LiFePO4 button-top batteries?

EasyD

Newly Enlightened
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Jun 1, 2023
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Plantation, Florida
Hello friends. So, I recently purchased a new Nicron L71, and I'm very impressed with its features: reversable pocket clip (so that you can clip it to your hat for headlamp use), magnetic base, 90 degree swivel head, water-resistant IP65, multiple light modes, and excellent performance. I even bought a couple for my brother and pops (who are also flashlight enthusiasts) for X-mas. Ideally, because of its versatility, I'd like to keep it in my car. Problem is, it requires a button-top 18650, and I'm having trouble finding 18650 LiFePO4s (which possess the greater thermal stability one might want for a battery sitting in a hot car all day) in button-top configuration. Does anyone know where to find a reputable button-top LiFePO4 18650? Any workarounds to SAFELY convert a flat-top to a button-top? Thanks all,
David
 
Harbor freight ten pack of rare earth magnets for under $3. Stick one on positive terminal of each cell and you have your button top batteries without any soldering. Just remember that it doesn't add the protection circuit that most button top cells have so don't run your cells down too low and ruin them.
 
Hello friends. So, I recently purchased a new Nicron L71, and I'm very impressed with its features: reversable pocket clip (so that you can clip it to your hat for headlamp use), magnetic base, 90 degree swivel head, water-resistant IP65, multiple light modes, and excellent performance. I even bought a couple for my brother and pops (who are also flashlight enthusiasts) for X-mas. Ideally, because of its versatility, I'd like to keep it in my car. Problem is, it requires a button-top 18650, and I'm having trouble finding 18650 LiFePO4s (which possess the greater thermal stability one might want for a battery sitting in a hot car all day) in button-top configuration. Does anyone know where to find a reputable button-top LiFePO4 18650? Any workarounds to SAFELY convert a flat-top to a button-top? Thanks all,

Thanks, HoF. I was reading that it can be a bit dangerous if the magnet moves at all, can cause a short if it contacts the metal housing at all. Would you recommend using a conductive adhesive to keep the magnet in place? Also, my pops is an electrical test engineer, so he might be able to figure out how to add some sort of circuit protection in there somewhere, if at all possible. What say you (or anyone else who'd like to chime in)?
 
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