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Finding the Best Li-Ion Battery for FPV Long Range Flying and Equipment

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Li-ion cell is a popular battery choice for both long range FPV drones and equipment such as FPV goggles and radios. However, with so many options on the market, selecting the best cells can be overwhelming. I tested various batteries, comparing their performance and true capacity to find the ideal batteries that offer long flight times and reliable performance.

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Table of Contents

Why Li-ion Batteries?

Choosing the right battery is crucial for optimizing the performance of FPV equipment. The Li-ion battery emerges as a top choice due to its balance of wide availability, longevity, and cost-effectiveness. It’s particularly favored by long-range FPV pilots for its superior energy-to-weight ratio compared to traditional LiPo batteries. Although it may not deliver the high current output of LiPo batteries, it is adequate for drones designed for efficiency and endurance.

For a deeper dive into the pros and cons of Li-ion batteries over LiPo, check out this post: https://oscarliang.com/li-ion-battery-long-range/

To sum it up, here’s why batteries are preferred for FPV drones and accessories:

• Capacity and Efficiency: They offer substantial energy storage in a compact form factor.
• Rechargeability: These batteries are capable of hundreds of charge cycles without significant degradation.
• Availability: They are widely available and used across various electronic devices and tools.

Interested in long-range flying? Check out these tips: https://oscarliang.com/long-range-fpv-flying-mini-quad/

The Contenders

To find the best, I tested a variety of batteries from reputable brands, considering different specifications for a well-rounded review.

Price* / Weight** Per Cell Product Page Sony VTC5A mAh
$8.99 / 48.3g AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dch2E5F
GF: https://oscarliang.com/product-kttw Sony VTC6 mAh
$12.50 / 46.9g AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdTpbXb
GF: https://oscarliang.com/product-0owd Molicel P30B mAh
$10.50 / 45.5g AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmp0uVT Molicel P28A mah
$9.50 / 45.3g AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_De9xMd7
RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-6ohi
GF: https://oscarliang.com/product-u8yp Molicel M35A mah
$8.99 / 46.7g AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DcGMxEh Sanyo NCRGA mah
$8.99 / 47.2g AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCRVMQl
RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-vknc Radiomaster mah
$11.99 / 46.2g RM: https://oscarliang.com/product-ykiv
AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdrOSo1 Radiomaster mah
$8.99 / 45.2g RM: https://oscarliang.com/product-ykiv
AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdrOSo1

* Price according to my local reseller at the time of publishing.

** Weight is measured by myself

Testing Methodology

To determine the best batteries, I focused on two key performance indicators:

• Capacity: Measured by discharging batteries at a slow rate (2A) from 4.2V per cell down to 2.9V to accurately gauge their energy storage capabilities.
• Voltage Sag: Assessed by discharging at a faster rate (12A) from 4.2V per cell to 2.9V to evaluate their performance under load throughout the discharge cycle.

In case you are curious what testing equipment I used, it was the SkyRC BD350 discharger.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website SINC.

Results and Recommendations

When evaluating the discharge rate, the Molicel P30B and P28A stood out for delivering consistent power, especially under heavy load, making them ideal for high-demand long range FPV flying. The Sony VTC5A and VTC6 were close contenders, performing admirably as well.

In terms of true capacity, the Molicel M35A and Sanyo NCRGA led the pack, offering the highest mAh at approximately mAh. Here’s a detailed breakdown of advertised versus measured capacities:

Advertised Capacity Measured mAh (Cutoff 2.9V) Sony VTC5A mAh mAh Sony VTC6 mAh mAh Molicel P30B mAh mAh Molicel P28A mah mAh Molicel M35A mah mAh Sanyo NCRGA mah mAh Radiomaster mah mAh Radiomaster mah mAh

Based on our testing, here are our top recommendations for different FPV needs.

For long range FPV flights, the Molicel P30B emerges as the top choice for its exceptional capacity and discharge performance, minimizing voltage sag. The VTC6 and P28A are excellent alternatives, with the VTC6 slightly edging out in flight time and the P28A providing a bit more punch.

Top choice:

• Molicel P30B:
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Dmp0uVT

Second choices:

• P28A:
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_De9xMd7
  • RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-6ohi
  • GF: https://oscarliang.com/product-u8yp
• VTC6:
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdTpbXb
  • GF: https://oscarliang.com/product-0owd

For low current applications like powering FPV goggles and radios, the Molicel M35A and Sanyo NCRGA are my go-to options. The Radiomaster mAh and VTC6 are also worthy considerations.

Top choices:

• Sanyo NCRGA:
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DCRVMQl
  • RDQ: https://oscarliang.com/product-vknc
• Molicel M35A:
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DcGMxEh

Second choices:

• RM mah:
  • RM: https://oscarliang.com/product-ykiv
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdrOSo1
• VTC6:
  • AE: https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DdTpbXb
  • GF: https://oscarliang.com/product-0owd

Building Your Own Pack

You can build your own battery packs using singular cells following this guide: https://oscarliang.com/li-ion-battery-long-range/.

While I’ve tested various pre-made 6S Li-ion packs from reputable vendors, none matched the performance of Molicel cells (I guess they are not using the best cells in order to maximize profit). Therefore assembling your own Li-ion battery pack using top-quality cells, ensures the best possible performance, sometimes even cheaper.

Conclusion

Choosing the right Li-ion battery requires weighing several performance factors. I hope our comparison and testing helped you decide which cells to get. Happy flying!

Charging Batteries

Modern LiPo chargers typically support Li-Ion battery type; simply connect them as you would a LiPo battery. For charger recommendations, check out: https://oscarliang.com/choose-lipo-battery-charger-power-supply/

Want more information on Li-ion Battery mAh? Feel free to contact us.

Edit History

• Feb : Article creation.
• Mar : Update with the latest test results with the latest cells.