Cheap authentic battery packs to harvest 18650 cells

I was first introduced to this seller by Gj who posted about the great 18500 cells he harvested from Toshiba laptop battery packs. Here is a link to the seller.

http://stores.ebay.com/In-And-Out-Computers-Store/Batteries-/\_i.html?\_fsub=16&\_sid=23100983&\_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

There was such a run on the original Toshiba laptop pack, that the price was increased from $8.99 to 27.99.

That stopped the run (probably due to us). They have only sold 1 in the last 2 months since the price increase. Those 18500 cells are really strong and shows how well new, old stock can hold up. Based on my very good experience from that purchase, I took a chance and ordered another pack, this time for my brothers old laptop. This is the link to that battery pack.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-New-6-cell-HP-Lithium-Ion-Battery-EV088AA-VE06-/190762791279?pt=Laptop_Batteries&hash=item2c6a59316f

14.99 for an authentic HP battery pack is awesome, but wait, that pic looks like a cheap clone. You know the cells in that would be crap, so why bother. I decided to call them up, their store is in Maine. So I called and left a message. A couple of hours later I got a call back. I explained that I was interested in a certain pack and even though it is listed as authentic HP, it looks to be a clone. I was told that can’t be as all their packs are new, old stock and are OEM from HP. That photo is probably just something that was pulled off the internet. On the strength of that conversation I decided to order one. A few days later I received it, free shipping and gave it to my brother. I didn’t have time to stick around so I told him to let it charge up fully before he used it. A few days ago I called him to see how it was doing. He told me he gets 3-4 hours runtime.
So I’m 2 for 2 with this seller, great prices, great stuff, easy to talk too if need be and fast free shipping. What’s not to like.
So I tried a third time. This time I picked out the cheapest 6 cell, 18650 pack they had with the intent of pulling it apart for the cells. I need decent capacity unprotected cells for my Ruinovo and ENB battery packs.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Genuine-HP-6-cell-Battery-Series-VN06-CB87-NB800AA-/191052147627?pt=Laptop_Batteries&hash=item2c7b986bab

I didn’t take pictures of the massacre, that has been done many times already. What I did do was take a picture of the retail box it came in! Remember, this pack cost $9.99

So what I received was a brand new, never used authentic HP pack that happens to be a few years old.
All 6 cells tested at 2.6V and charged up, no problems. And they pack a punch. Very happy again.
That’s 3 for 3!
Every one should check that site out for their own needs. Get your ENB’s and Ruinovo’s from FastTech, but get your cells from these battery packs. My cells cost me $1.67 each. Imagine being able to fill that 3-cell ENB for just $5.
What cells did I get? 6 of these Sanyo ICR18650 26C 2600mAh.

Thanks, I bought one to dissect!

Sorry, you get Samsung 18650, not Sanyo (they are good too).

tHX. ORDERED 1

The only dissection I ever did got me 8 samsung 22r 18650 cells from an old hp laptop I had sitting in the closet. Good info op.

LOL, well it was one of those “S” companies! :smiley:

I am going to leave the mistake as a testimony, to keep me on my toes.

Nice find and report. I puchased a couple different packs last night. The 6 cell above and a 12 cell (will have 2200mAh cells).

Here is a product information sheet for the above pictured Samsung.

I panicked last night when I saw them start go and ordered another because there were only 3 left. Since then, others have been ordered but there are still the 3 left. What’s that all about?

That is odd. This is the item your talking about, right?

Yes,

I got an email from them that they had “re-listed” it. I fully expected to see that they had increased to price after our mini-run, but no, they had just relisted it. The new listing does not show the old sales history. Price is the same, discription is the same and the quantity on hand is still the same. Stuck on 3.

EDIT:

I just checked the original listing and they are all gone. Yesterday, someone bought 3, 5 units after I ordered my 2nd, and cleaned them out.

So the NEW link to that item appears to be this recent link you posted.

I see. I just went to his store and pulled up the above linked item. When I try to pull up the listing I purchase from a couple nights ago from, it says the item has been relisted.

Very cool. Any downside for using these? Special charging or hidden dangers that we should know about before buying?

Yeah, I need to point out that if you don’t know what you are doing, stay away from these.

In other words, don’t try this at home, (go over to you friends house instead) :slight_smile:

It will be a good quality laptop pull

which is an unprotected cell

http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?333498-Samsung-18650-2600mah-question-there-are-2-versions-26D-and-26F

I have a stash of the samsung 26F's .... I like em

Thanks for the heads-up, got one coming my way. Last time I did this I got Sanyo FJ’s and have been very pleased, $1.08 ea and they’re not slouches at all! Had 12 of those, been using them quite a bit with no problems.

Hope these are the 2600mAh Samsungs, look like good cells.

i just bought one……… cant wait

He ships very fast

careful the seller doesnt figure out the deal like the toshiba packs and bump the price.
bet they still have all they had when they bumped them up.
i would hit this if i didnt have a source of free packs to rob cells from.

Got my order today. So delivery was fast. Having a heck of a time opening up the pack that Dchomak purchased. I can see color of cells. Appears to be Samsungs.

The 12 pack is a genuine Toshibia OE pack. Was in factory sealed box (had tamper proof label that had to be cut to open box). I'm not familiar with the cells. Each cell is labeled "SF US18650GR" and "T 6B116MG15K". Each cell is at 3.75 volts. First pack I ever opened with all cells the same voltage.

EDIT: Based on this thread, it's a Sony. I haven't found any date codes on the cells.

8800Mah pack

So you can pretty easily assume it's a 2200Mah battery 4x 2200=8800