Test/review of Nitecore 18650 2900mAh NL1829LTHP (Black-yellow) 2018

HKJ

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[size=+3]Nitecore 18650 2900mAh NL1829LTHP (Black-yellow) 2018[/size]

DSC_4394.jpg


Official specifications:
  • Capacity: 2900mAh
  • Voltage: 3.6V
  • Current: 8A
  • Low temperature resistant to -40°C

Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-info.png


This is a protected 18650 cell that can be used at lower temperatures.



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THe normal test shows a good quality cell that can handle up to 5A, the protection trips if discharge for some time at 7A.

Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-Temp-5.0.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-Temp-7.0.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-CapacityTimeHours.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-CapacityTime.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-Energy.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-PowerLoadTime.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-TripCurrent.png


Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20(Black-yellow)%202018-Charge.png


The test below is done in a freezer with free air around the battery, all equipment is outside the freezer.

Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20%28Black-yellow%29%202018-LowTemp-1.0.png


This is a 1A discharge at -20°C, the batteries fairly fast increase their temperature with 5°C and this improves the performance.
Note: Temperature curve is behind the internal battery temperature, i.e. the red curve will react way faster than the blue curve.

Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20%28Black-yellow%29%202018-LowTemp-2.0.png


At 2A discharge the voltage drops to nearly 3V, but recovers significantly when the battery heats up.

Nitecore%2018650%202900mAh%20NL1829LTHP%20%28Black-yellow%29%202018-LowTemp-3.0.png


The 3A discharge nearly hit the termination voltage, before it recovers. The batteries are above 0°C when the discharge is done.



[size=+3]Conclusion[/size]

The battery is a good quality LiIon battery and it sort of works in the cold. The "sort of" is because it need to heat itself up to get some performance.




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

The battery was supplied by a Nitecore for review.

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
Graphical comparison to 18650 and other batteries
Table with all tested LiIon batteries
 

Helmut.G

Enlightened
Joined
Nov 28, 2007
Messages
731
Location
Germany
Thanks for reviewing this interesting cell!

Sadly, the freezer test is not that useful without testing at least one other cell to compare this to.
The only other review I have seen suggests that this cell performs comparatively well in the cold, but the testing is documented very poorly in that review. Your data is far better, but there is no point of reference available.

I would suggest repeating the freezer test with a high power, low IR cell (like the Sony VTC6 or Samsung 30Q) and a high energy desity cell of the current generation.
 
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