Moli and NPE sent me several of these cells for testing and my thoughts about their performance. This is just a sneak peek at what’s coming, they hope to ship them to the rewrapping companies by the first quarter of 2019. I will retest them when they start shipping to the rewrappers. Some MIGHT be available before the end of the year though.
As of now, Moli won’t be making this cell directly available to us in its original wrapper due to existing agreements.
This is a great performing 21700 which hits harder and runs for longer than the Samsung 40T. It even competes with the Samsung 30T at 30A. The 30T hits harder for about the first third of the discharge but then the P42A holds its voltage up better and hits harder for the rest of the discharge.
If you use a mech and you change cells early then the 30T is the better choice because it hits harder at the start. But if you run your cells down to 3.5V-3.6V (when put on the charger), and wanted a slightly more consistent vape that could run for longer, then the P42A is probably worth trying.
The datasheet lists 45A as the max continuous current rating but notes that cycle life is reduced at high current levels. Running this cell continuously at 45A gets it much too hot for that to be a continuous current rating we can use for comparing to other cells.
The datasheet lists the minimum capacity at 4000mAh. The four P42A’s I tested delivered 4168mAh – 4182mAh at 800mA (0.2C) down to 2.5V. This is amazing consistency and they all easily meet their minimum capacity rating.
I am rating this Molicel at 30A and 4000mAh. Molicel is working on adding a good cycle life continuous current rating and a higher temperature-limited rating (much like Sony/Murata does) to their datasheets to make it easier for us to directly compare their cells to others used by us.
Five cells were donated for the purposes of testing by Moli (http://www.molicel.com/hq/about/aboutus1.html) and N-Power Energy, Ltd. Thank you!
Ratings graphic: https://imgur.com/a/2qqrCWo
Test report: https://bit.ly/2z9mgiF
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These tests only note the ESTIMATED ratings for these batteries at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, LG, Panasonic, or Sanyo can change at any time! This is one of the hazards of using “rewrapped” batteries 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 personal injury or property damage. They are not meant to be used outside of a protected battery pack. Never exceed the battery’s continuous current rating and keep the plastic wrap and top insulating ring in perfect condition.
Any rating in my ratings tables can change at any time as different grade cells appear on the market, we get swamped with fakes, or new information becomes available to me. Please, never assume that the ratings in the tables are permanent and will never change! Always download the latest version before considering any cell purchase.
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