[EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Discussion:

Van Horn, David

2018-05-15 13:26:05 UTC

I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

I need to be able to remove the flashlight head and add my electronics forward of the batteries.

Anyone know sources?

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RussellMc

2018-05-15 13:52:38 UTC

Permalink

On 16 May 2018 at 01:26, Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder that
will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

Might tabbed cells connected with a plug be a good idea.
Housing then becomes dependant only on mechanical constraints.
Or, must they be untabbed cells?

R

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Van Horn, David

2018-05-15 14:07:16 UTC

Permalink

I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.

This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154

-----Original Message-----
From: piclist-***@mit.edu <piclist-***@mit.edu> On Behalf Of RussellMc
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. <***@mit.edu>
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

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Forrest Christian (List Account)

2018-05-15 15:49:16 UTC

Permalink

I'd search on alibaba, aliexpress, banggood, ebay, etc for a suitable donor.

Is there a reason you need 2 18650's in series? Lots of good buck/boost
converters out there, unless you need the capacity of two 18650's...

On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 8:07 AM, Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of test
equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a
flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Might tabbed cells connected with a plug be a good idea.
Housing then becomes dependant only on mechanical constraints.
Or, must they be untabbed cells?
R
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Van Horn, David

2018-05-15 16:51:52 UTC

Permalink

I need the total power, it will get boosted up quite a bit, so the higher input voltage is a plus.

-----Original Message-----
From: piclist-***@mit.edu <piclist-***@mit.edu> On Behalf Of Forrest Christian (List Account)
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 9:49 AM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. <***@mit.edu>
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

I'd search on alibaba, aliexpress, banggood, ebay, etc for a suitable donor.

Is there a reason you need 2 18650's in series? Lots of good buck/boost
converters out there, unless you need the capacity of two 18650's...

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of
test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a
flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder
that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

--
*Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.*
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602 ***@imach.com | http://www.packetflux.com <http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <http://facebook.com/packetflux> <http://twitter.com/@packetflux>
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Jean-Paul Louis

2018-05-15 17:49:40 UTC

Permalink

Keystone has battery holder for two 18650 for less than $3 / piece. You
could fit that holder in your box design.

Just a thought,
Jean-Paul
N1JPL

On Tue, May 15, 2018, 12:53 PM Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need the total power, it will get boosted up quite a bit, so the higher
input voltage is a plus.
-----Original Message-----
Forrest Christian (List Account)
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight
I'd search on alibaba, aliexpress, banggood, ebay, etc for a suitable donor.
Is there a reason you need 2 18650's in series? Lots of good buck/boost
converters out there, unless you need the capacity of two 18650's...
On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 8:07 AM, Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of
test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a
flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder
that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA
cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

--
*Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.*
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <http://facebook.com/packetflux>
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David VanHorn

2018-05-15 17:52:54 UTC

Permalink

Then I need to machine a battery hatch etc etc etc.. That's the point of
using a flashlight power enclosure.

Post by Jean-Paul Louis
Keystone has battery holder for two 18650 for less than $3 / piece. You
could fit that holder in your box design.
Just a thought,
Jean-Paul
N1JPL
On Tue, May 15, 2018, 12:53 PM Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of
test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a
flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what
I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder
that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA
cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

--
*Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.*
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <http://facebook.com/packetflux
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Jean-Paul Louis

2018-05-15 17:58:27 UTC

Permalink

I see. So, you plan to use the whole flashlight enclosure to also house
your project. I missed that point.
A flashlight with room for 4 x 18650 might be your ticket for more room for
your electronics.

Jean-Paul
N1JPL

Post by David VanHorn
Then I need to machine a battery hatch etc etc etc.. That's the point of
using a flashlight power enclosure.

Post by Van Horn, David
I need the total power, it will get boosted up quite a bit, so the

higher

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

Post by Van Horn, David
input voltage is a plus.
-----Original Message-----
Forrest Christian (List Account)
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight
I'd search on alibaba, aliexpress, banggood, ebay, etc for a suitable donor.
Is there a reason you need 2 18650's in series? Lots of good

buck/boost

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

Post by Van Horn, David
converters out there, unless you need the capacity of two 18650's...
On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 8:07 AM, Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of
test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a
flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what
I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder
that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA
cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

--
*Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.*
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <

http://facebook.com/packetflux

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

Post by Van Horn, David
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Van Horn, David

2018-05-15 18:34:59 UTC

Permalink

I'm not planning to use the whole enclosure.
I want to detach the part with the batteries and use that, and attach another cylindrical enclosure in place of the light engine for my electronics. Mechanical hackability is important.

-----Original Message-----
From: piclist-***@mit.edu <piclist-***@mit.edu> On Behalf Of Jean-Paul Louis
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 11:58 AM
To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. <***@mit.edu>
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

I see. So, you plan to use the whole flashlight enclosure to also house your project. I missed that point.
A flashlight with room for 4 x 18650 might be your ticket for more room for your electronics.

Jean-Paul
N1JPL

Post by David VanHorn
Then I need to machine a battery hatch etc etc etc.. That's the point
of using a flashlight power enclosure.

Post by Jean-Paul Louis
Keystone has battery holder for two 18650 for less than $3 / piece.
You could fit that holder in your box design.
Just a thought,
Jean-Paul
N1JPL
On Tue, May 15, 2018, 12:53 PM Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need the total power, it will get boosted up quite a bit, so the

higher

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

Post by Van Horn, David
input voltage is a plus.
-----Original Message-----
Of Forrest Christian (List Account)
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight
I'd search on alibaba, aliexpress, banggood, ebay, etc for a suitable donor.
Is there a reason you need 2 18650's in series? Lots of good

buck/boost

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

Post by Van Horn, David
converters out there, unless you need the capacity of two 18650's...
On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 8:07 AM, Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece
of test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making
a flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x
what I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery
holder that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four
AA cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

--
*Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.*
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <

http://facebook.com/packetflux

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

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Van Horn, David

2018-05-16 16:00:02 UTC

Permalink

I found this one yesterday that looks almost ideal:
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/127

However, the price is likely to be 10x what I want.

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Jean-Paul Louis

2018-05-15 18:02:11 UTC

Permalink

Or a regular cheap flashlight with D size batteries, so you can house the
two Li Ion batteries and your electronics more easily.

Post by David VanHorn
Then I need to machine a battery hatch etc etc etc.. That's the point of
using a flashlight power enclosure.

Post by Van Horn, David
I need the total power, it will get boosted up quite a bit, so the

higher

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

buck/boost

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

Post by Van Horn, David
converters out there, unless you need the capacity of two 18650's...
On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 8:07 AM, Van Horn, David <

Post by Van Horn, David
I need untabbed cells. This will be the power pack for a piece of
test equipment, so it needs to be as consumer friendly as possible.
It occurred to me that there's probably someone in China making a
flashlight that will work pricewise and be a suitable organ donor.
This is sort of what I'm thinking of, but the price is about 10x what
I can deal with
http://www.nextorch.com/en/index.php/products/154
-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, May 15, 2018 7:53 AM
Subject: Re: [EE] 18650 battery enclosure aka flashlight

Post by Van Horn, David
I have a project where I need about 100 or so of a battery holder
that will enable 18650 cells to be rapidly replaced.
The ideal unit will house two 18650 cells in series, or four AA
cells as a "plan B".
Minimal length, diameter less than 3 inches.

--
*Forrest Christian* *CEO**, PacketFlux Technologies, Inc.*
Tel: 406-449-3345 | Address: 3577 Countryside Road, Helena, MT 59602
http://www.linkedin.com/in/fwchristian> <

http://facebook.com/packetflux

Post by Jean-Paul Louis

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Denny Esterline

2018-05-15 16:46:49 UTC

Permalink

That Nextorch link doesn't have a price listed, so I'm making guesses.
Further, not knowing all of what you're intending is adding to the "guess
factor" here.

But....

A couple minutes on Aliexpress with the search term 2x18650 flashlight
finds several hundred hits. Here's a couple that seem somewhat promising.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/TrustFire-T1-Cree-XM-L2-U2-1600-Lumens-5-Mode-LED-Flashlight-Black-2-x-18650/32676086833.html
2 cells, looks to be inline, about $23 US.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/DC-2-Shining-Hot-Selling-Drop-Shipping-28000LM-11-x-CREE-XM-L-T6-LED-Hunting/32774898357.html
4 cells, looks to be side x side (perhaps drop two and use the space for
your electronics?), about $23 US.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/10000-Lumens-7-x-Cree-Xm-l-T6-LED-Flashlight-Torch-Tactical-Hunting-18650-Torch-4/32617071847.html
Looks about the same as the last one, but at $29, it comes with 4x cells
and a charger.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/6000-lumens-torch-handlamp-Aluminum-ALLoy-LED-flashlight-CREE-Q5-lanterna-high-power-waterproof-for-camping/32497352004.html
Slightly different form factor, looks to be 2 cells in parallel - $14.

-Denny

On Tue, May 15, 2018 at 7:07 AM, Van Horn, David <

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