anyone showing any fakes. Probably there the wrong impression that a 2900mAh battery will get you 1 more hour on High with just 300mAh extra capacity and some started speculating.

HKJ, do you think it's important to do any break-ins (3 cycles) to the cells in order to get the maximum capacity or you do that already with your tests?

First question: Where do I get some NCR18650 where I am sure they are original?

Second: There is 2x2900mAh and 4x3100mAh protected cells planned for the test, is it necessary to include the unprotected cells also, especially if the above cells has nearly equal performance.

There is not supposed to be much (if any) difference with break-in for LiIon cells. The test sequence will be from low to high current, i.e. when doing the 3 ampere test they have already had 4 cycles (0.2, 0.5, 1, 2).

Any comments on this header:

The trip test:

A test with 10 watt load:

Yep!

Looks great! Looking forward to the whole test.

There's the regular Trustfires( done )and the higher current Trustfires.

Then there's the Redilast 2900 mah and 3100 mah and the Callies 2900 and 3100 mah.

There's the Panasonic 2900 protected ones from Ebay that are 2 for about $ 24.

I am doing my (hopefully) last test run now and then I can start on the real test. The test will take a lot of time and I plan on publishing each battery when done.

The Flame TrustFire is not done yet, the cell I have been testing with is a year old, I have some new one lying around and they will be tested later on. They might even be the first cells tested, but that depends on when all the other cells arrives.

I have ordered RediLast 2600, 2900 and 3100.

Callies does only have 3100 and some 2250 high current cells, not 2900 cells.

What are you thinking on with "higher current TrustFire"?

And are the ebay cells from the intl-outdoor shop (They are in the mail).

A new batterie is in town - Spark built a protected 2600mAh (Sanyo inside) and presented now on their homepage. Maybe it is a good product for the test. Perhaps Spark offers you 1-2 free batteries for the test?

http://www.spark-store.com/index.php?a=47

Interesting, I will include it in my test.

Which cells from intl-outdoor.com are you going to test? I just looked on their page and they have some very interesting cells there. I would love to see a test of all the Panasonic 18650 cells and both of the 26650 cells from MNKE and Kingkong.

This test will mostly be 18650 cells, but I might look at other sizes later on.

From Hank I am expecting NCR18650A PROTECTED and Sanyo16650 PROTECTED. They can arrive any day now, they where shipped 11 days ago.