10/2 update
If you want fresh Sanyo GAs already wrapped, check out The For Sale Post HERE .
As promised, here is a DIY wrap image. PDF on Google Drive
Print the PDF, trim it to width and length as needed for the batteries you want to wrap, put it under clear shrink tube. Or, print on adhesive labels, or…. whatever works for you. 
9/18 update
I’ve done some testing, and found that putting a wrap over the Sanyo GA’s OEM wrap results in a battery that works in an SP36 and should fit normally in an LT1. It however, does not fit in an FW3a. Peeling the OEM wrapper and using standard weight paper results in a cell that fits in an FW3a. Using a nicer, heavier paper results in a cell that is a friction fit in the FW3a. IMHO, that’s too tight.
Unless someone requests otherwise, I’m going to default to peeling the OEM wrapper so the cells will fit as many different lights as possible.
Three final logo options posted for opinions and want-lists
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9/15 update
I’ve got some test batteries in and am working out the production details and final pricing.
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Original Post
This is a Pre-WTS post to see what interest there is for logo’d battery sets to feed the upcoming BLF LT1 lanterns. Please leave comments and suggestions, and if you’re interested, how many sets.
Right off the top:
- I am not trying to claim any rights to the BLF LT1 logo or lantern design work.
- Any money I collect is for parts, labor and shipping.
- I have approval to include the logo
My goal is to be able to offer a set of 4 good cells wrapped in the BLF LT1 logo. This is an example of my initial revision.
My plan:
- Battery
- – I like to leave the original OEM wrapper on the cell to maintain a link to its authenticity, but it this can impact aesthetics. Would you rather have the original labeling underneath or the wrap right on the bare cell? These re-wraps are snug but not tight in my SP36 battery tubes, so I expect they will fit a Q8 or LT1 too.
- – I like the Sanyo NCR18650GA because they have nice capacity, decent current ratings, and a flat top just tall enough to engage an SP36/Q8/LT1 type ring contact.
- – I’m open to other battery types, but I’m going to have to buy one kind in bulk up front to make this work.
- Wrap
- – a color print of the wrap under a clear shrink tube.
- – Because these will be one-off custom assemblies, personalizing a set may be offered.
- – The wrap currently has 4 variants, identified as A, B, C and D. My initial though was to identify the batteries in a set, but there’s no reason they can’t be set A, set B, etc.
- Shipping
- – US only.
- – I expect to use USPS and/or UPS depending on cost.
And the big one – Cost.
- – I’m targeting $30 for the set of 4.
- – I’m hopeful that this will be a shipped price, but I need to do more planning before I can make any promises.
SECOND IDEA
I am seeing if I can work a deal for a logo printed directly on shrink tubing. Single color (black) looks like it will be easily doable. Two colors (black + yellow rays & lantern fill) might also work out. I have a healthy fear of how good/bad the colors will be aligned if they do a second color though. This option would be simple, but nowhere as fancy as the custom made ones I’m talking about above
Not being Lithium based fire in a can, I’d be able to send these pretty much anywhere mail is delivered. While you’re telling me if you’re interested or not, I’ll check into the supplies costs for shipping them.
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
Subscribed
That Canadian flashlight guy & Lantern Guru -Den / DBSARlight
Interested
Interested depending on final product
Not in the US
Interested. I wouldnt mind the wrap over the original one.
Interested
Interested for two sets.
I would be in for a set or three……
Wrapped Sanyos sounds perfect. I’m in for a couple of sets at least.
Now that I think about it more, I’m getting 6 lanterns. These would be the pièce de résistance for the gifts. Matching batteries? Heck yes. My friends already make fun of my lights – until they need them. Custom batteries are perfectly over the top awesome.
Diameter of the bare cell rewraps vs custom wrap over OEM wrap?
slmjim
Smile! It makes others wonder what you've been up to.
Time is more valuable than money.
You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.
Lost time is never found.
interested
Once I figure out where I misplaced my calipers I can give you solid numbers. Right now all I can offer is that they fit nicely in an SP36 with both the OEM and custom wraps.
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
Samsung 30Qs became popular a while back, around the same time the BLF Q8 was being built. A lot of BLF members got 30Q for their BLF Q8s. Compared to the GA, the 30Q have a slightly lower capacity, but higher output current. Since higher current is NOT needed for the LT1, the advantage goes to the GA. The other advantage of the GA is that the flat top, as you said, is high enough to hit the ring. They are also just a bit lower price, at least on Liion Wholesale. So, I would agree with the Panasonic/Sanyo GA being the best cell for this lantern. Thanks for doing this cool wrapping for BLF members. It should be pretty popular.
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
dang…in Canada.
Can you tell me anything about the rules on shipping these batteries to Canada? I’d hate for your batteries to be lost to Customs.
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
I am in Canada too.
That Canadian flashlight guy & Lantern Guru -Den / DBSARlight
Interested
I don’t agree with the term “BLF SKUNKWORKS” I think “BLF COLLABORATION” is more appropriate.
Skunks works invokes ( in my mind ) a secretive design and production. Whereas the BLF LT1 design has been out in the open, with design input from many BLF members.
Paul-
I’m in. I’ve bought some batteries but I’m in for 6 LT1s so I’ll need some more.
To me, Skunkworks is the place where all the interesting brainstorming and dev work is done, outside of normal constraints and without normal limitations. I can see what you’re saying though.
What does anyone else think about that line?
- SKUNKWORKS
- A BLF COLLABORATION (was TLF or another group involved too?)
- LET THERE BE LIGHT
???
As these are not produced by the thousands, there can be some room for modification / customization – BUT – I’d like to have a default design I can make and have on hand.
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
Interested in 2 sets
I think you should do what you want.
The Cycle of Goodness: “No one prospers without rendering benefit to others”
- The YKK Philosophy
I’m always open to good ideas. I may not agree with or use them, but I’m open to the ideas.
Until the question was brought up, I had stopped thinking about what I had in that spot. Now, I think I’m even happier with “LET THERE BE LIGHT”. If there are any other ideas, I’ll listen.
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
OK – according to my highly accurate temperature compensated newly arrived $5 Chinese calipers, the cells in OEM wrapper are a hair over 18mm, and wrapped over the OEM wrapper are a hair under 19mm. That is with colored paper, which I think is a touch heavier than the plain white I’ll be using for these.
Please note – these yellow test wrappers are a little short and let some of the orangish OEM wrapper show on the edge. (nothing I can do about where the OEM shrink covers the top and bottom) I expect to have some samples ready to show in a few days so you can see what I intend to provide.
six different batteries for a decent sample size
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
Interested for sure.
My $0.02 fwiw
-Sanyo, Pana, Sony, just use a quality high drain cell
-Original wrap doesn’t matter so much
-Like the ABCD set idea
Additional Note – see OP – I’m exploring the option of getting a much simpler design printed directly onto 18650 shrink tubing.
The cell has been chosen. Panasonc/Sanyo NCR18650GA. Flat top, so no problems with how well a button was added, higher capacity than a 30Q, and a respectable current rating. More importantly, I have a reliable domestic supply of them that will not have me loosing money on each set I ship.
For me, the original wrap is more of an aesthetic problem. The color is NOT a good match for a white cover. The extra thickness doesn’t seem to be a problem – at least in an SP36 and my single cell lights. Maybe I can work a deal on a Q8 and fit-test them there too. (I understand the lantern battery case is basically a Q8, right?)
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
Interested
OK, Thx. I have a light around here somewhere that protected cells are sort of a press fit into because of the added wrap plus the thickness of the conductor strip that runs up the side of protected cells. Once in, a protected cell is a PITA to remove. Not an issue with any of my other lights. I just wanted to make sure the size of the unprotected BLF rewraps.
Am I correct to assume that the BLF cell offering will be fairly short-lived, and not something that will continue for long term?
slmjim
Smile! It makes others wonder what you've been up to.
Time is more valuable than money.
You can get more money, but you cannot get more time.
Lost time is never found.
This is a nice concept and project.
On the other hand, future-wise, how can this wrapper be prevented from unscrupulous manufacturers and vendors from copying it and selling a complete but sub-standard, and even dangerous “BLF” batteries all over the web?
Just my .02
Edit: In fact, photo from the op might have given someone from you-know-where already an idea and might even sell it online ahead of this project!
I don’t have a particular end point in mind for the project. To be totally honest, the main reason I’m doing this is because I think the idea is cool.
I expect it to run till the demand drops, or I get tired of doing it, or my battery supply dries up. Then again, I went into this saying that since the LT1 project and related graphics are basically BLF property, I’d donate my finished files back to BLF. It will be a LOT less work for me if y’all print and wrap your own.
What I see myself providing is a quality battery set already customized to match a popular project, and at a non-predatory price.
1) There are already such things as GIF and UltroFire and Gabrile “9900mAh” batteries on the market. Scammers are gonna scam. We just have to make sure to tell each other about the scams.
2) The minimum quantities involved to make a properly done copy of this are large. The demand pool for the product is small. The target audience is price sensitive, so the opportunities to profiteer are small.
DIY LT1 battery wrap image. "PDF on Google Drive":https://drive.google.com/open?id=1IHIEOi1NXu868IYNCzIM7D2Ulpxchmww
Fresh Sanyo NCR18650GAs already wrapped "for sale HERE":http://budgetlightforum.com/node/69120 if you like.
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