Best Source For Batteries

[RoboTechEd]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had a reputable source for different batteries? It looks like Digi-Key and Mouser have a limited selction. I am looking for a 500mAh+, 3.7v, max 1" wide Lithium battery that I would like to fit into a product. Sadly, I can find plenty that fit my needs on Adafruit, Sparkfun, Amazon, etc - but no where else really. I was curious if there was a reseller that has a wider variety than mouser, but the prices are a bit more reasonable, and is more reputable than an ebay seller (for production purposes).

Thanks!

[Balaur]

Hobby King is my go-to source for all kind of batteries.

Maybe some of the Turnigy nano-tech 1S batteries could fit your application?

[RoboTechEd]

Hobby King is my go-to source for all kind of batteries.

Maybe some of the Turnigy nano-tech 1S batteries could fit your application?

Oh wow! What a change in price. From ~20 bucks to 2 bucks. Thanks. It is close, but I am looking for a bit more capacity. With that said, Im sure I will find what I need here! Why does HobbyKing have so many cheap parts, that Mouser/Diki seem to not be able to get?

[Richard Crowley]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had a reputable source for different batteries? It looks like Digi-Key and Mouser have a limited selction. I am looking for a 500mAh+, 3.7v, max 1" wide Lithium battery that I would like to fit into a product. Sadly, I can find plenty that fit my needs on Adafruit, Sparkfun, Amazon, etc - but no where else really. I was curious if there was a reseller that has a wider variety than mouser, but the prices are a bit more reasonable, and is more reputable than an ebay seller (for production purposes).

That just seems like completely the wrong philosophy.  Unless your product is only going to last long enough for the original battery, why wouldn't you want to design around cells that your CUSTOMERS can get easily?  I have actually rejected otherwise good products for being designed around unobtanium batteries.

[Richard Crowley]

Why does HobbyKing have so many cheap parts, that Mouser/Diki seem to not be able to get?

Dramatically different customer base.

[RoboTechEd]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone had a reputable source for different batteries? It looks like Digi-Key and Mouser have a limited selction. I am looking for a 500mAh+, 3.7v, max 1" wide Lithium battery that I would like to fit into a product. Sadly, I can find plenty that fit my needs on Adafruit, Sparkfun, Amazon, etc - but no where else really. I was curious if there was a reseller that has a wider variety than mouser, but the prices are a bit more reasonable, and is more reputable than an ebay seller (for production purposes).

That just seems like completely the wrong philosophy.  Unless your product is only going to last long enough for the original battery, why wouldn't you want to design around cells that your CUSTOMERS can get easily?  I have actually rejected otherwise good products for being designed around unobtanium batteries.

I should have specified, I am looking specifically for rechargeable batteries that would not be removed. You are correct though, if they were to be replaced I would probably go the AAA route or coin cell route.

[mark03]

The problem with hobby batteries is that they usually have no protection circuitry built in, to disconnect the battery when the voltage falls dangerously low or the current is dangerously high.  They are also typically optimized for extremely high charge and discharge currents, often on the order of tens of C's.  Again, not what you want/need for most portable instruments.

I have had good luck in the past buying from batteryspace.  I would feel better buying from a larger supplier, but AFAIK there aren't any selling li-ion batteries suitable for electronics projects, in small quantities.  Maybe someone else can suggest an alternative?

If you can, design around one of the standard cylindrical form factors like 18650.  They are more widely available.  But beware, some have protection circuitry built in but many do not.

[tszaboo]

I think the Lithium battery business is working with the "quotation from manufacturer" system. All these shipping restrictions lack of standards for size, protection materials is not helping.
Basically, batteries are not electronics, so it has it's own rules.
I agree 18650 should be something you can just buy at the warehouse suppliers.

[PeterFW]

I agree 18650 should be something you can just buy at the warehouse suppliers.

Not just 18650, you can get 14500 from reputable sources.
Those cells are interchangeable because they have all the same size.
14500 is pretty small and can be about 1000mA.

I settled on those two battery sizes because i wanted a stable supply with a known size and rating.
You can even not include them in your product at all and have the customer buy them, because you can get them everywere (at least were i live).
So you do not have to worry about stuid laws regarding batteries and Li* in perticular.

[mark03]

Those cells are interchangeable because they have all the same size.

Be careful: with 18650 at least, the length of the cells can vary quite a bit (+/- a few mm?), possibly because the protection circuit gets tucked under one of the terminals, and sometimes it's there, sometimes not.

You can even not include them in your product at all and have the customer buy them, because you can get them everywere (at least were i live).

Can you buy them at retail stores?  That's interesting.  Here in the US, I suppose there must be hobby stores that sell them, but I'm not aware of any large hardware or electronics chains that do.  Last time I bought 18650s it was from a web store in China (they were special LG 4.35V cells).

[suicidaleggroll]

I've used www.batteryspace.com on several occasions.  Quick shipping, good selection, and you can buy the protection circuits as well.

I don't see one that fits your exact requirements after my cursory 15 second search, but I did find a 400mAh:
http://www.batteryspace.com/polymer-li-ion-cell-3-7v-400-mah-pl-402248-2c-----un38-3-passed-ndgr.aspx

[PeterFW]

Be careful: with 18650 at least, the length of the cells can vary quite a bit (+/- a few mm?), possibly because the protection circuit gets tucked under one of the terminals, and sometimes it's there, sometimes not.

Yes but the datasheet will tell you the dimensions, most decent cells do not have a build in protetion. I have got a few panasonic, sony and samsung 18650.
They are all around 5 to 8 Euros depending on capacity and discharge rate, will hold the specified charge and will have a decent life cycle.

You should not buy "trustfire", "efest" and other various crap when name brand cells are available.

Can you buy them at retail stores?  That's interesting. 

Sorry... i ment, everywere on the internet, as in "You can just order them online from various online shops".
The 18650 form factor has become very popular with electronic cigarettes around the world.
In densly populated areas you can get them even in retail stores related to that.

But you have to know that

Greetings,
Peter