Laptop Pulls.

Batteries and Chargers Rechargeable Batteries
1

Yesterday, I had some free time. So I went to work on my recently acquired laptop batteries.

First one practically fell apart. It contained 4 light purple cells. ASO GI2I091EF 81922
and a long skinny bar code. I have pull cells like these from battery banks. Unknown Mah
They were all around 2.5 volts.

Next pack, while very similar to the first, needed to be destroyed before it gave up.
It contained 6 Sanyo UR18650A R1112 . Red wrapper violet top. I believe to be 2200mah. These averaged around 2.5 volts.

Final pack was out of Dell 80 watt pack. Story is. It was bought New this year, as a replacement. The guy used it until it needed to be charged and then it wouldn’t charge.
He gave the laptop to my dad for parts. There was so much glue on this thing, I used my flush cut nippers and just opened it up like a can of tuna, or maybe soup.
It contained 9 Samsung ICR18650-24B cells in blue wrapper. I believe to be 2400mah
I was discouraged to find out they were all around 1.6 volts.

I am aware of the dangers. I am aware of the dangers. I am aware of the dangers.

Anyway, first on the Nitecore I2 were the Samsungs. They all showed full. Hmm, my charger thinks there Ni-Mh. I loaded them into the Xtar SP2, Xtar MC1, and my Tomo battery bank-charger. After 10 minutes the Nitcore I2 would charge them. I increased the charger rate on the SP2 to 1 amp. When it finished a cell, I pulled one from a slower charger.

First Samsung cam off at 11pm. Showing 4.17 volts. It went into Armytek Prime C2 Pro at level M3 (380ish lumens) I ran it at that level with jumps to Turbo (900ish) lumens until 1:30 am. Switch still flashing green on Prime. Seams fine.

OK, I had to sleep so I pulled all cells from charger and started over today.

Day 2. All finished cells have been at 4.17 volts.

The first 4 samsungs that came off charger, are Now setting at 4.15 volts. 12+ hours after charged.

The first 2 Sanyos are now 4.16 volts. 12+ hours off charger.

None of the cells got hot, not even warm. All but 3 are finished. Doing another run time on a Samsung. Started at 2:50 pm. (3 hours before flash)

Anyone want to take a guess on how they will turn out ?? Thoughts ?? Similar experiences ?

Sorry this was so long.

Chad

2

I have done this many times. Saved me a lot of money.

I have only had good experiences with the ones i have pulled,
both noname and Sanyos

3

Sounds typical.

The cells probably will not set any records but if you have applications for less then 4-6 amps draw but lots of cycles, (EDC) etc etc, laptop pulls are a great economic way to meet that need.

For larger drains it may make sense to buy some of the competitively priced but higher tech cells new.

I think a lot of folks find that for “most” applications laptop pulls are fine.

I often need to put a dab of solder on the + end to insure they work with all my gadgets. some items don’t like flat tops

4

I posted a thread about Samsung’s a month ago. Mine read really low voltages, but jumped up to 3+ volts after like 2 min in the charger. They have been holding a charge and the capacity is on par with other laptop pulls.

I’ve only had it happen with Samsung laptop pulls.

Those aso cells are junk in my opinion. They are a cheap Chinese cell that they put in aftermarket laptop batteries. Mine drop about .1 volt a month and the capacity seems low.

I only grab laptop batteries now that specifically print the country of origin of the cells on the label.

5

Thanks for the reply, I’ve pulled cells from laptops for some time. I have never tried to recover a cell that was 1.6 volts. Failed on several that were 2-2.2 volts. I hoped that since they have never been cycled and were less than a year old they were worth a shot.

Tonight I tested on dog walk. Sanyo 2200mah in my Wizard Pro. Samsung in my Prime C2 Pro and in Viking Pro.

The Sanyo in the Wizard had no problem with M3 the 380ish lumen level, but wouldn’t run turbo 900ish lumens. I left it on M3 after about 20 minutes I tried Turbo again and it held it. I think the cell just needed to warm up.

The Samsung in the Prime Pro didn’t have any trouble with running in Turbo(900ish). And even though it was 25F degrees it managed to trip the overheat flash on the Prime. Heather used it as a handwarmer……

Viking Pro also ran on highest level. without giving any low battery flashes. Walk was just at a hour long. Samsung tested 3.8 volts.

My conclusion…. I just scored 9 Samsung cells. The ASO’s have been put into my Tomo battery charger USB bank, they have already filled Tablet from 63 to 98 %. They will get daily use until they are done.

Not sure what to do with the 6 Sanyo cells or the 9 Samsungs for that matter as I already have a supply of Pulls plus some Orbtronics and Olights.

I may try some long term storage.

Or I could buy more LIGHTS

6

Your name brand cells will be fine. Those with really low voltage may take playing with the charger or a charger with soft start but they will charge. They are used batteries and will be just like used batteries. Usually lower capacity than new and a bit more resistance but for everyday usage more than fine. Get a couple battery cases and keep a few with you when using the lights a lot ;)

7

I have a storacel slim I grab anytime I think I will need it. Just brought in the cells from RV and car. One cell probably last a week in my Wizard. One cell a night for my Viking or Javalote. Short walks this time of year.

8

I wish I still had those three laptop battery packs I tossed out last year. But that was before I had ever heard of an 18650.

Now I am waiting for one of my present laptops to fail so I can dismantle it’s battery pack.
Hmm, looks in closet and sees an old WinXP based laptop. Hmmm….

9

I have also bought USB power banks just to pull the cells.

Polaroid brand had 4 cells for $5 at Menards was best deal.
Several single cell for $2
Last one I bought at WallyWord for $5 I decided to keep. It allowed pass through charging. Will work as buffer with my solar panel. Just 2 cells fits nice in hand. Branded Black Web.

18650s are everywhere.

Monty repurpose;-)

10

Ah, those power banks are doomed. I have two Xiaomi 10,400 mAh that I bought for long distance plane travel and re-charging a couple of 10” tablets. Now the airlines have banned their use in-flight, and they cause problems getting through security at the airports.

So I may as well extract the batteries. There are four in each I think.

And then I need to figure out what to do with all the batteries. yep, I know, more flash lights :slight_smile:

11

My laptop battery is crapping out… Just ordered a replacement battery and can’t wait to hack this old one…. HP laptop replacement is the 593553-001, MU-06 number btw… Not sure what’s in it yet…??? Old one anyway…

12

I just pulled 6 Samsungs from a laptop pack and they all show 3.45 volts. When I try to charge them in my Xtar WP2 I can’t get them to charge. The light stays green like they are already at full charge. Seems like some laptop batteries will charge in the WP2 and some won’t. Is this a charger problem or bad batteries

13

Fish. I cant see all 6 cells being bad if it was in a working Laptop. But who knows, maybe try different charger. I do remember not getting any out a 2 packs. They had set many years before I got to them.

Eyes. 2 of recent packs were that style. One feel apart, One didn’t.
4 Chinese in one , 6 Sanyo’s in the other. I hope yours comes apart easily. The Sanyo’s were in the tough one.

Monty. Those cells need a home.