I get that a lot. The seller appears to have shipped using the most economical carrier to my address. Fedex is often the cheapest for me… not to mention that their level of service is usually far superior to their competition.
No idea how I managed to miss this thread… 
I’m almost out of extra 18650 cells.
Thanks for this great deal.I just finished opening up the first of several packs and this is a very difficult pack to open.The most difficult one I have encountered so far.All 8 cells measured 3.6 volts.I will charge them up and check capacity in the next few days.
Got mine today! Ill crack em open tomorrow.
please make and show us some pictures…
Thanks again Siskiyou. Got mine today and successfully extracted the cells. My multimeter is at work, so I haven’t tested the cells yet.
This was my very first time doing something like this, so I don’t have anything else to compare it to, but I would say extraction wasn’t that difficult. I only used a flathead screwdriver and pliers. First, I stuck the scredriver right were the connector was, and twisted it. Then kept sliding it and twisting it, cracking open the pack along the way. I did this in both directions from the connector and had opened up half of the seam (quarter of the way from each edge). At this point I just took the pliers, and started pulling off the plastic. It was a bit harder towards the edges of the pack, but still doable.
One thing I can suggest, is to use pliers with thin tips. Mine had very thick tips, and at times it was hard to grab the plastic while avoiding pushing against the cells.
Before this pack I had 4 flashlights but only 2 cells (3400mah NCRB-s). Now I have 10 cells. Does this mean I need to get 6 more lights? 
My Dad used to say that 9 out of 10 questions you can answer yourself. 
I think you already know the answer to that one. :bigsmile:
My first of 2 packs came today, and I must say this was the BEST deal yet! My pack was dated April 2011 and the box it came in looked retail fresh! It was also the hardest pack to open so far for me. All cells were exactly at 3.65V. All in all I don’t see how anything could be any better than this one. Thanks again to Siskiyou
Just finished cleaning up. Here are some pics
April 2011
If it is any consolation, this same seller has this ASUS 8 pack also for $9.99. Rated at 4400 mAh. So it probably only has 2200’s in it. Don’t know what brand, but probably also Samsung.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-ASUS-Battery-90-NYX1B1000Y-A42-N82-K52-A31-B53-A31-K52-A32-K52-A32-N82-/111267236770?pt=Laptop_Batteries&hash=item19e80b4ba2
The battery looks so pristine, not a nick! Is that a solder blob on +?
What did you use to rid of the insulation gunk on battery?
Thanks Siskiyou, top notch find. 
Don't leave us in suspense, did you join? 
Yes that is a solder blob, i put it there. I use a 100W soldering gun and get it done in 2 seconds or less so as not to heat the cell.
As far as the goop goes, I used my fingernail. 
If someone could come up with a scraping tool as good as a fingernail (gentile but effective) they would become rich!
BTW, I don’t bother with the burrs left behind by the spot welds. On the negative end the burrs don’t matter because it will always press up against a spring, and on the positive post, the solder blob covers them up.
Man I cant seem to get mine out of the enclosure. Any clues on how to open the damn thing without destroying the batteries?
Thanks, I’ve still got 5 extras though so I should be good for… Hopefully a while. The 2800mAh are incredible at the price everyone got them for.
Slip the end of an inch or so wide chisel into the join crack and pry it open with a twist, work along the seam, voila. Pry, no hammer. Be careful of your wrists etc. It works well, but I havent tried on the Asus packs in this thread.
Dont thank me, thank whoever came up with the idea in another laptop pull thread. If you bleed to death, blame him too.
Nope. But I did finally get my 2 packs :bigsmile:
Opened up the first one- it was really, really well sealed/glued/cemented shut. Scuffed a few wrappers, but oh well.
I’m charging one now so I can test it’s capacity, but I’m just gonna leave the rest as they are, at 3.694V, and put them in cold storage. I had just ordered a half dozen cells from Mountain Electronics, then I saw the eBay deal for the green cells and got 10 of them, then I saw this deal and got 16 more cells.
I won’t need any more 18650 cells for a long time.
For anyone who feels they missed out on this deal, the green ones from eBay are really good cells. Just gotta keep an eye on his auctions to catch a good price.
These ASUS packs are brutal. I have tried that and it is really tight. I cant get a screwdriver in the gap. I may have to dremel it, but I didn’t want to do that.
Ask your friendly local sasquash for assistance…
The area around the connector is the weakest spot. Crack it with pliers an the slip a narrow bladed screwdriver or the aforementioned chisel in the break. Pry till you have a piece you can hold on to with the pliers.
Just be careful, take your time, and smile instead of getting frustrated about how silly this is!
Whew! I got it open. Thanks guys that was a PIA!! I marred one of the batteries but I think it will be ok. Now to charge them.
wow… that was fast… only 3 days from CA to NY :heart_eyes:
Well, I ordered 6 battery packs and all were dated April 2011 Woooohooooo!!!! Deal of the decade!!! or at least of the year right?
Each and every cell measured between 3.68V-3.7V
Update: Actual assembly date from date code on batteries 2A51 is saying my cells were made
May 1st, 2010
and the actual production date (on bottom right corner of the grey sticker on the battery pack is
July-2010.
I guess the April 2011 date is when they came ready for distribution.