Lithium Battery: 18650 VS 32650

In previous post, we have discussed about differences between lithium 18650 batteries and lithium 26650 batteries. As we all known that, there are many types of cylindrical lithium batteries such as 18650, 26650, 21700, 32650 and so on. There are also some differences here between lithium 18650 batteries and lithium 32650 batteries. Let’s have a look. The following is the  table about the article.

What is  lithium 32650 battery?

Lithium 32650 batteries are one of the largest standard size cylindrical rechargeable lithium batteries based on several similar lithium battery chemistry. Lithium 32650 batteries are commonly used in high-power flashlights and other similar high-drain devices like lithium 26650 batteries. Many electric scooters, electric bikes and other electric vehicles requre this kind high capacity lithium batteries.

Physical Dimensions:
height:  65mm                                                         diameter:  32mm

Specifications:
nominal voltage:  3.2-3.7V                                    nominal capacity:  5000-8500mAh

Mainly Cathode materials:

Manganese Oxide, Lithium Manganese Nickel, Lithium Irom Phosphate , Lithium Cobalt Oxide

Manganese Oxide

Lithium Manganese Nickel

Lithium Irom Phosphate 

 Lithium Cobalt Oxide

Because different chemical materials have different structure or characters, each of them has different characters.

Let’s have a look

IMR 32650 batteries feature LiMn204 (Lithium Manganese Oxide) chemistry.
Their nominal voltage is 3.6 – 3.7 V per cell, with a maximum recommended charging voltage of 4.2 V. IMR batteries commonly have a smaller capacity but are capable of delivering larger currents.

– INR 32650 batteries feature LiNiMnCoO2 (Lithium Manganese Nickel) chemistry.
These batteries are very similar to IMR batteries since they can provide plenty of currents, with slightly lower capacity.
For example, IMR32650 and INR32650 batteries that feature a capacity of “only” 6Ah (6000 mAh), which are able to provide 20-30C currents are actually able to provide currents of 120-180 Amps, with some models being able to deliver even more. And that is a lot of power from a battery that on average weighs 135-170 grams (~4.5-6 ounces).

– IFR 32650 batteries feature LiFePO4 (Lithium Iron Phosphate) chemistry.
Their nominal voltage is 3.2 – 3.3 V per cell, with the maximum recommended charging voltage of 3.5 – 3.6 V.

– ICR 32650 batteries feature LiCoO2 (Lithium Cobalt Oxide) chemistry.
Their nominal voltage is 3.6 – 3.7 V per cell, with the maximum recommended charging voltage of 4.2 V. They commonly have higher capacities, but maximum allowed currents are often limited to just a few C.

How many volts and Ah are there with lithium 32650 cells 3p8s?

Generally speaking, set single lithium cell parameters: nominal voltage—3.7V capacity—5000mAh

3.7V*8=29.6V
5000mAh*3=15000mAh=15Ah

More Details on Lithium Battery series and parallel

What is protected lithium 32650 battery?

Most of lithium 32650 are marked with “PROTECTED”, it means that there is a Battery Management System(BMS)insde the lithium battery. BMS is the protector to prevent lithium batteries from damage of short circuit, over-charging or high-temperature and etc.More details on Battery Management System

Lithium 18650 Battery

Physical Dimensions:
height: 65mm
diameter:18mm

Specifications:
Nominal voltage: 3.2V
Charging cut-off voltage: 3.6V
Capacity: usually 1200mAh-3350mAh
The common capacity: 2200mAh-2600mAh
Cycle life: 1000 cycles of charging

Application of Lithium 18650 Battery

It is commonly used in high-end glare flashlights, portable power supplies, wireless data transmitters, electric heating, warm clothing, shoes, portable instrumentation, portable lighting equipment, portable printers, industrial instruments, medical instruments, etc.
Due to the large capacity per unit density, most of it is used for laptop batteries. In addition, because the stability of 18650 at work is very good, it is widely used in major electronic fields.

Advantages of 18650 Lithium Battery

1. Large Capacity
The capacity of 18650 lithium batteries is generally between 1200mah and 3600mah, while the general battery capacity is only about 800mah. If combined into a 18650 lithium battery pack, the capacity of 18650 pack can easily break through 5000mah.

2. Long Life
The 18650 lithium battery has a long service life. And the cycle life can reach more than 500 times during normal use, which is more than twice that of ordinary batteries.

3. High Safety Performance
The 18650 lithium battery has high safety performance. For one hand, It do not explode and catch fire. On the other hand, it is non-toxic and non-polluting.

We can see its structure. There is a galvanized steel shell to endure inner pressure. Thus it will not explode.

Further more, 18650 lithium battery has passed RoHS( Restriction of Hazardous Substance) trademark certification.

As we mentioned above, the number of cycles is greater than 500 times. It has good high temperature resistance. Because and the power-up efficiency can reach 100% even under 65℃.

In order to prevent short-circuiting of the battery, the positive and negative electrodes of the 18650 lithium battery are separated. Therefore, the probability of it short-circuiting is extremely low.

In order to avoid overcharging and over-discharging the battery, a protective board is installed inside. This method also can extend the service life of the battery.

4. High Voltage 
The voltage of 18650 lithium batteries is generally 3.6V, 3.8V and 4.2V, which is much higher than the 1.2V voltage of nickel-cadmium and nickel-metal hydride batteries.

5. No Memory Effect
The 18650 lithium battery does not have to empty the remaining power before charging, which is easy to use.

6. Small Internal Resistance
The internal resistance of polymer batteries is smaller than that of ordinary liquid batteries. The internal resistance of domestic polymer batteries can even be below 35mW, which greatly reduces the self-consumption of the battery and extends the standby time of the mobile phone.

This is completely in line with international standards. This kind of polymer lithium battery that supports large discharge currents is an ideal choice for remote control models and has become the most promising alternative to nickel-metal hydride batteries.

7. Wide Usage
18650 battery can be used for notebook computers, walkie-talkie, portable DVDs, instrumentation, audio equipment, model aircraft, toys, video cameras, digital cameras and other electronic equipment

8.Flexible Battery Pack Custom More details on customing 18650 lithium battery packs.
It can be combined in series or in parallel into a 18650 lithium battery pack.

Disadvantages of 26650 lithium battery

1. Because the 26650 lithium battery has a small range of use and its performance status has been replaced by the 18650 lithium battery, many manufacturers no longer produce this battery.

2. Both the 26650 lithium battery and the 18650 lithium battery belong to cylindrical lithium batteries. So, what is the difference between the 26650 lithium battery and the 18650 lithium battery? Let’s take a look at the difference between 26650 lithium batteries and 18650 lithium batteries.

18650 Lithium Ion NMC Cells Vs 32650 LiFePO4 Cells

These are two different types of batteries.
18650 is an MnNiCo ternary lithium battery with a diameter of 18mm and a height of 65mm. 0 represents the battery type: Round 32650 is a LiFePO4 lithium iron phosphate battery with a diameter of 32mm and a height of 65mm. 0 represents the battery type.:

Round batteries have different diameters and different capacities. It is generally believed that the battery capacity of 32650 is twice that of 18650.

Advantages and disadvantages: The 18650 capacity of the ternary lithium battery is too large, so for the same capacity requirements per unit volume, the number of batteries required is small.

However, the internal structure of the ternary lithium battery is unstable, it can easily explode at high temperatures (above 60C), and the risk factor is high. LiFePO4 battery has a stable internal structure. High/Low temperature resistance and high safety tolerance are its great advantages.

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