Test/review of Zanflare C4

Batteries and Chargers Chargers
78

I received four new NCR18650GA batteries from Orbtonics and tested their 1 kHz internal resistance (IR) with my RM8124A, and capacity with my Zanflare C4 analyzing charger. The IR reading were well-grouped and met the Sanyo NCR18650GA specification of < 38 mΩ. But the C4 capacity readings were too high compared to the typical capacity listed in the NCR18650GA datasheet of 3450 mAh. This caused some misgivings about the C4 and led to additional testing, as shown in the tabulated data below:

Evaluation of New Panasonic-Sanyo NCR18650GA Batteries with
Zanflare C4, MiBoxer C2-4000, and LiitoKala Lii-500 Analysing Chargers
Sep 7 - 11, 2018
Battery
Number		 Capacity1(mAh) 1 kHz Internal Resistance (mO)
Zanflare C42
Trial 1		 MiBoxer
C2-40003		 Zanflare C4
Trial 2		 LiitoKala
Lii-5004
1 3627 3317 3744 3361 19.4
2 3708 3300 3768 3392 18.8
3 3737 3322 3812 3382 18.9
4 3674 3300 3702 3325 18.8
1. All three chargers were configured with a 0.5A discharge rate.
2. The minimum Zanflare C4 discharge voltage was about 2.76 V.
3. The minimum MiBoxer C2-4000 discharged voltage was about 2.80 V.
4. The minimum LitoKala Lii-500 discharged voltage was not observed.

So, I decided to re-test the batteries with my MiBoxer C2-4000 - which provided results somewhat low when compared to minimum capacity listed in the datasheet of 3350 mAh, but seemed more reasonable than the Zanflare C4 results.

The Zanfare C4 got a second trial at evaluating the batteries, but the results were even higher than the first trial.

The final test was with my LiitoKala Lii-500 which provided the most reasonable results. Most of the Lii-500 measurements fell between the minimum capacity of 3350 mAh and typical capacity of 3450 mAh. It also closely resembles the data in the chart below from this HJK post.

CONCLUSIONS:

  1. I no longer consider my Zanflare C4 a reliable analysing charger [for measuring the capacity of 18650 batteries - Edited].
  2. Until I can find something better, my LiitoKala Lii-500 will be my go-to analyzing charger.
  3. My SM8124A Internal Resistance meter still performs reliably.
  4. After conducting these tests, I am confidant that my new NCR18650GA batteries will work well.