I would like to personally welcome Battery Mooch to TasteYourJuice.com.
“Mooch” is well known in the industry as the “battery guy” and is quite popular on the ECF. I’ve worked with Mooch several times in the background and he’s always been quite helpful and knowledgeable in answering my questions.
Although I have some experience with battery testing, Mooch has all the experience I lack so I though it a good fit to offer him his own page here on TasteYourJuice.com.
If you look to the left, you’ll see the new Battery Mooch page under Information/Resources. His first article can be found there as well.
WELCOME MY FRIEND!
Who is Battery Mooch?
My name is John Muchow, some of you may know me as Mooch on ECF and FB and Mooch315
on ECR. I have been vaping since April, 2015 and haven’t smoked once since I
started!I was born and raised in New York City and still live there now. Since 1992 I have
been designing and building electronic devices for a large number of clients. My
first products were camera remote-control systems for sports photographers. As these
systems, and other devices, transitioned from wired to wireless the performance of
the batteries they used was very important as there was no way to replace them
during use. This led to me doing more and more battery testing and developing the
electronics to charge, test, and protect them.As battery technology advanced, from NiCd to NiMH to Li-Ion and now
ultracapacitor/Li-Ion hybrids, the devices I built and the battery testing I did
advanced along with them. I started specializing in power management electronics;
battery chargers, energy harvesters (for charging from heat, light, or
vibration/movement), power supplies, battery analyzers, electronic loads for battery
discharging, and battery management/protection systems. This is the work I still do
today.My clients have included the US Army, National Geographic, Sports Illustrated,
Eastman Kodak Company, and hundreds of other companies from large to small. Part of
the work I’ve done for a lot of my clients has been battery testing. Sometimes they
want to recommend a good battery to their customers. Other times they’re batteries I
have chosen to combine with my electronics to form a complete, protected power
source for them to incorporate into their products.Depending on my client’s requirements this testing can take up to several weeks to
complete. I use a subset of these tests when evaluating the batteries we use when
vaping. This includes continuous-current tests to establish the battery’s true (and
safe) ratings. They also help to determine if there’s any risk of venting if one of
our mods autofires or a mechanical mod’s button is accidentally pressed. The
pulse-current tests measure the degree of voltage sag we would see when vaping at
different current levels. Both types of tests are done the same way for every set of
batteries I test.This consistency in the testing allows for direct comparison of the performance of
different batteries even if the pulse discharging I do doesn’t match the way you
vape.Safety is my number one priority. While I often test at discharge current levels
that can result in unsafe battery temperatures, this is the only way to figure out
what a battery’s true and safe ratings are. No battery is totally safe but we can
certainly avoid taking unnecessary risks.My blog at ECF has the results of all my testing and a few articles on batteries,
battery safety, etc.:https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/mooch.256958/
I have also listed the equipment I use and the steps I follow when testing. This
allows anyone to replicate my tests if they want to:https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/my-cell-testing-equipment-and-setup.7431/
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/whats-done-for-each-cell-test.7433/
My battery test results offer you a resource you can use when choosing a battery
that will not only be safer for the way you vape but will also give you great
performance.I’m looking forward to contributing to TasteYourJuice.com and I want to thank
PBusardo for the opportunity to help spread the word on exaggerated battery ratings
and battery safety!Mooch
Latest Battery Updates
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Golisi S35 40A 3750mAh 21700…overrated but performs better than the iJoy 21700
This Golisi cell performed a lot better than the iJoy 40A 3750mAh 21700, especially at higher current levels, but it is overrated.
I haven’t compared its performance directly against the popular 20700’s and 20650’s but will be doing a shootout with all of them soon. I don’t know which cell Golisi is wrapping for this 21700.
This Golisi is badly overrated at 40A but is a true 30A cell, running just slightly hotter than the average of other cells at their rating. This can be handled by just rating it at 29A but this cell is within the acceptable temperature range for a 30A rating.
The wrap says “IMR 21700” but I’m pretty sure this cell doesn’t use the chemistry associated with the IMR model number prefix.
This cell delivered 3714mAh and 3822mAh in my capacity tests. Since the rating must be lower than what any cell delivers it’s not quite a 3750mAh cell.
I am rating this Golisi S35 at 30A and 3700mAh.
Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Golisi (www.golisi.com). Thank you!
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/OZdiB
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/yRTTS
Test results, discharge graph, photos: http://bit.ly/2k0rfOF
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Eizfan 40A 4800mAh 21700…irresponsibly overrated, just a Samsung 48G rewrap, DO NOT BUY
This Eizfan cell is identical in appearance in performance to the 10A Samsung 48G.
Yi Fang Technology Co., you have lost your minds rating this cell at 40A. Vapers and vendors, there is no reason to support a company that has this little respect for our community or concern for our safety. Do not buy this cell.
I am rating this Eizfan at 10A and 4800mAh.
Two cells were purchased by me for the purposes of testing.
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/Mz71Z
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/TjVw8
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/threads/bench-test-results-eizfan-40a-4800mah-21700…irresponsibly-overrated-just-a-samsung-48g-do-not-buy.837985/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Eizfan 30A 4300mAh 20700…obscenely overrated, just a Sanyo NCR20700B rewrap
This Eizfan cell is identical in appearance in performance to the 15A Sanyo NCR20700B.
This cell has a truly ridiculous current rating of 30A and has an overrated capacity rating too. There is no reason to buy this cell if you have access to the Sanyo NCR20700B.
I am rating this Eizfan at 15A and 4000mAh.
Two cells were purchased by me for the purposes of testing.
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/S63Wv
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/MFjVk
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/threads/bench-test-results-eizfan-30a-4300mah-20700…obscenely-overrated-just-a-sanyo-ncr20700b.837877/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Vapcell Purple 10A 5000mAh 21700…15A but overrated mAh, runs longer than Samsung 48G
This cell’s capacity down to 2.5V is quite a bit lower than the claimed 5000mAh. I measured it at 4775mAh and 4873mAh for the two cells I tested. It seems that there is some cell-to-cell variation. Since the rating should be a guaranteed minimum the rating should be lower than what any cell delivers.
But this Vapcell still runs for about 8% longer than the 4800mAh Samsung 48G when pulsed down to 3.2V at 20A. Their performance is very similar but the cell Vapcell uses holds its voltage up a bit better and that results in a bit more run time.
While similar in appearance and ratings to the Samsung 48G I think this is a different cell. I’ll know more in a couple of weeks.
It runs cool at 10A continuous though. I am rating this Vapcell at 10A and 4750mAh. This is a cell for low power vaping so its very long run time can be effectively used without getting early low/weak battery alerts from the mod.
Unfortunately, this cell has Vapcell’s usual paper top insulating ring so juice spills could damage the ring. Be careful.
Two cells from Vapcell were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you!
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/D8EQp
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/nalxk
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/threads/bench-test-results-vapcell-purple-10a-5000mah-21700…15a-but-overrated-mah-runs-longer-than-samsung.837717/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Vapcell Purple 30A 3000mAh 20650…accurately rated, Sanyo NCR20650A
This Vapcell appears and performs identical to the great performing Sanyo NCR20650A.
The Sanyo NCR20650A has a “rated” capacity of 2900mAh, a “minimum” capacity of 2950mAh, and a “typical” rating of 3100mAh. So while I always try to use just the rated capacity for a rewrapped cell for my ratings, 2900mAh in this case, Vapcell’s rating of 3000mAh can still be considered accurate. It all depends on which rating you use.
I am rating this Vapcell at 30A and 2900mAh.
Unfortunately, this cell has Vapcell’s usual paper top insulating ring so juice spills could damage the ring. Be careful.
Two cells from Vapcell were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you!
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/RrVGn
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/dvqhe
Test results, discharge graph, photos: http://bit.ly/2ASxBUr
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Vapcell Purple 20A 4800mAh 21700…shamefully overrated, a Samsung 48G rewrap
This Vapcell is identical in performance and appearance to the great performing (for low power vapers) Samsung 48G cell. Samsung rates this cell at 9.6A continuous.
Vapcell, why rate it at 20A continuous? It becomes hot enough to boil water at that level and the voltage sag is huge. Simply inexcusable.
I am rating this Vapcell at 10A and 4800mAh.
Unfortunately, this cell has Vapcell’s usual paper top insulating ring so juice spills could damage the ring. Be careful.
After seeing the first posts of these test results Vapcell informed me that they will be changing the continuous current rating to 10A and switching to a plastic top insulating ring. They said they will send me the updated cells for testing then. If this happens I will post the new test results.
I expressed my anger that this was only happening after being caught exaggerating the rating so badly. But, it is a positive step and one that many other companies would not take. In the end, what is important is that we have our cells accurately marked.
Two cells from Vapcell were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you!
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/TRF2I
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/gmqkD
Test results, discharge graph, photos: http://bit.ly/2iRLRo6
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Vapcell Gold 30A 3200mAh 20700…accurately rated, a Sanyo NCR20700A rewrap!
This Vapcell is identical in performance and appearance to the incredible Sanyo NCR20700A cell. That Sanyo is the best performing 20700 I’ve tested so far (as of November 12, 2017).
I do not know how many of these cells Vapcell has or who is selling them right now. I have no doubt that several vendors will be trying to stock them as soon as possible though. Check with your favorite vendors or Vapcell via their web site (http://www.vapcelltech.com) or Facebook page.
The Sanyo NCR20700A has a “rated” capacity of 3100mAh, a “minimum” capacity of 3150mAh, and a “typical” rating of 3300mAh. So while I always try to use just the rated capacity for a rewrapped cell for my ratings, 3100mAh in this case, Vapcell’s rating of 3200mAh can still be considered accurate. It all depends on which rating you use.
I am rating this Vapcell at 30A and 3100mAh.
Unfortunately, this cell has Vapcell’s usual paper top insulating ring so juice spills could damage the ring. Be careful.
Two cells from Vapcell were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you! I know that some of you will think these are cherry-picked cells but they test identical to the Sanyo’s. No cherry- picking is possible here.
As with any rewrapped cell it can be changed in the future by the rewrapper. But all of the high performance rewrapped cells are retested by me using cells purchased from a vendor. If they are changed the community will be told about it.
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/CDcDQ
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/SlsPq
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/threads/bench-test-results-vapcell-gold-30a-3200mah-20700…accurately-rated-a-sanyo-ncr20700a-rewrap.837069/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: CoilArt 40A 4000mAh 21700…grotesquely overrated, a poor 20A performer
This is a poor performing 21700 cell with a preposterous 40A rating. It appears almost identical to the Basen 30A 4000mAh 21700 but performs a bit worse than the Basen.
Its 40A rating can’t even be considered a “pulse” or “max” rating as it drops to under 3.2V for the first pulse, freshly charged. This is clearly not a 40A cell.
It performs worse than the iJoy 40A 3750mAh 21700. The CoilArt’s greater voltage sag results in at least 30% less vaping time at moderate to high current levels.
Its capacity falls short of 4000mAh in my testing. Since I’m sure I don’t have the worst performing examples of this cell out there I have to assume that others will test even a bit lower.
I am rating this cell at 20A and 3850mAh. I recommend staying below about 40W though to prevent excessive voltage sag and reduced vaping time.
This cell has a plastic top insulating ring so juice spills shouldn’t damage the ring.
Two cells from The Cloudy Vapor (www.thecloudyvaper.com) and two from CoilArt were donated for the purposes of testing. Thank you!
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/9e0dX
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/AW6SX
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/bench-test-results-coilart-40a-4000mah-21700…grotesquely-overrated-a-poor-20a-performer.837019/#post-20222177
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Basen 30A 4000mAh 21700…ridiculously overrated, just an average 20A battery
This is a 21700 cell. It’s continuous 30A rating is ridiculous as it gets hot enough to boil water when discharged at that level. It is just a 20A cell that performs worse than the iJoy 21700 at moderate to higher power levels.
This Basen uses a new cell that has come to market recently. I don’t know who makes it but it’s being rewrapped by at least three different companies so far. I will be posting the results of their testing soon.
It’s capacity falls a bit short of 4000mAh in my testing. Since I’m sure I don’t have the worst performing two examples of this cell out there I have to assume that others will test even a bit lower.
I am rating this cell at 20A and 3900mAh. I recommend staying below about 40W though to prevent excessive voltage sag and reduced vaping time.
This cell has a plastic top insulating ring so juice spills will not damage the ring.
Two cells were purchased by me for the purposes of testing.
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/ntCiX
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/pGnaI
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/bench-test-results-basen-30a-4000mah-21700…ridiculously-overrated-just-an-average-20a-battery.836909/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
A BATTERY MOOCH POST: Keeppower 15A 4250mAh 20700…accurately rated, a Sanyo NCR20700B
This cell is identical in appearance and performance to the 15A 4000mAh Sanyo NCR20700B.
Keeppower uses the “typical” capacity rating of the Sanyo, 4250mAh, for its rating of this cell instead of the Sanyo’s 4000mAh “rated capacity”. Both ratings are accurate. It all just depends on which is more important for that particular application for the cell.
Whenever possible I use the rated capacity so I rate the Sanyo and this Keeppower at 4000mAh.
I’m happy to say its 15A continuous current rating is accurate.
This cell has a completely useless “Max Pulse” rating of 30A though. Without knowing the pulse length, time between pulses, and the criteria used to set the rating (voltage sag? temperature? vaping time?) we can’t compare this rating to one from any other cell. It’s useless.
I am rating this cell at 4000mAh. I recommend staying below about 40W though to prevent excessive voltage sag and reduced vaping time.
This cell has a plastic top insulating ring so juice spills will not damage the ring.
Two cells were donated for the purposes of testing by All Day Vapes (http:www.alldayvapes365.com/). Thank you!
Cell photos: https://imgur.com/a/WzGss
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/e18vb
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/bench-test-results-keeppower-15a-4250mah-20700…accurately-rated-a-sanyo-ncr20700b.836771/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
Store
