Lithium Ion Cells Copper Braid or Welding

Looking at 2 common methods of making lithium ion cells. Tinned copper braid can be used for for soldering 18650 or Molicel P45B INR21700 cells. I battery operated welder can also be used with tin plate.
Copper Braid Links
8mm Copper Braid
cubefpv.com/product/copper-braid-8mm-for-18650-and-molicel-inr21700-p45b/
10mm Copper Braid
cubefpv.com/product/copper-braid-10mm-for-18650-and-molicel-inr21700-p45b/

[@patrickauer6958]

I love how clean the battery pack looked at the end! I have never been able to solder 18650 batteries. You pointing out the iron size made me realize I was using the wrong one lol. I have purchased two spot welders to use for the packs I have built. Might give soldering the heavy breaded wire a try for my next pack!

[@spedi6721]

For soldering you need a very powerful iron to get the heat in in a short time, so you don't stress the cell to much with overheating

[@cubefpv]

Yes the larger iron tip will make all the difference - it's so much easier.

[@frankenfpv1802]

Very well done. Everyone who wants to build their own lion packs should look at this video before, even some famous KZbinrs lately apparently… your build is clean and safe if done correctly. Thanks for sharing this video. Helps a lot.

[@MicronWings]

Thanks - Yes I saw his video and thought No that's not how you do it. 🤣

[@tullgutten]

To be honest i hate spot welding tabs to cells since it creates such an intense heat. Soldering is MUCH safer for the cells at least if you know how to solder, scratch the area to solder and flux it. Spot welding easily gets over 1000°C ! It's melting temperature is 1455 °C If you solder nickel tabs over wood it might get lightly brown, but spot welding it you burn a deep hole in the wood. Soldering iron needs to be about 70°C over the solder melting or about 420°C for a fast and efficient solder, if it's too cold it either wont work or take long time

[@cubefpv]

Good point - I forgot to mention in the video that you need to use sandpaper to buff up the terminals before soldering and use flux.

[@GLHerzberg]

Its circular mil cross-sectional area not thickness of a foamlike mesh. Bad comparison.

[@spedi6721]

I don't get it.... Using the welder, why do I want to hold both electrodes to the same metal strip. Then you just short it. Wouldn't it be better to put one electrode on the lower metal and then use the second electrode to push the upper metal down. That way, the current melts both sides and the contact is better

[@aaronmastropaolo4674]

Would you mind sharing where you got your soldering iron?

[@aaronmastropaolo4674]

Also, I can't seem to find that exact spot welder, would you mind sharing a link for it too?

[@cubefpv]

My soldering iron is a Pine brand pine64.com/product/pinecil-smart-mini-portable-soldering-iron/ but others like the TS101 are more popular these days www.getfpv.com/miniware-ts101-digital-oled-smart-soldering-iron.html I can't find the Ebay listing for the welder i bought but this one is similar. www.ebay.com.au/itm/285048979466?itmmeta=01HQVF0N7KWRV93E0VX8S8EQHK&hash=item425e3e400a:g:WFgAAOSw~6phnwL5&itmprp=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwK%2BnJOgfdwPXUiSZlekKL1Qmg5TfpZQfuiOql%2FWNWe17wvS9pQXaRUu40VSXGbZ5UdZw4rgEqHileayfAQAW%2FvolGuzqJb%2FG3woZck9OBsQT6eLTVZIeSu6%2Bjut2RWVZlIy89SinzOLhbcIjMHw6dOh9DxUMzkWrJWeauJBvTsjNzJDWelroLAaKddMBIcBSAHKLjhmLxHsc5MHwPPG6DvhE2zbtvJZkmFgvKXqKnmmMKPK6wVKpboMWg4ohpYPU3A%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR-7Tgu--Yw @@aaronmastropaolo4674

[@Willalvers]

Soldering the batterys sometimes causes to fail due to vibration or prolong damage to the cells, the joint just pops, spot weld ill stick with

[@DroneSurf]

I have to disagree with your techniques. You destroy the internal resistant of your battery using the soldering Iron. Damage your batteries. Also your spot welding needs to be set to lower the timing of the welding. You are putting the heat for too long on the batteries with the spot welder as well. Good intentions, pretty bad performance.

[@cubefpv]

Thanks for your comments. I'll try using a lower setting on my next battery build. Also sorry for my pretty bad performance - I'm always trying to make my videos better.