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 3-1/2 years since I tested P42A’s. I wanted to do a retest so those who are deciding between the P45B and P42A can make an informed decision.
Up to about 25A the 2022-dated Molicel P42A performs the same as the 2018-dated cells I tested in 2019. Above that the 2022 cells perform a little worse but run a couple of degrees-C cooler. I don’t think you’ll notice any difference between them. IMO there have probably been life cycle improvements made to these cells but I have not tested that.
The year of manufacture is part of the bottom line of text on the wrap, circled in red above. 2022 = M, 2021 = L, 2020 = K, etc.
The cells I tested delivered 4085mAh and 4133mAh. Both were over the 4000mAh minimum capacity rating but were under the 4200mAh “typical” rating for the P42A.
The 45A rating of these cells from the datasheet is not a true continuous rating IMO. It is temperature-limited to 80°C so when the cell gets that hot you must stop. Since the Molicel P42A reaches about 80°C at 30A (down to 2.5V) I will be giving it a an estimated 30A continuous and a 40A temperature-limited rating. Never let the cell go over 80°C.
18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
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 | creating battery and device tests | Patreon.
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: Links To All 21700, 26650, 18350, 18500 Battery Tests
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 3-1/2 years since I tested P42A’s. I wanted to do a retest so those who are deciding between the P45B and P42A can make an informed decision.
Up to about 25A the 2022-dated Molicel P42A performs the same as the 2018-dated cells I tested in 2019. Above that the 2022 cells perform a little worse but run a couple of degrees-C cooler. I don’t think you’ll notice any difference between them. IMO there have probably been life cycle improvements made to these cells but I have not tested that.
The year of manufacture is part of the bottom line of text on the wrap, circled in red above. 2022 = M, 2021 = L, 2020 = K, etc.
The cells I tested delivered 4085mAh and 4133mAh. Both were over the 4000mAh minimum capacity rating but were under the 4200mAh “typical” rating for the P42A.
The 45A rating of these cells from the datasheet is not a true continuous rating IMO. It is temperature-limited to 80°C so when the cell gets that hot you must stop. Since the Molicel P42A reaches about 80°C at 30A (down to 2.5V) I will be giving it a an estimated 30A continuous and a 40A temperature-limited rating. Never let the cell go over 80°C.
18650 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
18650 Battery Ratings and Performance Table
You are responsible for your own safety! These batteries are designed, manufactured, and sold only for use in a battery pack with the proper protection circuitry and battery management system. They were not designed for vaping (electronic...
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
20700/21700 Ratings and E-Scores Table:
21700 Battery Ratings and Performance Table
You are responsible for your own safety! These batteries are designed, manufactured, and sold only for use in a battery pack with the proper protection circuitry and battery management system. They were not designed for vaping (electronic...
www.e-cigarette-forum.com
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 | creating battery and device tests | Patreon.
To see how other cells have tested check out this link: Links To All 21700, 26650, 18350, 18500 Battery Tests
