Which 18650 batteries do you trust?

[cybrguy]

There are places that can re-wrap batteries, right? Just in case I'm not brave enough...

All you need is a hair dryer, or any kind of heat gun, to do it easily. I don't have either of those things and usually use a torch lighter moving quickly. You're just shrink wrapping the battery in a plastic tube usually already precut. The only trick is to get the battery in the middle of the wrap and make sure the end wraps over the edge of the paper insulator.
I'm sure you could find somebody to do it for you, but if they're doing it for a fee they might charge you nearly as much as a new battery would cost online. So that might be a better choice anyway.

 

[simba]

There are places that can re-wrap batteries, right? Just in case I'm not brave enough...

Maybe but as @cybrguy says it might end up similar money to buying a new battery, but you're still avoiding battery waste so it's win either way.

 

[cybrguy]

I've got a couple hundred I use some for my drone equipment, receiver and goggles. My dad collected them years ago. I have way too many, lol

No offense, my man, but that is about the most classic photo of what I warn people about with 18650s I've ever seen. Would you mind if I use your photo in some of my posts and classes?

 

[Bakin4Life]

but that is about the most classic photo of what I warn people about with 18650s I've ever seen.

Reminiscent of... sticks of dynamite. (yes, I know that's probably being a little melodramatic, but doesn't this stuff kinda burn like phosphorus?)

(and if someone replies with, 'well, that's because: a) it contains, or, b) phosphorus is produced... ', please understand that I've never taken chemistry (as a subject), ok ? I'm only experienced with the (directly) applied version.

 

[666Honeybadger]

No offense, my man, but that is about the most classic photo of what I warn people about with 18650s I've ever seen.

Danger, danger!
High voltage!
When we touch
When we kiss!!
Well, don't you wanna know how we keep startin' fires!?

 

[hashmasta kut]

No offense, my man, but that is about the most classic photo of what I warn people about with 18650s I've ever seen. Would you mind if I use your photo in some of my posts and classes?

Please do. They have been sitting like this for about ten years I reckon, no issues.

I use about 8 of them I have somewhere else.

You should see my pile of 4S and 6S LIPOS

 

[hashmasta kut]

How's this, look safe now?

At least safer right

 

[RustyOldNail]

They have been sitting like this for about ten years I reckon, no issues.

Well lithium is claimed to have a supposed shelf life of 10 years, when NEW and stored at about 82% approximately. And long term, refrigerator storage is best. When my batteries are about 5 years old, or the internal resistance gets too high, I take them to the recycling center. All my spare batteries are stored in a fireproof box. Considering these batteries are now very affordable, I adhere to the old philosophy: “Better SAFE, then SORRY”….

 

[cybrguy]

How's this, look safe now?

At least safer right

Thanks. I will use both pics as a before and after. The ripped wraps would be unsafe if there was still any charge in the batteries, but I'm guessing they are all dead by now.

 

[hashmasta kut]

i actually tidied up the bottom left corner too, so no cells can touch each other at all.

I thought the wrapped wraps were iffy ya. I can check the charge and discard those few.

 

[cybrguy]

These batteries really do need to be taken seriously.

Wisconsin dad issues warning after lithium battery destroys family home — ‘protect your family’ now he says

A Kenosha County father says a lithium-ion battery destroyed the dream home he built for his family. He’s urging others to take this simple safety step.

www.yahoo.com

 

[RustyOldNail]

I'm guessing they are all dead by now.

Even if they are “dead”, a large box like that full of lithiums, could be devastating if they caught fire from something else. Keep the GOOD ones in a fireproof box, bring the dead ones to recycling center….

 

[hashmasta kut]

Even if they are “dead”, a large box like that full of lithiums, could be devastating if they caught fire from something else. Keep the GOOD ones in a fireproof box, bring the dead ones to recycling center….

If there is a fire, I think you are already going to be suffering devastation. I use LIPO's for FPV, they are a good measure more dangerous than li-ions but both should be respected.

 

[RustyOldNail]

If there is a fire, I think you are already going to suffering devastation.

Perhaps, but if like me, and you have fire extinguishers, you have a chance to put out a NON-Lithium battery fire, even water. Add a bunch of lithium to a tiny paper fire, and now you have a different type of fire.

With a box full of lithiums, without a lot of sand, or a true “lithium” fire extinguisher (I bought two of this type), you would not be able to contain the fire, or put it out. This is why I only keep “working” batteries, perhaps you have your own reason for keeping that many dead ones. Not my business, but I hope no one is doing that in a building I might live in. Single e-bike fires have taken down entire apartment buildings.

I use LIPO's for FPV, they are a good measure more dangerous than li-ions but both should be respected.

LiPo chemistry is actually considered safer than cylinder lithium cells, but if you drive a nail through a LiPo, watch out. AGREED, respect both types.

 

[hashmasta kut]

I'm not sure why you assume these batteries are stored in a dangerous location. I have them because my Dad died and I got them.
And also the assumption they are dead batteries is incorrect; pretty sure only one is. He tested them all when he collected them. All I have tried, except the one in the box that is partially unwrapped, work.

I've heard that lipos are more dangerous, and I know at least one FPV drone enthusiast lost his house due to a lipo fire. A google search seems to say lipos are more dangerous mainly as they have no metal protective coating, they can break easier from physical force.

also a battery forum's take:

LiPo VS. Li-ion: Which is Safer?

Introduction The safety of batteries is a paramount concern in various applications, ranging from consumer electronics to electric vehicles. Lithium Polymer (LiPo) and Lithium-Ion (Li-ion) batteries are two popular types of rechargeable batteries, each with its own advantages and disadvantages...

www.batterypkcell.com

 

[RustyOldNail]

I'm not sure why you assume these batteries are stored in a dangerous location.

Where did I say that?

Unless “properly” stored, that many lithium batteries in one place, is actually “dangerous” in my opinion, for the reasons I’ve already stated.

Good luck.

 

[hashmasta kut]

When you said, "Not my business, but I hope no one is doing that in a building I might live in."

Pretty much you are saying I have these in a building somewhere where people would be at risk.

Right there.

 

[RustyOldNail]

When you said, "Not my business, but I hope no one is doing that in a building I might live in."

Pretty much you are saying I have these in a building somewhere where people would be at risk.

Right there.

Indeed, I do hope no one has that many loose old lithium batteries sitting in a cardboard box, in a building I might live in.
Since I don’t know your living situation, I couldn’t make that statement about you. It’s a personal statement on how I would feel.
But if you did live in a multi dwelling building, I certainly would feel at RISK!

 

[BabyFacedFinster]

@RustyOldNail, I have been buying the molicel P28a 2800mah 35a batteries for my TM2.

The 18650store also has the molicel p26a (2600mah, 35a) and p30b batteries (3000mah, 30a). Which of these three do you think are best in the TM2? Thanks

 

[RustyOldNail]

@RustyOldNail, I have been buying the molicel P28a 2800mah 35a batteries for my TM2.

The 18650store also has the molicel p26a (2600mah, 35a) and p30b batteries (3000mah, 30a). Which of these three do you think are best in the TM2? Thanks

I’ve trusted the MOOCH reviews since my ECig mod days. See his Molicel P30b review, link below.

The Molicel P30b 18650, is probably the best one currently on the market. I’m still using the older Molicels, but next time I order, it will be the P30b’s. They increased the amp hours, and lowered the internal resistance, which rises as the batteries get older, and a main indicator that the battery life is about over. The ones you have are great, use them till they die!

Bench Test Results: Molicel P30B - 30A 3000mAh 18650

These tests below only note my personal opinion for the ESTIMATED ratings for the batteries I tested at the time I tested them. Any battery that is not a genuine Samsung, Sony, Murata, LG, Panasonic, Molicel, or Sanyo can change at any time! This...

www.e-cigarette-forum.com

 

[cybrguy]

I have a bunch of P26As and P28As and I generally see very little difference in their performance. I have been using them for most of my vapes, including my Wand, and find them good batteries. I have one pair of P30Bs that I have been trying in my Wand and I DO find them to last a little longer (noticeably) than the other 2 models. As they sell for around the same price, I think in future I will be buying the P30Bs.

 

[RustyOldNail]

P26As and P28As and I generally see very little difference in their performance.

Molicel has increased the AMPS & Mah’s with every new model. While not huge jumps, if you compare specs with any 18650 battery from 5 years ago, these batteries have come a long way.
The latest “P30b” was like most new models, kinda expensive when FIRST released, but in relatively short time, the price has dropped, making them a solid choice!