18650 branding plastic came off.

I had a thrunite 18650 3400mah. The plastic came off and I was left with what the linked picture shows. Which is a LG variant of cell. My question is, does this mean this cell is unsafe now the plastic is removed, or are they talking about the purple barrier? Pasteboard - Uploaded Image

The cell is still safe, but I’d still rewrap it to protect the protection circuit just in case.

Unless it’s needed, I’d just (carefully) pull off the protection circuit and have a perfectly fine nekkid cell.

I imagine the sense-strip running down the side is exposed, eh? That would be a Bad Thing if it shorted against the battery-tube inside the light.

I’m not aware of any strip going down the side, just this purple coating. So without brand name plastic over it should it be okay to use. I see what your saying about the protection circuit on top. Here’s two additional photos for better perspective Pasteboard - Uploaded Image Pasteboard - Uploaded Image

Then maybe it’s actually an unprotected cell, or the connection to negative is around the rim of the pointy end.

This design has the PTC on the anode. There is no strip running down the length.

Personally I would rewrap before use.

How did the entire wrapping “come off” ? If you are the rough or careless type, you should consider switching to safer AA type flashlight.

could you recover it in electrical tape or something?

Electrical tape is going to be too thick for some tubes, and likely to make a sticky mess.

If you can give me a good measurement of the cell length, I can cut & send you some shrink tube that will/should fit. A hairdryer will shrink it down. You’ll just have to remember that your fingertips are not fireproof.

What’s the purpose of the branding plastic? Its all just a plastic sleeve with company names and battery specs. Advertising aside, what does the plastic function as? I do not mind to wrap it back up. Question is though, can it be used in its current state safely?

it cannot imho

you could take measurements with your DMM to verify

  1. To re-brand the cell. Battery re-wrapping companies' business.
  2. Protection. The cell body is polarized (negative).
  3. You can use it as it is, at your own risk. I guess it may short-circuit inside a flashlight tube due to the exposed metal, so better rewrap it.

Fasttech sells some slightly longer wraps (75 versus 72 mm) which may fit more or less nice (or you can buy some roll). Example: https://www.fasttech.com/product/9633946

Use BLF at checkout. ;-)

Sounds like the answer is wrap it up lol. Thanks for all the info!

So if anybody wants this battery, because honestly I don’t feel like wrapping it. I will send it to you for free lol. Just let me know. So, I have never sent a battery by mail before. I read some rules on US mail website wow. Kinda took the fun out of it, what’s everyone else really do when they send these?

It’s actually really easy.

What you need:
18650 battery wrap.
Hairdryer.

If you really don’t want it I’ll take it

…. and I even had an envelope, stamp and roll of blue shrink waiting on the length of the battery.