Parameters of lithium-ion batteries 18650. Castration of protected Sanyo and Panasonic batteries and a small educational program on Li-ion

A variety of household appliances are most often powered by batteries. The 18650 type battery is most suitable in this case. These are unique products that have a number of advantages. They are often used in electronic cigarettes, LED flashlights. What types there are and their characteristics can be found in this article.

18650 battery: what it is and its types

18650 type battery

The 18650 is a lithium-ion battery, similar in shape and size to a finger-type battery. The capacity of this type ranges from 1600-3600 mAh, the output voltage is 3.7 V. To better understand the features of this battery, you should compare it with a standard AAA or AA battery. Its voltage is 1.2 or 1.5 V.

Batteries of the described type are used to power equipment that requires high-capacity cells. For example, this is an electric bicycle, portable charger for phone, laptop, flashlight and so on.

Note! The battery life is quite long. To prevent the device from deteriorating, its charge must be 50%. It is in this form that the product can remain for about a month. The battery should be stored in a room with a moderate temperature (too high or low readings have a detrimental effect on the device). Optimal are +15 - +17 degrees.

Many people wonder what the numbers 18650 mean. In fact, everything is very simple. The first two digits are the diameter, 65 is the length of the battery in millimeters.

There are the following types of 18650 batteries depending on the chemical indicator:

1. Lithium Manganese Oxide. These include LiMn2O4, IMR, LiNiMnCoO2, NMC, INR, LiMnO2.

2. Lithium Cobalt Oxide. These are NCR, ICR, LiCoO2 batteries.

3. Lithium Iron Phosphate or Ferrophosphate. Here we can name LFP, LiFePO4, IFR.

Owners household appliances When it comes time to recharge the battery, they wonder how to do it correctly. It is better to use a special device. The charger starts the process at a set voltage of 0.05 V, gradually increasing it to 4.2. The value should not rise higher, because this harms the performance of the battery.

The current strength allowed for charging should fluctuate around 0.5 - 1 A. These indicators directly affect the charging speed. If you do not need to use the battery urgently, it is better not to speed up the charging process.

It will take about 3 hours to completely replenish the product. After this time, the battery is automatically disconnected from the device. This way you don’t have to worry about the battery overheating and damaging it. If your Charger does not have a charging control function, you will have to monitor the process yourself and turn it off when necessary. It is best to listen to specialists and purchase multifunctional devices with controller. This way the charging process will be the safest.

Currently, purchasing a charger is not a problem. In the assortment of stores and retail outlets In stock a large number of devices different manufacturers and different price categories. Experts advise not to take price as the basis for your choice, but to pay special attention to the characteristics.

Types of chargers:

1. Charging with one socket and a current of no more than 1 A. These are the most inexpensive devices and will be a great help for those users who charge batteries only a few times a year.
2. Charging with two sockets creates a voltage of up to 4.2 V. These devices have a special indicator that monitors operating time.
3. Universal chargers used for batteries of different chemistry. They can be used not only for lithium, but also for nickel types.

Cost is also an important indicator when choosing a quality battery. Devices of greater cost, as a rule, have relays, controllers and indicators. Those who feel empowered and have certain technical and chemical knowledge can make chargers on their own. In this case, it is important to have knowledge regarding the functioning electrical circuit and battery parameters.

Popular 18650 battery models

Among the many options on the market, only a few are in good demand. Such products are characterized by a long service life and reliability.

Panasonic NCR18650B batteries

Let's look at the most popular battery models and their main characteristics:

• Panasonic NCR18650B – has a capacity of 3400mah. Until recently, this battery held a leading position in terms of volume among other lithium types available for free sale. The emergence of medium-current and higher-capacity batteries displaced Panasonic from first place. However, even now there are buyers for this product. As for the design of this battery, inside it there is an anode, rolled into a roll, as well as a cathode. The manufacturer placed a separator between them. All these elements are placed in a cylinder-shaped housing.
• Samsung INR18650-25R. The element capacity is 2500mah. This battery is designed to operate with high current power. If the load is continuous, then the current is 20 A, but if it is periodic, then the figure increases to 100 A. This battery is perfect for an electronic cigarette. Manufacturers recommend using Samsung INR18650-25R batteries in devices that have a built-in protection system, since they themselves do not have this function. Such products are not suitable for flashlights, as they can be over-discharged, which is unfavorable for them.

Battery Samsung INR18650-25R

• LG 18650 HE2, capacity 2500 mAh. This battery is high current. With its capacity, it can withstand a load of 8 C and provides a current of 20 A. Due to such characteristics and performance indicators, the battery model is popular and in demand. In addition, the battery also has a lot of advantages. The most important advanced indicator of the device is the latest chemical composition. It's called NCR or Hybrid IMR. This name speaks for itself: it is a hybrid of ICR and IMR batteries. The battery contains a cobalt cathode and a coating of manganese and nickel. Due to the use of such advanced technology, the battery is discharged to a low voltage, without losing its performance properties.
• Samsung ICR18650 with a capacity of 2600 mAh 26H. Such a battery has an industrial purpose and is characterized by the absence of a protection board. The battery has a high capacity, so it is often used for screwdrivers, laptops and other household appliances. Samsung are often found among repackaging companies that use them to operate their products. An acceptable price and a really large price made them the best seller among 18650 lithium-ion batteries. The positive contact of the battery is slightly recessed.

Battery Samsung ICR18650

• KeepPower, capacity 3500mah. Another high-quality 18650 battery. To create such a product, the Japanese manufacturer used a board designed to protect the battery from short circuits and overcharging. The maximum current is 5 A, voltage is 3.7 V.

It is quite possible to charge batteries without harming them and maintaining their performance properties in the future, knowing the characteristics and permissible voltage and current values. The battery will last longer if you treat it with care.

It is difficult to find an area where there are no devices running on electrical energy. Mobile sources include rechargeable batteries and disposable batteries that power the consumer by converting chemical energy into electrical energy. Lithium-ion batteries are electron pairs with active components containing lithium salts. The shape of the battery resembles a disposable AA battery, but is slightly larger, has hundreds of charging cycles, and belongs to Li-ion 18650 batteries.

Lithium production ion batteries based on company sites Sanyo, Sony, Panasonic, LG Chem, Samsung SDI, Skme, Moli, BAK, Lishen, ATL, HYB. Other companies buy elements, repackage them, passing them off as their own products. They also write false information about the product on the shrink film. There are currently no 18650 Li-ion batteries with a capacity higher than 3600 mAh.

The main difference between rechargeable batteries and batteries is the possibility of repeated recharging. All batteries are designed for a voltage of 1.5 V, the product has a li-ion output of 3.7 V. Form factor 18650 means a lithium battery 65 mm long, 18 mm in diameter.

18650 lithium battery operating mode characteristics:

• The maximum voltage is 4.2 V, and even minor overcharging significantly reduces the service life.
• The minimum voltage is 2.75 V. When reaching 2.5 V, special conditions for capacity restoration are required. When the voltage at the terminals is 2.0 V, the charge is not restored.
• The minimum operating temperature is -20 0 C. Charging at sub-zero temperatures is not possible.
• Maximum temperature +60 0 C. At higher temperatures, an explosion or fire can be expected.
• Capacity is measured in Amps/Hours. A fully charged 1Ah battery can supply 1A of current for an hour, 2A for 30 minutes, or 15A for 4 minutes.

Charge controller for li-ion battery 18650

Major manufacturers produce standard 18650 lithium batteries without a protective board. This controller, designed as electronic circuit, installed on top of the body, lengthening it somewhat. The board is located in front of the negative terminal and protects the battery from short circuits, overcharging, and overdischarging. Defense is being assembled in China. There are devices good quality, there is an outright scam - unreliable information, capacity 9,000A/h. After installing the protection, the case is placed in shrink film with inscriptions. Due to the additional design, the case becomes longer and thicker, and may not fit into the intended slot. Its standard size can be 18700, and can be increased due to additional actions. If a 18650 battery is used to create a 12V battery that has common controller charge, breakers on separate Li -ion ​​elements Not needed.

The purpose of protection is to ensure the operation of the energy source within the specified parameters. When charging with a simple charger, the protection will not allow overcharging and will turn off the power in time if the 18650 lithium battery runs down to a voltage of 2.7 V.

Marking of lithium batteries 18650

There are markings on the surface of the battery case. Here you can find complete information about the technical properties. In addition to the manufacturing date, expiration date and manufacturer's brand, the device of 18650 lithium batteries and the consumer qualities associated with this aspect are encrypted.

1. ICR – lithium-cobalt cathode. The battery has a high capacity, but is designed for low current consumption. Used in laptops, video cameras and similar long-lasting equipment with low energy consumption.
2. IMR– lithium-manganese cathode. It has the ability to produce high currents and can withstand discharge up to 2.5 a/h.
3. INR – nickelate cathode. Provides high currents, withstands discharge up to 2.5 V.
4. NCR – Panasonic specific markings. The properties of the battery are identical to the IMR. Nickelates, cobalt salts, and aluminum oxide are used.

Positions 2,3,4 are called “high-current”, they are used for flashlights, binoculars, and cameras.

Lithium ferrophosphate batteries have the ability to operate at deep minus temperatures and are restored during deep discharge. Undervalued on the market.

By the marking you can determine whether this is a rechargeable lithium battery with the letters I R. If there are letters C/M/F, the cathode material is known. The capacity indicated will be mA/h. The release date and expiration date are located in different places.

You should know that manufacturers of rechargeable lithium batteries do not have products with a capacity of more than 3,600 mAh. In order to repair a laptop battery or assemble a new one, you need to purchase batteries without protection. To use a single copy, you need to buy elements with protection.

How to test a 18650 lithium battery

If, when buying an expensive device, you doubt the veracity of the information on the case, there are ways to check. In addition to special meters, you can use improvised means.

• You have a charger, you can time the time of full charging with a certain current strength. The product of time and current will reveal the approximate capacity of the li-ion battery.
• A smart charger will help you. It will show both voltage and capacity, but the device is expensive.
• Connect the flashlight, measure the current, and wait for the light to go out. The product of time and current gives the current capacity in A/h.

You can determine the power of a battery by weight: a 18650 lithium battery with a capacity of 2000 mAh should weigh 40 g. The higher the capacity, the greater the weight. But the defectors have learned to add sand to the body to make it heavier.

Charger for 18650 lithium batteries

Lithium batteries are demanding on terminal voltage parameters. The maximum voltage is 4.2 V, the minimum is 2.7 V. Therefore, the charger works as a voltage stabilizer, creating 5 V at the output.

The determining indicators are the charging current and the number of elements in the battery, which you set yourself. Each element (jar) must receive a full charge. Power is distributed using a balancer circuit for 18650 lithium batteries. The balancer can be built-in or manually controlled. Good memory is expensive. Anyone who understands the electrical diagrams and knows how to solder.

The proposed do-it-yourself charger circuit for 18650 lithium batteries is simple and will turn off the consumer after charging on its own. The cost of components is about 4 dollars, not a shortage. The device is reliable, will not overheat and will not catch fire.

Charger circuit for lithium 18650 batteries

In a homemade charger, the current in the circuit is regulated by resistor R4. The resistance is selected so that the initial current depends on the capacity of the 18650 lithium battery. What current should be used to charge a li-ion battery if its capacity is 2,000 mAh? 0.5 - 1.0 C will be 1-2 amperes. This is the charging current.

What current to charge a li-ion battery 18650

There is a procedure for restoring the functionality of a 18650 lithium battery after the voltage drops to working voltage. We restore capacity measured in amp hours. Therefore, first we connect the Li-ion battery form factor 18650 to the charger, then we set the charging current with our own hands. The voltage changes over time, the initial value is 0.5 V. As a stabilizer, the charger is designed for 5 V. To maintain performance, parameters of 40-80% of the capacity are considered favorable.

Scheme li-ion charging 18650 battery involves 2 stages. First, you need to raise the voltage at the poles to 4.2 V, then stabilize the capacitance by gradually reducing the current. The charge is considered complete if the current drops to 5-7 mA when the power is turned off. The entire charging cycle should not exceed 3 hours.

The simplest single-slot Chinese charger for li-ion 18650 batteries is designed for a charging current of 1 A. But you will have to monitor the process yourself, switch it yourself. Universal chargers are expensive, but they have a display and carry out the process independently.

How to properly charge a Li-ion 18650 battery in a laptop? Connecting a set of energy sources in the gadget via Pover Bank. The battery can be charged from the mains, but it is important to turn off the power as soon as the unit has reached capacity.

Restoring li-ion battery 18650

If the battery refuses to work, it may manifest itself as follows:

• The energy source is quickly discharged.
• The battery is dead and won't charge at all.

Any source can quickly discharge if the capacity is lost. This is precisely why overcharge and deep discharge are dangerous, from which protection is provided. But there is no escape from natural aging, when storage in a warehouse annually reduces the capacity of the cans. There are no methods of regeneration, only replacement.

What to do if the battery does not charge after a deep discharge? How to restore li-ion 18650? After the controller disconnects the battery, it still has a reserve of energy capable of delivering 2.8-2.4 V voltage at the poles. But the charger does not recognize a charge up to 3.0V; anything lower is zero. Is it possible to wake up the battery and start the chemical reaction again? What needs to be done to increase the charge of li-ion 18650 to 3.1 -3.3V? You need to use a way to “push” the battery, give it the necessary charge.

Without going into calculations, use the proposed circuit, mounting it with a 62 Ohm resistor (0.5 W). A 5V power supply is used here.

If the resistor heats up, the lithium battery is zero, which means there is a short circuit or the protection module is faulty.

How to restore a 18650 lithium battery using a universal charger? Set the charge current to 10 mA, and perform precharging as written in the instructions for the device. After raising the voltage to 3.1 V, charge in 2 stages according to the SONY scheme.

Which 18650 lithium batteries are better on Ali Express

If the cost and quality of a 18650 lithium battery is important to you, use the AliExpress resource. There are a lot of products here, from different manufacturers. The battery you are looking for is in demand and people like to counterfeit it. Therefore, it is necessary to know the main differences between a good model and a replica.

Be critical of the indicated capacity. Only the best manufacturers have achieved 3,600 A/h, the average ones have an indicator of 3000-3200 A/h. The protected battery is 2-3 mm longer and slightly thicker than the unprotected one. But if you are assembling a battery, protection is not needed, do not overpay.

High-quality products are more expensive here too. Please note that Ultrafire promises 9000 mAh, but in reality it turns out to be 5-10 times lower. It is better to use a product from a trusted manufacturer, and try to always buy the same brand of battery.

We suggest you look at the procedure for restoring a 18650 lithium battery

Most types of small household appliances are powered by rechargeable batteries. The most widely used battery size is 18650. If you need a battery for a flashlight or for an electronic cigarette, most likely you will need the 18650 variety - Sanyo, for example.

The battery size 18650 is the most common in the domestic and foreign markets. They refer to Li-Ion batteries.

There are three classes in total:

• LiCoO 2 or lithium cobalt;
• high-current lithium-manganese LiMnO 2, LiMn 2 O 4 and LiNiMnCoO 2;
• LiFePO 4 – lithium ferrophosphate.

Each type has its own advantages and disadvantages and is designed to perform specific tasks. LiCoO 2 were once the most common and have the highest capacity of any lithium-ion battery. High-current ones are inferior in capacity to lithium-cobalt ones. LiFePO 4 are good in all respects, but are undervalued by the market. All have the ability to hold a charge for a long time.

Let's look at how to decipher the digital designation 18650:

• first two digits ( 18 ) – diameter;
• next pair of digits ( 65 ) – length;
• last digit ( 0 ) denotes the shape of the battery, in this case – cylinder.

Each battery manufacturer has its own specific markings.

Let's look at our own notations using examples:

• Panasonic NCR18650B– a type of cobalt chemistry, in simple words– these are class II batteries, but without the use of Mn;
• Sanyo NCR18650 BF– in this case, the “BF” marking can indicate chemistry, type and capacity.

Where is it used?

This type of battery is widely used in LED lights, laptop batteries, screwdrivers, portable handsets landlines, electronic cigarettes and even electric bicycles.

How to charge

How to charge this box:

• Charging starts with a voltage of 0.05 V and ends when U rises to 4.2 V. These are acceptable parameters that are the safest for batteries.
• You can charge the battery at charging currents of 0.5 A and 1 A. 0.5 A is the optimal indicator, and at 1 A the charging process will proceed faster. It is not recommended to speed up the process unless absolutely necessary.
• Charging time should not exceed three hours , otherwise there is a high risk of damage to the chemical structure of the battery. An exception may be situations where the device has a control system. In this case, it determines the charging time itself.
• It is highly undesirable to allow the 18650 to deep discharge. In this case, it is very difficult to restore the previous parameters of the product. It is much easier for the owner to periodically recharge the device for a short period of time.

The sales consultant will tell you how long it takes to charge the device. This depends on the battery capacity and its original condition.

Charging devices

Today buying is not a problem. There are many devices on sale of different prices, but choosing a charger is not only based on budget. You should also pay attention to the types of devices.

• The single-socket charger has a current level of 1 amp. This is often the most a budget option. It is suitable for those who do not have to charge batteries more than several times a year.
• A charger with two sockets is used for elements with voltage levels up to 4.2 V. With more high level voltage, the battery will fail. Typically, such devices are equipped with an indicator that monitors charging time.
• There are also universal devices , with which you can charge not only lithium batteries, but also nickel-cadmium batteries, as well as boxes from several devices.

The quality of the charger depends on its cost. More expensive devices have indicators and relays.

Those who have the desire and skill can make charging for lithium-ion batteries with their own hands. To do this, you need to know the battery charging parameters, as well as the operating principle of the electrical circuit.

Let's consider the simplest method, which even a schoolchild can cope with. We will replace the professional charger with an old charger from Nokia or Samsung. The wires are freed from the sheath, separated into plus and minus (the positive wire is usually red, and the negative wire is black). A battery is attached to the exposed wires. You can do this using plasticine. The element is connected to a computer or network, observing polarity. It is advisable to monitor the process. It will take about an hour to charge the battery this way.

Knowing the basic properties and indicators of current and voltage, it is easy to carry out the charging process without harm to the battery. A careful attitude will allow the product to last as long and efficiently as possible.

Updated: 05/21/2019 18:36:58

Expert: Vladislav Samoshkin

*Review of the best sites according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective in nature, does not constitute advertising and does not serve as a purchase guide. Before purchasing, consultation with a specialist is required.

Lately, we are using regular batteries less and less. Yes, they have a low cost - you can even buy a set consisting of a pair of batteries for 100 rubles. But we must not forget that the battery power runs out quite quickly, especially if they are not used in the remote control. Of course, replacing them regularly will not ruin you. But think about nature! Every kit pollutes the environment. Of course, in theory, batteries can be recycled. But are there many collection points for used batteries in your city? In a word, now you understand why more and more people are starting to pay attention to the so-called 18650 batteries. These are lithium-ion power sources in the form of a regular battery. Such batteries can be charged regularly, forgetting about the need to look for or buy new batteries. It is these power sources that we will talk about in this article.

Rating of the best 18650 batteries

Nomination	place	Name of product	price
Rating of the best 18650 batteries	1		1,899 RUR
	2		1 500 ₽
	3		476 RUR
	4		539 RUR
	5		430 ₽
	6		650 ₽
	7		750 RUR
	8		310 ₽
	9		569 RUR

This battery differs from cheaper analogues in its good protection features. As you know, if you use such a power source for one and a half to two years, gas can accumulate inside it. This results in a risk of explosion. This is practically impossible here. Firstly, the cells are designed in such a way that practically no gas appears. Secondly, under a special cover there are two pressure release buttons - they are included just in case. The product also includes short circuit protection. It consists of a durable metal shell - the battery can only be damaged with an ax. In short, the battery turned out to be as safe as possible.

Externally, the battery is almost identical to an ordinary AA battery. The only difference is the presence of a micro-USB port used for charging. By the way, it is during connection to the electrical network that the second difference becomes noticeable - a light indicator lights up at one of the ends. If it lights up red, the battery is charging. If the product is fully charged, the indicator turns blue - in this case, the wire can be removed from the above-mentioned connector.

It should be noted that the battery included in our rating is slightly longer than a regular battery. This is due to the presence of a protection board - it is located in the anode. It protects the power source from overcharging, overdischarging and overheating. Perhaps the level of protection here is no less than in power banks designed to recharge smartphones and other devices. The cathode block turned out to be slightly less thick - it contains only thermal control. The battery also contains a microporous separator.

In total, this battery is designed for 500 charging cycles. It seems that this is enough for the vast majority of users. It’s even difficult to imagine how much playing time such a battery will provide to some electric guitar. And there’s nothing to say about the flashlight - apparently, you will change several flashlights, and the Fenix ​​18650 ARB-L18-3500U batteries will continue to work. And it is absolutely not necessary to throw away these batteries after five hundred charging cycles. After such a number of them, the batteries remain functional, just their capacity will be reduced by 70-75%.

In Russian online stores, one such battery is sold for 1800-2000 rubles. This may seem like an outrageous price. However, this feeling disappears after you find out that the capacity of one battery is 3500 mAh. This is practically the maximum in this form factor! But in one device you will use two or even three such batteries. In a word, this the best choice for, for example, a bicycle light!

Please note that such a battery should not be charged with an AC adapter with increased current output. Try to choose a charger that produces only 1 A (smartphones that did not support the technology were equipped with such chargers). fast charging). Ideally, you should get hold of a branded charger from the same company Fenix ​​(it will deliver a current of 0.8 A).

Advantages

• Very large capacity;
• There are ventilation holes for gas release;
• Easy recharging via micro-USB port;
• The case was made of stainless steel;
• Triple overheat protection;
• The capacity is maintained for 500 charging cycles.

Flaws

• Very high price;
• Slightly longer length.

This battery, which belongs to the AA form factor, also has a very high capacity. To be precise, this parameter reaches 3600 mAh here. It turns out that installing two power supplies will give you 7200 mAh. Even the most powerful bicycle light with such batteries will be able to shine throughout the whole night. Well, for less powerful devices such a reserve of capacity will generally be enough for some almost infinite period.

It should be noted that this is a slightly less expensive battery. For one copy in Russian retail they ask about 1,500 rubles. It is produced by a company controlled by Panasonic. Already knowing this, you can have no doubt about the quality of the product.

This battery is lithium-ion. Unlike cheaper competitors, this model has a high charging speed. The manufacturer also tried to reduce self-discharge to a minimum value.

The battery is based on electronic board security. This design element controls both internal and external stress. It also monitors current loads. This microcircuit protects against overcharging above 4.25 V. It also protects against discharge below 2.7 V. This battery is also perfectly protected from short circuits. As for overheating, it is also excluded - for this we should thank the built-in thermal fuse, which turns off the load circuit if any problems arise.

The body of this battery has a pleasant turquoise color. The manufacturer recommends installing its creations in devices with high power consumption. In particular, such a battery will be useful to the owner of a powerful flashlight, including a bicycle one. So that you understand, this power source is capable of delivering a maximum discharge current of 10 A!

The battery is very reliable. The manufacturer assures that the battery will withstand at least 500 charging cycles. And even after such a period, the power source can be used, it’s just that its capacity will decrease somewhat. To recharge this battery, you must use a device that produces a current of no more than 1 A.

Unfortunately, there are no pressure relief vents. But there is no need to be afraid. Gas formation is only possible if the battery has received at least minor damage. It seems that you are unlikely to throw it on the asphalt or perform other similar actions with it. But the lack of a micro-USB port will definitely disappoint some. This means that the owner of such batteries will also need a charger in which AA batteries are installed.

In short, if the Olight 18650 ORB-186P36 has any shortcomings, they are completely insignificant. If you see this representative of our rating in the nearest store, then you can confidently make a purchase - you definitely will not be disappointed in such a power source!

Advantages

• High discharge current;
• Good protection from short circuit;
• Overdischarge, overcharge and overheating are practically eliminated;
• High capacity;
• Standard length;
• Withstands up to five hundred discharge cycles.

Flaws

• There are no vents for gas release;
• No micro-USB socket;
• The cost may seem prohibitive.

Japanese Sony company has been producing batteries and accumulators for many years. We regularly used its AA batteries in cassette and CD players. Now the manufacturer has switched to creating batteries that belong to the same cylindrical form factor. In particular, in stores you can find a battery called 18650 VTC5. Surprisingly, when designing it, the Japanese decided to concentrate on the final cost of the product, and not on its characteristics.

Let's start with the fact that this battery has the simplest possible design. The Japanese did not provide the battery with a beautiful logo and other designs. Instead, you will find a green battery, which only has a stamp with the production date and some other information. technical information. As for the capacity, it is 2600 mAh. The product can deliver a maximum current of 30 A. This is enough for even the brightest bicycle light, not to mention less powerful devices.

This battery charges in approximately three hours. However, this parameter depends on the charger used - it is possible that you will have to wait a little longer. But we can say for sure that the battery is unprotected. The fact is that the manufacturer tried his best to reduce the price tag. As a result, they ask for no more than 550 rubles for the product, which, compared to the two models discussed above, seems like pennies. That is why there is no protection against short circuits and other problems. In short, use the Sony 18650 VTC5 as carefully as possible. A charged battery should not be hit with heavy objects, and the charger should not deliver too much current. If you follow all operating rules, such a battery will last about one and a half to two years.

If the simplest design scares you, then buy additional heat shrink. A set of four usually costs 140-150 rubles.

As you already understand, this is one of the most affordable batteries in our rating. It is not surprising that many online stores sell it, while buying the models discussed above is much more difficult.

Advantages

• Very high recoil current;
• Standard overall dimensions;
• Widespread;
• Long service life;
• Low cost.

Flaws

• The capacity cannot be called a record;
• There is almost no protection;
• There is no charging connector.

The manufacturer of this 18650 battery decided to indicate even in the name that its product is protected. Indeed, despite the low cost, the battery received protection against excessive charge and discharge. And is it important! For example, if you do not turn off a powerful bicycle light in time, it can drain the Sony battery to zero. After this, you will no longer be able to charge it. This cannot happen with ROBITON 18650-3000. It is also not scary for a cheap charger that is not able to determine the moment when the battery is fully charged.

This battery has a familiar design - the manufacturer’s logo, capacity, and others are present on the insulation. specifications. By the way, the product capacity is 3000 mAh. Not a record, but this parameter cannot be called low either. As for the cost, in Russia it is approximately 700 rubles. It turns out that buying a pair of batteries will cost 1,500 rubles, even including delivery. We think this is an acceptable amount. Remember power banks - copies with a capacity of 6000 mAh are slightly cheaper. Well, you definitely can’t connect them to a flashlight.

The manufacturer claims that it creates this battery based on Samsung batteries. Unfortunately, the discharge current here does not exceed 3.5 A. This is sad. It is possible that this will not be enough for some particularly powerful flashlights, including those intended for night cycling. However, the manufacturer had to save money! It should be noted that the level of short circuit protection is low. The insulating layer is not particularly durable, so this battery should not be subjected to physical stress, as this can lead to an explosion or simply damage to the battery.

There is no doubt that this product can survive 300 charge cycles. Even if you ride at night all summer, this will last for several years of battery life. If you mean using batteries less frequently, then you will never need to replace them at all.

Perhaps this is the best choice for those who do not want to spend a lot of money on 18650 batteries. Of course, you won’t get the maximum level of protection, but it’s hard to find fault with the other characteristics. If we don’t talk about the strength of the current output, of course.

Advantages

• There is at least protection against overcharge and overdischarge;
• Not very high cost;
• Decent capacity;

Flaws

• Not very high discharge current;
• There is no charging port.

If we remember the Japanese companies whose batteries we used 10-15 years ago, the Panasonic brand immediately comes to mind. The batteries distributed under it usually had a very low cost, and they were enough to operate the device for a fairly long time. Nowadays it is almost impossible to find such batteries. But stores sell NCR18650B batteries.

As with Sony batteries, these batteries are also colored green color. There is also no manufacturer’s logo or other design delights here - on the insulating layer there is only a stamp with technical and some other information. For example, the nominal capacity reported here is 3400 mAh. This is an excellent result that will suit even owners of powerful flashlights and other devices that consume electricity with great appetite. Such people should also be satisfied with the discharge current, which can vary from 1.6 to 6 A. By the way, it is the first value that makes it clear that 18650 batteries are not suitable for use in “Tetris” or a remote control - they need batteries with low current output.

The manufacturer warns that its products must be inserted into devices that have a discharge controller. The fact is that the Panasonic NCR18650B does not include a protection board. This means that the battery itself is in no way protected from overdischarge. It does not understand the power source and the moment when it is fully charged, so you also need to choose a charger wisely.

In a word, this is the simplest battery that should be purchased if you need to save money. For one copy in Russian stores they ask for about 430 rubles. But don't expect the product to last long. It is unlikely that it will survive 300-500 charging cycles.

Advantages

• High capacity;
• Decent discharge current;
• Low cost;
• Standard dimensions.

Flaws

• There is no protection board;
• There is no connector for connecting a charger;
• The battery is unlikely to have a long service life.

If you need to save money, products distributed under the ANSMANN brand can also be considered the optimal choice. However, this does not mean that such a battery has an extremely low price tag. No, Russian online stores ask for almost 800 rubles for it. But you will receive a protected battery. The manufacturer claims that his creation is protected from short circuits and deep discharge. This means that a device with ANSMANN batteries installed inside can be damaged - this is unlikely to lead to an explosion or even a fire. Well, deep discharge protection allows you to use these power supplies in devices that do not have a power controller - for example, in cheap flashlights.

The protection circuit installed here also saves the product when overloaded. This means that even some kind of failure in the electronic cigarette will not lead to the fact that the purchased batteries will have to be thrown away. By the way, owners of such devices will definitely be satisfied with such a power source. This is evidenced at least by the discharge current, which can reach 5 A.

What did the manufacturer save on? Firstly, he did not build in a micro-USB connector here. This means that you will have to get a charger that accepts AA batteries. But most of all, 18650 batteries from ANSMANN disappoint with their capacity. Here it is 2600 mAh. Very far from the record we talked about at the very beginning of this rating. However, only owners of bright flashlights will be able to complain about this parameter. They'll really have to spend the money on something more high-capacity batteries. For the rest, it seems, the above-mentioned capacity reserve is quite enough.

Advantages

• Very low self-discharge level;
• The discharge current can reach 5 A;
• There is protection against deep discharge and short circuit;
• Not afraid of overloads;
• Not the highest cost;
• Withstands a large number of charging cycles.

Flaws

• There is not enough charging connector;
• Low capacity.

At the very beginning of this collection, we talked about the 18650 battery, which supported charging using a USB cable. But that copy had a very high price tag. Are there similar cheaper options? Oddly enough, yes. The micro-USB connector has a power source called Rombica NEO X8 18650. Moreover, this battery comes with a corresponding cable! But many people will immediately throw it away. The fact is that the wire has a very short length - about 10 cm. Of course, such a battery can literally be hung under the charger if it is inserted into a wall socket. But it looks unaesthetic.

So, what else can such a battery boast of? Perhaps the first thing that comes to mind is cost. 1000 rubles is far from the lowest price. However, you are unlikely to find an even more affordable 18650 battery with a charging connector, if we talk exclusively about products from well-known brands. Also, someone will be pleased with the nice design with a “figure of eight” across the entire battery. By the way, next to the technical information is the PCT logo. It means that high quality- guaranteed.

As expected, the product has a charging indicator. With its help, you will know in time that the battery is fully charged. However, this battery can be kept connected to the mains as long as you like. for a long time- it is protected from overcharging. The only pity is that the manufacturer does not inform about other means of protection. It is completely unclear whether the battery is protected from short circuits? Can it be used in devices that do not have a power controller - for example, flashlights? No, all 18650 batteries can be used in these flashlights. But not all of them are protected from deep discharge, after which the power source can be thrown away. In a word, I would like to get answers to these questions, getting rid of worries.

Unfortunately, this is one of the smallest representatives of our rating. If you want to use such batteries in a powerful bike light that illuminates the entire park, then 1900 mAh may seem insufficient. And this will be enough for some electronic cigarette, not to mention simpler devices.

Perhaps this is an excellent option for those who do not have a specific charger designed for use with AA batteries. However, try to charge the Rombica NEO X8 18650 using the simplest possible network adapter. You should not use a powerful 2 A charger - it is not a fact that the built-in protection board will be able to limit the current.

Advantages

• The cost varies from 800 to 1000 rubles;
• There is a connector for a charger;
• The kit includes a USB cable, albeit a very small one;
• Long service life;
• Standard sizes and minimum weight.

Flaws

• Low capacity;
• The protection board is hardly complete;
• Not very high discharge current.

This rating contains 18650 batteries from well-known manufacturers. But they are all surprisingly similar. For some unknown reasons, large companies do not want to actively advertise their brand on the packaging of their products. As you may have guessed, the Samsung ICR18650-26HM battery also has a solid color. No, there is a mention of the trademark, but only in the form of a stamp, among other technical information.

This battery does not contain any protection board. In fact, this is just a preparation for some other company specializing in the production of similar products. But this does not mean that the workpiece cannot be used now.

The capacity of this product is 2600 mAh. I think this will be enough for most buyers. In fact, even this parameter seems astronomical when you see the price tag. In Russian retail this power supply is sold for only 270 rubles! The only pity is that you additionally need to acquire a special charger in which AA batteries are installed. And try to buy a high-quality model equipped with a fan, otherwise you may experience overheating. If everything is in order, then expect to recharge the battery in just 2.5 or 3 hours.

The manufacturer claims that his creation will withstand approximately 800 charging cycles. It seems to us that the implication is that after this number of cycles the battery will completely lose its capacity. We are confident that certain losses will begin after 150-200 cycles. However, this is also an acceptable number.

Recently, batteries distributed under the Russian brand have begun to appear on the virtual shelves of online stores. Moreover, some of them come in packaging where most of the information is indicated on the English language. This suggests that the manufacturer intends to sell its goods not only in Russia, but also abroad. For example, the Bright Beam YLP SA1826 will definitely be in demand in other countries. This battery sells for only 500-650 rubles. For a resident of Spain, this is pennies! What is important is that for this money you will get a battery with a charging connector! This means you don't have to look for a charger designed for AA batteries. Anyone will do network adapter, into which you can insert a USB cable. Whether the battery is charged is indicated by a light indicator located on one of the ends. The cable is not supplied with the battery, but this does not seem to be a problem.

Unfortunately, the manufacturer does not specify what protection measures this battery is equipped with. But there is no doubt that there is overcharge protection here - otherwise there would be no point in providing this battery with a micro-USB port. But there may not be any other means of protection here. This means that you need to carefully use the battery in flashlights and other devices that do not have discharge control.

The capacity of the product is 2600 mAh. Again, not a record, but for such a price tag it is quite tolerable. It seems that even such a capacity should be enough to glow the lantern throughout the night, no matter how powerful it is.

The length of the battery is 70 mm. The diameter does not exceed 18.6 mm. Alas, the manufacturer does not mention not only the protection technologies used. He does not write about the discharge current. However, it is definitely not low, because 18650 batteries are created exclusively for flashlights, electronic cigarettes and other fairly powerful devices. But the manufacturer still wrote about the service life. The user waits for approximately 500 charging cycles, only after this number of charging cycles will the capacity be reduced to an unacceptable value.

This is how the domestically produced battery turned out. Perhaps this is the best choice for those who have not yet tried such a battery in practice. It is possible that in the future you will want more powerful model, which has a record capacity and enhanced current output. But it is also possible that the battery will be satisfactory for many years.

Advantages

• There is a built-in charging connector;
• Low cost;
• Long service life;
• Can be found in many stores.

Flaws

• Not very high capacity;
• Length increased by 4-5 mm;
• The capacity of some copies does not correspond to the declared one;
• Few means of protection.

Conclusion

This is a list of the best 18650 batteries. Do not forget that not all devices support the use of such batteries. For example, the smart scales that Expertology talked about just recently are in standby mode most of the time, and therefore their manufacturers recommend using regular batteries. In short, before installing batteries, be sure to read the operating instructions.

These are 3.5-3.7 volt lithium-ion batteries. Used in a wide range of electronics including laptops, digital cameras, flashlights and even in electric bikes and electric cars such as Tesla. There are 2 types of batteries: protected and unprotected; unprotected batteries are ordinary industrial banks that are used in laptops and electric bicycles. Protected batteries are the same banks, only additionally equipped with a board with protection against short circuits and overcharging; the board is installed on one of the contacts; the dimensions of protected batteries will, as a rule, be a little longer and a little wider.

The discharge voltage of these batteries should not fall below 3 volts. The nominal charging voltage should not exceed 4.2 volts, and the maximum temperature should not exceed 70 degrees. The average life of these batteries is 36 months or 1000 charge cycles, also these batteries age even if they are not used and stored at high temperatures, also a complete discharge gradually kills these batteries. The capacity of 18650 batteries should not exceed 3600 mAh, anything higher than this value is a guaranteed fake and it is better not to buy such a battery.

The battery size is 18650. And what do all these numbers mean?

The first two digits "18" mean the diameter in millimeters. In our case, the width of the battery will be 18 mm (millimetre).

The third and fourth numbers (65) indicate the length in millimeters. This will be 65 mm (millimetre).

The last digit zero indicates the shape of the battery, in this case it is cylindrical.

Dimensions with protection 66.5*18 mm.

The metric system is almost always used, so the next time you see a li-Ion battery with numbers: (18650, 18500, 16340, 16650, 14500, 26650), you will know for sure what all those numbers mean.