CGR18650 Lithium Batteries

[Nobert]

Has anybody had any experience with Panasonic CGR18650 batteries? They are used in Laptops.
Also, can you paralell Lithiums and double the available current?

[Dave Robelen]

Hello Nobert,
I will speak to the paralleling question. As long as you charge the cells in series, it is OK to discharge them in parallel. I would be careful not to discharge this kind of setup to deeply, just for safeties sake.
Regards, Dave

[hood]

These are the same cells that I have been using in my TigerMoth. They have been working very well for me. I can fly longer than I care too on one pack..

I have respected the warnings that people put out about lithium batteries and not had any problems. I even took one pack and did some high ampdraw tests with good results. I have seen others running two packs for increased amp draw, but haven't tried this myself.

Anyone know of a good way to charge these cells in a three cell pack?

[Nobert]

I just got the MAHA charger that will charge up to 6 lithiums in series. Bought it at Ham Radio Outlet for about $60.
Neal

[CalmAir]

The 18650's are a little heavy for aircraft such as the Tiger Moth and Pico Stik, but do hold promise for others. For the first time they are being offered one at a time and not in pack form without the protection circuits. These cells have a different material make up which makes them safer, which is why they are probably being offered in non-pack form. These cells can safely be discharged at 2C to 2.4C rates. You can purchase them from All Electronics for $3.50 each. Here is the link.

http://www.allelectronics.com/cgi-bin/category.cgi?category=160200&item=BTE-1200&type=store

Just be sure to only use a charger made for lithium ions, and one made for the number of cells you have in series. This is important, not only to keep from damaging your cells, but for safety sake. You can vent fumes, flames and even have an explosion from improperly charging certain types of lithium ions. Do not use your regular peak detecting charger for NiCads.

I use a charger I designed and built that uses a 4 state charge algorithm. I have used equipment from Maha with good results. I have also dealt with All Electronics and Ham Radio Outlet. They are very reputable and have been around for many years.

Dale

[mr_mahoney]

I recently obtained a Tigermoth and would love to fly it with a lithium. Where can I get a lithium pack like the one you mentioned? I have been searching for awhile with no luck. I would appreciate your reply. Please e-mail me at mr_mahoney@hotmail.com
Thanks

Originally posted by hood
These are the same cells that I have been using in my TigerMoth. They have been working very well for me. I can fly longer than I care too on one pack..

I have respected the warnings that people put out about lithium batteries and not had any problems. I even took one pack and did some high ampdraw tests with good results. I have seen others running two packs for increased amp draw, but haven't tried this myself.

Anyone know of a good way to charge these cells in a three cell pack?

[hood]

I was looking at them last night, and they are a different number on the cells out of the quallcom packs. They are panasonics, but different.

I bought ten packs of Quallcomms and two chargers for 60$, off of a link I found on this site.

http://www.radiocontrolzone.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71893

This is the link to the lithium info.

[hood]

also, the Quallcomm lithiums are CGR17500..

[hood]

They have the same cells @ the AllElectronics link above. They are 4.00$ a pack. About the same price as the other link, but you still need a charger.

Mr. Mahoney sent me an email about Mark being backordered on cells, so this might help people find the batteries if they are not in need of a charger..