Cell Chemistry Testing - 5A Discharge Data

Owned by Eric Zhao
Last updated: Sept 04, 2023 by Kostubh Agarwal
3 min read

Test Information:

Keysight E3631A Power Supply

Rigol DL3031 DC Electronic Load

Micah’s 64CHDAQ Board, CH28 for ambient temperature, CH31 for cell temperature

  1. 4.2V constant voltage charge until 400mA current (not displayed in figures)

  2. 20 minute rest period (not displayed in figures)

  3. 5A constant current draw until 2.5V cutoff

  4. 20 minute rest period

  5. Should charge up battery cell back up to ~3.6V afterwards for storage

Samsung 50E

Datasheet: https://batteryservice.bg/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/INR21700-50E.pdf

LYGTE Test: https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Samsung%20INR21700-50E%205000mAh%20(Cyan)%20UK.html

Test Data:

Samsung 50E 5A discharge capacities compared with the rated discharge capacity. Left bar is mAh, right bar is Wh scaled down by 3.6V (not sure how much sense that makes lol).
Data colors correspond with cell numbers on the bar graph to the left. The lines along the bottom of the plot show the measured ambient temperature for reference.

Molicel P42A

Datasheet: https://www.imrbatteries.com/content/molicel_p42a.pdf

LYGTE Test: https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Molicel%20INR21700-P42A%204200mAh%20(Gray)%20UK.html

Test Data:

 

 

LG M50

Datasheet: https://www.dnkpower.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/LG-INR21700-M50-Datasheet.pdf

LYGTE Test: https://lygte-info.dk/review/batteries2012/Molicel%20INR21700-P42A%204200mAh%20(Gray)%20UK.html

Test Data:

 

 

Note for M50 tests:

During the 4th cell test, seems like the e-load was disconnected from the PC during the test, leading to it continuously draining the battery until it was dead (rather than stopping at the programmed end condition) (rip). So for future tests, make sure to not disconnect the testing setup from the PC during the test, or stop the test in the software first before disconnecting the hardware.

Additionally, for disposing of dead cells make sure to either tape off the ends of the cell with electric tape or seal them individually in an insulating bag before dropping them off at an e-waste station around campus (there should be one right inside the main entrance to the DC library): What's the big deal with battery recycling? | Sustainability

Also I ran out of time before testing the 8th cell so missing the data there.