Acceptable Voltage Difference for New Cells

[garolittle]

I always check the individual cell voltages when I purchase brand new 18650/21700/26650 cells. I was wondering what the acceptable range is for voltage discrepancies between the individual cells. For example, I have a batch of new 26650 LiFePO4 cells which have a nominal voltage of 3.2V. I checked each cell and they typically range between 3.25V and 3.30 V. Occasionally, I find a cell slightly below this range (for example 3.18V - 3.24 V. Are these voltages within an acceptable range? “Rounding up”, all cells are between 3.2V and 3.3V. Thanks for any feedback.

 

[batteryGOLD]

before building any battery pack remember to put all tha same voltage.
a difference between 3.18V to a 3.24V could lead to a week block at battery and means losing about 15% battery performance..

voltage leak is normal at cells, but only few mV. write with edding 3000 at each cell voltage at moment for record and keep time record. Get a precision multimeter to get mV precision.

I have some used Samsung 30Q voltage leaking. charging to 4.200V cells goes to 3.7V one month time and stays there.
Some 30Q with same problem. I conclude that Samsung 30Q could have voltage leaks with time.
But those keep the original capaticity. Only a voltage leak problem..

 

[garolittle]

voltage leak is normal at cells, but only few mV. write with edding 3000 at each cell voltage at moment for record and keep time record. Get a precision multimeter to get mV precision.

Excellent. So charge the lower voltage ones up to the 3.25 - 3.3V range and monitor to make sure they don’t leak voltage?