Dell laptop secondary batteries

[Chrontius]

Okay, newbie question here, but... I have access to some unused, dirt-cheap Dell batteries that fit the media bay. What do they have in there? The whole pack is thinner than a CR123, so it's probably not 18650; I'm leaning toward a LiPo pack. Thoughts?

 

[hp84117]

This is the inside of an extended pack for a Latitude D420. (Sorry about the bad cell phone pic) The purple batteries are 18650's and the CR123's are sitting there for scale. I would guess that the media bay packs use the flat pink cells. This pack has three of them on each side. They don't say what formulation they are, but they are labeled ICP103450R Samsung SDI.

So...... can you hook a guy up with some dirt-cheap batteries?

Alan

 

[Closet_Flashaholic]

I have 5 Dell batteries for an old Inspiron 5000/e and each one has 9 18650 batteries in it.

 

[Twinkle-Plank]

On the battery it should say what type of chemestry the cells are is it nihm or li-ion? I have seen both in dell battery packs.

I have access to about 50 used dell batteries and am wondering is they are protected any one know.

 

[Glock27]

A buddy gave me a battery pack from a Dell 7150. There were 12 18650 cells in it with no markings other than a bar code. They are unprotected. I nicked the wrapper of one breaking the pack apart, but 11 are doing great in my single cell lights. 2 hours 20 minutes runs them down to ~3.56 in both Jet III-MW or M20 :twothumbs
G27
P.S. I'm going to give some cells back to my buddy.....I figure that'll force him onto the 18650 bandwagon and he'll have to buy some new lights :devil:

 

[Chrontius]

This is the inside of an extended pack for a Latitude D420. (Sorry about the bad cell phone pic) The purple batteries are 18650's and the CR123's are sitting there for scale. I would guess that the media bay packs use the flat pink cells. This pack has three of them on each side. They don't say what formulation they are, but they are labeled ICP103450R Samsung SDI.

So...... can you hook a guy up with some dirt-cheap batteries?

I'll see if I can get some. I'm pretty sure the label said they're some flavor of li-ion... you looking for li-poly stuff?

 

[linterno]

I have 5 Dell batteries for an old Inspiron 5000/e and each one has 9 18650 batteries in it.

I have been using for more than 6 months 18 x 18650 batteries removed from a DELL Inspiron 5000e battery and a dell Latitude D800 battery. All of them are Panasonic 1800mAh ones. So far, no problem.

This are unprotected and special care must be taken. Do not overcharge nor overdischarge.

 

[hp84117]

I'll see if I can get some. I'm pretty sure the label said they're some flavor of li-ion... you looking for li-poly stuff?

I have a Dell with the media bay so I am interested there, but also want to experiment with the flat cells and the ones in my dead pack really are dead.

Thanks

 

[Closet_Flashaholic]

I have been using for more than 6 months 18 x 18650 batteries removed from a DELL Inspiron 5000e battery and a dell Latitude D800 battery. All of them are Panasonic 1800mAh ones. So far, no problem.

This are unprotected and special care must be taken. Do not overcharge nor overdischarge.

Sounds like exactly what I have - Panasonic 1800 mAh according to the data sheet for the p/n.

I know enough about these that they are unprotected. I haven't done anything with them yet. I was thinking about posting them to B/S/T for a flashlight or something, but I haven't decided yet. They also don't have the +ve nipple, and I would need to remove the flat strapping between them as well.

What charger are you using for them? I have a WC-139 charger for some protected AW 18650 cells, but they're protected so I am not sure if it can be used for the unprotected ones as well.

 

[Chrontius]

http://cstore.ucf.edu/browse.cfm/pe...ries/48-whr-6-cell-secondary-media/4,293.html

$17.99 with 3 in stock as of now.

 

[linterno]

What charger are you using for them? I have a WC-139 charger for some protected AW 18650 cells, but they're protected so I am not sure if it can be used for the unprotected ones as well.

You won't believe it. I have a home made one based on an LM317 regulator, a couple of capacitors and a couple of resistors. This has worked really well for me. A multimeter is mandatory in this setup to be checking batteries voltage as they charge. Anyways, it will never charge over 4.2 volts, even if I leave the batteries for a long time.

 

[Closet_Flashaholic]

Are you running LM317 in a voltage regulator configuration or a current limiter configuration? I have built chargers before based on the '317, but they were very low current (trickle charge - 50 mA). Would you be willing to send me a schematic of the charging circuit?

 

[linterno]

Read Cheap Lithium Charger for Electronics Tinkerers

There is an "improved version" version here.

I use two configuration:

The first one is only a voltage regulator since the power cube I use is a 8.4v - 750ma.

The second one uses an LM317 as a current regulator (1.2 amps) in its first phase and LM317 as a voltage regulator in its second phase. Here I am using a 13.8 volts 15 amps power supply.

I was planning to buy a Pila IBC charger, but after reading some comment about undercharged batteries using it, I decided not to buy. I feel comfortable with these inexpensive, LM317 based charger

In any configuration you need heatsinks for LM317 regulators. These get hot while charging.

I have found that the charging current using LM317 lowers as the battery voltage increases (not a complete constant current phase here). But, I used a cellular phone as a charger an I noticed that the same thing happened. I am just wondering if professional charger really do constant current, I mean, if the current is completely constant until the battery voltage reached 4.2v or if the current lowers during this "Constant Current phase".

This setup is not for people without some electronics basics. Never leave your batteries unattended while charging.