Posts Tagged: Battery Cells

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10
Apr 11

18650 Cells: Why Are They Called That?

Because they are actually still Li-Ion batteries in a way. The newer Li-Polymer batteries are still not very popular because they are very expensive. However 18650 cells are a significant improvement in the type of cells Li-Ion batteries have. Some specifications include:

-          Better energy output

-          More capacity

-          Fewer resources used

-          Better protection circuits

-          Longer life

Are 18650 Cells Worth the Money?

18650 cells are the basics of electric car engines. Energy sources actually. This should tell you enough about their quality and power. They were originally developed by Panasonic in order to create a better and durable energy source. They found their use in electric cars and they are far from being weak. Consider some of these features they have in cars:

-          0-60 mph acceleration: 3.9s

-          Quarter mile acceleration: 12.7s

-          EPA driving range: 244 miles

So in other words, the 18650 cells are definitely one of the stronger battery cells out there. They also support over 500 charges and recharge in 2-4 hours.

What Are Some Other Specifications?

-          High capacity, usually around 2400 mAh

-          Reliable

-          Over-charge protection (optional but common)

-          Over-voltage and under-voltage protection

-          2-4 hour charge time

-          More than 500 recharge cycles

-          Better energy output

There are some things people should keep in mind when buying 18650 cells. Before wasting any money and batteries, you should know these things:

-          Rechargeable, but only with a specific 18650 charger

-          Different sizes than AAA, AA or other traditional batteries

-          Not all 18650 cells have in-built protection circuits

-          You still need to take care of them properly

People can be irresponsible. They are buying the newest product on the market and believe it is indestructible. You need to know how to properly take care of your batteries. Even if they have improved 18650 cells, you should still keep in mind that they could have the same downsides as Li-Ion batteries.

How to Take Proper Care of 18650 Cells?

Keep the same things in mind like regular Li-Ion batteries and everything will be fine. In other words, practice the following procedures:

-          If you are not using your 18650 cells, keep them in the refrigerator

-          You did not buy them to keep them in the refrigerator, so do not let them stay in there forever

-          Do not expose directly to heat

-          Expose them directly to sunlight if you have to, but never for too long. It will eventually kill them.

-          Do not charge them in the refrigerator. If you charge them on low temperatures, the 18650 cells will not be very grateful

-          Do not over-charge them or even under-charge them.

By over-charge, it means that once the LED light says they are done, you should remove them. Some batteries have protection circuits in-built to prevent damage to their 18650 cells from over-charge. However, do not play with them more than you should.

Under-charging is actually not charging itself; it is more like letting the battery die. If you allow that, you will not be able to recharge it again by a conventional charger. Maybe you can if you let them stay inside long enough, but it is not certain.

Should I Look at Other Customer Reviews When Buying 18650 Cells?

Yes and no. Yes, because people are going to tell you some more information on how they find the 18650 cells useful. No, because people are technically ignorant in most cases and will spread misinformation with bad comments that have no connection with reality. In fact, most people rate products badly because the size did not fit in their appliance. Strange, nobody ever said 18650 cells were compatible with AA or AAA batteries. Size is specified for every product. So keep your eye on the specifications of the product you need, not on half-literate comments.

There are many vendors available, but Amazon is well-known for good customer service and is recommended. If you get a defect product, you will be certain that you can get a replacement or your money back.

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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.

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7
Mar 10

Chargers for 18650 Batteries

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.

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