Posts Tagged: Battery Cell


10
Apr 11

UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion Batteries: Are They Worth The Money?

Are you looking for good and durable batteries? Did you hear about UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries? Well, you would be missing one good product if you did not hear about them. 18650 Li-Ion batteries are generally known to be better than regular Li-Ion batteries. The 18650 cells were originally developed by Panasonic. The goal was to create a more durable battery cell which could output more energy and use fewer resources.

Although some people prefer to buy Panasonic batteries, they are usually only suitable for Panasonic products. UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries are a worthy universal replacement. However, note if your product will support this type of battery, they come in different sizes and have different features and safety measures.

What Are the Technical Details of UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries?

That would depend on the type of battery you choose. But since 18650 Li-Ion batteries have the same cells powering them, they also share some general features.

-          High capacity, usually around 2400 mAh

-          Reliable

-          2-4 hour charge time

-          More than 500 recharge cycles

-          Better energy output

Most of these batteries have a protection system from over-charging. That technology should not be confused with 18650 cells. They are only created to have better output, they are not safer. You should take care of them just as well as any Li-Ion battery. Some will come with a protection circuit, but do not treat them as indestructible.

What People Have to Say About UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion Batteries?

They are mostly satisfied. These are batteries like any other and more, since the 18650 Li-Ion batteries are a more advanced version of the standard Li-Ion batteries. They also come with several improvements:

-          Better heat tolerance

-          Energy conserving

-          Longer life

-          Memory-free

Any Bad Comments on UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion Batteries?

Some people naturally complain. But it is important to understand the massive ignorance present in people when it comes to technology. The only reason people are considered geeks or geniuses is because the masses do not want to learn. Some may still consider electronics and energy magical rather than scientific.

So it is no surprise that people who purchase UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries complain about several things like:

-          They do not fit

-          They do not charge

-          They have short lifespan

Does This Mean That the Manufacturers Are Lying About Quality?

To clarify these comments is actually very simple if you understand what 18650 Li-Ion batteries are. UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries are built in different sizes than regular AAA, AA or any other battery. If you have a product which does not fit these specifications, do not buy them. Well you can buy them, the manufacturer will not mind. But you will be at a loss.

Naturally, you will need a charger for Li-Ion batteries, not just some regular charger. You can save money by buying it in a combo with the batteries at Amazon to get a discount price.

One customer said you should have common sense to buy these cells. This is true. Most people will get the feeling just because UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries are improved that they are indestructible. 18650 Li-Ion batteries are more forgiving than regular Li-Ion batteries, but you should learn how to take good care of them.

How to Take Care of My UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion Batteries?

Take care of them just like you would take care of your regular Li-Ion batteries. Do not expose them to too much heat, although UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion batteries can handle it better than regular Li-Ion batteries. Try not to over-charge them even if the product specifies that it has a protection circuit. You can never be too careful.

Will My Investment in UltraFire 18650 Li-Ion Batteries Pay Off?

If you know how to take care of them and for what products to use them, it will definitely pay off as a more durable product. You can choose the type you need on Amazon by category, since some of them are only suitable for flashlights and others for cameras or laptops. Either way, try to get the best price by buying the product with a battery charger.


10
Apr 11

18650 Battery Charger: Choosing One

Why would anyone want to buy a 18650 battery charger? Well, since you have batteries with 18650 cells you might want to get a 18650 battery charger. Maybe you do not have these batteries, but would like to get them because you heard that they are an improvement of the older 18650 batteries. In that case you will get the best deal on Amazon if you buy them in a combo with a 18650 battery charger. There are many companies which have these offers like Tenergy, UltraFire, Titan Brand and many more.

Why Would I Buy a Charger From a Specific Company?

Well the beauty of it is that there are many chargers available out there. Some are specifically designed and compatible with only one kind of battery, but others are universal. Whatever is the case, you are buying a completely anonymous brand on your own responsibility. With a good brand like Tenergy or UltraFire, you know that you are buying quality. Anonymous brands which cost less than two dollars may seem appealing, but you should rather spend some more money and get some batteries in the deal as well.

The best companies which offer standard 18650 cell batteries are:

-          Tenergy

-          UltraFire

-          Titan Brand

There are more companies. Panasonic is also very popular since they originally created the 18650 cell technology, but they usually create only batteries for their product lines. If you need regular cylindrical batteries, you should look for them with other respectable manufacturers like the ones mentioned above.

Why Can’t I use My Older Battery Charger for 18650 Batteries?

You need a 18650 battery charger to correctly charge these batteries. There are a lot of technical reasons, but, in essence, the construction materials are different for different battery types. You need different currents and everything else to charge 18650 batteries correctly. Some Li-Ion chargers will specify that they are for a particular type of battery cell and you should look for compatibility issues when buying.

What I Should Look for When Buying a 18650 Battery Charger?

-          Voltage input

-          Over voltage protection

-          Over current protection

-          Short circuit protection

-          Contrary polarity protection

-          LED lamps which tell you when the charging is complete

These are all important safety features. LED lamps may not seem like it, but not all batteries are immune to over-charging. You should always remove them when they are done charging. LED lamps will tell you when that moment comes.

How Can I Make the Most Out of My Money?

When buying a 18650 battery charger you should prevent stupid mistakes before you buy a product. So keep in mind some things:

-          What shape are your batteries?

-          Do you need a cylindrical 18650 battery charger?

-          Do I need a car adapter?

-          Would I be more comfortable with a universal 18650 battery charger?

Do not ask too many questions, though. Sometimes you will be lost in questions and become too confused about what to buy. Just outline some basic things and then look for a product. Amazon is a great place to look. For example, if you need a universal charger, you could check out the „Orbtronic 18650 Rapid Charger and Two 18650 2800mAh Protected 3.7V Lithium-Ion Rechargeable Batteries”. Customers say that these are one of the better chargers which will also come with the batteries. You can shop around naturally for something that might more likely suit your needs.

Which Are Some of the Best Deals And 18650 Battery Chargers?

Amazon has a great selection of different 18650 battery charger devices. They can usually be bought in a combo with other batteries which makes it more affordable. Keep in mind that this is a long-term investment, since new advances in battery technology will not happen so soon. So try to make the most of your money now and find the best chargers and batteries for your needs.


7
Mar 10

The Best 18650 Battery Cells

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.