csshih
Flashlight Enthusiast
I bought a couple redilast batteries to check out...
.. but since there have been a few people asking... :devil:
Here we are, some quick unwrapping pics of the RediLast 2900 Panasonic 18650!
Shiny labels look good in person, but are really hard to take pictures of! There is a bare panasonic 2900mAh cell on top. note the length.
the first step is removing the extra shiny label.
a small incision is made to the battery with knife of choice (a spyderco in my case)
said incision is expanded. cell look familiar?
removing the outer layer.
kapton tape -- not very necessary since the panasonic wrap is pretty thick, but an additional layer of protection is always good.
the "button top" is actually welded to the top cap by a tab. interesting.
lights without button tops might not make good contact in lights with multiple batteries, or won't make contact on lights with physical reverse polarity protection.
another view
now for a look at the protection IC
Disconnect the protection IC from + .. this isn't a shorting test
remove rubber shock ring from bottom of cell
protection IC is revealed.. one of the more organized pcbs I've encountered.
compared to a stock bare cell.. identical!
:wave:
alright! time for the 2600 mAh cell!!
here's your standard, if not a bit beat up, aw 2600mAh cell.
label removal, as usual
cover your eyes! it's showing some skin! :duh2:
the shock protection / spacer for the IC is made of plastic.. not rubber, hm...
my hands are *not* photogenic!
I cannot identify this cell from the markings on it. H78A 5AG11 <- perhaps that is a date code.
the other side of the cell has A5D9.. or similar.. the ink is smeared.
keeping the ball rolling, a brand spankin' new 2900 mAh cell next!
the usual cell lineup
label removed
comparing tops of the AW and redilast -- the aw top does not protrude.
comparing bottoms. the aw has 3 protruding points, while the redilast is gold colored -- perhaps plated.
oops -- not so precision opening
showing the tab to the protection IC
shrink wrap taken off -- bare cell underneath! makes for a skinnier cell I assume.
ah yes, the cell is labeled - 84A 94C 228
this kind of design scares me a bit more -- a tiny bit of kapton tape to prevent shorting!
tape and tabs ripped off -- shock protection is a plastic ring. -- perhaps less shock resistant?
comparison of the tops -- they appear identical, so I believe they are real.
and finally, close up pictures of the PCBs
first, the redilast
now, all 3 at once as I managed to capture most of the details!
.. but since there have been a few people asking... :devil:
Here we are, some quick unwrapping pics of the RediLast 2900 Panasonic 18650!
Shiny labels look good in person, but are really hard to take pictures of! There is a bare panasonic 2900mAh cell on top. note the length.
the first step is removing the extra shiny label.
a small incision is made to the battery with knife of choice (a spyderco in my case)
said incision is expanded. cell look familiar?
removing the outer layer.
kapton tape -- not very necessary since the panasonic wrap is pretty thick, but an additional layer of protection is always good.
the "button top" is actually welded to the top cap by a tab. interesting.
lights without button tops might not make good contact in lights with multiple batteries, or won't make contact on lights with physical reverse polarity protection.
another view
now for a look at the protection IC
Disconnect the protection IC from + .. this isn't a shorting test
remove rubber shock ring from bottom of cell
protection IC is revealed.. one of the more organized pcbs I've encountered.
compared to a stock bare cell.. identical!
:wave:
alright! time for the 2600 mAh cell!!
here's your standard, if not a bit beat up, aw 2600mAh cell.
label removal, as usual
cover your eyes! it's showing some skin! :duh2:
the shock protection / spacer for the IC is made of plastic.. not rubber, hm...
my hands are *not* photogenic!
I cannot identify this cell from the markings on it. H78A 5AG11 <- perhaps that is a date code.
the other side of the cell has A5D9.. or similar.. the ink is smeared.
keeping the ball rolling, a brand spankin' new 2900 mAh cell next!
the usual cell lineup
label removed
comparing tops of the AW and redilast -- the aw top does not protrude.
comparing bottoms. the aw has 3 protruding points, while the redilast is gold colored -- perhaps plated.
oops -- not so precision opening
showing the tab to the protection IC
shrink wrap taken off -- bare cell underneath! makes for a skinnier cell I assume.
ah yes, the cell is labeled - 84A 94C 228
this kind of design scares me a bit more -- a tiny bit of kapton tape to prevent shorting!
tape and tabs ripped off -- shock protection is a plastic ring. -- perhaps less shock resistant?
comparison of the tops -- they appear identical, so I believe they are real.
and finally, close up pictures of the PCBs
first, the redilast
now, all 3 at once as I managed to capture most of the details!
Last edited:
