These tests below only note my personal ESTIMATED ratings for the batteries I tested at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, Murata, LG, Panasonic, Molicel, or Sanyo can change at any time! This can be one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” or batteries from other manufacturers so carefully research any battery you are considering using before purchasing.
Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of property damage, personal injury, or even death. Never use them outside of a fully protected battery pack and you use them at your own risk. Never exceed the battery’s true continuous discharge rating (CDR), never let it get colder than 0°C or hotter than 60°C, and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Never use a battery that is physically damaged in any way.
Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never be attempted by anyone who has not thoroughly studied the dangers involved, understands the risks, has the proper equipment, and takes all appropriate safety precautions.
If the battery has only one current rating number, or if it only says "max", then I have to assume the battery is rated at that current level for any type of discharge, including continuous.
Test Results
It’s been over 2-1/2 years since I’ve tested this cell. I’m still asked about the VTC6A a lot so I decided to retest them.
The two cells I just tested performed a little better at all current levels. This is good to see as manufacturers often tweak the performance or cycle life of a cell.
Murata gives the VTC6A a 40A “temperature-limited” current rating. The datasheet says you can run this cell at up to 40A as long as the cell’s temperature stays below 80°C.
There is no true continuous current rating in the datasheet. I am recommending not using them at over 25A continuous since it reaches its 80°C max temp rating at about that level. This is for single cells in open air! If you are using this cell in a device or battery pack then you will need to test the max temp the cell reaches. I recommend staying below 60°C to lower the risk and extend cell life.
Two cells tested out to 4028mAh and 4042mAh so both exceeded their 4000mAh rating. I have not tested the cycle life of these cells.
This cell has a bottom venting ring in addition to the standard venting disk located underneath the top contact. These vents are critical safety devices. I recommend not pressing hard against the bottom of this cell or blocking the possible operation of the bottom vent.
Two cells were purchased for testing by me from 18650BatteryStore (18650 Battery Store - Lithium Ion Batteries, Chargers and Accessories).
18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blog-entry/18650-battery-ratings-table.7447/
20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blog-entry/20700-21700-battery-ratings.7827/
Continuous Current Discharge Graphs
Ratings and Performance Specs Graphic
I want to work for the community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability, battery testing and news, and a say in what I test, then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: Battery Mooch is creating battery and device tests | Patreon.
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
Misusing or mishandling lithium-ion batteries can pose a SERIOUS RISK of property damage, personal injury, or even death. Never use them outside of a fully protected battery pack and you use them at your own risk. Never exceed the battery’s true continuous discharge rating (CDR), never let it get colder than 0°C or hotter than 60°C, and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition. Never use a battery that is physically damaged in any way.
Testing batteries at their limits is dangerous and should never be attempted by anyone who has not thoroughly studied the dangers involved, understands the risks, has the proper equipment, and takes all appropriate safety precautions.
If the battery has only one current rating number, or if it only says "max", then I have to assume the battery is rated at that current level for any type of discharge, including continuous.
Test Results
It’s been over 2-1/2 years since I’ve tested this cell. I’m still asked about the VTC6A a lot so I decided to retest them.
The two cells I just tested performed a little better at all current levels. This is good to see as manufacturers often tweak the performance or cycle life of a cell.
Murata gives the VTC6A a 40A “temperature-limited” current rating. The datasheet says you can run this cell at up to 40A as long as the cell’s temperature stays below 80°C.
There is no true continuous current rating in the datasheet. I am recommending not using them at over 25A continuous since it reaches its 80°C max temp rating at about that level. This is for single cells in open air! If you are using this cell in a device or battery pack then you will need to test the max temp the cell reaches. I recommend staying below 60°C to lower the risk and extend cell life.
Two cells tested out to 4028mAh and 4042mAh so both exceeded their 4000mAh rating. I have not tested the cycle life of these cells.
This cell has a bottom venting ring in addition to the standard venting disk located underneath the top contact. These vents are critical safety devices. I recommend not pressing hard against the bottom of this cell or blocking the possible operation of the bottom vent.
Two cells were purchased for testing by me from 18650BatteryStore (18650 Battery Store - Lithium Ion Batteries, Chargers and Accessories).
18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blog-entry/18650-battery-ratings-table.7447/
20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/blog-entry/20700-21700-battery-ratings.7827/
Continuous Current Discharge Graphs
Ratings and Performance Specs Graphic
I want to work for the community full time! If you feel what I do is worth a couple dollars a month and you would like early access to battery availability, battery testing and news, and a say in what I test, then please consider becoming a patron and supporting my testing efforts: Battery Mooch is creating battery and device tests | Patreon.
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
