Murata Manufacturing (ehem. Sony Energy Devices) US18650VTC5A (Sony/Murata VTC5A)
Series: Murata Manufacturing (ehem. Sony Energy Devices) Battery cells for drone packs
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The Murata US18650VTC5A, known as the Sony VTC5A, is a high-drain cell in the 18650 format with NMC chemistry. Murata, a Japanese electronics maker, took over Sony's lithium-ion cell business; the VTC line is the high-drain line of these cells. The cell is made in Japan and intended for small FPV drones. The number 18650 stands for 18 mm diameter and 65 mm length.
It stores 2,600 mAh at 3.6 V nominal voltage, which is 9.4 Wh per cell (nominal voltage times capacity). The continuous current is given as 25 A, which is 9.6C, calculated from current and capacity; at that current the cell is empty after a little over six minutes. Another dealer quotes 30 A or 35 A up to a cell temperature of 80 °C. Those figures apply under other conditions and are no substitute for the continuous current. The weight is 47.8 g, and another dealer gives 47.1 g.
Six cells in series (6S1P) come to 56.2 Wh and so stay far below the IATA limit of 100 Wh for spare batteries. Lithium cells must meet the tests of UN 38.3 for transport and are packed protected against short circuit. Joining cells into a pack belongs in a specialist workshop with test and protection equipment.
The low capacity at high current capability suits small packs for short, powerful flights. Care is needed when buying: high-drain 18650 cells of this line are often counterfeited or re-wrapped. When planning, use the lowest quoted continuous current, not the highest. Internal resistance and voltage sag grow with the cycles, and heat speeds up ageing.
Technical data
Other data
| C-rate | 9.6correct |
|---|---|
| Capacity (mAh) | 2,600correct |
| Cell chemistry | Li-Ion NMCcorrect |
| Cell count (S) | 1Scorrect |
| Continuous current (A) | 25 Acorrect |
| Form factor | 18,650correct |
| Nominal voltage (V) | 3.6 Vcorrect |
| Weight (g) | 47.8correct |
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
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