identifying manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries?

[ixfd64]

This is probably a silly question, but is it possible to identify the manufacturer of a lithium-ion battery by the text printed on the battery? Lithium-ion batteries are not usually sold to end consumers directly, so they normally won't have flashy labels on them. However, they generally have printed text that shows (among other things) the rated capacity.

For example, the battery that came with my DSD charger (see picture) has "LC ICR18650" printed on it, as well as its voltage and capacity. A Google search for "LC ICR18650" returns nothing conclusive, but searching for just "ICR18650" returns several results that mention Samsung. Was this battery made by Samsung, or was it just a coincidence?

 

[kramer5150]

Hmm no replies?

Try entering the model number into a google search. Theres usually two strings of alphanumeric code on the cell. One will look like ###18650@@@, thats the product model number, thats the one you want to search. The second strand of more random looking characters is the date and production lot code.

 

[ixfd64]

The model number on mine has nothing after the "18650" part. The battery just says "LC ICR18650" on it; I don't know if the "LC" means anything. However, search results seem to agree that the battery originated from Guangdong, China.

By the way, does the "ICR" stand for "IC regulated" or something like that?

 

[kramer5150]

The model number on mine has nothing after the "18650" part. The battery just says "LC ICR18650" on it; I don't know if the "LC" means anything. However, search results seem to agree that the battery originated from Guangdong, China.

By the way, does the "ICR" stand for "IC regulated" or something like that?

I don't think so... all the ICR labeled cells I have seen were unprotected.

 

[AW]

Here is what they mean :

I = lithium
C = cobalt
R = rechargeable



ICR = lithium cobalt rechargeable
IMR = lithium manganese rechargeable
IFR = lithium ferrite rechargeable




.

 

[Burgess]

Thank you, AW !

:thumbsup:


By the way, i LOVE yer' 18650 Batteries !

:twothumbs
_

 

[ixfd64]

I don't think so... all the ICR labeled cells I have seen were unprotected.

I guess mine may be an exception, then. If I use my laser (a Spyder I Pro) for a long time, it will suddenly become very dim, but recharging the battery solves the problem. Does this mean that my battery is protected?

 

[SilverFox]

Hello Ixfd64,

No.

Tom

 

[ixfd64]

I see. Are there ways to tell if a battery is protected, though?

By the way, I once measured the voltage of the battery after recharging it and got a reading of 3.7 V. I'm not sure if that helps, though.

 

[csshih]

you can normally tell if a battery is protected if you can feel a circuit board on the bottom. 3.7V? what kind of cell do you have?

 

[kramer5150]

I guess mine may be an exception, then. If I use my laser (a Spyder I Pro) for a long time, it will suddenly become very dim, but recharging the battery solves the problem. Does this mean that my battery is protected?

Your description matches that of an unprotected cell, or an "unhealthy" protected cell. The fact that it allows the light to run at a very low level indicates its NOT protected, and by running th elight all the way down to a dim level you are most likely excessively depleting the 18650. Protection circuits will just disconnect and shut off, they will not allow a low level drain.

All my unprotected 18650 cells perform exactly as you describe, if I let my guard down and excessively deplete them.

 

[ixfd64]

I guess I should definitely invest in some better batteries some time in the future, then. The same goes for the charger, as I've heard some reports that DSD chargers are not good.

From what I hear, chargers and batteries from Pila and AW, respectively, are good choices.