Test/Review of TrustFire TF18650 2400mAh (Flame)

[size=+3]TrustFire TF18650 2400mAh (Flame)[/size]








The batteries are shipped in a small box.








The two batteries has the sam capacity, but does not hold the same voltage under load.







Energy is a combination of voltage and current and the battery with the lowest voltage will have less energy.



The battery with the lowest voltage will have the highest current draw, to keep the power constant.



The battery with the lowest voltage also has the lowest trip current.





[size=+3]Conclusion[/size]

The battery has less capacity than stated on the cell, but they both have the same capacity, i.e. they can be used in series at lower loads. The difference in voltage under load shows that there must be some variation in the cells used. The cell does not work well with a 5 ampere load.
Compared to the 2011 test of this cell, the capacity has been reduced.
For a cheap battery it is acceptable.



[size=+3]Notes and links[/size]

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

HKJ said:

Compared to the 2011 test of this cell, the capacity has been reduced.

Click to expand...

Hi H. I wonder if this could be simply because these cells are from the same batch. TrustFire likely acquired a large quantity of cells, these may actually be the same age/same lot, as the ones you tested a year ago. The difference in performance seems about what I would expect, if the cells were simply stored in a warehouse for an additional year.

What would be interesting, is to rerun a test of the cells tested last year, and then compare the two. You may not even have those cells anymore, or they have been used, in which case, would make for an unfair comparison though. Just a thought.

Anyway, looks like the current batch are fairly unimpressive. In my experience with similar xxxxxFire cells, they'll only head downhill from here, as well. It's one thing to compare a paper cup to a pewter mug when new, and another, 100 refills later. Initially, they both perform similarly and work great. Down the road however......

Thanks for the test info, fine job, HKJ.:thumbsup:

Dave

I do still have the cells from last year and they are mostly unused, in fact I used them for testing my equipment, before starting the real test.

Here is the curve (Remember this is for one year old cells):



Even after one year they are better than the new cell, at least when you stay below 3 ampere.
There is also a significant difference in weight between the old and new cells.

That was quick! Interesting. It definitely sounds like a totally different batch then. The weight difference is key, unless that much electrolyte was lost in that time somehow, which I seriously doubt.

Dave

45/70 said:

unless that much electrolyte was lost in that time somehow, which I seriously doubt.

Click to expand...

The old cells does still have the same weight as last year. I believe they are using cheaper cells in the flames now, at least DX is.