18650 batteries as an alternative - Page 2 - UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum

paulsherwin · 26th Feb 2018, 11:59 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Refugee

Have you worked out a charging circuit for these batteries?

I use a simple fixed voltage charger which charges the lithium battery in my camera. It's not ideal but it works well enough for undemanding applications. I have vague plans to build something around a charge controller chip but haven't got Round Tuit yet.

G6Tanuki · 26th Feb 2018, 12:07 pm

Would be interested in hearing how you get on: I've got a couple of solar-powered LED PIR floodlights here that have eight NiCd AA cells in them and after a couple of years they've got to the point where they need to be consigned to the WEEE-skip as they now only give about 10 minutes of light (originally they ran for an hour).

18650s are definitely an option for re-engineering here, though I might need to frob the charge 'control' circuit [which turns the LED on to dissipate excess power once the batteries have reached a set voltage].

Jolly 7 · 26th Feb 2018, 5:33 pm

You might want to consider the QX5252F chip for your solar light upgrade using lithium rechargeables. There are some interesting YouTube videos by MrFreddieew1 on this topic.

Refugee · 2nd Mar 2018, 2:49 am

I have been looking at e-cig batteries as most have a built in charger and are quite cheap.
You have to open them to get at the un-switched power.
Many are shipped as two terminal devices.

26th Feb 2018, 12:07 pm	#22
G6Tanuki Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Wiltshire, UK. Posts: 14,010	Re: 18650 batteries as an alternative Would be interested in hearing how you get on: I've got a couple of solar-powered LED PIR floodlights here that have eight NiCd AA cells in them and after a couple of years they've got to the point where they need to be consigned to the WEEE-skip as they now only give about 10 minutes of light (originally they ran for an hour). 18650s are definitely an option for re-engineering here, though I might need to frob the charge 'control' circuit [which turns the LED on to dissipate excess power once the batteries have reached a set voltage].

26th Feb 2018, 5:33 pm	#23
Jolly 7 Octode Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Southampton, Hampshire, UK. Posts: 1,063	Re: 18650 batteries as an alternative You might want to consider the QX5252F chip for your solar light upgrade using lithium rechargeables. There are some interesting YouTube videos by MrFreddieew1 on this topic.

2nd Mar 2018, 2:49 am	#24
Refugee Dekatron Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK. Posts: 5,554	Re: 18650 batteries as an alternative I have been looking at e-cig batteries as most have a built in charger and are quite cheap. You have to open them to get at the un-switched power. Many are shipped as two terminal devices.