A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Prodna Purple 40A 2500mAh 18650…ridiculously overrated, not IMR

This cell has a hugely exaggerated 40A rating on the wrap. It can’t even be considered a pulse rating.

Any “max” or “pulse” rating is useless unless we know the length of the pulse, the time between the pulses, and the criteria used to set the rating (Voltage sag? Temperature? Run time? A combination of those?). Without knowing this, and all companies using the same pulse lengths, rest times, and criteria, we can’t use the max/pulse ratings for comparing any batteries. They are useless.

This battery says “IMR 18650” on the wrap but it does not use the battery chemistry associated with the IMR manufacturer’s model number prefix. It uses the “hybrid” chemistry sometimes identified with the INR prefix.

The Prodna web site pages for their batteries use some sort of coiling kit contents list for the battery details and the reviews on the web site are still test reviews in the fake Latin used for placeholder text. This is confusing at best.

I placed an order on their web site for eight cells but they were never shipped and Prodna ignored several attempts over a period of weeks to contact them via two email addresses. I only received my money back after filing a claim with PayPal. All of the cells I eventually tested were donated.

This cell’s appearance is essentially identical to the LG HE2 and HE4. Its performance is identical to the HE4 and very close to the HE2. I estimate this Prodna’s ratings to be 20A and 2500mAh.

The cells were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you!

Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/9kBNg

Test results: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/threads/bench-test-results-prodna-purple-40a-2500mah-18650…ridiculously-overrated-not-imr.845029/

These tests only note the estimated ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.

Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.

To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/

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Author: John Muchow