Murata Manufacturing (ehem. Sony Energy Devices) US18650VTC6 (Sony/Murata VTC6)

The Murata US18650VTC6, known as the Sony VTC6, is a high-drain cell in the 18650 format from Sony, now Murata, a Japanese electronics maker. The VTC line is the high-drain line of the lithium-ion cells that Murata took over from Sony. The VTC6 is intended for small FPV drones that want more capacity than very high-drain types offer and still need high currents.

The cell stores 3,000 mAh at 3.6 V nominal voltage, which is 10.8 Wh. The continuous current is given as 15 A, which is 5C, calculated from current and capacity, as a design rating, that is, a design value for continuous load. The 30 A that appears in dealer listings is only a temperature-limited test point: discharge ends as soon as a temperature limit is reached, and it is not suitable as a continuous value. The weight is typically 46.6 g.

Six cells in series (6S1P) come to 64.8 Wh and so stay 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, for example in the original packaging or with taped terminals. A specialist workshop joins the cells into a pack.

When choosing, count on 15 A per cell as the continuous value; anyone who plans 30 A as continuous current overloads the cell. With parallel cells the current is shared, and the cells of one pack should come from the same batch and capacity class. The VTC line is often counterfeited, so buy only from reputable dealers. With the cycles, internal resistance and voltage sag rise.