Lithium batteries have unique characteristics. These batteries are especially distinguished against the background of similar products by a large number of charge and discharge cycles of the battery. One of the best in this class is the 18500 battery, which will be discussed in more detail in this article.
Content
18500 Battery Specifications
The technical specifications of the 18500 lithium-ion cell are as follows:
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Voltage | 1.5 V, 3.7 V |
| Capacity | 1200-2000 mAh |
| Maximum pulse discharge current | 18 A |
| Maximum charge voltage | 4,2 |
| Minimum discharge voltage | 2,8 |
| Maximum charge current | 2 A |
| Diameter | 18 mm |
| Length | 50 mm |
| Weight | 27 gr |
This type of li-ion battery belongs to the category of high-power battery, therefore a relatively long discharge of the battery is possible with a current strength of up to 9 A. The standard 18500 battery is unprotected, therefore, irreversible changes occur when the product is discharged less than 2.5 volts.
Analogs and what can be replaced 18500
The main analogue of the industrial element 18500 is a protected model of the same type. Unlike a standard product, such a battery comes with protection, which allows the element to be used in various devices without any restrictions where a portable source of electricity is required, the voltage of which is 3.6 V.
In addition, you can try to replace the industrial element with the following:
- Lir 18500 - has a slightly larger capacity (1400 mAh).
- Icr 18500 - also has a high capacity (2000 mAh).
- Cgr 18500 - voltage is slightly different (3.6 V).
- Ifr 18500 - suitable for size, but the voltage is significantly lower (3.2 V).
- NCR 18500 is an analogue of increased capacity (2000 mAh).
Most of the analogues can be used without any restrictions to replace a standard 18500 battery, moreover, high-capacity batteries will allow to operate devices connected to such a battery much longer.
Scope of the battery
Industrial batteries 18500 are used only in assembled form in devices with a controller. For example, such products can be used to replace used batteries in a laptop and Power Bank battery with new ones.
Realized protected batteries of this type can be used without any restrictions in any devices that require a battery with increased capacity and voltage of 3.6 - 3.7 Volts.
How to charge the battery 18500
Improper charging can lead to overheating of the cell and even explosion. In order to properly charge a battery of this type, it is necessary to use a 3.7 Volt charger, the current strength of which does not exceed 2 Amps. In addition, you will need to constantly monitor the battery charge level so as not to damage it.
The problem can be completely solved with the help of “smart” charging, but the cost of such products can be very significant. It is much easier to use the 18500 battery equipped with a controller. Such products can be easily charged in any suitable voltage charger.
Popular manufacturers and their features
On sale most often you can find 18500 batteries of the following manufacturers:
- Sanyo - batteries have a high discharge current. As a rule, unprotected 18500 battery models are sold under this brand.
- Panasonic - unprotected high-capacity batteries.
- Rexant - unprotected batteries with a capacity of 1400 mAh.
- KeepPower - High-quality industrial battery type 18500 with a capacity of 2000
- Efest - batteries under this brand are available in slightly smaller capacity (1000 mAh).
All of the listed manufacturers produce high-quality batteries of the type 18500, but the capacity of the product can differ significantly from each other.
What to look for when purchasing
To purchase a quality product, you must carefully check it before buying. First of all, you should pay attention to the notation printed on the body of the product. As a rule, the type of battery and its main parameters are indicated in the marking. Size and shape should also fully correspond to an element of this type.
You should pay attention to whether there are contacts soldered to the battery. With the conclusions, it is much easier to solder the battery when replacing the cells in the laptop battery, but to charge such a product with a standard adapter, it is better to use a battery without soldered contacts.
