Beginner that salvage old 18650 from laptop batteries - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: ElectricPower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 05:16:24 am
content: Hello folksI'm almost totally novise to electronics and batteries, but i have read a lot about it the last few mounts etc. Så be kind pleaseI have "rescued" at least 180x 18650 batteries from about 30x old laptop batteries.One of the laptop batteries had red Sanyo batteries produced in 2010. Crappy batteries. The voltage out of the box was between 1.9 and 2.8V (9 batteries). Two batteries get really warm (84 degrees surface temp, measured with IR). the rest of the Sanyo batteries did not charged to 4.2V but stopped at 3.7v. So i trash them all. This was batteries from an Acer laptop.But almost all the used laptop batteries i get from the store was HP batteries. And innside these HP batteries i almost always found grey colored LG batteries rated for 2.600mA, produced in 2010. 95% av all the grey LG batteries i managed to get 2.600mA from after an recycle charge with Xtar Dragon charger. All batteries is going to be rewrapped. Some of the HP laptop batteries also have Samsung cells. Also good batteries, but often lower capacity. (but still inside specs).This is not an question, but more an observation from an beginner.But i have one little question at the end:My threshold for saving batteries with a charge is 2V. I have experience that all batteries with 2V or more from LG and Samsung produced in 2010 is all fine. All batteries that meassured under 2V i trashed.So what is yours limit regards to voltage and charging old laptop batteries?Som random pictures from the project:

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 05:28:54 am
content: Those are impressive results for batteries that are over 10 years old. I've had good luck with salvaged 18650 cells but I've never tried them quite that old.

author: ElectricPower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 05:34:08 am
content: Quote from: james_s on January 18, 2021, 05:28:54 amI have seen many youtube videoa and almost never seen someone get 2.600mA out of old laptop batteries. Almost all batteries from HP laptops is grey LG cells and these are wery good.Here is the link to the cells:https://secondlifestorage.com/index.php?threads/lg-lgabb41865-cell-specifications.1789/Samsung also had wery many good ones, but with lower rated capacity.

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 06:08:38 pm
content: I guess the performance depends how heavily used the batteries are? If they haven't had so many cycles... they will last a long time.I'm currently in the process of restoring some power tool NiMH battery packs... interestingly, most of the cells are in good condition, except for one or two in each pack that ruins the whole orchestra...

author: ElectricPower
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 18, 2021, 08:03:11 pm
content: Off course. Many factors here. It was just an observation

author: Diabolo
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 12:52:08 am
content: Hello,What about ESR on those old batteriesRegards

author: SilverSolder
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: February 13, 2021, 03:59:23 am
content: I am finding that to be a real problem with NiMH.Not sure how Lithium behaves in that respect?