18650 Powered Stuff That Aren't Flashlights

EDC Gear for Flashlight Carriers
1

I’ve got 2 18650 flashlights, and a 18650 COB work light, which I use all the time.

I’ve also got a Maglite converted to use 2x 18650.

At any one time, I’ve got 6x 18650 cells in use.

I’ve got 10 EXTRA CELLS for a total of 16 cells. This is what happens you start identifying random dying battery packs for their 18650 cells inside. For example: I had a Dyson vacuum battery back that wouldn’t hold a charge, pull the cells out, did a refresh on them, and they are pretty capable (if slightly lower capacity).

I’m thinking of picking up another, larger COB work light and a Quick Charge 3.0 DIY power bank. These should use up another 8 cells.

I thought about rigging up some of my daughters toys that use D-Cells to be powered by 18650s. She’s got this ball toss toy…I wonder how far it’ll throw a ball with a little extra voltage…

So, what other fun stuff uses 18650? (in an easily replaceable format, that is).

2

garden tools, electric hand tools, some garage/work lights, I have a grow light with those, car jump start battery packs (the old ones), mobile usb power chargers, etc

I am sure there is more

3

Parts Express (www.parts-express.com) makes small audio amplifiers and boombox kits that run on 18650 batteries.

4

My interest is in stuff that easily takes bare cells. Like, not having to rewire or resolder up an old battery pack.

Just something I can drop cells into.

5

You could get an 18650 fan. I actually have one, and it works very well.

I’ve been looking into getting one with a larger 240mm fan and 2x18650 support, but I haven’t found a great one yet.

6

I would go with a laser dude. I have several lasers from https://www.sanwulasers.com/ and they’re all awesome.

If you don’t have any lasers, this green one would be an affordable and awesome toy: 100mw 200mw Green red violet 304 long range visible laser pointers - Sanwu Lasers

Or if you want to spend more, you could get this bad boy in 4.5w blue for burning stuff or 1.2w green for a gorgeous beam that out-throws any flashlight in existence: Challenger II - Portable Powerful Handheld Laser - SANWU LASERS

7

2 of my radio/MP3 players take 18650 cells.

8

What make/model are those? Not seen them, i would have remembered!

9

one`s the KK-11 and the other is a C-803
the name of the maker depends where you buy it from, but a simple google search for Radio and the model name will show them :wink:

10

Ta muchly, they look like fun. Just need to make up a reason to buy one :smiley:

11

no worries, the C-803 is really good as it takes 2x 18650s for better runtime (though it`s already good), and you get 2x SD card slots and a USB one, I have 2 weeks worth of Trance on one card, a few days worth of Prog House on the other and assorted Christmas songs in the USB slot :smiley:

12

I have a shortwave radio that is powered by a single 18650.

13

Start vaping! I’ve done so to help me stop with real smokers, now I have 2 to 3 completely empty 18650’s to charge daily. These things can draw as high as 25A at the extreme settings, a lot more than even the extreme flashlights.

14

Since joining up here and getting into lights i keep my eye out for products that can take 18650’s
I got a small 18650 fan. A RC radio that runs on 2 18650’s and FPV goggles. Also might build a quadcopter that will run on a single 18650

15

Higher than that, the limit will be the cell(s) and how low you build your coils and the risk you are willing to take :slight_smile:

16

With the 25A I was talking about the safety-limits of the regulated devices, the unregulated devices are indeed unlimited en therefor potential dangerous. Unfortunately our world is filled with people who have problems with the luxury of unlimited possibilities in a world that’s limited by natural law’s so……., let’s just say that some needed to learn the hard way.

Me myself I don’t need the biggest clouds so use much lower settings but still draw empty those 18650’s daily.

17

I’d get some lasers if I were you. Lots of fun burning stuff and popping balloons

18

Use the opportunity to recycle the worst performers without guilt!

Also nothing wrong with quality cells, which hold a charge well, being kept as backup spares for power outages etc.

If you’ve a fairly well matched set of 4, the BLF LT1 is a fantastic lantern.

Radios etc also very good, I’ve an XHDATA D-808 for FM/SW/MW/LW bands.