Bottom Line: This is an extraordinary cell that I am rating at 30A. The two cells I received from EnerCig and the two from Nkon appear to have come from the same batch.
The datasheet has a “maximum continuous discharge” rating of 70A in the datasheet. But at that temperature, about 85°C, the cell will have a significantly reduced cycle life. This rating is an absolute maximum, not a level you should operate the battery at for every cycle. To allow direct comparison against other batteries I am rating this cell at a level, 30A, which limits the temperature to 60°C to ensure good cycle life. Above this temperature the cell’s aging accelerates significantly. The cell can easily be pulsed at levels above 80A though.
This cell’s lithium-ferrous-phosphate (LFP) chemistry is the safest of the Li-Ion chemistries we use. While this should never be used as an excuse to do so, these A123’s can take a lot of abuse before going into thermal runaway. If they do go into runaway their reaction isn’t as violent as the other chemistries. But this cell requires a 3.6V charger!
The voltage of this cell is very steady for most of the discharge, very similar to LiPo’s. This is great for unregulated/mechanical mod users. The iJoy 4200mAh 26650 is a better choice for vaping at up to about 40A though.
The 26650 ratings table has been updated to include this cell.
Test results, discharge graph, photos: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/threads/a123-anr26650m1-b-2400mah-3-3v-26650-bench-test-results-an-extraordinary-battery-with-issues.770987/
All my test results to date: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/list-of-battery-tests.7436/
18350/18500 ratings and pulse performance data: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/18350-safety-grades-and-pulse-performance-data.7566/
18650 current ratings and safety grades: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/18650-safety-grades-picking-a-safe-battery-to-vape-with.7447
26650 ratings and pulse performance data: https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/26650-safety-grades-and-pulse-performance-data.7554/