On 4/15/2018 10:36 AM, Jeff Liebermann wrote:
On Sun, 15 Apr 2018 01:22:04 -0700, mike wrote:
I use nothing by the cheapest cells, which sucks because they usually
only have about half the capacity and lifetime of a decent cell.
However, they're cheap, and my use in mostly flashlight is not
critical.
https://www.ebay.com/sch/Rechargeable-Batteries/48619/i.html?_nkw=14500+li-ion+battery
I haven't tried this brand, but at $1/ea, it's worth trying.
Thanks, but the link takes me to page after page of cells.
Can you disclose exactly which link is the one you've verified as
reasonable cells?
Better the devil you know than to take a random shot.
I've had horrible luck with any 18650's with "ultra" or "fire" in the
name. I'd like not to repeat that with 14500's.
Sorry. I meant the link to show an example of typical LiIon batteries
of all sizes, brands, and qualities. I usually avoid making product
recommendations unless I've used or tested the product. I can't
provide a reliable source of 14500 cells because I have yet to
purchase any that I consider to be acceptable.
The problem with buying by brand name is that there are so many
counterfeit cells on the market, that chances are good that even an
honest vendor might be fooled by a disreputable distributor.
"Can you identify the fake LG HG2 18650 Battery?"
https://batterybro.com/blogs/18650-wholesale-battery-reviews/104619270-can-you-identify-the-fake-lg-hg2-18650-battery
Lots of articles on how to spot fake cells. For a while, I was having
too success by weighing the cells, but todays fakes are filled with
carefully measured amounts of sand making the fakes impossible to spot
by the weight. My best source of 18650 cells are used laptop battery
packs. The catch is that they don't have a "button top" on the +
terminal making them difficult to use in some holders.
Lotsa people recommending tiny magnets to replace the button top.
I asked about the series resistance and was assured it wasn't a problem.
I spot-weld a tab on top and fold it over until it's tall enough.
Best source for 18650 cells I've found is this:
https://www.lowes.com/pd/Kobalt-24-V...ery/1000090833
Has six 18650 cells. Only 1.5 Amp-Hours, but they're rated for 30A peak
discharge. Six for $10 is tough to beat.
If you saw the tabs in half, you can solder to the tab...if you're
quick about it.
The pack works great as a replacement for two series lead acids in my
weed whacker, but the voltage is too high for most things.
If my analysis is correct, there's no protection disconnect.
The reason the pack is cheap is that, it looks like,
they monitor the cells and send a bit stream to the tool.
The tool makes the decision about discharge protection.
The charger makes the decisions about charge protection...so it seems.
Good news is that there's a battery gauge. If you can use all 24V
and watch the gauge, you can keep from over-discharging
the cells...YMMV.
In 14500 cells, everything I've purchased on eBay has been lacking. I
haven't had time to run any discharge curves on the 14500 cells, such
as these for various 18650 cells:
http://www.learnbydestroying.com/jeffl/battery-tests/18650.jpg
I carry around a flashlight with 14500 cells that has a rather short
operating time and probably doesn't meet the printed specs.
To: John-Del
Before you run out and buy a pile of know to be good 14500 for
powering the unspecified device, I suggest you buy some cheap 14500
cells on eBay, which are sure to be inferior and possibly counterfeit.
Test the unspecified device and its charging system using cheap cells.
Once it's working, then go shopping for good batteries.
So, where to get good 14500 cells? I have no idea. I just checked
Digikey and Mouser. Nothing found.
AS I recall, there was a ban on individual cells in the US.
Don't know if it's true, but it's still a BIG liability issue
for sellers. People seem to throw in any battery that fits
and make smoke.
You can't rely on anything you read on EBAY.
You can't even buy one and test it. The next purchase of the same
part from the same vendor may be completely different.
I tried NewEgg and found the same
bogus brands as on eBay. Nitecore is probably a good (relabeled)
brand, but the price is too high:
https://www.amazon.com/TETC-1200mah-Rechargeable-Battery-charger/dp/B017IGL5HA
I found an article recommending brands:
http://www.25tobuy.com/electronics/top-9-best-14500-rechargeable-lithium-ion-batteries
but no sources. There's also the risk of buying counterfeits.
Bottom line... Sorry, I can't answer your question at this time.