3 ms·

The LiPO packs were quite popular for some time in regulated mods and in some cases still are. You can do a lot of reading on the subject if you desire, but gen

The LiPO packs were quite popular for some time in regulated mods and in some cases still are. You can do a lot of reading on the subject if you desire, but generally the 18650 is still king due to availability, performance, and easier hotswap/battery sled charging.

gm-conspiracy 9y ago
Lots of laser pointers and even LED flashlights from Walmart support 18650s (they also have a 'cartridge' that can use 3 AAA batteries in place of the 18650). However, the 18650s have no internal electronics to prevent any charging mishaps.
- zimpenfish 9y ago
  > However, the 18650s have no internal electronics to prevent any charging mishaps. I believe you can get ones which do have this - e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canwelum-Protected-Lithium-Battery-Rechargeable/dp/B071VVZM8F https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canwelum-Protected-Lithium-Battery-... "Reliable 18650 Battery: Integrated with protective board, avoiding overcharge and discharge, protecting your led torches or head torches. "
  - gm-conspiracy 9y ago
    Says 2250mAh, but do not use in e-cigs. There was also this project on hackaday to make a "topper", but it would not work w/ leaf spring battery connects because of the increase in height. https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/ https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/
- leggomylibro 9y ago
  That is a good point. What's a good LiPo protection circuit look like? Some googling led me to some basics that a protection circuit should have, does this look about right? - Overcharge protection (prevent charging past the max voltage, probably ~4.2V but intentionally shrinking this window might prolong cell life) - Short circuit protection (Like, a fuse? Would a PTC one work?) - Limit charge current (0.5-1C for LiPos, 5-10C for LiCaps, etc) - Undercharge protection; prevent discharge past a 'low voltage' value and (ideally) permanently disable cell or severely limit charge rate if voltage drops below the minimum safe value. - (Ideally) Balance voltage between individual cells.
  - gm-conspiracy 9y ago
    Check this out: https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/ https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/
    - leggomylibro 9y ago
      Oh, sweet - thanks!

gm-conspiracy 9y ago

Lots of laser pointers and even LED flashlights from Walmart support 18650s (they also have a 'cartridge' that can use 3 AAA batteries in place of the 18650). However, the 18650s have no internal electronics to prevent any charging mishaps.

zimpenfish 9y ago
> However, the 18650s have no internal electronics to prevent any charging mishaps. I believe you can get ones which do have this - e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canwelum-Protected-Lithium-Battery-Rechargeable/dp/B071VVZM8F https://www.amazon.co.uk/Canwelum-Protected-Lithium-Battery-... "Reliable 18650 Battery: Integrated with protective board, avoiding overcharge and discharge, protecting your led torches or head torches. "
- gm-conspiracy 9y ago
  Says 2250mAh, but do not use in e-cigs. There was also this project on hackaday to make a "topper", but it would not work w/ leaf spring battery connects because of the increase in height. https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/ https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/
leggomylibro 9y ago
That is a good point. What's a good LiPo protection circuit look like? Some googling led me to some basics that a protection circuit should have, does this look about right? - Overcharge protection (prevent charging past the max voltage, probably ~4.2V but intentionally shrinking this window might prolong cell life) - Short circuit protection (Like, a fuse? Would a PTC one work?) - Limit charge current (0.5-1C for LiPos, 5-10C for LiCaps, etc) - Undercharge protection; prevent discharge past a 'low voltage' value and (ideally) permanently disable cell or severely limit charge rate if voltage drops below the minimum safe value. - (Ideally) Balance voltage between individual cells.
- gm-conspiracy 9y ago
  Check this out: https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/ https://hackaday.com/2017/09/25/diy-lipo-protectors/
  - leggomylibro 9y ago
    Oh, sweet - thanks!