Harvested 18650s from laptop battery... now what?

[DrScum]

I pulled out 6 Samsung ICR18650-22F light green cells. A quick search seems to show they are 2200mAh cells... nothing about being protected though.

They are identical to the one in this picture except the bottom code is 19A4 instead of 1BB2 (seems like a production date code).

I checked voltages (Fluke 87 DVM)
- 2 cells @ 3.781V
- 2 cells @ 4.030V
- 2 cells @ 4.120V

Now what?

:shrug:

EDIT: added picture

 

[Changchung]

Put in the charger... Look like their are good... All the 18650 inside of this packs are unprotected..


Sent from my phone with camera with flash and internet on it...

 

[tatasal]

If you have a hobby charger, charge to 4.2V and do a discharge capacity test with 1 to 1.5A discharge rate. Charging cells and getting it to 4.17 to 4.2V volts will not tell you the real health of those cells.

 

[DrScum]

I guess I need to get a charger now

Probably should get a decent one that's not going to blow up the batteries... I'm not looking for absolute bleeding-edge peak voltage; something that will maximize their life would be best. Any suggestions?

 

[tatasal]

I guess I need to get a charger now

Probably should get a decent one that's not going to blow up the batteries... I'm not looking for absolute bleeding-edge peak voltage; something that will maximize their life would be best. Any suggestions?

I have an iCharger 106B+ hobby charger. I have decided on this after reading a number of good reviews among forum members here, and I am very satisfied and happy with it. In fact, experimenting with old laptop cells with it has become a second hobby for me.

 

[DrScum]

Hobby Charger, as in RC cars/Planes/etc?

 

[tatasal]

Hobby Charger, as in RC cars/Planes/etc?

Yes

 

[Thr3Evo]

I guess I need to get a charger now

Probably should get a decent one that's not going to blow up the batteries... I'm not looking for absolute bleeding-edge peak voltage; something that will maximize their life would be best. Any suggestions?

The Pila IBC is one of the most recommended li-ion chargers around here.

 

[jkpq45]

I bought this one, Nitecore i4.

It comes in two-cell-bay varieties, too.

Since they're unprotected, don't bring them below 3.0 V or they'll die. Ask me how I know....

OH, and these cells will support 5 A draw (at least), again, ask me how I know....

 

[DrScum]

My apologies if I'm being ridiculous, but, can something like this be retrofitted?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/prcimopfor3l.html

 

[Thr3Evo]

Retrofitted how?

 

[tatasal]

My apologies if I'm being ridiculous, but, can something like this be retrofitted?

http://www.batteryjunction.com/prcimopfor3l.html

I'm not qualified enough to install it, but it is what they add to make a cell "protected". Thanks for linking it out, I didn't know there are aftermarket parts of that already available.

 

[tatasal]

The Pila IBC is one of the most recommended li-ion chargers around here.

No doubt it is, as I have one too, but it's only a charger, can't do discharge capacity test at various discharge rates, which is I think is a must when harvesting cells from laptop battery packs.

 

[LightCrazy]

I have a question about the discharge test. How does the average Joe- yet Flashahaulic do a 1A or 1.5A drain/capacity test??? If we don't have a discharger, do we need something that draws a known 1 Amp? Thanks.

 

[SilverFox]

Hello LightCrazy,

Perhaps it is time to invest in a hobby charger...

Or, you can visit a field where people are running RC cars and airplanes and ask someone there if they can do a discharge test for you.

Tom

 

[LightCrazy]

I used to be heavy into R/C cars and trucks. I have a Hobby Charger that fast charges and discharges batteries, but NiCad. Not LiIon. I also have a Hobbico R/C Multi-Charger, Model HCAP 0100, it charges anywhere from 10mA to 500mA, but it also is designed for NiCad batteries.

 

[DrScum]

I still have a Tekin reflex charger from way way back... probably not much good for anything other than NiCads

 

[SilverFox]

Hello LightCrazy,

... Perhaps it is time for a new hobby charger that charges multiple chemistries...

Tom

 

[DrScum]

Is doing discharge testing really necessary? It's not like you're calculating gearing and laps around the track... it's for a flashlight. Charge it, put it in light, use it... if the runtime is too low, cell not good. No?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello DrScum,

With nickel chemistry that is fine.

However, li-ion chemistry can be a lot more dangerous so it is better to test and have some peace of mind.

Tom