Posts Tagged: Lithium Battery


10
Apr 11

18650 Holder: The New Generation Of Holders And Chargers

Since more and more people buy lithium-ion batteries mostly because of their durability and additional safety measures included, there are also other accessories needed, such as 18650 holder, charger and even case practical for everyone to carry the batteries around. The 18650 holder is designed to hold the batteries inside the electronic devices. Sometimes they can be even confused with the chargers, but the difference is obvious, mostly by the performances. The 18650 holder can be made for one, up to four batteries, and it usually has build-in protection circuit module. Some important features of this product, model 18650-4S1P-14.4V made by SmarTEC are:

  • Charging voltage DC 16.8 V
  • The Maximal continuous Charging current is 4A
  • In case of overcharge, the detection voltage is 4.325±0.025V
  • Over discharge detection voltage is 2.4±0.08V
  • Detection delay time 200-500us
  • Protection circuitry ≤60mΩ
  • Operating temperature range -40+85

When it comes to 18650 holder, the most important thing is the safety, and this holder can make it happen. On the other side, the user should not mis-handle the holder, because in the case of wrong polarity placement, can happen an accident while charging the battery.

Just like 18650 holder, the right charger must be provided in order to keep the batteries durable and safe for the users. Charging the lithium battery might not be a hard job, but it must be done properly. The type of charger plays the biggest part and the brand, as well. The most popular and best-selling chargers are made by Ultrafire, Tenergy and Trustfire. The best-selling product is for sure the UltraFire 18650 3000mAh 3.7V Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery (Pair) + Charger Combo, partly because of the perfect combination for an affordable price, and partly because of the great performances. The features of this product are:

  • It can charge two batteries simultaneously,
  • Has an indication light that shows when charge is complete,
  • High safety of battery charging,
  • Input voltage is 110-240V, 47-63Hz,
  • Output is 4.2V 600mA,
  • Its dimensions are 3.34 in x 1.85 in x 1.49 in,
  • It has overcharge and discharge protection,
  • Protection available at 2.75v and 4.2v,

On the other side, the best Tenergy charger is type Multifunctional Charger for Li-ion Cylindrical Rechargeable Batteries (14500, 18500, 18650, RCR123A). Its greatest benefit is the fact that it can be used for many battery types and it has contrary polarity protection and distinguish from batteries. The customers say that its only downside is that is can used only for charging Tenergy batteries. It is also said to be a bit slow, but it is understandable, because it can charge different types of batteries. Also, it is said that the slower chargers can make the battery last longer.

The Trustfire 2500mAh 3.7V IC Protected 18650 Rechargeable Li-Ion Battery (One) + Charger Combo is also one more combination of the battery and charger. This charger is also multifunctional, since it can also charge Ni-Mh AA, AAA, C, D, 9V batteries. The customers are also very satisfied with this product, mostly with the performance and the price, as well.

The price is not everything. No one want to get the cheap 18650 holder or charger and then use it for a couple of days only or completely destroy the battery itself. Safety is the most important thing, and when it comes to charger, anything could happen if someone uses it in the wrong way. That’s why the more expensive products and known brands are better choice for everyone, because they provide reverse polarity protection, overcharge and discharge protection, and make the device and batteries last longer.


10
Apr 11

18650 Lithium-Ion Solar Charger: The Best One

When buying a suitable charger for your 18650 batteries, your priority must be to find a product with good quality and relatively low price.

There are several manufacturers of the18650 lithium-ion solar charger but very few provide the high quality products that Orbtronic USA does. Orbtronic is a well-known name in the rechargeable battery industry and provides a vast variety of rechargeable batteries and chargers of high quality. It has two brands available in 18650 lithium-ion solar charger. The first is the Orbtronic Rapid Dual Channel Battery Charger for Li-ion 18650 Battery available with 4 high-capacity 2800mAh 3.7V 18650 Protected Batteries. It comes with a car adaptor and is a product of superior quality.

In addition to this brand, Orbtronic has a Orbtronic Rapid Charger with Two CR2 800mAh 3V Lithium Li-ion Rechargeable Battery that comes with Wall-Car (110V/240V/12V) Adapters. This particular brand has a relatively lower price than the first which may attract customers looking for cheaper options.

The 18650 lithium-ion solar charger by Orbtronic comes with the following features.

  • A high quality charger that gets your 18650 and 17650 Li-ion batteries charged quickly and efficiently.
  • It has a dual channel.
  • It is perfect for use with flashlights, torches and lasers with 18650 and 17650 batteries which need to be recharged frequently.
  • There is built-in end-of-charge voltage detection ensuring that the battery is fully charged.
  • It has an over-voltage protector that prevents damage from over voltage and sudden changes in voltage.
  • There are two completely separate individual charging channels.
  • Additional protection for reverse polarity.
  • Charging the battery is quick and complete.
  • Method for charging the battery is CC/CV.
  • It comes with an 110V/240V Wall adapter.
  • 12V Car Adapter is also part of the pack can charge your batteries when driving.

Another brand that customers love is the Tenergy 2-Channel 18650/14500 Li-ion Battery Charger. Tenergy is a Chinese manufacturer that has a whole range of products in this range. This particular charger comes with 2 Li-ion 18650 Cylindrical 3.7V 2600mAh Rechargeable Batteries.

·         It has two separate charging channels.

·         Charging mode involves constant passage of current and voltage.

·         There is special reverse polarity protection with a red flashing light indicating reverse polarity.

·         The batteries provided are rechargeable.

·         Special PCB protection controls voltage.

When selecting a charger for your 18650 lithium-ion batteries, it is best to go for quality rather than price. A product by a reputable company may cost you comparatively more but will last you a lifetime. With the two available brands in Orbtronic 18650 lithium-ion solar charger, making a choice depends on the particular specifications that you need in your charger. A major difference between the two brands in addition to the better quality of Orbtronic Rapid Dual Channel Battery Charger for Li-ion 18650 Battery is the battery type that it comes with. These batteries are 3.7V with 2800 mAh capacity. In comparison, the second brand comes with 3V batteries and a capacity of 800 mAh which is relatively low.

When selecting an 18650 lithium ion solar charger there is certain important features that your choice of product must have.

    1. Durability and toughness.
    2. Ease of use.
    3. The ability to charge batteries quickly.
    4. Protection from voltage variations.
    5. Safety features that prevent accidents and electric shocks.
    6. A charger that comes with free batteries.

Customer reviews:

Customer reviews show that the Orbtronic 18650 lithium-ion solar charger works amazingly fast with zero problems. Several customers have complained about the quality of other cheaper brands that they bought. In comparison, they find that Orbtronic products are high quality, easy to use and with great customer support. The 18650 lithium-ion solar charger by Tenergy is also a bestseller among customers due to the lower price. Most customers like the smaller compact size of the charger that makes it easy to carry around.


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.