Thanks! I did find their page for Delrin Battery Spacers. They have them in 18mm diameter and various lengths: 5mm, 15mm, and 34mm. Unfortunately, the 5mm is out of stock.
If I needed to make a bunch of these, I’d probably go ahead and do as you suggest. Either find some plastic bushings (I imagine some bushings used for plumbing could work) or cut plastic discs from sheet plastic. I’d probably be better off waiting until Oveready is back in stock with their 5mm spacers.
Dunno if you’re still looking to “identify” them, but the dimensions are about perfect to be able to use unprotected flattops (~65mm long) in place of protected button-tops (~70mm long).
Seems that “battery spacer” is about the usual term. Is there a commercial solution for dynamically converting flat tops to button tops?
The trouble with little magnets by themselves is that they can become dislodged and short circuit. So, having them in a fixed position is essential, such as nestled inside a Delrin slug.
Yeah, I don’t like using magnets either. I got some 14250 cells that I don’t mind using magnets on in the charger but in a light? Nope. They move too much. I’d rather solder blob and rotary tool them off if I ever had to.
Understand your concern how about pairing good magnets with nylon washers? You wouldn’t have to get a perfect fit. The washer would prevent the magnets from wandering around if the light gets bounced around.
How about like a nylon bushing ? or a roller for a curtain rod ?
if this is to just gain height on an 18650 just do a solder blob and be done with it .
After finally doing my first solder blob I realized how stupid I'd been for waiting so long ..it solved like a million stupid problems all in a matter of 11 seconds...
how about wood or .maybe a black rubber plug or thick washer .
Go to the hardware store and ask .. They live for this stuff .
Over on CPF, one of their reps is active and they did follow-up about the 5mm being back in stock sometime in mid to late April. Their prices are OK for the small spacers, but yeah… for that multi “C” cell adapter, it’s quite pricey. However, if you drain full batteries fairly frequently, it will pay off in the long run (recharging 18650 vs. tossing “C” cells).
Thanks for the tip – I may just do that for a flat top 18350 in a Jetbeam RRT-01 that requires protected cells. The contact point is quite small, so a standard spacer would generally not work.
If you want to make something from stuff at home depot, I would suggest using 3/4” PVC pipe for the tube and a 3” #10-24 round head brass screw for the contact. You will need to use something to cap off the PVC, PVC caps should work but you may need to sand them down to fit your light. Drill a hole in the center of the caps for the brass screw and cut the tube down so that the screw passes through the cap on one end by about 1/8”/3mm so that there is room for the nut and that it will by flush with the end of the screw when tightened - this will give you your spacer. Cut another piece of PVC a little shorter than your cell for a battery sleeve and it should work.
Different. Literally, foam “tubes” to wedge under doors to stop drafts. “Solid” (as much as foam can be), no hole through the central axis or anything. Probably more likely to find something like that at a Target than a HD.