Test/Review of Samsung INR18650-30Q 3000mAh (Pink)

[HKJ]

Samsung INR18650-30Q 3000mAh (Pink)



Official specifications:

• Initial IR (1kHz): <18mOhm
• Initial IR (DC): <30mOhm
• Charge method: CC-CV (4.2V+/-0.05V, 100mA cut-off)
• Standard charge current: 1.5A
• Fast charge current: 4A
• End voltage: 2.5V
• Max. continuous current: 15A
• Rated discharge capacity (0.2C): 3000mAh
• Rated discharge capacity (10A): 2700mAh
• Cycle life: 300 cycles to 70% (4A charge and 15A discharge)
• Cycle life: 250 cycles to 70% (4A charge and 22A discharge, pause at 70°C, resume at 50°C)

Modern high current cells with lots of capacity.










Very good discharge curves, capacity is nearly constant and they track perfectly. Even the 20A curve maintains a decent voltage, but as can be seen below the cell gets warm.
The tail on some curves is because I continue to record after stopping the discharge (If the cell is hot), i.e. it shows how much the voltage recovers.



The cell will heat up at a 10A load, but it is rated for it.





The cell can also handle 20A for some time, but you are supposed to stop when it gets hot (As I do here).
Remember the chart shows above ambient temperature, the actual cell temperature goes above 75°C.















Conclusion

This cell is very good, it can handle about 15A continuous discharge and has no problems with 20A pulses.



Notes and links

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

[ven]

Awesome review as always, thanks for the time and effort.

I am not sure on total amount of 30Qs i have but its over 20 and they have been great. Used in high powered lights and some ecig mods too, good value as well imo!

[recDNA]

Excellent review. Sounds like a decent choice for a ZL MK3 too even if somewhat "overqualified" for the current needed?

[HarleyXJGuy]

Thanks for doing these reviews, they are very helpful,

[ven]

There's 12 of mine

[sidecross]

There's 12 of mine

+1

I have found flat top unprotected batteries like the one reviewed here to be much easier to use in battery carriers like the Fenix TK35UE and the one Ven is using in the photograph.

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

Thanks for the review!

ven turned me on to these a few months ago for my first Acebeam light and I've been very pleased.

[ven]

Other than obvious benefits regarding the A rating due to the chemistry inside, i much prefer them as well inside carriers. Easier to fit/remove(i bite my nails! ) over the longer protected cells. Less chance of damaging the + or - ends due to being too tight inside some of the more internally restricted lights. Imo there really is no need in many lights these days for protected cells, if it is depended on then, its not the right type of fuel for the user(tripping regular through over or under discharging).

There are plenty of warning signs that the cells are getting low, be it the light itself or visually in the higher modes.............plus its best to learn the light and know rough run times for the uses required. Again imo...........

I find the 30Q a very good all round cell, everything considered from performance, mah and value.

[KeepingItLight]

Thanks for another good review. Your work is very special.

I have four Samsung 30Q batteries. I love them. They work quite well in high-draw flashlights like the BLF A6 and the BLF Kronos X6/X5. I was ready to order four more last week, but on a last-second whim, I changed to the LG Chem HE4. That's a 2500mAh, 20A battery. I bought flat-tops.

It will be interesting to see whether the FET-driven flashlights listed above get any brighter with the HE4s.

[ven]

The LG HE4(and HE2)are also in abundance in the ven household , good cells as well! I dont think you will get anything by eye, by meter maybe a few lumens but with LED variations from CREE, the difference could be either way.

[ShineOnYouCrazyDiamond]

In my DD lights the LG HE4 does push between .3 and .5 Amps more (7.3 versus 6.8-7.0 Amps) in my setups. It also seems to hold voltage a little longer under load. But that's to be expected as it's a higher drain cell. At those currents though I think it would be hard to see a difference in brightness. The 30Q will last you a bit longer for overall runtime.

[candle lamp]

Thank you for your another excellent review. HKJ!

[CuriousOne]

How to determine their date of manufacture?
got mine from gearbest, at 3rd line it has 136, which does not fits into standard samsung maufacture time decoding routine.

[martosound]

I need a help to recognize the manufacturing date for this element. For other Samsung 18650 elements relates the listed below:

■ Model and tube marking : there are three lines on the cell tube as follows.
Line 1 : INR18650-25R --- cell model name
Line 2 : SAMSUNG SDI --- cell manufacturer
Line 3 : 2D51 --- date code (Capacity ; “2” is over 2.0Ah, Year, Month, Week)

Line 3 is different about this element, and I do not know whether the battery is new or 1-2 years old.