Why are 18650 batteries wrapped up?

Very often we are asked why the body of an 18650 battery is wrapped

The reason 18650 cells are wrapped is that the length of the cell is mainly negative terminals. If they are not covered, the cells can easily short circuit in contact with the positive terminals or other metals, which could vent and/or explode them.

Frequently, cling film or covers on batteries tend to protect them from all forms of contact with metals and other metals. This is essential for the safety of the battery user and use and those around them.

If you find that the 18650 battery packaging is broken or damaged, this is an indication that you must replace or re-wrap the battery. Failure to wrap the battery in this way could result in serious damage or even an explosion.

Repacking an 18650 battery requires complete removal of the previous packaging. Before wrapping, cut the new battery shrink-wrap exactly to the size of the battery. However, you may be able to obtain some pre-cut wrappers from your local shop. Using these makes the job much easier.

How do I repack an 18650 battery?

Repacking your 18650 battery is at your own risk. However, in this section we will show you the steps to repack your battery. This tutorial involves the use of a lighter.

1. First step

This stage relates to obtaining the required tools needed to complete the job. They include the following;

A. lighter

B. Calipers or rulers (if they are made of metal, special care must be taken to avoid short-circuiting the batteries)

C.Packing

D.Scissors or hobby knife

E.18650 batteries

F.Paper rings

(In the case of paper rings, they should only be used if the previous one is damaged.

2. Step 2

The second step relates to the cutting of the package. If it is flat, it has a width of 30 mm and is only a few mm wider than the 181650 as far as the inner diameter is concerned. Moreover, this is only about 18.5 mm. It is also very thin, which means that it fits easily into items such as a torch.

You can cut the pack to be 3 mm longer than each side, so about 71 mm or 72 mm. As for the 18650 batteries, they are slightly longer, although not 65 mm. They can be between 67 and 68 mm, so you can add about 6 mm to the measurement.

You would use a ruler to measure 72 mm and then cut it with scissors or a hobby knife. In addition, you can model the cuts according to certain templates. This allows you to cut each package without always measuring 72 mm

If the package is damaged, you will have to buy a new one. So, you have to be careful.

3. Step 3

In the third step you will remove the old packaging. If you want to remove the previous packaging, it will be cut on the negative terminals. This must be done because if you cut the positive terminal, the battery may short-circuit.

If the previous packaging has been damaged, you may need to remove it with your fingers. Take care not to damage or even pierce the case. If there is a protective circuit, there is a flat metal tab attached directly to the top of the battery.

However, you do not need to touch or bend this metal at all. Touching the metal is very dangerous and the battery will short circuit if the insulation is removed. If the pack has not been damaged, it can be left in place.

The only reason the paper ring should be removed is if it is damaged or falling off. Otherwise, do not lose or remove the paper rings yourself, as they protect the battery from positive and negative short circuits.

However, if the current one is misplaced or lost, you can buy a new one or you can cut it out of cardboard or thick paper.

4. Step 4

After removing the paper ring, it is time to put it back on top of the battery and place the pack on top. It helps if you use 3mm to 4mm at the ends, although this depends on how many you have left. It can be tested with old batteries.

Once the pack has been placed and successfully aligned, carefully heat the battery from top to bottom with a lighter and use it to rotate the battery as you do so. This only takes a few seconds.

If left for a long time, the pack may melt. However, try to ensure that the battery does not get hot for a long time.

When you have finished, you can place the sticker or label in the appropriate place with the original information. Alternatively you can use the markers to write the necessary information.

How do I dispose of 18650 batteries with damaged packaging?

Over time, the packaging in which 18650 batteries are placed may become damaged, loose or destroyed in any way. In some cases, mishandling of the battery may result in scratches or some indentations in the packaging, which will prompt a replacement.

However, in most cases, as the battery ages, the packaging will become damaged over time and begin to peel off the top or bottom of the battery or both. There is little you can do to prevent this from happening.

However, if you try to use a battery with a cracked or broken pack, you could soon be faced with serious problems. Cracks in the package around the edges of the battery can lead to short circuits, explosions and a number of other hazards. So it's best to fix it as soon as it happens, or better still, buy a new battery.

The only challenge with obtaining a new battery is that it can be more expensive than repairing an old one. Therefore, if you are on a budget, you may decide to repair the pack using the instructions in this article, or you may choose to purchase a new pack. Whichever option you choose, it is safer than using a battery with a broken package.