However, they are also more costly. The 18650 battery Li-ion battery is the most common battery used in laptop computers. It is made by a number of well-known brands, such as Panasonic, Sanyo, Samsung, Sony and LG, among others. The 18650 battery cell has a lengthier storage life than an Ni-MH battery cell, and, therefore, is preferred for use in laptops and cell phones.

The 18650 – Understanding the Basics

To understand a little bit more about the specifications of the Li-ion or 18650 lithium ion type battery, it’s good to know a little bit about battery jargon. For example, the amp hours, expressed as Ah, references the amount of electrical current or amperage in the battery. Therefore, the battery will last longer with an Ah that is higher.  The mAh (milliamp hours) refers to the amount of energy in a battery or the battery’s capacity. Thus, a battery with a higher mAh number will last longer from charge to charge. For conversion purposes, the mAh measurement is the same as one one-thousandth of an amp; therefore, 2.4 Ah, for example, equals 2,400 mAh. The cell refers to the sole canister of a battery. It’s usually combined with other battery cells to make up battery packs.

That said, and for your reference, the 18650 Li-ion battery cell is usually 3.6 or 3.7 volts. Its capacity is usually 2,400 mAh, and it has a 2.4 Ah maximum charge. As stated, the battery cell is light and weighs a little over an ounce and a half.

Sanyo Battery Cell

With respect to the 18650 batteries on the market, the Sanyo 18650 battery cell is an excellent choice. Highly rated, this Li-ion battery cell enjoys high marks with respect to quality and cost.

Tenergy

Another Li-ion battery cell worth noting is the 18650 Li-ion battery cell from Tenergy. This particular cell is often used in flashlights and notebooks. Buying a six pack of battery cells will run you a little over $30 U.S.

Ultrafire

Ultrafire also produces 18650 Li-ion battery cells. Each battery cell is equipped with a charger, and is suitable for use in all sorts of devices, including flashlights, digital cameras, digital camcorders, cell phones, iPods, notebooks and laptops. One of the most popular choices among consumers is the button top 18650 Li-ion battery cell made by Ultrafire. It’s reasonably priced at around ten bucks U.S. and has the capacity (3,000 mAh) to handle the energy consumed by a number of electronic and digital devices

The LG Brand

LG is another maker of the 18650 Li-ion battery cell. The 3.7 volt rechargeable battery cell’s capacity is 2,600 mAh, and it’s sold online for around $8. This LG battery cell touts a safe design and has less potential for leakage. Typically it is used for such digital devices as cameras, e-books and camcorders.

Therefore, the batteries can be used in items with smaller cell designs, such as the items mentioned. Of course, to keep a digital device in tip-top shape, you need an 18650 battery charger. Fortunately, there are a number of chargers available online that are reliable as well as helpful in keeping your 18650 battery packs performing optimally in any electronic equipment you may acquire. Therefore, chargers are a necessity if you own any of the aforementioned electronic devices and you want to keep them functioning.

Battery Capacity

To understand a little bit about battery charging, it’s good to know something about battery capacity. Capacity is the energy that is stored within the battery. If you have a battery with a higher capacity then, you will not have to recharge your battery as often. Therefore, it’s important to be aware of the capacity of the battery you’re buying. The capacity of a battery is designated in amps, or in milliamps in commercial applications. Thus, a battery with a capacity of 2 Ah is equal to 2,000 mAh. Also, the more battery cells you have in a battery, the higher the capacity.

Tenergy Chargers

One of the best known brands of 18650 Li-ion batteries also makes a good charger as well. The Tenergy multifunction charger, as the name suggests, is not only good for recharging your 18650 Li-ion batteries but other lithium type batteries too. Reasonably priced, the Tenergy charger is just under $14 U.S. in price. Simply charge your battery and refer to the LED light to find out when it’s done charging. The LED will display a red light while your battery is in charging mode and will turn green once the charging is complete.

Tenergy also sells a plug-in charger which is good for charging any 18650 battery. It’s a universal plug-in charger; therefore, you can use it about anyplace worldwide. That way, you can travel with your laptop and also your charger, and never have to worry about any downtime. The LED light also lets you know by its green color when the battery charging is complete. If you need a charger that you can use specifically for your 18650 Li-ion batteries, then this is indeed the right charger for you. It retails for around $13 U.S.

The Ultrafire Charger – Model #WF-139

Ultrafire makes a model WF-139 charger for lithium battery models 14500, 17500, 18500 as well as 18650 Li-ion batteries. This quality charger works on all manufacturers’ brands of batteries. It has a 100 to 240 volt power input, which is automatically adjusted when you use the device. Controlled by a microprocessor, the device automatically stops charging the battery as soon as charging is complete. The charger will not charge over any battery that has been discharged.

Lithium is a metal that is highly reactive; therefore, it is also a metal with a very high potential for converting chemical energy into the needed electricity for digital equipment. In fact, in some lithium 18650 li battery cells, the electrochemical potential is five times greater than it is in battery cells that are made of lead and three times greater than the amount for alkaline cells. Lithium, too, is very flexible. As a result, it’s also a feasible metal to use in the designs of small cells, or the type of cells used in such electronic items as laptops, digital cameras and palmtop computers or PDAs.

Battery Specifications

A typical 18650 3.7v battery cell then is a cylindrical Li-ion cell which is lightweight. Most cells are around an ounce and a half in weight. General capacity is measured at 2,200 milliamps or 2.2 amps. Usually, any amount higher than this number causes one to question stability. The maximum charge is 2.4 amps while the maximum discharge current is 4.6 amps.

The Process of Ionization – How a Lithium Battery Works

As stated, in the case of a lithium battery, as with all batteries in general, chemical energy is transformed into electrical energy. This process begins when electricity is supplied to the battery by way of a battery charger, which subsequently becomes a conduit for the electrons. The negative charges combine with the molecules in the lithium and are forced between spaces in the metal’s crystal planes. The electrons then ionize the lithium. Ionization, as a result, causes the metal’s planes to become loaded to the extent that they maintain a constant flow of energy. It also breaks down the reactive properties of the lithium in the battery.

The Case for Lithium

Needless to say, to keep your laptops, notebooks, iPods, PDAs or digital cameras working without interruption, it’s important to charge your Li-ion batteries. Plus, lithium, as stated, is a highly reactive type metal. Therefore, you will always receive an adequate power supply if you use such a battery as a power source.

Keeping your Electronic Devices in Working Order

There are a number of 18650 battery cells and battery chargers on the Internet. Some of the best known brand names for lithium batteries and chargers include Sanyo, Panasonic, Samsung, Ultrafire and Tenergy. Tenergy offers consumers Li-ion battery cells as well as chargers. The universal plug-in charger made by the company is designed specifically for 18650 Li-ion batteries. Especially adaptable for traveling, you can carry the lightweight device with your other digital equipment and never have to worry about your batteries losing their ability to keep items running, such as your cell phone or laptop.  Therefore, you can plug in the charger anywhere in the world and have access to your notebook, laptop, or PDA without the worry that you will be without a personal means in which to communicate.

It’s helpful to understand how a lithium battery works and how the metal impacts our daily lives. Look on the Internet for all your lithium battery and charger needs.