Test/Review of Keeppower IMR18650 3200mAh (Black) 2014

[HKJ]

[size=+3]Keeppower IMR18650 3200mAh (Black) 2014[/size]

Official specifications:

• Nominal voltage: 3.6V
• Nominal capacity: 3200mAh
• Min capacity: 3100mAh
• Max discharge current: 20A

This is a high current battery with very high capacity.

Running this battery at 20A is a bit high, but it does 10A fine and with nearly full capacity.

[size=+3]Conclusion[/size]

High current cells has increased significantly in capacity during the last year and this cell is the highest capacity I have seen to date. I cannot match some of the ultra high current cells, but it does very good at 10A (I believe that Keeppower has been a bit optimistic in their marking of the cell).

I will call it a good cell.



[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

 

[dazed1]

Thanks HKJ, looks like great cell.

 

[Peace Train]

+1 Agreed. Nice review!

 

[richardcpf]

Very nice review.

Seems like the perfect replacement for the 18650B in high drain lights such as the MM15, FF4, Vinh's mods, and custom drop ins.

 

[Mr. Tone]

Thanks for another great review. There has definitely been some interest in these new Panasonic cells.

 

[thedoc007]

Keeppower seems to be over-rating the discharge of several cells lately. I assume this is a Panasonic NCR18650BD underneath, and Panasonic only rates it for ten amps. Yes, it is technically possible for it to do twenty amps, but the hit you take on capacity is immense. Still, this is one of my favorite cells at the moment. The combination of high drain, low resistance, and high capacity is hard to beat.

Thanks for the reviews HKJ!

 

[candle lamp]

Another excellent review. Thanks a lot. HKJ! :thumbsup:
Seems the cell has fairly good performance and compact size.
Just a shame it's a true flat cell.

 

[thedoc007]

Seems the cell has fairly good performance and compact size.
Just a shame it's a true flat cell.

Mountain Electronics has a protected, button top version of the NCR18650BD. Won't work for super high drain (protection kicks in at seven amps) but might work well for a less extreme application.

I share your feeling, though. Lacking a well-enforced standard, button top cells do seem to offer greater compatibility than flat top cells.

 

[candle lamp]

Mountain Electronics has a protected, button top version of the NCR18650BD. Won't work for super high drain (protection kicks in at seven amps) but might work well for a less extreme application.

I share your feeling, though. Lacking a well-enforced standard, button top cells do seem to offer greater compatibility than flat top cells.

Thanks for the information. thedoc007!
Some muti-cell lights have no raised positive contact and will not work fine with the ture flat-top cells. In that, I might have hoped for a button-top.

 

[Tobias Bossert]

I'm a little bit confused now, since Keeppower offers at least 3 different cells with 3200mAh:

• IMR18650 3200mAh unprotected (tested by HJK in this thread)
  original cell from Panasonic, type unknown
• 18650 3200mAh protected
  original cell ICR18650-E1 from LG for 4,35V
• 18650 3200mAh protected
  original cell NCR18650BE from Panasonic
• someone wrote that there is one with NCR18650BD too

The performance of the cell under test is good, but you should compare it with other unprotected cells only.
I'm not sure wether it outperforms unprotected NRC18650B at currents up to 6A really.

 

[dazed1]

I'm not sure wether it outperforms unprotected NRC18650B at currents up to 6A really.

It does for sure.....

http://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Common18650comparator.php

 

[Mr. Tone]

That battery comparison tool is a sweet deal, isn't it

 

[dazed1]

That battery comparison tool is a sweet deal, isn't it

Ita amazing, HKJ rox

 

[Aperture]

Bought 10 of these puppies with the button top to replace my Eagletac 3400mAh protected cells as my main 18650 battery.

These IMR cells fit perfectly in my custom Oveready 6P, bored P2X, Nitecore EC25, EC2 and even my Spark SD6 headlight which used to crush the Eagletacs.

The only flashlight not compatible is the Nitecore TM15 which needs a longer battery like the Eagletac to make contact.

 

[magellan]

Great review, thanks. I'm always interested in trying new, quality cells. Where can you buy them?

I see the label says made in Japan, assembled in China, just like the AWs. Nice marketing there.

 

[Aperture]

The only place I can find them so far is a German eBay shop for an amazing price of €8,90 a pop.

 

[Jeffg330]

Great review, thanks. I'm always interested in trying new, quality cells. Where can you buy them?

I see the label says made in Japan, assembled in China, just like the AWs. Nice marketing there.

ILLUM.COM has them for $7.99 Seems like a pretty good price

 

[revilo951]

Is this the same thing? http://www.gearbest.com/chargers-batteries/pp_104838.html

The images look different, and I don't want counterfeit cells on my hands...

 

[Aperture]

Is this the same thing? http://www.gearbest.com/chargers-batteries/pp_104838.html

The images look different, and I don't want counterfeit cells on my hands...

That's their new label, you'll be the coolest kid on the block
http://keeppower.com.cn/products_detail.php?id=490

 

[markr6]

That's their new label, you'll be the coolest kid on the block
http://keeppower.com.cn/products_detail.php?id=490

I hope this is a good cell. I just bought 4 of them for a TN30 Mini. 10A draw and 3200mAh seems like a nice balance.

After all the talk I'm still unsure...I think it's a Panasonic NCR18650BD inside. Can anyone confirm for sure?