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High drain battery cells, rated with their cut-off condition

A discharge rating without its temperature cut-off is not a rating you can design against. Every high-drain cell here is quoted with the condition the manufacturer attached to it.

In one paragraph

High drain lithium-ion cells trade capacity for current capability. In the current catalogue they run from 30 A to 60 A continuous, with the figure valid only while the pack holds the cell inside the manufacturer temperature cut-off, typically 80 °C or 83 °C.

Why this format

What decides whether it is the right choice

1

Impedance, not capacity, decides whether a high-drain cell holds its voltage under load

2

The 80 °C versus 83 °C cut-off difference is worth real current — compare like with like

3

Fast charge capability usually scales with discharge capability; check both columns before choosing

Models on file

Current specification table

Sorted by continuous discharge. Every figure is quoted with the condition the manufacturer attaches to it.

Model Brand Format Capacity Cont. discharge Max charge Energy Source
INR21700-P50B Molicel 21700 5,000 mAh 60 A 25 A 18.0 Wh Datasheet
INR21700-P50S Molicel 21700 5,000 mAh 60 A 25 A 18.0 Wh Datasheet
INR21700-P45B Molicel 21700 4,500 mAh 45 A 13.5 A 16.2 Wh Datasheet
INR21700-P42A Molicel 21700 4,200 mAh 45 A — 15.5 Wh Datasheet
INR18650-P22S Molicel 18650 2,200 mAh 36 A 4.0 A 7.92 Wh Datasheet
INR18650-P30S Molicel 18650 3,000 mAh 36 A 6 A 10.8 Wh Datasheet
INR21700-40T Samsung SDI 21700 4,000 mAh 35 A — — Pending
INR18650-P28A Molicel 18650 2,800 mAh 35 A 8.4 A 10.3 Wh Datasheet
INR18650-P26A Molicel 18650 2,600 mAh 35 A 6.0 A 9.5 Wh Datasheet
INR18650-P30B Molicel 18650 3,000 mAh 30 A 9 A 10.8 Wh Datasheet

Selection map

Which grade, for which job

30 A class (18650)

Tools and mobility packs that need pulses without moving to 21700

45 A class (21700)

Professional tools, traction, industrial backup

60 A class (21700)

eVTOL, heavy-lift drones, data-centre BBU, motorsport

Common questions

Before you specify

Do the discharge figures assume a temperature cut-off?

Yes, and that is the point. A 60 A figure valid only while the pack holds the cell under an 80 °C surface cut cannot be used in a pack with no thermal path. Where a manufacturer states a condition, we publish it alongside the number.

Can cells of different models share one pack?

No. Cells of different model, batch or state of charge must not be mixed in one pack. Uneven cells force the BMS to cut early at both ends and the pack loses the capacity it was specified for.

What documentation ships with an order?

UN38.3 test summary, MSDS and the transport classification for the shipping configuration. Certificate numbers are quoted only for documents we actually hold, and only where the model appears in the certificate coverage list.

Other formats

If this one does not fit

18650 cells 21700 cells Cell comparisons Cell selection guide

Narrowing down? Send the load profile

Peak current, continuous current, duty cycle and target cycle life. We will come back with the candidates and the documentation behind each one.

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