17670 'non-button' type battery conversion

[Jimdo]

Hi guys....
I picked up some Sony 17670 batteries recently at a really good price, only to find out that they are completely worthless for what I want to use them for (multiple different lights that will not accept 18650 cells) as they do not have the 'button' on the battery.
My question is... can I solder my own 'button' on these are is there any other way to make these 'button type' batteries from the home?
Thanks in advance,
- Jim II

 

[Hondo]

I have had terrific luck with just adding a solder "blob" on the pos. end of a battery for a button. The trick to not damage a battery is to get on and off almost instantly with the iron. I use a fine film of flux on the cleaned battery top first, and with a hot, clean, loaded iron tip, just hit it quick and get off. If done right, the solder will wet to the battery and leave a plenty high blob that can be filed down to the desired height. If it does not flow right away, get off of it and clean the whole thing up and start over, or you risk damaging the cell (or worse!).

Magnets are popular, but if there is any battery rattle in the light, you risk them migrating to one edge and causing a short, which is *very* bad.

 

[Illum]

Spacer magnets might be your only option. Clamping or otherwise securing the magnet to the cell and applying some superglue around it may prevent it from migrating to the flashlight wall, but take note that the application of any adhesive should not block the vent holes on the positive contact.

Superglue takes an exceptionally small amount of time to dry out, so any excess that remains on the "assembly" may need to be dremeled off.

Where did you find Sony 17670s? I'm assuming they were the unprotected kind?