A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Nitecore 35A 3100mAh 18650 Bench Test Results…only 20A 3000mAh

This Nitecore is a 15A rewrapped cell with a useless “pulse” rating (see the Comments section) and an exaggerated capacity rating.

It also has a useless 35A “max pulse discharge” rating on the wrap too. It also features “35A” in a huge font which many people will use as the cell’s rating when shopping or when a vendor displays it on their web site. For these reasons I feel the large “35A” rating, or any “pulse” or “max” rating, is misleading and shouldn’t be used.

If we vape with this battery above about 30A or so it can heat up to ridiculously high temperatures if there is a regulated mod malfunction or accidental button press in a mechanical mod. This could possibly force the battery to vent and leak/spray toxic organic solvents from the battery. I think vaper safety should be a priority when setting “pulse” ratings.

The wrap is not the standard heat shrink plastic. It is self-adhesive and appears to be similar to Mylar. I do not know how durable it is compared to the wraps being used now by other companies.

This cell says “IMR18650” on the wrap but it does not use IMR chemistry. It uses one of the INR chemistries.

I was especially disappointed to see this cell’s capacity rating set at 3100mAh by Nitecore. It is clearly set by Samsung at 3000mAh (see the 30Q datasheet image below).

I am rating this Nitecore at 15A and 3000mAh. The ones I tested were rewrapped Samsung 30Q’s. Their performance was essentially identical to the 30Q’s I have here.

The two cells that were tested were purchased by me from IMRBatteries.

Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/nitecore-35a-3100mah-18650-bench-test-results-only-20a-3000mah.803407/

All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/

Share Button

Author: John Muchow