A user on the Habr platform, operating under the alias Telnov_WIKI, shared an experiment that explored how lithium-ion batteries respond to higher charging currents. The core takeaway is that charging at elevated power levels did not appear to erode the usable capacity of the cells tested, at least within the parameters observed in the study. The report is presented with a cautious tone, noting that the findings apply to the specific cells and conditions documented and may not automatically generalize to all lithium-ion chemistries or devices.
In the test setup, two commonly used cylindrical lithium-ion cells were charged at a current of 20 amperes, a figure well beyond the typical nominal range of 2 to 5 amperes that many standard charging protocols prescribe. This approach aimed to probe the limits of rapid charging while monitoring the impact on capacity over time. The results were collected after completing 100 charging cycles, offering a substantial data set to evaluate long-term effects rather than a single-point snapshot. The Sanyo NSX cell showed a capacity decline of about 8.5 percent across the cycle count, a loss that sits below the manufacturer’s stated degradation figure of 11.4 percent when charging at 5 amperes. Meanwhile, the LG 18650HG2 cell exhibited a roughly 10 percent decrease in capacity after charging at 5 amperes, and an even larger reported loss at 4 amperes with a similar comparative baseline. The data suggested that at the higher charging rate of 20 amperes, the cells did not necessarily exhibit more rapid deterioration than expected from the standard, lower-current conditions described by the manufacturers, though the exact figures depend on the cell model, the state of health at the start of testing, and the precise charging protocol used.
Taken together, the experiments indicate that fast charging, when applied within specified power limits and under controlled conditions, can be compatible with preserving battery capacity over many cycles. The overarching message is one of measured optimism: the study found no evidence that high-current charging automatically accelerates breakdown or creates immediate, irreversible damage to the tested cells. It is important to emphasize that these results rely on specific test parameters, including the charging current, cycle count, temperature, and the overall battery management strategy used during the experiments. As with any battery study, extrapolating to broad consumer use should be done with care, and users should consult manufacturer guidelines and safety standards when considering rapid charging for their own devices. The takeaway remains that rapid charging does not inherently cause rapid degradation, provided that power limits are observed and the charging system maintains safe operating conditions as designed for the particular cell chemistry and form factor involved.
Other related discussions in the field explore scenarios involving electric vehicles and personal mobility devices, highlighting how charging strategies, thermal management, and battery protection systems interact to influence performance and longevity. These conversations emphasize that practical outcomes depend on a combination of engineering choices, real-world usage patterns, and quality control throughout the product life cycle. In summary, while the experiments do not prove universal applicability, they contribute to a growing body of evidence suggesting that, under carefully controlled variables, high-current charging can be compatible with sustained capacity retention for lithium-ion cells over hundreds of cycles, rather than causing immediate, noticeable deterioration. The precise implications for any given battery design must always be validated through standardized testing and manufacturer guidance before making broad conclusions about fast charging in everyday use.