These tests below only note my personal opinion for the 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
I last tested these years ago so it seemed like a retest would be good to do. Especially since they are still very popular in Asia.
This cell is a great performer, testing better than last time and a little better than the Murata VTC5A. It performs essentially the same as the Molicel P26A. The Molicel P28A still performs a little better at all current levels though.
The datasheet only lists a temperature-limited discharge current rating of 35A. According to the datasheet you can run it at 35A but you must keep the cell temperature below 90°C. That’s incredibly hot and I recommend staying below 25A continuous since that brings the cell up to about 85°C-90°C. But to improve performance and increase cell life I recommend staying below 60°C (about too hot to hold).
This cell has a bottom vent ring. This can add safety but I recommend not blocking the (possible) operation of the ring or pressing hard against the bottom of the cell when using it.
This cell also has a laser-etched code box on the bottom. I do not know if all VTC5D’s being made recently have this and the bottom venting ring but I would assume so. If you bought VTC5D’s that do not have both the bottom vent ring and the code box then they could potentially be fakes or older cells and you’ll need to examine them carefully and test them. Please do not send me photos of your cells as I am unable to tell from just that if they are definitely genuine or not.
These cells are rated down to 2.0V but the ones I tested delivered 2788mAh and 2799mAh down to 2.5V so they easily meet their 2700mAh rating (which uses the 2.0V cutoff).
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
I last tested these years ago so it seemed like a retest would be good to do. Especially since they are still very popular in Asia.
This cell is a great performer, testing better than last time and a little better than the Murata VTC5A. It performs essentially the same as the Molicel P26A. The Molicel P28A still performs a little better at all current levels though.
The datasheet only lists a temperature-limited discharge current rating of 35A. According to the datasheet you can run it at 35A but you must keep the cell temperature below 90°C. That’s incredibly hot and I recommend staying below 25A continuous since that brings the cell up to about 85°C-90°C. But to improve performance and increase cell life I recommend staying below 60°C (about too hot to hold).
This cell has a bottom vent ring. This can add safety but I recommend not blocking the (possible) operation of the ring or pressing hard against the bottom of the cell when using it.
This cell also has a laser-etched code box on the bottom. I do not know if all VTC5D’s being made recently have this and the bottom venting ring but I would assume so. If you bought VTC5D’s that do not have both the bottom vent ring and the code box then they could potentially be fakes or older cells and you’ll need to examine them carefully and test them. Please do not send me photos of your cells as I am unable to tell from just that if they are definitely genuine or not.
These cells are rated down to 2.0V but the ones I tested delivered 2788mAh and 2799mAh down to 2.5V so they easily meet their 2700mAh rating (which uses the 2.0V cutoff).
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:
20700 + 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
