Lightweight 12v battery?

Asusvivobook

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Feb 12, 2024
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canada
Hello!
I'm building a bike light (500mah) but I'm struggling to find a lightweight 12v lithium battery.

The only packs I can find are 3x 18650 and that's way too heavy. Can someone suggest an option?

I'm willing to build one if that's what it takes. Just point me in the right direction. I need about 1000mah and it needs to be super lightweight.

Thank you
 

LEDphile

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Joined
Mar 8, 2021
Messages
318
You're looking for 12V at 1Ah, so about 12Wh. The various lithium-ion flavors are all around 200 Wh/kg, so you've got a minimum of 60g for just the cells, plus the weight of everything else making up the pack (the wiring, the housing, etc.).

For this, I'd be considering using a single 18650 or 21700 and an appropriate boost converter.
 

Asusvivobook

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Feb 12, 2024
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canada
you might be looking for a three pack of 14500 Li-Ion batteries.
that will put you in the range of 12V down to 11.1V and 800 - 1000 mah
That's what I was hoping for but any 3x14500 packs I find all state 11.1v ( for RC toys).

Small 12v lithium packs seem to be a rarity
 

Asusvivobook

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Joined
Feb 12, 2024
Messages
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Location
canada
You're looking for 12V at 1Ah, so about 12Wh. The various lithium-ion flavors are all around 200 Wh/kg, so you've got a minimum of 60g for just the cells, plus the weight of everything else making up the pack (the wiring, the housing, etc.).

For this, I'd be considering using a single 18650 or 21700 and an appropriate boost converter.

Oh that's a good idea. I ran a search on Amazon and found some small booster boards with no instructions

If I solder an 18650 onto this booster.... How do I recharge it? Do I just apply 4.2v to the output pins?

Also, I assume a 3.7v soft pack would be lighter than a hard cell. Would there be any added dangers to using a soft pack with that booster?
 

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