Best 18650 for laptop battery building

[Hellbore]

Hi guys, I want to replace the 18650 cells in my laptop battery pack, as they are almost done for.

I am currently looking at 2600mAh 18650 unprotected cells.

I want something very safe and reliable, so I am thinking that the Ultrafire/Trustfire are not going to cut it.

Here are two I am looking at currently:
Tenergy:
http://store.yahoo.com/theshorelinemarket/tenergy-18650-tab-2600.html
LG Chem:
http://store.yahoo.com/theshorelinemarket/lg-18650-2600.html

Has anyone had experience with these or other 18650 cells?

Can you recommend which cell would be best for this application?

Also keep in mind that in a laptop, the cells may need to be able to handle 2 to 3 amp discharge rates without damage. I know some of the DX cells can not withstand that without LEAKING.

Any advice is appreciated!

 

[lolzertank]

Definitely get the LG cells. Tenergy cells have roughly the same reputation as DX cells. Don't forget to add tabs, you'll need them.

Though if you want the absolute safest possible, there's nothing like a old NiMH laptop battery. Not that I recommend it.

 

[VidPro]

what he said ^ and i dont know if i would get critical over the last 200ma that wont exist anyways 2200s or 2400s would work just about as well, and might be cheaper. the real 2600 lg comes out with a minimum 2400ma at normal discharge rates.
in a laptop (playing hard hitting games for example) the heat handling and high rate of discharge and balance of the cells and all are going to be the most critical factors to longevity.

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

You might want to look into LiFePO4 cells if you want safety and long life. The capacity takes a hit, but they tend to last for 2000+ cycles, if batteryspace is to be trusted.

 

[Hellbore]

You might want to look into LiFePO4 cells if you want safety and long life. The capacity takes a hit, but they tend to last for 2000+ cycles, if batteryspace is to be trusted.

Do they work with the existing charging circuit that was designed for the 18650 cells?

If they really last 2000+ cycles then it makes sense, based on the fact that my laptop battery with regular lithium ion cells only has HALF its original capacity after a year of use... However if it won't work with the pack's charging circuit, or if they won't fit into the form factor, it's a moot point.

... the heat handling and high rate of discharge and balance of the cells and all are going to be the most critical factors to longevity.

Based on these criteria then, what cells would you recommend?

 

[Tekno_Cowboy]

The voltage of the cells is different, so you could run into some issues there.

 

[VidPro]

Based on these criteria then, what cells would you recommend?

you already got it with the 2600s do it, i was just mentioning not to worry about the big numbers, if you can find REAL Lg in a 2400 , you will get very neer the same results.
so if your trying to save money, your better off putting that into good quality cells than to get some cheap thing with big numbers.

 

[Hellbore]

you already got it with the 2600s do it, i was just mentioning not to worry about the big numbers, if you can find REAL Lg in a 2400 , you will get very neer the same results.
so if your trying to save money, your better off putting that into good quality cells than to get some cheap thing with big numbers.

I'm confused, you said REAL Lg, are the LG cells I linked to on the Battery Junction site fake?

Is there a different brand you would recommend?

If there's some specific cell you think would work better please tell me, I don't know what brands are good.

Should I just get 2400 to save money because they will work about as well, is that the main point?

 

[VidPro]

i didnt mean to confuse, i was more confirming, yes if you can get 2400s for $7+ instead of $9+ that would be just as good, i dont know where you could get that Today, but that is about what i was getting them for, plus shipping.

Real, meaing if its a china clone, then you would be better off with the freaking tenergy

the cells you pointed to are VERY likly to be Real, not clones, and chancing going on e-bay and getting cheaper ones that are more Likly to be clones. so you have a good dealer, and battery in sight.

yes all that STUFF. Seeing the price of cruddy laptop battery replacements , doesnt mater what you do, it HAS TO be better than the stuff they are selling for the price they are selling it for.

 

[Hellbore]

Ah I see, thanks.

A genuine Lenovo battery would run me about $175 so I'm still saving money.

I also am not confident buying a generic brand battery because I doubt they use good quality cells.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[TranceAddict]

the best bet is to get sanyo unprotected 18650 2600mah or samsung 2800mah, do not buy from ebay there are 2nd grade or even rejected cells.

forget about the LiFePo it won't work

get the 18650 which comes with tab, soldering tab by yourself is a dangerous task.

 

[Hellbore]

Are Sanyo and Samsung better than LG Chem?

If so, what's a good supplier for them? (one that never sells ripoff copies)

 

[alpg88]

don't throw your old cells just yet, i too recell my laptop batts, (btw i agree with answers about cell selection), recently i thought let me try to charge them one by one, and see if they still work in my flashlight, guess what, they do, and comparing to new cells, they last about 60%-70% as long, not bad for dead cells. they still mesure 4.15-4.10v fully charged.

 

[Mugrunty]

I have a lenovo t60 laptop. This battery pack used sanyo cells. So far, it's been two years and it still holds 79% of it's original. I'd say that's pretty good!

 

[Hellbore]

Well my 9 cell battery only holds 60% of its original charge after only 1 year.

 

[bshanahan14rulz]

have you tested all your current cells? I had a battery pack that mysteriously wouldn't hold a charge after about 9 months, and when I harvested, one cell was at 0.5V. The rest were all at 4.15V (after battery was sitting in a drawer in my desk for about 3 months)

Now, those 4.15 cells are probably still lower capacity than new cells would be, but I'm sure that 0.5V cell wasn't doing anything good for the runtime. not enough voltage means the controller thinks the battery is dying.

Oh, and they were Sony Greens.

I'd say Sanyo, LG, but NO ___fire cells. And repeating what everyone else said, don't buy off ebay, you'd have no idea if they are new or just newly harvested out of an old pack.

 

[LEDite]

Hellbore;

I have used hundreds of Sanyo, Sony, Panasonic, LG, and Samsung #18650 cells ...
in my UV flashlight builds.

Sanyo, Sony & Panasonic have definitely been the most reliable.

I have brand new 2400mah Sanyo's in 6-battery configurations with tabs.

They are from Dell #C1295 laptop battery packs.

They are $7 each plus $4 shipping for up to six batteries.

Here are some photos of some individual cells:

PM for PayPal info.

Thanks;

Larry

 

[timmay_8]

Larry, Do you still have any of these Sanyo batteries? I've been reading CPF for probably 5 years, but this is my first post, even though it's not really a "post." Thank you.

Tim
~Semper Fi

Hellbore;

I have used hundreds of Sanyo, Sony, Panasonic, LG, and Samsung #18650 cells ...
in my UV flashlight builds.

Sanyo, Sony & Panasonic have definitely been the most reliable.

I have brand new 2400mah Sanyo's in 6-battery configurations with tabs.

They are from Dell #C1295 laptop battery packs.

They are $7 each plus $4 shipping for up to six batteries.

Here are some photos of some individual cells:

PM for PayPal info.

Thanks;

Larry