Test/review of Soshine IFR26650 3.2V 3200mAh (Pink)

[size=+3]Soshine IFR26650 3.2V 3200mAh (Pink)[/size]



Official specifications:

• Battery Capacity (FastTech Tested): 3112.9 mAh
• Battery Capacity (Mfg Rated): 3200 mAh
• Battery Chemistry: LiFePO4
• Battery Feature: Rechargeable
• Battery Form Factor: 26650
• Battery Rated Voltage: 3.2 V

A LiFePO4 26650 cell, generally this means 3.2V and low capacity.










The cells tracks fine. Compared to the usual LiIon the voltage is fairly low, but it stays mostly constant during discharge.







The cells is around 80°C at 30A, this is just at the limit.













A typical LiFePO4 charge curve.



[size=+3]Conclusion[/size]

The cells looks like good LiFePO4 cells, but a 4.2V LiIon cell in this size can have about double the energy.



[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
Compare to 18650 and other batteries
Compare to 26650 and other batteries

Another great review, 30amp at 80c

I have some Soshine LiFePO4 RCR123 and some Soshine LiFePO4 10440 on the way to mess about with.

John.

Thanks hjk. Looks like a good alternative to a123 cells if you don't need really high current draw and gives more capacity

vicv said:

Thanks hjk. Looks like a good alternative to a123 cells if you don't need really high current draw and gives more capacity

Click to expand...

Also, given the cost of A123 cells, it might cost no more (or even less) to buy twice the number of these cells rather than A123 cells and parallel them. You would end up with MUCH greater capacity and about the same current draw.

I have Soshine lifepo4 14500 cells which are junk - capacity is half less than declared, and not matched at all. Bought at fasstech, they refuse to refund, had to use paypal for refund.

Another great review HKJ!

One thing to keep in mind for lurkers doing the diy thing, is that LiFeP04's lower 3.2v nominal voltage, means that it is much easier to directly interface with non-flashlight projects that are multiples of 12v without having to resort to using buck-boost converters. Ie, a 4S LFP bank needs no converters to work with a 12v application usually.

So if your non-flashlight application can handle the larger size and weight compared to a 3.7v mnc, lco, or other chemistry, that is something to consider.

Charging leeway - any charge from about 3.45v to 3.65v give or take will charge the cell, the major difference being one of time to fully absorb. This leeway also makes it a bit less critical as compared to the very tight critical charging of 3.7v cells.

Failure - while nobody condones abusing any battery chemistry, LFP tends to fail without fire since iron-phosphate greedily holds on to oxygen - your electrolyte cooks off (nail polish, perfume smell) first as it vents. Still, that does not mean protection for your wiring infrastructure if you fail to engineer that properly. So lurkers don't take this as a green light to get complacent.

LFP's mainly flat discharge curve means that using voltage to determine SOC is totally ballpark until you hit the upper or lower bounds. Like all lithium projects, some sort of LVD, or low voltage and high voltage disconnect should be used especially with unprotected cells. For many, the charger serves as the HVD. Do your math with your load current vs time vs capacity.

I guess pick the right cell for the right application. From what I see online, many unsafe non-lighting hack projects made from dumpster dive cells would do just fine with NEW LFP 26650's instead.

Thats the main reason I bring this up, because it is apparent from frightening online videos that lurkers have not properly read through the CPF threads on how to safely handle ANY lithium chemistry.