There has been another revolution in lithium ion batteries, in this case high discharge rate and high capacity 18650 cells. These are used in high discharge rate applications, including electric tools and vapor style electronic cigarettes. The Sony, Samsung and LG cells have been extremely hard to get, which has encouraged counterfeiting. PowerStream has a project with the Air Force which requires us to build their packs with the highest performance cells avialable. This means that we are continually on the prowl for the best.



All the following cells have been obtained through legitimate channels and tested by PowerStream to make sure that they are genuine and authentic. Manufacturer Part Number Capacity Discharge current* Short circuit current Data sheet Price LG 18650HE2

ICR18650HE2 2500mAH at 500mA discharge 35 Amps * 200 Amps ICR18650HE2

ICR18650HE2 Rev 0

MSDS $7.75 each

Samsung INR18650-25R 2500 mAH at 500mA discharge 25 Amps*

100 Amps pulse 189 Amps INR15650 25R $7.99 each

Sony US18650VCT4

US18650 VTC4 2100mAH at 420mA discharge 30 Amps * 208 Amps US18650 VTC4 $20.00 each

No longer available Sony US18650VCT5

US18650 VCT5 2600mAH at 460mA discharge 20 Amps *

40 Amps** 192 Amps US18650 VTC5 $30.00 each

No longer available *Maximum discharge current is somewhat arbitrary, you can always get more amps if you can accept more voltage sag and don't let the battery get too hot. The current we list here is the highest that the manufacturer (LG, Samsung or Sony) supplies discharge curves for. Look at the charts listed below to see the voltage drop and temperature rise. HOWEVER, IT IS NOT SAFE TO EXCEED THE BATTERY MANUFACTURER'S AMPERAGE RATINGS, SO DON'T BE STUPID!

**The VTC5 data sheet says 20 amps, but I found a Sony discharge curve that goes up to 40 amps, see below.



Applications:

These are safe when used as single cells or cells in parallel. This is perfect for many applications such as vapor smoking. If you need higher voltage by putting these in series they can be very dangerous, and must be assembled in a qualified factory with the appropriate matching and balance charge circuitry. We can do this or have this done for you. We sell these individual cells with an understanding from the customer that they will not be used in series.



Sony prints their data on the metal shell before the heat-shrink covering is put on, it is hard to photograph, so we have digitally enhanced these to make them more readable, here in two different views. It says SE US18650VTC5 and T C5A1XWB23V along with the RU mark, which is the UL component symbol. The color was changed digitally to enhance the writing visibility. VTC4 Discharge Curves:





Sony VTC5 Discharge curves:



Here is the VTC5 discharge curve that goes up to 40 Amps

LG 18650HE2 Discharge Curves:





LG HE2 discharge curves above



Samsung INR18650-25R Discharge Curves:

Samsung 25R discharge curves above

Features:

1. High operating voltage (3.7V)

2. Energy density is high

3. No memory effect

4. Self-discharge is less than 10% per month

5. Charge/discharge cycle characteristics are excellent

6. Safety characteristics are excellent

7. The battery has a wide discharging temperature range of -20 °C to +60 °C

Caution:

(1) Do not short-circuit and do not overcharge lithium ion cells.

(2) Do not over-discharge , dent, crush, or burn the prismatic cells.

(3) The lithium ion battery should be removed from the instrument when battery is depleted.

(4) Do not try to solder directly to 18650 lithium ion batteries .

(5) Do not disassemble lithium ion batteries.

(6) Do not use lithium ion batteries outside the specified temperature range

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