What Are 18650 Batteries Used For?

The 18650 is a rechargeable battery that is designed based on lithium-ion technology. Their correct name is “18650 cell”. It is classified by 18mm X 65 mm size that is a little bit larger than an AA battery. The cell comes with a voltage of 3.7v and possesses between 1800mAH and 3500mAH (mili-amp-hours). The 18650 batteries have two types, which include protected and unprotected. Protected 18650 batteries are most recommended for a wide range of applications.

The average charge time for 18650 batteries is about four hours. However, the charge time for them can vary with voltage and amperage of the battery type and charger.

The 18650 batteries come in flat as well as button top styles. In general, 18650 batteries last between 300 and 500 charge cycles. However, if you charge regularly before full discharge, then you can easily extend the life of these batteries. There is no doubt that all batteries including 18650 degrade with the passage of time, but you will get over one or two years of life from 18650 batteries and it depends on how you use it.

What do you use 18650 batteries?

Well, electronics devices such as laptops, vaping, flashlights, and electric vehicles use 18650 batteries. There are some high lumen flashlights, for instance, Fenix PD35 and Thrunite TN14 use these types of batteries. Laptops and many other electronic devices utilize one or more 18650 batteries enabling them to be recharged. In addition to it, vaping or smoking devices also used these batteries.

In short, we can say that 18650 batteries are used in a wide range of applications and that’s why they are quite popular all over the world. They are often used in various applications because of their superior discharge rate and capacity.

As 18650 batteries are based on the technology called lithium-ion and that’s why being careful when buying these batteries. The wrong type or using it in an incorrect manner can cause an overheating or even a fire. As we told earlier, there are two types - protected and unprotected.

Protected one comes with an electric circuit and it is embedded in the package of the cell to protect the cell from over-discharge, over-heat, or over-charge problems. Thus, protected 18650 batteries are safer than unprotected 18650 batteries. Most batteries come with PCBs (protection circuit boards) to monitor the discharge of the battery and internal temperature.

Thus, unprotected 18650 batteries are used by only experienced users who design battery packs for vaping purposes and an electronic cigarette that generally utilized high discharge rates as compared to the protection circuits enable.

Awesome products using 18650 batteries

If you are curious to know which products using 18650 cell, the following is the list of top awesome products that use 18650 batteries based on the lithium-ion technology.

· Honda’s Miimo Robotic Lawn Mower

Miimo is surely a product that requires going green. There isn’t a single human being who doesn’t enjoy mixing fuel and then, pouring it in the lawn mower. Plus, no human like noise pollution. Isn’t, it right? However, if you don’t know much about a Roomba, then it’s time to check about it as this electric lawn mower is doing the same that Roomba did for vacuum cleaning purpose. It is a self-navigating drone that runs inside an invisible barrier. Plus, docks to a station called lithium-ion docking by itself when it requires a recharge.

· Bladefish 5000 Sea Scooter

Another awesome product that uses 18650 batteries is Bladefish 5000 Sea Scooter. They are also known with the name of underwater propulsion jets. They are a quite good product for 18v lithium-ion based batteries. This product can go down to almost 130 feet when its charge that generally lasts between 70 and 120 minutes.

· Solar Window Charger

Solar Window Charger is a product that is capable of charging gadgets within a few hours. It is perfect if you would like to work next to your window or if you are staying somewhere where there is no electricity. It is an amazing product that uses 18650 batteries.

· Electric wheelchair (off-road)

Der Ziesal is an electric wheelchair that is powered by a lithium-ion battery. It truly is first-class machinery allowing disabled persons to enjoy their life in whatever way they would like to. This electric wheelchair comes with four-point safety belt, delta tracks, suspension, and a joystick controller.

· SuperHeadz Clap USB Mini Camera

This fun and the interesting little camera also use 18650 batteries. It comes with an in-built USB plug in order to create a digital transfer simple and easy. It can capture photos of 1280X1024 with two million pixels that aren’t too shabby. It can hold 16GB MicroSD card.

Why use 18650 batteries but not other batteries?

The main question that comes to mind of many people is that “why use 18650 batteries over other batteries”. Or what makes 18650 batteries best option for various applications and products like mentioned in the above part?

As 18650 batteries are based on lithium-based technology and thus, they are the best choice for today’s high-end and top electronics because they batteries typically come with superior capacities as compared to other batteries such as alkaline.

Even though these rechargeable batteries cost a little bit more than other batteries available in the market, there is no need to replace these batteries as early as other cells.

One of the major problems with most rechargeable batteries is the self-discharge rate. But, lithium-ion batteries self-discharge rate is quite lower as compared to other rechargeable batteries, for instance, NiCad. Plus, 18650 batteries don’t require much maintenance as compared to other batteries. The high energy density is one of the main advantages of 18650 batteries over other batteries.

With electronic devices that need to run longer between charges while consuming power, there is always going to be need for batteries that offer higher energy density.

Considering all these things, it is not wrong to state that 18650 batteries have so many advantages over other batteries and thus, using them for your application is a smart decision you can ever make.