Test/review of GTF NCR18650B 3400mAh (Green)

HKJ · 2019-09-10T15:09:37.000Z

GTF NCR18650B 3400mAh (Green)

Official specifications:

Cell Type: Li-ion
Battery type: NCR18650B
Capacity: 3100-3400 mAh
Voltage: 3.7V
Size: Ø18mm x 65 mm
Weight: About 48g

This 18650 battery uses a type number and wrap color for a Panasonic 18650 3400mAh battery.

The two cells do not have the same capacity, it is not that surprising when the specifications says 3100-3400mAh. The can deliver 5 to 7A

Conclusion

The cells are not bad cells, but due to the mismatch I will not recommend using them in series.

Notes and links

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
Graphical comparison to 18650 and other batteries
Table with all tested LiIon batteries

toobadorz · 2019-09-10T15:28:10.000Z

Interesting, these are some China cells wrapped with Panasonic-like shrinking skins. They are not really bad, however they are not Panasonic cells either. You can even buy some exactly the same skins and make your own

DominikM · 2019-09-10T18:03:35.000Z

LitoKala NCR18650B were the same last year. Now they are closer to 3,0Ah

DavidEF · 2019-09-10T19:35:54.000Z

Well, according to the comparator, they seem to outperform Panasonic NCR18650B by a small amount. It’s a shame the tested cells above had a mismatch. Otherwise, they seem to be a decent cell from a manufacturer I hadn’t heard of.

Barkuti · 2019-09-10T21:50:26.000Z

From the perspective of someone which at times builds some battery pack, seeing so large cell differences sort of gives me the creeps.

The above penta-leg cell top is afaik used by BAK.

I think such large differences among cells are due to rewrapper's bad business practices. They may have cells in stock from different manufacturing batches or even slightly different models. What a bunch of bunglers…

Superstocker · 2019-09-10T21:58:00.000Z

Thanks HKJ! Stuff like this is always very helpful to know.

DavidEF · 2019-09-10T22:00:04.000Z

Barkuti:

From the perspective of someone which at times builds some battery pack, seeing so large cell differences sort of gives me the creeps.

The above penta-leg cell top is afaik used by BAK.

I think such large differences among cells are due to rewrapper's bad business practices. They may have cells in stock from different manufacturing batches or even slightly different models. What a bunch of bunglers…

Well, I don’t know, because I’m not very well educated about different cells. But take the fact that the cells are mismatched even a little, along with the fact that they used a Panasonic-esque wrapper, and I’m probably never going to buy these cells. I can’t trust them a little, so I won’t trust them at all. But, as I said above, it’s a shame really. They really look like decent cells in the testing. And in the comparator, they actually seem to outperform the Panasonics by a little.