# Question about cheaper cells

**URL:** https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878
**Category:** Electronics (ESC, remote, batteries)
**Created:** [August 2, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878 "2020-08-02T13:22:55Z")
**Posts on this page:** 11
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![levitater](https://foil.zone/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@levitater](https://foil.zone/u/levitater)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 1:22pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/1 "2020-08-02T13:22:55Z")

</div>

Hi!

I am currently trying to figure out, which cells I should use for my battery pack.  
After reading through the forum I saw many successful builds with Samsung 30Q Cells.  
The problem for me is, that these cells are really expensive (500€+ for 12s 12p pack)  
Due to this I did some research and found a company near to my hometown, who would sell me used ebike cells for a very good price (0,4€ per cell).  
The cells are Sanyo 18650 2200mah with a max discharge of 10A.

 ![image](https://efoil.builders/uploads/default/original/2X/2/2879da712639a6e6f58e3b8c96bc0b2174d82448.png)  
I already bought 30 cells for testing, and I think they are in a very good condition. Nearly all of them have 2150-2220 mah of capacity and an internal resistance of \<50 mOhm.

Now my Question is, if it is realistic to use these cells for an efoil?  
My plan is to use a 63100 motor and a Vesc 6.  
As we can see at @V_S build, it is possible to run this setup with 120A motor current.

If I am now building a 12s 15p battery pack, each cell of my pack would have to draw 8A.

Do you think this could be a cheap alternative to all the really expensive battery packs?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![V\_S](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/v_s/32/6616_2.png) [@V\_S](https://foil.zone/u/V_S)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 1:39pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/2 "2020-08-02T13:39:12Z")

</div>

I am running 120A Motorcurrent with 85A Batterycurrent 😉  
That equals 5,66A each cell with 15p

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Toto44](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/toto44/32/16588_2.png) [@Toto44](https://foil.zone/u/Toto44)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 1:49pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/3 "2020-08-02T13:49:42Z")

</div>

50mOhm is quite high this might produce a lot of heat inside your pack

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![V\_S](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/v_s/32/6616_2.png) [@V\_S](https://foil.zone/u/V_S)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 1:58pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/4 "2020-08-02T13:58:36Z")

</div>

Average current is 30A on battery. Thats 0,2W each cell, or 36W / Pack  
All i can say, my 16p 30Q stay cool

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Toto44](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/toto44/32/16588_2.png) [@Toto44](https://foil.zone/u/Toto44)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 5:24pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/5 "2020-08-02T17:24:27Z")

</div>

Sure because your 30q cells will be in the sub 3 mOhm area, not 50!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Rienk](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/rienk/32/11198_2.png) [@Rienk](https://foil.zone/u/Rienk)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 5:57pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/6 "2020-08-02T17:57:45Z")

</div>

30Q and VTC6 are around 12mOhm. Lowest internal resistance is the Sony VTC5A with 9-10mOhm.

I personaly would not go for batteries with internal resistance higher than 20mOhm. My 14s11p VTC6 batteries can get 45°C after an average discharge of around 1C (33A)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Rienk](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/rienk/32/11198_2.png) [@Rienk](https://foil.zone/u/Rienk)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 6:16pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/7 "2020-08-02T18:16:45Z")

</div>

Some example with 50mOhm12S12P at 30A discharge:

30A/12 = 2,5A cell  
2,5A x 50mOhm = 0,125V voltage drop  
2,5A x 0,125V = 0,3125W

0,3125W x 144 = 45W  
So the total power in heat is 45W. This is like a medium soldering iron heating up your battery.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![JvdZ](https://foil.zone/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@JvdZ](https://foil.zone/u/JvdZ)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 6:34pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/8 "2020-08-02T18:34:44Z")

</div>

I have used a similar cell source, used ebike batteries. All tested and matched up to form an equal pack.  
Mine are \<35mOhm, the 12s12p pack does get warm (50degree?) during discharge but all acceptable.  
My cells to compare the specs: [LG LGDBMG11865 Cell Specifications | Second Life Storage & Solar](https://secondlifestorage.com/showthread.php?tid=6431)

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![levitater](https://foil.zone/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/l/779978/32.png) [@levitater](https://foil.zone/u/levitater)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 8:23pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/9 "2020-08-02T20:23:36Z")

</div>

So you already fly with these cells?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![JvdZ](https://foil.zone/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@JvdZ](https://foil.zone/u/JvdZ)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 9:12pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/10 "2020-08-02T21:12:02Z")

</div>

Yes, about 35min flight time with inefficient chinese gearbox.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

### Author: ![Flightjunkie](https://foil.zone/user_avatar/foil.zone/flightjunkie/32/8316_2.png) [@Flightjunkie](https://foil.zone/u/Flightjunkie)
#### Post date: [August 2, 2020, 10:38pm UTC](https://foil.zone/t/question-about-cheaper-cells/8878/11 "2020-08-02T22:38:14Z")

</div>

Hi.

I wouldn’t do it. It’s so labor intensive building a pack. And the dangers of cell failure in a KWH size battery is quite high.

Those cells will get hot! 70°C is 160°F! Wow…that will practically melt the plastic parts.

Just buy Samsung 30Q or Sony VT6. I prefer the 30Qs.

I pull 200A from my battery. I like to tow foil boards with my e-foil. I need the power.

🤙
