Source for IMR-26700A Battery (cordless tool rebuild)

[KMinAF]

After seeing some videos and reading about rebuilding cordless tool batteries I thought I would give it a try. I just finished disassembling my Milwaukee 18V battery pack and now I need to source replacement batteries. The info printed on them is
MOLI SPE70045.1716 16
IMR-26700a
Any suggestions would be appreciated

 

[c10bonanza]

Anyone know of a reputable source for these IMR 26700A batteries? I have some old Ridgid 24v lithium-ion batteries I'd like to rebuild.

 

[jayfrank5074]

Use some 21700 cells and make/find some spacers for the diameter difference. 21700 should be Super easy to find. Liionwholesale is a supplier I have used for 18650 before.

Aren’t the new ryobi 3.0hp packs 21700?

I looked a few months ago for 26700 and really only found old stock.


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[c10bonanza]

Use some 21700 cells and make/find some spacers for the diameter difference. 21700 should be Super easy to find. Liionwholesale is a supplier I have used for 18650 before.

Aren’t the new ryobi 3.0hp packs 21700?

I looked a few months ago for 26700 and really only found old stock.


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Thanks! I’m really a battery newb. Sounds like aside from diameter, the 21700 cells are identical to 26700 cells?

 

[rice rocket]

26mm is the diameter, 70.0mm is the length. Hence 26700.

What he's suggesting is probably okay, provided your tool isn't pulling a lot of power. Caveat in using spacers on a 21700 is two fold, (a) spacer will likely be a thermal insulator, which is really bad for cell life, and (b) the cell throughput goes up with cell diameter, which is why most companies are now on 21mm diameter cells versus the previously 18mm common in the 18650 cell, assuming equivalent cell chemistries.

Do you know why the previous cells failed? IMR cells are usually one of the more robust lithium chemistries. If you let them fall to zero voltage, you can usually revive them with a trickle charger.

 

[Spacey_G]

26mm is the diameter, 70.0mm is the length. Hence 26700.

The last zero specifies the form-factor, not tenths of a millimeter. Zero is used for cylindrical cells.

 

[rice rocket]

Ahh good to know, thanks!

 

[jayfrank5074]

I meant make a spacer towards the end, not the whole cell length.

I think the m18 21700’s are rated at 35amp a cell. Pretty sure those 26700’s aren’t really any better. I just don’t think they were popular enough to be developed more.

I’ve seen a lot of V18 lion and v28 lion batteries go bad early. I don’t think they had good controls in them.


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[jayfrank5074]

Or use some 26650 cells, little spacer at the end?


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[c10bonanza]

26mm is the diameter, 70.0mm is the length. Hence 26700.

What he's suggesting is probably okay, provided your tool isn't pulling a lot of power. Caveat in using spacers on a 21700 is two fold, (a) spacer will likely be a thermal insulator, which is really bad for cell life, and (b) the cell throughput goes up with cell diameter, which is why most companies are now on 21mm diameter cells versus the previously 18mm common in the 18650 cell, assuming equivalent cell chemistries.

Do you know why the previous cells failed? IMR cells are usually one of the more robust lithium chemistries. If you let them fall to zero voltage, you can usually revive them with a trickle charger.

Thanks for the thorough response. The previous cells failed because they are old. Bought in 2007! These were Ridgid 24v XLI lithium ion batteries. Ridgid long ago discontinued the 24v system. But, I had registered for the Lifetime Service Agreement, and Ridgid is sending me two new, replacement 18v batteries and a new charger that are compatible with my old tools.

Very impressed!

 

[GeoBruin]

Good modern 21700 cells will withstand a much higher current draw than the calls that came in that pack.

Look at Mountain Electronics. They have a lot of options and explain the limitations and benefits of each cell type/size.

mtnelectronics dot com

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[c10bonanza]

Good modern 21700 cells will withstand a much higher current draw than the calls that came in that pack.

Look at Mountain Electronics. They have a lot of options and explain the limitations and benefits of each cell type/size.

mtnelectronics dot com

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Thx! Now that the old packs have been replaced under warranty, I may futz around and try to rebuild an old pack for fun.

 

[carmantl]

Mt Baker Vapor has decent 26650 cells on sale now for $1.30 each, They are 4200 mah, which is probably a lot more than the 26700's you are replacing. Just put a 50mm spacer in there.

 

[GeoBruin]

Mt Baker Vapor has decent 26650 cells on sale now for $1.30 each, They are 4200 mah, which is probably a lot more than the 26700's you are replacing. Just put a 50mm spacer in there.

I think he would only need a 5mm spacer. At that point, you may not need a spacer at all.

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