Free 18650 Cells - Laptop Battery Hacking - Salvage & Reuse

Free stuff? Count me in! See how I get free Li-ion batteries, including 18650 cells, from easy salvage. This video walks through 6 different laptop battery deconstructions to get to some pretty cool batteries (i.e. more than just the 18650 style). I show not only how to crack the cases, but also how to separate cells, test cells and determine which cells are keepers for other uses. I also mention how I manage to collect a bunch of laptop batteries for free (and I do mean allot - I share my 'not so secret' approach).
Result: I have a ton of FREE rechargeable batteries that I can use in projects, set up as replacement batteries or convert into rechargeable battery packs. Want an awesome and easy way to make your own charger?... check out the video links below for some great info and tutorials.
Previous videos mention:
* Make Rechargeable Battery Packs - Low Cost & Easy: • Make Rechargeable Batt...
* Li-Ion Battery Charger $1 - awesome parts: • Li-Ion Battery Charger...
Web site I use for learning more about the 18650 cells I salvage: drive.google.c... (this is an easy visual guide with pictures)
WARNING: Li-ion batteries can have quite catastrophic failures if they are not handled properly. In addition to the warnings in the video make sure to do some extra research on your own if you are not used to working with these types of batteries. Key notes: do not puncture, crush, short or otherwise mishandle the internal cells of battery packs. Fire and/or explosion can easily occur. You have been warned; you are fully responsible for any and all results of your actions should you attempt to recreate any of the actions shown in this video!

[@ZolFox]

I’m looking into this for free batteries to use in my vaping mods. Most of them take 2 18650s, although they can vary, some take one, some take three, some take 20650 and 20700, but those usually come with adaptors to use 18650s as well. I need them 18650s. I found my first free ones by accident in a camcorder battery. 2 of them. And started thinking...then browsing and found this. Awesome!

[@DialedInDIY]

Awesome. Hope you get some good pc packs then you'll have back up cells. Thanks for watching!!

[@ZolFox]

Dialed In DIY actually I found one with 9 of them...however I’ve also been reading a lot about how these particular 18650s are not the greatest or safest idea to use in a vaping mod :/ and I’m gonna listen. I already had all my front teeth knocked out in an accident I don’t need to lose all the skin on my face on top of that when my mod explodes. I mean, I don’t know about all that but I wanna be on the safe side with something that is potentially unstable that I’m holding in my hand most of the day. I’m a guitarist...I need them fingers lol. But yeah I got 2 US18650GR 6’s! If only they were 8s they might have been usable...maybe. The 9 were ICRs which vent too quickly to use for vaping. Most of the batteries I’ve purchased are IMRs, a Hohm Life, 2 Hohm Work2s, 2 Samsung 25S’s, an LG HG2, 2 Vapcell K25s...those are good vaping batteries. But I’m sure I can find a use for these. I’m also a paranormal investigator (yes I’m a weirdo) and I always need kickass flashlights. These are perfect for that.

[@cooter3690]

So I just salvaged a couple of hundred batteries and will be making a few large 4cell packs. Probably be 4S50p. To save time I’d like to put as many as possible in parallel first and then charge it. The thing is that all the cells are at different states of charge and therefor have slightly different voltages. How close do their voltages need to be to safely put them in parallel?

[@DialedInDIY]

Great question... if you've tested all to be safe then I would make sure to balance the batteries first to level them out before you begin (I realize this is likely a late response). Sorry my response was delayed... I was pulled away from DID work for an unanticipated, extended period of time.

[@IntoTheMindlessAbyss]

Thank you! This was very informative compared to all the other videos I've stumbled upon. I am currently looking into repairing some laptop batteries and reusing some of the cells for external batteries. 18650's are very common on laptops. They're a lot more safer than those silly pouch types. I can't tell you how many times I've seen the pouch types just inflate and look like they're gonna explode. Very dangerous if you don't know what you're doing.

[@DialedInDIY]

Thank you so much for the great feedback, I really appreciate it. I agree, I have had much more success with 18650s than I have with the shrink wrapped blocks... I've seen them inflate also. Thanks again!

[@b.slinger6916]

You can also salvage Li-ion batteries (of all sizes) from any disposable vape, old cell phones, external battery power packs, wireless routers, "exit" signs and other emergency lighting units, rechargeable camping lanterns, and a bunch of other devices 🔋🆓🔋🆓🔋

[@brainwashed7244]

the real reason box stores dont sale these , cause they last forever!! i have 2013 still charging !! i adapt anything i can to 18650s even our battery air freshener ,, it needed new aa replaced every 2 months ,,18650 1yr per charge on 2015 18650s

[@DialedInDIY]

That is awesome. I try to do the same and replace with rechargeable whenever possible. It does seem they just keep on going. Thanks so much for taking the time to watch my video and post a comment. I really appreciate it.

[@jec_ecart]

Nice

[@SirWolfCZ]

Prying the PCB with a (conductive) screwdriver was an extremely bad idea.

[@DialedInDIY]

There are always ways to be safer and it is good to know the options and your own limits. Thanks for watching and taking time to post!

[@puhelk]

Can we use the control board of the batteries? How?

[@secureguard673]

amazing ur a star

[@gsondial]

Free 18650s!! And so many great uses for them (replacing regular batteries in stuff).

[@paipaiakapapi3137]

Im too scared to do this lol but i have a beat up power bank that doesn’t seem to charge

[@DialedInDIY]

Caution is the key and knowing your limits is very important. Whenever I am "uncomfortable" with doing something like this I do extra research first and then make sure to be extra prepared when it comes to safety.

[@Blakehx]

Check the recycling bins at Lowe's and Home Depot for power tool batteries! Unfortunately, most are old Ni-Cd packs but occasionally you'll find a good Li-Ion pack and often the batteries are all fine and somehow the circuit just got fried!

[@DialedInDIY]

That is an AWESOME idea. Thanks so much for posting the tip!.. and for watching the video. I greatly appreciate it!

[@juliusvalentinas]

Where do you steal 18650 from?

[@DialedInDIY]

For this vid they all came from old laptop battery packs. Some of those packs were mine but others were donated to me for this purpose. Thanks for watching!!